<p>I’ve yet to hear a liberal who says or does racist things admit even privately to it being racist when they obviously are in the eyes of almost all others from moderates to conservatives to other liberals. In their minds, they seem to enjoy blanket immunity from acts of racism. With open minds like that, who needs closed minds?</p>
<p>Neither one of you has explained how the picture is racist. Do you find the Preppy Handbook racist? This was a satirical book written in jest. I am sure the author was not flamed and labeled racist. Maya depicted an archetype of the student body. She was not the only one who felt this way. The international student described the same situation but left out the satirical picture. Do you ever see a conservative admit to being racist? Most people will deny that charge. If liberal and conservatives agreed there would not be political paralysis in this country. Why direct so much vitriol towards Maya? Were you disturbed by the assumption that she was on financial aid? Maya seems to be the only one who paid. She was forced to resign her position. </p>
<p>So if a white person posted pictures of him in completely baggy jeans, cap on sideways with chains, hashtag something along the lines of gangsters, that wouldn’t be racist in your view?</p>
<p>Just an example, not trying to be racist or anything.</p>
<p>I think the point you’re missing, @mrnephew, is that “reverse racism” doesn’t exist. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, etc, etc, but at the end of the day a white person posting a picture like that is racist, while Miss Peterson’s photo isn’t. Just Google “reverse racism” and you’ll find hundreds of articles.</p>
<p>Insane. The whole “racism” concept is being taken to the level of ridiculousness, and eventually people are going to grow very weary of this. What happened to Martin Luther King’s dream about people being judged by the content of their character? Because, honestly, that’s how I judge people. Politeness, kindness, competence in their work, desire to do the right thing…those are the standards by which I choose friends. I most definitely would not choose Maya Peterson as a friend. Not only do I have nothing in common with her, but I wouldn’t trust her. She is being driven by an ideology that she is loyal to, and she doesn’t seem to operate on a basic standard of decency.</p>
<p>One article, I think it was in Buzzfeed, mentioned that the black girls at Lawrenceville complained because white girls wanted to touch their hair. So what?? Maybe the white girls were intrigued by it. Maybe that was their way of bonding. (Playing with someone’s hair is kind of an intimate thing, and you don’t touch the hair of someone you despise.) How in the world can something so innocent be perceived as racist?</p>
<p>By the way, grx567, The Preppy Handbook is satirical, but in a light-hearted way. No one was offended by it, and in fact, the first edition (published back in 1980) made the whole culture aspire to become preppy because it sounded like fun. Maya’s satire was just plain mean and unpleasant. </p>
<p>We need to stop worrying over whether or not something is “racist,” and determine whether or not it’s offensive. </p>
<p>ok BSBound, you do not know anything about AA women and their hair. Their hair is personal and no you do not go around touching their hair. I would have to explain any number of sociological/historical concepts that if you cared you could explore yourself. For a funny take start with Chris Rock’s film labelled “Hair”.</p>
<p>The Preppy Handbook had pictures just like Maya’s. The reason you dislike her is as you said you have nothing in common except if you are truly BS bound and on no financial aid. You would both come from a financially privileged background. So, you may have more in common than you realize.</p>
<p>Maybe you should apply MLK’s teachings to your own outlook. You have judged Maya based on the superficiality of her sexual orientation etc. and not by her character. I would be offended by anyone who hung a a Confederate flag outside their window. It is a symbol of hatred used by many groups. This does not mean I would object to its use in reenactments.</p>
<p>Mr. Nephew the trope you described has been used multiple times and is a tired stereotype. Even Maya’s outfit was a stereotype of preppy kids. Look what happened to Prince Harry when he dressed as an SS officer. No one found that funny. The issue was more the reaction to her picture and why she was made to pay but nothing was done to address the illegal pics of her dressing, the vitriol directed towards her, and most importantly why the school did not address not only her but other students’ feelings of alienation. </p>
<p>@BSBound, when I first started prep school in sixth grade, everyone was mesmerized by my hair. While it is not racist, its rude. You don’t just touch one’s hair without receiving permission. Its not really the touching of the hair, its more of the fact of how they acted like they had never seen a black person before, making it offensive. Also, Maya was satirical in a light-hearted way and some people didn’t react as light hearted as she intended to.</p>
<p>@needtoboard I agree, I’m white but I have long hair and people have always touched it (one girl used to try to braid it without my permission) without asking and it has always bothered me. Some people have no concept of a personal space. </p>
<p>Reverse racism is a theory, a dogma that greyeyedgoddess and others like to insist others believe in. If you don’t subscribe to the dogma, you’ll likely be labeled a racist and ignorant. The dogma peddlers can echo chamber the dogma to each other endlessly while active racism goes on, sadly, in all directions. Only by confronting all forms of racism will the problem improve.</p>
<p>For anyone who cares to hear an explanation from the source there is an article she wrote just a a day ago.
<a href=“Maya Peterson: Why Lawrenceville Prep Needs a Jolt of Diversity | Time”>http://time.com/2967408/maya-peterson-lawrenceville-diversity/</a>
I find it admirable that she holds nothing against the school and would not even discourage other students of color from attending the school. She values her education and respects her teachers. </p>
<p>Look, racism isn’t defined just as white to black, it can also be black to white or asian to white or anything, really. </p>
<p>Not a believer in reverse racism. </p>
<p>@grace567, you’re missing the point. Has anyone ever told you, “you’re hair is so weird,” then proceed to play with it and bask in its “amazement?” Reverse racism is a stupid idea which does not even exist. Those who believe in it are ignorant. I’m sorry to be so blatant but there is no other way to say it.</p>
<p>Many people have been victims of racism, people of every color in every society. No group has a monopoly on being the recipient or of it or the one inflicting it. Happens each and every day. Denial of it amplifies the problem of racism.</p>
<p>Why do we care so much about labeling something as racism? If it’s offensive, it’s offensive. </p>
<p>Not trying to be rude,this thread is about how is prep school like for minorities,why are there white people commenting in to this,it is not for you.</p>
<p>Its a discussion and white people are intrigued by this topic. So it is for them. Its for everyone. </p>
<p>It’s an online forum where you can discuss whatever you want. In this case, this.</p>
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<p>Do you only want URM posting or are ORM approved to post? Are half white biracial people approved to post or does that depend on the other half being URM? What about a white parent of your approved biracial student, a parent who could provide some insight into the original poster’s question…Not approved?</p>
<p>If you are a person of color(which I count biracial people or ORM),I believe you could comment on your experiences.But if you are a parent of a person of color,I feel that you wouldn’t know much about how your child would feel because you aren’t around your kid all the time.Most teens don’t tell parents about all there experiences.</p>
<p>P.S I am multiracial(white,Nigerian,and Native American)</p>