What Is Privilege? NY Asst. Principal In Hot Water

[OldWiseGuy]

The comments reveal an attitude that would be carried into the workplace.

Maybe that attitude came from her workplace.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Maybe that attitude came from her workplace.

I'm old fashioned. I thought that it was enough that an individual could perform the allotted tasks and more or less get on with the rest of the workers. Is it now necessary to bow to the altar of political correctness in order to keep your job?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Far right, far left, two sides of the same coin.

Extremism by either side is wrong. The difference today is the wanton destruction of property by the leftist extremists.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I'm old fashioned. I thought that it was enough that an individual could perform the allotted tasks and more or less get on with the rest of the workers. Is it now necessary to bow to the altar of political correctness in order to keep your job?

It's worse than that in many inner city schools, where teachers of either political persuasion are unable to do their jobs because of student disruptions, absenteeism, or assault by those students.

 

[ralliann]

Just cause protection is the same as not having just cause protection? How?

Because it is not evenly applied. As I said earlier there is racism against whites as well, but it goes without notice.

No, unless people have a union, in the U.S. there is no just cause protection.

You can sue anyone in the U.S for violating your constitutional rights especially and inclusive of employers. You do not need a union for that.

With all due respect- do you know what we’re talking about? Do you know what just cause protection is?

Just cause is about certain groups defining what is just and what isn't based upon their race. Or any other distinctives these same groups decide to add.

 

[ralliann]

Far right, far left, two sides of the same coin. Hitler was a socialist, by the way.

Exactly. Its just law one extreme is trying to impose on another.

 

[ralliann]

The comments reveal an attitude that would be carried into the workplace.

See your just cause bias right here. You want law to curtail free speech. Let this situation go to court.

 

[Tom 1]

Assistant principal at Staten Island high school is investigated after 'racist' rant on Facebook.

• Deborah Morse-Cunningham is employed as assistant principal at New Dorp High School
• The educator - who reportedly makes $130,000 per year - is accused of posting a rant to Facebook in which she referred to racist stereotypes
• A concerned parent noticed the post and has started a petition to remove Morse-Cunningham from her position; the petition has nearly 10,000 signatures
• The NYC Department of Education has now launched an investigation; Mayor Bill de Blasio says he is 'very concerned' by the post

Facebook Post

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Petition

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The New York City Department of Education has launched an investigation into a troubling Facebook post penned by an employee of a Staten Island high school.

Deborah Morse-Cunningham, who serves as the assistant principal of New Dorp High School, is still at work despite sharing a lengthy status update in which she pondered the nature of privilege by referring to a number of racial stereotypes.

'What is privilege?' Morse-Cunningham asked in the post, which has now been deleted.

'Privilege is wearing $200 sneakers when you've never had a job. Privilege is wearing $300 Beats headphones while living on public assistance.

'Privilege is living in public subsidized housing where you don't have a water bill, where rising property taxes and rents and energy costs have absolutely no effect on the amount of food you can put on your table.'

The lengthy status continued: 'Privilege is having as many children as you want, regardless of your employment status, and be able to send them off to daycare or school you don't pay for'.

According to Staten Island Live, Morse-Cunningham's Facebook status was spotted by a parent who then started a Change.org petition to have her removed from her position as assistant principal.

'Deborah Morse-Cunningham, a longtime educator and assistant principal at New Dorp High School on the South Shore of Staten Island, has decided to use her platform and social media presence to post anti-Black messaging during this time,' the petition stated.

'She recently posted a rant to her public Facebook page, detailing vicious stereotypes and racial profiling directed at the Black community. As someone responsible for the tutelage of our youth, this is especially troubling and problematic rhetoric to say the least.'

The parent's petition - which now has more than 9,900 signatures - then states: 'This leads me to question what kind of practices she's instilled in the culture at New Dorp High School, and what kind of environment our children are learning in'.

The New York Post reports that Morse-Cunningham makes around $130,000 in her current role at New Dorp High School.

The school reportedly has a minority enrollment of 49 percent. Nearly 60 percent of its students are economically advantaged.

In a statement on Tuesday, DOE press secretary Miranda Barbot confirmed the probe and stated: 'The DOE stands against racism and schools must be safe and inclusive learning environments.

'Teachers and staff have a responsibility to uphold those values, and the principal reported this incident for investigation'.

On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he had not seen the post, but was 'very concerned'.

'No one in a position of authority should use racially insensitive language, especially someone who's an educator and kids look up to,' he stated.

Question: Is there merit to her statement? Is privilege overlooked in the Black community? Share your thoughts.

