That's how Christwire.org describes McGehee High School (Arkansas) co-Valedictorian Kymberly Wimberly (Yes, that's her real name.).
Apparently, Ms Wimberly attributes her race as the reason the school decided to name another (white) student as her co-Valedictorian even though Ms Wimberly had the higher GPA.
But some argue that the problem of "A big mess" (as quoted by her mother, Molly Bratton) was that Ms Wimberly was a teen mother and that that would not shine a positive light on the school nor the district.
Former students have noted that the school has had Asians, Eastern Indians and a Blacks (as recently as 1989) as former Valedictorians in the past and that Ms Wimberly's race should not have been an issue.
This case is difficult for this poor (Seventy percent of the students at this school are eligible for free (59%) or reduced (11%) lunches) school to defend as Title IX protects against discrimination directed towards pregnant female students.
I always hope people will just get the damn paper and go home. Who is valedictorian or salutatorian really doesn't matter in life. This whole wanting to be respected by those who don't respect you is fools gold.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the white kid who is co-valedictorian has some struggles of their own. The Black girl knows what she did and what she accomplished so that should be reward enough.
You can't change everyone's mind but you can make sure you pass them up in life and never have to deal with them again.
I suspect it is far more likely that she did not get the position of valedictorian due to her name. I laughed when I read it, mentioned it to my surly teenager as he walked out the door to school and it brought a great smile to his face. It is a name with no gravitas and maybe, just maybe the school didn't want to hear snorts of laughter from the audience everytime it was mentioned.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely moniker for playtime but leaves a lot to be desired for serious time.
I suspect that whatever I suspect is indeed...suspect.
ReplyDeleteI just can't guess on some of this stuff. Things like Valedictorian should be able to be proven on paper, not decided by administrators. It aint prom queen, (or king)
At first, I was outraged what Christwire.org wrote but after looking around I realized it's a parody site.
ReplyDeletethat's the way it is. When in Rome you do as the Romans do! It is what it is!
ReplyDeleteThis intelligent young woman also is a mother which I think may have influenced that decision. It's not fair, but she could have handled it in a most graceful manner by including and making references to in her speech, her child, her status, her ambition and lastly and most importantly her GRADES!
Life hands you lemons, you gotta make lemonade, no other choice! It is what it is.