School awards offensive
The "Dark Knight" was awarded to the blackest pupil, and there was recognition for the "Gangster Wannabe".
Picture taken from www.springleafstrategies.blogspot.comA parent of a Cape Town high school student is offended at Grade 11 awards handed out with titles like the "Coconut" and the "Dark Knight", it was reported.
The unnamed parent said that the Stellies Star award categories at Stellenberg High School, in Bellville, were offensive to her and her child.
The "Dark Knight" was awarded to the blackest pupil, and there was recognition for the "Gangster Wannabe" and the person with the most straightened hair, who was given the "GHD" [hair straightening machine] award.
School principal Theo Boonzaaier told the newspaper the Coconut Award was based on a television programme (The Coconuts), which told the story of a white family which transformed into a black family.
Coconut was often used as a derogatory term to describe black people who acted as if they were "white".
"[As for the Dark Knight Award] I haven't gone into that. We will have to put measures in place to make sure it [the awards] is not offensive to anyone," Boonzaaier said.
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MommaC
Oh for goodness sakes. This political correctness is getting out of hand now. Why take offence? Kids take it in the spirit it is meant so why do the parents need to get their knickers in a twist over everything.Report Abuse
RobinH
MommaC; I hear you, but let's face it, these are a bit dodge. If my kid were awarded a "coconut" award (were I a black urban person) I would be most annoyed. The principal needs some lessions in basic good taste.Report Abuse
Limpopoist
Seems to me that these Boonzaaier .is family a racist, here in randburg another racist Boonzaaier,then my prevous work. Boonzaaier a racist client , Engen Filling station at roodepoort Run by a racist Boonzaaier.....Report Abuse
Makenzofela
I bet you these awards came from the scholars themselves to have fun... Parents can spoil the fun sometimes!!! Tlogela bana ba je joy sematla sa motswadi...Report Abuse
MommaC
RobinHWe had a girl in our class who was voted 'Most likely to end up a prostiitute' and another who was voted 'Most needing of cosmetic surgery'. I was voted 'Most likely to end up in prison'. Its done by the kids and is a laugh, nobody took it seriously.
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RobinH
if they were concieved by the kids, it's a different story, but I very much doubt that this is the case. Anyway, we will have to differ on this one. Because you or I happened to be particularly resilient to gibes does not make them right. Today, 45 years on, I am still angry about having spent my schooldays (in an Afrikaans medium school) being called "daai Engelsman met lang hare" and my free time (in a very colonial English suburb) as "Afrikaner vrot banana" or "k*fferboetie" by those that saw me playing with my black playmates. It hurts.Report Abuse
tpaz
Do not take away the fun in school....Report Abuse
Stigga
Really now? whats so news worthy of this article?we had awards like this when i was, and we nominated the awards and the winners.
lol this is just stupid
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MommaC
RobinHThey are done by the kids. That is why the headmaster doesn't know anything about them.
Kids are casually cruel little beasties at the best of times. You can't fester over it for the rest of your life. Guaranteed, you made some comments that bit someone else. Its all part of growing up.
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Ramatlhale1
Kids play around with these sort of titles everyday and the minute parents start to complain & brand it as inappropriate, disrespectful & harmful to the kid's self esteem it will then be perceived as such to the kids.....then it really becomes hurtful. Sometimes we parents take a bit too far, kids should be left alone to be kids.....we should only come to the party only when called upon or if you see negative changes in your child's development.Report Abuse
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