It’s not the kind of basic mindset you want in an educator. In the U.K. there’s a whole subclass of people who live on government benefits, from one generation to the next, living together in areas where ‘work’ is a dirty word and kids who try hard at school are bullied. The overwhelming majority of them are white - does that mean this is ‘white culture?’. Of course it doesn’t, but people often base their opinions on such superficial ideas.

 

[bèlla]

It’s not the kind of basic mindset you want in an educator. In the U.K. there’s a whole subclass of people who live on government benefits, from one generation to the next, living together in areas where ‘work’ is a dirty word and kids who try hard at school are bullied. The overwhelming majority of them are white - does that mean this is ‘white culture?’. Of course it doesn’t, but people often base their opinions on such superficial ideas.

As others have noted, the actual post doesn't mention a specific race at all. The media inferred she addressed blacks in the statement. I haven't seen anything to corroborate that thus far.

~Bella

 

[Tom 1]

As others have noted, the actual post doesn't mention a specific race at all. The media inferred she addressed blacks in the statement. I haven't seen anything to corroborate that thus far.

~Bella

The link between ‘white privilege’ and ‘this is what privilege is’ seems pretty clear.

 

[bèlla]

The link between ‘white privilege’ and ‘this is what privilege is’ seems pretty clear.

I don't think the comment suggests poverty is a privilege. It denotes the fact that need based assistance provides discretionary income that isn't available when you're paying full price.

I worked for The Department of Education in college. A financial aid award for a middle class family and someone with limited income are world's apart. The needs based assessment for the latter is 0. Meaning, they aren't required to contribute to the cost of attendance out of pocket. The school and government will cover the bulk or all.

Which avails them to need based assistance. It doesn't rule out merit based monies or student loans. The cost of attendance factors in living expenses, transportation, books, fees, meals, etc. The majority receive a refund each term. It can be a small amount to a few thousand dollars. Plus the option of work study employment if they choose.

But the middle class student has a different fate. Unless there's extenuating circumstances. Their education may require student and parental loans. Because their assessment isn't 0. They can petition the school for greater aid. But the number counts.

She mentioned subsidized housing. If a developer borrows money from the government they're required to set aside a portion of the units for low-income tenants. The government pays the rent. In many places, they overpay. The tenant pays 30% of their gross income minus special deductions. They receive utility allowance. And they're eligible for LIHEAP funds for heat and cooling assistance. But the number isn't fixed. If you lose your job they recalculate the rent. In my city, the 2 bedroom cap is nearly $4,000 for an apartment. They'll pay that amount each month on your behalf minus your contribution.

We haven't touched on home ownership. I've seen programs with 1-3% down payment and no PMI (private mortgage insurance). With a ten year lock for voucher holders. Meaning, the government will guarantee the mortgage payment (as they did with the rent) during that period. That doesn't negate property tax assistance, repairs, etc. There are many programs.

She touched on daycare. The state determines the rate they'll pay each day. Its paid directly to the facility. For full day care, our state pays: $50.89 (under 2), $42.98 (age 2), $35.82 (3 and up) per day. On a weekly basis, that's $254.45 / $214.90 / $179.1 respectively.

Removing college from the equation. In my location, a single parent with a child under 2 years of age in affordable housing could receive up to $4,000 per month in rent and utility assistance and $1,017.80 in childcare payments. Plus WIC and double credit at the farmers market if they have SNAP. That doesn't include LIHEAP. They make lump sum payments in the winter and summer. It doesn't include food or medical programs.

If they attend college full-time and reside in affordable housing they pay no rent. Income earned by full-time students isn't calculated. They are considered zero income. Each state has their own rules and rates. Some are more generous than others.

When you add everything up its more lucrative than most expect. This doesn't include non profit programs or organizations. They have additional resources.

~Bella

 

[Tom 1]

I don't think the comment suggests poverty is a privilege. It denotes the fact that need based assistance provides discretionary income that isn't available when you're paying full price.

I worked for The Department of Education in college. A financial aid award for a middle class family and someone with limited income are world's apart. The needs based assessment for the latter is 0. Meaning, they aren't required to contribute to the cost of attendance out of pocket. The school and government will cover the bulk or all.

Which avails them to need based assistance. It doesn't rule out merit based monies or student loans. The cost of attendance factors in living expenses, transportation, books, fees, meals, etc. The majority receive a refund each term. It can be a small amount to a few thousand dollars. Plus the option of work study employment if they choose.

But the middle class student has a different fate. Unless there's extenuating circumstances. Their education may require student and parental loans. Because their assessment isn't 0. They can petition the school for greater aid. But the number counts.

