I smite thee! ...The Diary of Nod

AL teacher keeps job after using Obama assassination as math example

In Alabama, a math teacher used the hypothetical assassination of President Obama as a geometry example. Coach Gregory Harrison of Corner High School, Jefferson County, Alabama, has forfeited 10 days of pay, will undergo "sensitivity training" and has apologized for "the inappropriate comments" and an "error in judgement."

Now, joking about Lincoln and Booth could be considered "inappropriate". Definitely Kennedy and Oswald or King and Ray. But joking about someone who isn't dead and who gets regular death threats? And is the goddamned president, is black, and you're in fucking Alabama?

That's "inappropriate"? Let's flip this around. Imagine if a student were given the task of writing a word problem for a geometry lesson; if that student had used ANYONE living, they would have been expelled. Gone. Fini. Imagine if an Alabama student had done that about President Bush (43) during his presidency? Wanna guess there'd be criminal charges for "terroristic threats" by the local cops?

You know I'm right. So how come this teacher gets a (hard) slap on the wrist? Is it because it was Obama and not Bush? Is it because he's a teacher, not a student? Is it because "Coach" wins games and is popular?

Let's ask one of his former students:

Shea Cameron, one of Harrison's former students and supporters on the Facebook page "Keep Coach Harrison," says she understands the need for consequences, but doesn't think Harrison recieved an "accurate punishment."

"I believe that the example that the student gave was if you were to shoot the presidents ear off and Coach Harrison said that would be the point of tangency," she said.

"I honestly don't believe a reprimand was necessary," Cameron said. "I believe that he had a lapse in judgement, absolutely, but it was not intended to harm anyone."

Teachers should set the example for students to follow. This goes beyond "inappropriate" or an "error in judgement." The man should have been fired. Obviously, the community at large thinks this kind of thing is ok and would do nothing to deter it.

So the next time some kid gets expelled or arrested for joking about something like this, bring up Coach Gregory Harrison of Corner High School, Jefferson County, Alabama. Ask why he gets to keep his job.

Labels: alabama, assassination, corner high school, education, gregory harrison, high school, jefferson county, obama, police, president, terrorism

posted by Lachlan @ 12:51 PM