"Read it "Blacker" ?

A George C. Marshall High School student asked to read poem 'blacker'

 Ninth-grader Jordan Shumate said that during class this month, he was reading aloud a poem by acclaimed African American writer Langston Hughes when his teacher interrupted and directed him to read in a “blacker” style. “She told me, ‘Blacker, Jordan — c’mon, blacker. I thought you were black,’ ” said Shumate, who is African American.


He is the only African American student in the class at the Falls Church school. And he says the fact he was singled out and asked to read it "blacker" shows racial insensitivity by his teacher.


Another ninth-grader, Kaila Denny, said she witnessed the incident. Shumate was “just sitting there reading normally like any person would,” Denny said, when Bart instructed him to speak “blacker.”

Shumate said that when he refused to continue reading the poem, Marilyn Bart a Fairfax school teacher since 1990,  read it aloud herself, demonstrating what she meant.

“She sounded like a maid in the 1960s,” Shumate said. “She read the poem like a slave, basically.”

Shumate said he asked Bart that day whether she thinks all black people speak that way. She reprimanded him for talking out of turn, he said, and told him to take his seat.

Shumate said it wasn’t the only time that he felt singled out in English class because of his race.  This week, in preparation for reading literature about the Holocaust, the teacher showed photographs to illustrate common stereotypes about different groups of people, Shumate said.


Shumate said Bart showed an image of grape soda — a drink of choice among African Americans, according to a racial stereotype — and asked him to explain its meaning. Denny corroborated his account.  “I do know the stereotypes,” Shumate said, “but she could change the questions so I’m not like the king of black people.”

What is going on when a Teacher of twenty-two years does not know anything about political correctness, really? 

I understand how this student felt I grew up and went to a High School, where our family was the only Black family. I also ended up at a private College where most of the time I was the only Black student in the class. I remember a class discussion in Literature 101, the Professor asked the class if things were better for Blacks now then during the time  of Malcolm X, the assigned reading and topic of this particular class session. Keep in mind, what I said, I was the only African-American in the class. So, It went on and then some snotty white girl said I'd like to know what Talmer thinks, She will regret that provably for the rest of her life cause I let her have it, I said first of all I am not the "Black Rosetta Stone," so I do not speak for all African-American's, but NO! things are not better.  Take for example that shirt your wearing from Abercrombie & Finch, they discriminate against minorities, don't hire them at their stores and here you are asking me about if things are better, go home change your clothes and then maybe we can talk, but I don't talk to people who support racist organizations. They were all shocked , but I think I made my point. 

I remember often having to tell people that this is not "Ethnic Corner" with Talmer.

Here is what is odd about this story is that the poem is about speak up about an injustice and what happens when a black man speaks up about the injustice he was receiving oddly enough in the poem the Black man is sentenced to 90 days in jail. In this story when the 14 year-old boy speaks up he is also reprimand for speaking out.

Here is the poem:  

The Ballad Of The Landlord

Landlord, landlord,

My roof has sprung a leak.

Don't you 'member I told you about it

Way last week?

Landlord, landlord,

These steps is broken down.

When you come up yourself

It's a wonder you don't fall down.

Ten Bucks you say I owe you?

Ten Bucks you say is due?

Well, that's Ten Bucks more'n I'l pay you

Till you fix this house up new.

What? You gonna get eviction orders?

You gonna cut off my heat?

You gonna take my furniture and

Throw it in the street?

Um-huh! You talking high and mighty.

Talk on-till you get through.

You ain't gonna be able to say a word

If I land my fist on you.

Police! Police!

Come and get this man!

He's trying to ruin the government

And overturn the land!

Copper's whistle!

Patrol bell!

Arrest.

Precinct Station.

Iron cell.

Headlines in press:

MAN THREATENS LANDLORD

TENANT HELD NO BAIL

JUDGE GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL!