News

Blacks Given 'Ghetto' Names in SoCal Yearbook

by Associated Press , July 1, 2008

Categories:

COVINA, Calif.

 Phony ``ghetto'' names were printed under a yearbook photo of Black Student Union members, leaving some angry Charter Oak High School students and parents calling for an apology and a reprint.

``Tay Tay Shaniqua,'' ``Crisphy Nanos'' and ``Laquan White'' were among the nine names placed next to the club's photo in the 2008 Chronicle, Charter Oak Unified School District Superintendent Clint Harwick said.

``We are discussing the intent and impact of the student's actions,'' Harwick said. ``The first step was to remedy the issue.''

The incident was ``atrocious,'' school board President Joseph M. Probst said.

``I am sure the students will be spoken to and given an apology if they haven't been already,'' he said.

``They were very ghetto and slangish and it was just very inappropriate,'' student Evanne Jackson said.

School ended about two weeks ago and authorities said the names were only discovered after the yearbooks were handed out. Students were given printed stickers with the correct names to put into the yearbook but Jordan Smith, a BSU member, said the books should be recalled and reprinted.

``A yearbook is very significant and something you always hold on to,'' said Toi Jackson, whose daughter, Evanne, is a BSU member. ``When she shows it to her kids she will have to explain why she has the name Crisphy.''

``Someone was just trying to be funny but it's not funny,'' she said. ``It's upsetting. It's a mistake that should not have been overlooked.''

Some students and officials said they believed the names were changed as a prank.

However, an e-mail to a writer for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune claimed the names were ``filler text,'' used when the yearbook was being designed. The names were supposed to be replaced, the writer said, but the page was never corrected and the mistake got through a proof reader.

1 | 2
Comments posted here may be reprinted in Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine, and may be edited for purposes of clarity and/or space.



Story Tools

Popular Topics


FEATURED jobs
Full Time, Tenure Track Faculty
North Seattle Community College

North Seattle Community College (NSCC) is seeking dynamic and collaborative individuals for Faculty positions in Business, Physics, and Visual Arts. These tenure-track positions will be generalists able to prepare and teach courses in their related field.


Enterprise Application Services Business Analyst
Ithaca College

The department of Enterprise Application Services within Ithaca College's Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) invites applications for a Business Analyst position to collaborate with departments across campus to identify, define and document business requirements as part of Enterprise Application Services (EAS)...


Business and Economics Librarian
Cornell University

Requires: Familiarity with software and tools for information management. Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Must enjoy providing services to a diverse audience. Demonstrated initiative and flexibility, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.


Chief Information Officer
State University of New York

The State University of New York (SUNY), the nation s largest and most comprehensive system of public higher education, seeks a Chief Information Officer (CIO). This position is located in Albany, New York at the System Administration of the State University of New York.


Copyright 2012 © Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, a CMA publication.
Cox, Matthews, and Associates, Inc., 10520 Warwick Ave, Suite B-8, Fairfax, VA 22030