California education chief calls preschooler 'stupid dirty girl'

The1calledTKE · #1 07-09-2004, 06:15 PM

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- State Education Secretary Richard Riordan jokingly told a child her name, Isis, meant "stupid dirty girl," prompting the head of the California NAACP on Thursday to call for his resignation.

Riordan, the wealthy former Los Angeles mayor known for his support of public schools, startled even friends last week with the comments at a promotional event for summer reading at the Santa Barbara library.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, his longtime friend, called Riordan's statement to the girl "unacceptable in any context" but gave no hint his job was in danger.

But Alice Huffman, president of the California chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Thursday that Riordan "is not suitable to lead education in our state" and should be removed.

The conversation, videotaped by KEYT-TV, took place July 1. The girl, 6-year-old Isis D'Luciano, asked Riordan if he knew her name meant "Egyptian goddess."

Riordan replied, "It means stupid dirty girl."

After nervous laughter in the room, the girl again told Riordan the meaning of her name.

"Hey, that's nifty," he said.

A day later, Riordan issued a statement that said he "teased" the girl. "I immediately apologized to her, and I want to do so again for the misunderstanding," Riordan said.

The governor's chief spokesman, Rob Stutzman, said Thursday Riordan had not been asked to resign and, "That's the end of the issue, as far as we are concerned."

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/....ap/index.html

here is the smoking gun's take on it with video of him saying it..

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive...1riordan1.html

How sad and this guy runs Cali's education.

tinydancer · #2 07-10-2004, 05:03 PM

What a maroon!

Munchkin03 · #3 07-10-2004, 05:17 PM

You know it's a tough day when California makes FLORIDA look good.

Senusret I · #4 07-10-2004, 07:01 PM

It wasn't well timed, but there certainly wasn't malice. And what does the NAACP have to do with this?

IowaStatePhiPsi · #5 07-10-2004, 07:50 PM

funny- I thought Riordan meant ignorant rich white man... guess I'm right!

KillarneyRose · #6 07-10-2004, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Senusret I
And what does the NAACP have to do with this?

I was wondering the same thing.

I think Isis' mother, Trinity Lila, is handling this with a lot of class. From CNN.com:

"Obviously it hurt her feelings, but she didn't take it personally. She knew he was wrong and she let it go," Lila said. "I'm not going to sue them for therapy bills."

"He's already apologized repeatedly," Lila added. Although Riordan's office has tried to contact her, "I don't see what else is to be done."

It's nice to hear from a private citizen who isn't trying to grasp the storied "15 minutes of fame".

Taualumna · #7 07-10-2004, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Senusret I
It wasn't well timed, but there certainly wasn't malice. And what does the NAACP have to do with this?

They thought that little Isis is black.

KillarneyRose · #8 07-10-2004, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taualumna
They thought that little Isis is black.

Seriously? Do you know what made them think that and if the organization is still calling for Mr. Riordan's resignation?

Taualumna · #9 07-10-2004, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KillarneyRose
Seriously? Do you know what made them think that and if the organization is still calling for Mr. Riordan's resignation?

I'm not sure if the org is still calling for Mr. Riordan's resignation, but I think they thought that Isis is black because of her first name (the little girl's last name looks Italian. I'm wondering if Italian groups are as angry, and if so, why wasn't it publicized?)

Munchkin03 · #10 07-10-2004, 10:07 PM

From CNN.com:

Democratic state Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, who had scheduled a protest by civil rights organizations, canceled the demonstration after an apparent mix-up over the girl's racial background.

Dymally was quoted in the San Jose Mercury News Thursday saying the child was "a little African-American girl. Would he (Riordan) have done that to a white girl?"

The girl is white, with blonde hair.

Dymally did not return telephone calls. His office issued a statement Wednesday calling Riordan's remarks to the girl "outrageous and irresponsible," then issued another statement Thursday saying, "To err is human; to forgive is divine."

"Race is not a factor in this issue," Dymally said in Thursday's statement, adding that Riordan had apologized a second time. "It is time for us to move on."

Now, I'm no doctor, but it sure sounds like a case of stickus footus mouthus to me!

It was a stupid thing for him to say. But if the mother and daughter are happy with his apology, that's all that matters.

PM_Mama00 · #11 07-11-2004, 11:10 AM

Wow... those people who ASSumed she was black because of her name just made total jackasses of themselves.

Way to go. A+.

A cry of racism.... and it was not even close.

KillarneyRose · #12 07-11-2004, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
Wow... those people who ASSumed she was black because of her name just made total jackasses of themselves.

Way to go. A+.

A cry of racism.... and it was not even close.

What shocks me is that this Dymally character got his drawers all in a twist about this incident but he obviously didn't see the video. The man was calling for Mr. Riordan's resignation and setting up a civil rights rally to protest somethng he had obviously only heard about??? He sounds like a rabblerouser to me.

I agree with Munchkin that he seems to have a case of "stickus footus mouthus" as well as its more advanced cousin, "headus stuckus assus"

Rudey · #13 07-11-2004, 05:46 PM

Wow, the NAACP really is spending its political capital freely. Good for them...I hope they got a lot for their money and have enough left over for the big issues.

-Rudey

cash78mere · #14 07-12-2004, 05:45 PM

so if the NAACP was so concerned for this young girl, the right thing to do would be to keep up with the case, REGARDLESS of her race. if they don't, that just shows their true intentions in these matters. to cry racism. if they truly were outraged with her treatment, they will continue to investigate and hold rallies.

Kevin · #15 07-12-2004, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cash78mere
so if the NAACP was so concerned for this young girl, the right thing to do would be to keep up with the case, REGARDLESS of her race. if they don't, that just shows their true intentions in these matters. to cry racism. if they truly were outraged with her treatment, they will continue to investigate and hold rallies.

Isn't it amazing how our perceptions all change based on the race of the girl? If the girl is white, it's okay to say these things to her, right?

I'm not really sure that I would be that angry about it either way. Taken out of context, it sounds dumb. In context, he was probably just messing with her and trying to be cute. I doubt she took it to heart and decided he was right.