links for 2010-11-12

"The father of a black student has sued a Detroit-area school district claiming that his daughter was racially harassed by a fifth-grade teacher's reading aloud from a book about slavery. The suit claims Jala Petree's teacher at Margaret Black Elementary School in Sterling Heights read excerpts from Julius Lester's 'From Slave Ship to Freedom Road' that contain racial epithets and racist characterizations, The Macomb Daily reported."

"Oklahoma has the second largest population of Native Americans in the U.S and law experts like Oklahoma University law professor Taiawagi Helton point out that language in the law banning courts from looking at 'legal precepts of other nations or cultures' could pose a problem if applied to tribal legal cases, as the tribes are considered sovereign nations. In fact, the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission released an official memo on October 20 explaining how the 'lack of specific tribal law language' could 'damage the sovereignty of all Oklahoma tribes' and 'starkly reminds [the Commission] that some Oklahoma lawmakers forgot that our nation and state were built on the principles, blood, and back of other nations and cultures, namely, ou[r] tribes…'"

"Cited in the suit are text messages allegedly between the bar's general manager, Walt Wyrsta, and the Wednesday-night manager, Kathryn Killian, including one from Wyrsta that read, 'We don't want black people we are a white bar!'

"Bolden's attorney, Laura Mattiacci, declined to say how the texts were obtained. In a written statement, Bolden, 29, who is still employed at McFadden's and who also works as a lawyer with Community Legal Services, said a "'culture of exclusion' exists at bars, including 'dress codes, marketing or policies by the security staff.'

"'The one constant is that it is often subtle, behind the scenes and typically, not written down. And therein lies the problem: How do you challenge a system, since it seems one cannot even prove it exists,' Bolden wrote. 'Well, now I can. I feel a sense of moral obligation to take a stand.'"

"A row has broken out over a 'fake' photograph of three black women police officers apparently asleep in the Mitchells Plain charge office – and the man believed to have taken the picture could face charges of crimen injuria and defamation.

"The Police and Prison Civil Rights Union (Popcru) claims the officers – a constable and two trainees – were told by an inspector to pose for the picture last week.

“'After he finished taking the picture, he laughed and told the three he would expose them in the media,' said Popcru provincial chairman Francisco Fields."

"I can't read her Facebook page, but someone tells me she wrote: 'I'll admit it, I am a shameless self promoting squaw. Thank you mother earth for putting my face on the cover and the excellent article and additional pictures inside.'

"So she's a 'squaw,' a shameless self-promoter, and a racist. Got it.

"Can you imagine painting her face black, putting on a kerchief, and calling herself the 'Big Mammy"? Because that's exactly equivalent to Horne's actions.

"Meanwhile, Roop offers the usual non-apology 'apology.' Mock concern for the person's feelings. The magical power of intent as an excuse. No admission of actual wrongdoing. No promise to print a retraction or chastise the people involved. Just a vague 'we'll discuss it' pledge."