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COLUMN: In The Club, By Fri Bailey
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By Fri Bailey. When given the opportunity to showcase love in mixed and happy couples, let’s just say that I jump at it like Anna Wintour at a Viktor & Rolf collection debut. Like Oprah, I’m all about finding ways to live your best life and if that includes celebrating the explosive growth of multi-ethnic [...]
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Who makes up your family? Age before beauty? “Uncle” is the newest member in a way, as he has lived with us, for a year now. He is my oldest brother, Marc, who relocated to the states from Europe in large part to become a more integral part of his nephews’ lives. Although it is [...]
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Who makes up your family? We are a family of five. Daddy (Michael), Mama (Hannah) and our 3 little ones. Asha (age 6), Marcus (age 2), and Arielle (age 1). We have had two Rotties through the years, but both have now passed. How did you meet? -Hannah: We met in a club parking lot [...]
In the News
Class president? Must be white to apply at this Mississippi school!
The other day, I found a message on our Facebook fan page, Mixed and Happy: I Support Mixed-Race Families. Brandy, from Mississippi, wrote on our wall:
Just found out that that my children’s school divides the class president, vice pres, homecoming king and queen by race!!! OMG some positions r only open to blk students and some to white! That is disgusting! and where would Celeste fit in all of that. I believe I have ta try to do something about this. Race DOES NOT belong in school! jus gross. If u have any idea where to start, any advice would be appreciated.
I asked for details, thinking that maybe her child had come home with the wrong information. And what I heard back made my jaw drop:
“My daughter came home from school telling me that she wanted to try out for the school reporter, but it is only open to black students,” she wrote me. “They told her “she should run for class president, that was open to only white students.”
At that, this mother started reading the school’s handbook and discovered that they also divide the prom and homecoming king and queen by race — black or white, and nothing in-between. “My son and daughter that go to this middle school are Native American and Italian. But, we also have 3- and 6- year olds that are African American and Italian. I would like to know which category they would lump them in. I have always taught my children not to see race. This is so disgusting to me.”
Brandy wrote a letter to the School Board. And this was the reply:
“They told me that they “Go by the mother’s race b/c with minorities the father isn’t generally in the home.” They also told me that ” a city court order is the reason why it is this way.”
I had to see for myself, because you know how things can get misconstrued. And when I saw this form, I was absolutely disgusted. See for yourself.This is the form that Nettleton Middle School, in Mississippi, sent home with Brandy’s child, who is not allowed to apply for the reporter position because the school considers her white.
But think about this: What about the black children who want to become Class President? Nope. Not eligible. According to this document, the position of Class President is only open to white students. And according to the document, eight of 12 positions are open to white students; while four of 12 are open to Black students. So, where does that leave my mixed-race daughter? Where does that leave a Chinese, Asian, Mexican student?
I simply cannot believe this is happening today. Now, what are we going to do about it?
I am asking everyone to email the governor of Mississippi. Telling him how shocking it is that this school is clearly discriminating! We cannot let this go unnoticed. Let’s speak up! This has got to be a violation of some law, right? Right? Here is the email for Governor Hailey Barber: governor@governor.state.ms.us — and feel free to copy me on it if you want. My email address is suzy@mixedandhappy.com. Let’s overwhelm his inbox and let him know how disgusted we all are by this.
Also, please repost this far and wide!
Update: This story has been verified! This is no hoax. I personally called the school and spoke with the vice principal, who verified. He referred me to the superintendent, who is supposed to call me back this afternoon. He told me that I should discuss this policy with him. I will keep you all posted. Also, the school’s phone number is (662) 963-7406. You will have to ask for the middle school.
–Suzy, suzy@mixedandhappy.com
The Smoking Gun also covered this story. Read about it here.
