DICK vs. PUSSY:The Infamous N-Word Teacher
Benjamin | Monday, December 29, 2008 at 3:52PM 
In the great american tradition of Point / Counterpoint™, FIPS' new Dick vs. Pussy feature aims to bring our valued readers both sides of hot-topic issues.
Today on Dick vs. Pussy, we'll discuss the Case of the Infamous N-Word Teacher!
Last Tuesday, as John Jay staff and administrators gathered at La Bagel Delight, their daily gossip all revolved around one thing: The allegations that a John Jay Middle School teacher used a racial slur while disciplining a class of seventh and eighth graders. Discuss!
DICK:
From Park Slope to Manhattan, thousands of liberals undoubtedly blasted this teacher in their casual water-cooler conversations. Nice; we're ready for another internet-enabled Michael Richards lynching!
Can I just say one thing before the proceedings begin?
When white people are alone, and we walk past John Jay High School and see the hundreds of scary minority kids outside, we either cross to the other side of the street or raise our eyebrows at one another. Same thing happens on a subway car when 25 minority kids get on and start making tons of noise: White people roll their eyes and make secret comments like "oh great, here comes Hip-Hop High."
You know it's true.
How quickly we turn on those who don't cross to the other side; who instead build their lives on stepping in and educating these communities.
The accused teacher is a white person who is one of many New York heroes. She's teaching these kids for a tiny salary and putting up with god knows what - and then the instant there's an ALLEGATION that she used the N-word, everyone in New York wants to see her head on a platter.
First of all - there's no proof she used the N word. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?
I'm not enough of a hero to have ever taught in the New York City public school system, but I know a lot of people who have - I'm sure you do as well. We've all heard some real horror stories, including threats made that if the teacher calls the principal on a misbehaving student, the student will scream rape, cry racism, etc.
The kids might be telling the truth - especially because all the kids seem to be saying the same thing. But we have to know for sure, especially before we destroy a hero's career and blacklist them for life.
Finally, is there any chance at all that as a society, we can look at a person's actions instead of their words? IF the teacher fucked up and said the N word, is their any chance that we can look beyond that - discipline her, sure, but does it have to be a lynching that ends her career? Can we not take into account that above all, this person is a fucking hero who gets up to go to work every morning trying to educate these extremely difficult high-school students?
Doesn't that count for anything?
PUSSY:
It counts for a lot, Dick. I'm not discounting the heroism of our community's teachers by any means - but a "slip" of this magnitude isn't something from which her class would be able to recover.
Imagine their being asked to respect, look up to, and obey someone who has betrayed the community's trust in this fashion?
The capacity to even say the N-word out loud, let alone to a room full of children - HER children - children she's been entrusted with the safety of - is not something that can be taken lightly.
We are trying to set an example for these kids (and by the way, I'm utterly stunned at your characterization of them as "scary" - this attitude is absolutely part of the problem). In order to set an example for these underprivileged (not scary) kids, it's crucial that we demand the highest possible standards from their educators.
What sort of example does it set for our children, if there are no repercussions for a woman that has degraded them in the basest and most hurtful way possible?
I might add that the teacher's behavior with reporters does not work in her favor either - screaming at the media, cursing in anger - to reporters - hardly speaks well for her character.
I may be white, but I can tell you as a parent with 3 kids in the New York City Public School System - this cursing, yelling teacher - white OR black - does not sound like the kind of woman I'd want to leave my children in the care of.
racism 
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Reader Comments (16)
I walk past John Jay every day and see lots of nice kids. I'm not scared by them; why are you?
Not really a "vs." here, is there? Dick talks "innocent until proven guilty" and Pussy talks "it's horrible no matter what." Let's try a real dialogue next time.
If she did say it, I have to say that Pussy's "the capacity to even say the N-word out loud..." resonated very much with me. There are no circumstances in which it is appropriate for a teacher to say that word to students. It should only be used by white comedians attempting professional suicide.
Are you serious Anonymous 4:24?
Is anyone still really as daft as you?? Sometimes I hate this neighborhood.
