This response was sent via email to Kristen, a Globe and Mail reader. It is from Gerald Owen, reader response editor at the Globe and Mail. I received it as a forward from a colleague.
“Thank you for your letter, to which Mr. Greenspon has asked me to reply.
Yesterday morning, the first four letters on the letters to the editor page all complained about this cartoon.
The intention of the cartoonist was not racist. Rather, the idea was that mathematics, one of the essential elements of education, does not vary with ethnicity, though language often does. The cartoon was therefore critical of the proposal for a black-focused school in Toronto, and this was expressed by the words “Afrocentric algebra …” at the top. We regret that it was offensive to a considerable number of readers.
yours truly,
Gerald Owen
reader response editor”
Your thoughts? As far as apologies go, do you think this goes far enough? And do you agree that mathematics does not vary with ethnicity? Wow, there are so many issues at stake here.
That’s not an apology at all; it’s the same kind of “regret” doubletalk that politicians use. In publishing the cartoon the Globe endorsed a view that reduces Afro-Canadian ethnicity and culture to a negative language stereotype. That’s what’s offensive. Besides, the algebra is all wrong. What’s the message there?
Seriously?!?!? I’m so offended, I can barely write.
Here’s my take… We can’t build a castle in someone else’s kingdom. We’re always shocked when we’re insulted. The only answer is excellence…
http://ianandreespinet.blogspot.com/2008/02/family-day-indeed-globe-and-mail-adds.html
This is a bogus apology. They want to trick people into accepting their explanation. That’s a load of BS. They are critical because they know that because of the lack of black awareness in mainstream schools that black focused schools will empower blacks and others to step up in society and become relevant! They don’w want blacks to “VALUE EDUCATION” because that will uplift a people that has been adrift for decades if not centuries. I DON’T BUY IT! In fact, it’s a SELL for me! I still think a protest is needed!!!!!!
Who else thinks this apology sucks?
I agree, this apology does not go deep enough.
I do not agree with the proposed implication that the cartoonist was “trying to get across.”
Whether the focus was again, suposed to be regarding mathematics or language it makes no difference. The premise was still there.
“Black people can do math but can’t speak or Blacks can’t do either math nor speak.” What’s the difference?
I don’t see any. Who cares if Mathematics transcends language? The message was still blatant in my opinion.
thats not really an apology. its just a lame reply. How was one supposed to get the point that math was universal from that cartoon?
agreed, this sh*t is NOT an apology. It is a sorry you feel that way, very different. Hell, it’s not even a sorry you feel that way, its sorry to know that you feel some kind of way about something valid that I had to do to get my point across; too bad you missed my motive. I am not amused Canada.
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Agree with Ian, check the fact on his blog
If that is was the message the cartoonist was attempting to convey – he/she did a poor job. Truly – the teacher would not have had to say ANYTHING . The teacher would not even had to be ‘black’.- heck all you needed was a chalkboard with the equations and the title. Sometimes when you assume everyone else is stupid you end up making an ass out of yourself. And that is what happened here. How embarassing.
I can’t believe Globe and Mail would do something like that.That is so rude. Excuse me I’m only 15 and black and my teachers are actually pretty smart and great, and hells ya I’m proud.
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