california education chief calls pre-schooler «stupid dirty girl»
in a shameful and reprehensible public gaffe, california's education commissioner told a child that her name, isis, meant «stupid dirty girl». richard riordan, the the wealthy former republican mayor of los angeles (known for his support of public schools), made the comment during a publicity event 01 july at santa barbara's central library where he read to schoolchildren (watch the video).
when six-year-old isis d'luciano asked riordan if he knew her name meant «egyptian goddess» the seventy-four-year-old politician replied, «it means stupid dirty girl» while riordan contends that he was just teasing the child, he apologised to d'luciano a day later, claiming that his joke was a «misunderstanding». that explanation has apparently been accepted by riordan's boss, governor arnold schwarzenegger, who called the crack «unacceptable in any context» but has not moved to sack riordan.
meanwhile, alice huffman, president of the california chapter of the national association for the advancement of coloured people (naacp), is demanding riordan resign his post saying riordan is not suitable to lead education in the state and should be removed. [note that, reportedly, the girl is white, with blonde hair].
in an editorial yesterday, the sacramento bee said california «shouldn't have an education secretary who makes offensive, damaging remarks to young children».
via seanw (dankie!), the indianapolis star and the smoking gun.
