Clint Talbott - Daily Camera Columnist
School teachers and administrators might, in fact, have unimpeachable intentions. But from time to time, they seem hypersensitive and altogether asinine. From time to time, analytical children make them look like blockheads.
Dave Thielen is a Ph.D. physicist who works at a local high-tech firm. He was pleased that his 8-year-old daughter completed a science-fair exhibit titled "Does Skin Color Make a Difference?" The girl dressed a white Barbie and a black Barbie in two different dresses, one of which was lavender. She asked 15 adults which Barbie they preferred. Then she switched dresses and asked 15 other adults the same question.
She performed the same experiment on two groups of students. Results: Adults tended to choose the Barbie wearing the lavender dress, regardless of skin color. But only six of 30 children picked the black Barbie, regardless of dress.
The adult population contradicted her hypothesis, which was that white people would prefer white Barbies because they were used to seeing white Barbies. But the younger sample confirmed her hypothesis. Her conclusion reflected this.
Recently, the girl put up her science fair exhibit at Mesa Elementary School in Boulder. Within an hour, school teachers removed it. Parents and teachers worried that the exhibit might make some people uncomfortable. Oh, me. Oh, my. If comfort is in question, censorship is the answer.
Want to learn MORE?
http://www.thedailycamera.com/news/talbott/20lclin.html
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"I'd like an order of fries, a quarter pounder with cheese, I love the light in your eyes, would you go out with me please? I am in love with a McDonald's Girl, she has a smile of innocence so tender and warm, she is an angel in a polyester uniform."
School teachers and administrators might, in fact, have unimpeachable intentions. But from time to time, they seem hypersensitive and altogether asinine. From time to time, analytical children make them look like blockheads.
Dave Thielen is a Ph.D. physicist who works at a local high-tech firm. He was pleased that his 8-year-old daughter completed a science-fair exhibit titled "Does Skin Color Make a Difference?" The girl dressed a white Barbie and a black Barbie in two different dresses, one of which was lavender. She asked 15 adults which Barbie they preferred. Then she switched dresses and asked 15 other adults the same question.
She performed the same experiment on two groups of students. Results: Adults tended to choose the Barbie wearing the lavender dress, regardless of skin color. But only six of 30 children picked the black Barbie, regardless of dress.
The adult population contradicted her hypothesis, which was that white people would prefer white Barbies because they were used to seeing white Barbies. But the younger sample confirmed her hypothesis. Her conclusion reflected this.
Recently, the girl put up her science fair exhibit at Mesa Elementary School in Boulder. Within an hour, school teachers removed it. Parents and teachers worried that the exhibit might make some people uncomfortable. Oh, me. Oh, my. If comfort is in question, censorship is the answer.
Want to learn MORE?
http://www.thedailycamera.com/news/talbott/20lclin.html
------------------
"I'd like an order of fries, a quarter pounder with cheese, I love the light in your eyes, would you go out with me please? I am in love with a McDonald's Girl, she has a smile of innocence so tender and warm, she is an angel in a polyester uniform."