I'm sick of this black mafia
How many times have these kids called the =teacher= a dumb white bitch.
I guess I'm a "dick". I've never heard my own viewpoint expressed so directly in a park slope blog.
When deeds are weighed as heavily as actions, I'll know I've passed on and gone to the next life.
Consider me a fan.
Two things. The teacher is the grown up and should model the appropriate behavior and the desired effect. Respect of authority. Frequently in urban schools respect is given to those who show it.
Next, when a student calls a teacher a dumb white bitch, what were the consequences?
IMO, dumb white bitches aren't dumb. They just lack the essential teaching skill of classroom management AND presume that anyone Brown is underprivileged, doesn't know better and can't learn.
Sounds like a dumb white bitch to me.
ethnic children are like roches. they breed fast and before you know it your infested. and they are so hard to get rid of....
its sad....
step on the bnugs and squish em'
noone needs bugs....
first of all....
how is it fair that a respectful, controlled, educated, hard working, white teacher, have to deal with a bunch of children who are proven to be tyrants?
yes they lil black kid is a nigger.....
but if you study english and look up the word nigger, it is originally a work not used to talk of black people, but a word that meant someone was low and and filth....
thats what that kid most likely was acting like, and is,
as most black kids i see every day, nigger this, nigger that, fuck that bitch, white bitch this, white bitch that,
oh fucking well then when a black person gets called nigger....
im called white trash all the time by black people in the ghetto
funny, that neve rmakes front page news,
but all of a sudden a black is called nigger, and omg.....
I get you're trying to provoke but you're really getting into some real foul shit. I'm a teacher and let me tell you: the system is filled with dumb-white bitches masquerading as liberal crusaders intent on civilizing the underclass. The noble savage shit is alive and well. And as far as John Jay goes- it's CRIMINAL this school sits in what is essentialy a white-enclave and that park slopers have rejected it as being some hell hole. It's like pre-brown v. board shit right in our back yard.
You're unleashing some real ugliness in your quest to be get a rise out of people. These are fucking KIDS for god's sake.
@anonymous 11:13
Yes, you're right, I'm trying to provoke; provoke THOUGHT about an issue - I know that goes against your dogmatic, politically correct doctrine but frankly, shove it up your ass.
How dare you liken this post to some kind of Howard Stern shock jockery. I know you're used to people backing down from your PC witch-hunts, but you'll get no such satisfaction from me.
If you have an opinion, discuss it, don't start chastising me for examining an issue closely and shedding light on what some REAL people are thinking when they walk down the street.
(applause for Benjamin)
Fuck ALL of you ignorant assholes. You think you are so fuckin' smart. Just admit that you are a racist. You don't have to bullshit about "provoking thought..." Karma is a bitch and you WILL certainly get yours for your evil words and thoughts.
watch out!!! 9:20's faggot invisible god is going to punish you!
anon 9:20, evil thoughts? I have evil thoughts about raping your mom with your god's phony cross, you gaybashing stem cell fearing sheep
I am so confused. "Real" people think this way? Oh Benjamin- please move back to the five towns. This just ain't the place for you.
i lived directly behind John Jay for 3 years. and I am currently a high school sub teacher. I wouldnt be surprised if that shit was made up by a group of kids who wanted to get her in trouble. The power of assholery in groups of children is astonishing sometimes. especially at that place. I have witnessed a few protests by groups of kids for the most stupid shit. like wanting cell phones and longer lunches.
i never had any problems with any kids there though, personally.
I attended NYC public schools from junior to high school and survived without the pleasure of being called a slur (at least to my face!) -- regardless of how people may feel about groups of people who look alike -- I'm hoping that the kids are owed a piece of dignity while the teacher is working hard for the money.
Also, Dick,
I've worked on Wall Street for many years and I've managed to hold my tongue when I see mostly white bankers partying it up in bars and restaurants or have a staff meeting. Heck I even stay in the restaurant when I would see them barrelling in with their privilege and entitlement.
It's not that hard to not let biases rule your life. Try it some time.