Check out this link: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040122/ap_on_re_us/king_controversy_2

It seems that a school district in Nebraska has suspended a student for running for the "Distinguished African American Student" award.  Problem is, the perpetrator is a white student who was born in South Africa.

The school feels that he was being racist because, after all, he is not black.  But the award was not called "Distinguished Black Student Award".

Why do we have schools running awards that are based on race or ethnicity?  The very fact that this type of award (whether african american or black) segregates the student body and raises calls of "special treatment".  Where is the award for Indian students or Italian students?  Where is the award for students who are Muslim or Catholic or Satanic?

The school administrators behind this incident should be FIRED.

I dont see anything wrong with that kid running for the award.  He was born in Africa and lives in America right??    No hes not part of the negroid race.  But still in essence makes him African-American but not the way most people "percieve" an African-American.

Its the award itself that is the problem for singling out a certain group (as a color BTW) as eligible for the award it quite discriminatory.  It needs to be discontinued if its not on a level playing field for everyone.

I heard mention of this yesterday and I think its ridiculous.

Regarding whehter or not he should get the award, of course.  He's actually from Africa, he now lives in America, how much more "African-American" can he get?  

Actually, that makes him more qualified than most so-called "African-Americans" who weren't even born there, yet still demand to be called that.(which is a whole other topic)




As far as the school even having an award like that, they are just asking for it.  it was bound to cause controversy one of these days.