She mentioned subsidized housing. If a developer borrows money from the government they're required to set aside a portion of the units for low-income tenants. The government pays the rent. In many places, they overpay. The tenant pays 30% of their gross income minus special deductions. They receive utility allowance. And they're eligible for LIHEAP funds for heat and cooling assistance. But the number isn't fixed. If you lose your job they recalculate the rent. In my city, the 2 bedroom cap is nearly $4,000 for an apartment. They'll pay that amount each month on your behalf minus your contribution.

We haven't touched on home ownership. I've seen programs with 1-3% down payment and no PMI (private mortgage insurance). With a ten year lock for voucher holders. Meaning, the government will guarantee the mortgage payment (as they did with the rent) during that period. That doesn't negate property tax assistance, repairs, etc. There are many programs.

She touched on daycare. The state determines the rate they'll pay each day. Its paid directly to the facility. For full day care, our state pays: $50.89 (under 2), $42.98 (age 2), $35.82 (3 and up) per day. On a weekly basis, that's $254.45 / $214.90 / $179.1 respectively.

Removing college from the equation. In my location, a single parent with a child under 2 years of age in affordable housing could receive up to $4,000 per month in rent and utility assistance and $1,017.80 in childcare payments. Plus WIC and double credit at the farmers market if they have SNAP. That doesn't include LIHEAP. They make lump sum payments in the winter and summer. It doesn't include food or medical programs.

If they attend college full-time and reside in affordable housing they pay no rent. Income earned by full-time students isn't calculated. They are considered zero income. Each state has their own rules and rates. Some are more generous than others.

When you add everything up its more lucrative than most expect. This doesn't include non profit programs or organizations. They have additional resources too.

~Bella

Yes, I’m not debating the facts, it’s the same picture or similar in some other countries. Putting all that in juxtaposition right now however with ‘you can march for what you want’ and the obvious parallel with the ubiquitous ‘white privilege’, unless she lives in a cave and has no contact with the outside world, is a sign of very poor judgement, if not of a genuine dislike for black people. Referring to people marching in the middle of the BLM marches is hardly a subtle hint.

 

[Arc F1]

Assistant principal at Staten Island high school is investigated after 'racist' rant on Facebook.

• Deborah Morse-Cunningham is employed as assistant principal at New Dorp High School
• The educator - who reportedly makes $130,000 per year - is accused of posting a rant to Facebook in which she referred to racist stereotypes
• A concerned parent noticed the post and has started a petition to remove Morse-Cunningham from her position; the petition has nearly 10,000 signatures
• The NYC Department of Education has now launched an investigation; Mayor Bill de Blasio says he is 'very concerned' by the post

Facebook Post

View attachment 279444

Petition

View attachment 279445

The New York City Department of Education has launched an investigation into a troubling Facebook post penned by an employee of a Staten Island high school.

Deborah Morse-Cunningham, who serves as the assistant principal of New Dorp High School, is still at work despite sharing a lengthy status update in which she pondered the nature of privilege by referring to a number of racial stereotypes.

'What is privilege?' Morse-Cunningham asked in the post, which has now been deleted.

'Privilege is wearing $200 sneakers when you've never had a job. Privilege is wearing $300 Beats headphones while living on public assistance.

'Privilege is living in public subsidized housing where you don't have a water bill, where rising property taxes and rents and energy costs have absolutely no effect on the amount of food you can put on your table.'

The lengthy status continued: 'Privilege is having as many children as you want, regardless of your employment status, and be able to send them off to daycare or school you don't pay for'.

According to Staten Island Live, Morse-Cunningham's Facebook status was spotted by a parent who then started a Change.org petition to have her removed from her position as assistant principal.

'Deborah Morse-Cunningham, a longtime educator and assistant principal at New Dorp High School on the South Shore of Staten Island, has decided to use her platform and social media presence to post anti-Black messaging during this time,' the petition stated.

'She recently posted a rant to her public Facebook page, detailing vicious stereotypes and racial profiling directed at the Black community. As someone responsible for the tutelage of our youth, this is especially troubling and problematic rhetoric to say the least.'

The parent's petition - which now has more than 9,900 signatures - then states: 'This leads me to question what kind of practices she's instilled in the culture at New Dorp High School, and what kind of environment our children are learning in'.

The New York Post reports that Morse-Cunningham makes around $130,000 in her current role at New Dorp High School.

The school reportedly has a minority enrollment of 49 percent. Nearly 60 percent of its students are economically advantaged.

In a statement on Tuesday, DOE press secretary Miranda Barbot confirmed the probe and stated: 'The DOE stands against racism and schools must be safe and inclusive learning environments.

'Teachers and staff have a responsibility to uphold those values, and the principal reported this incident for investigation'.

On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he had not seen the post, but was 'very concerned'.

'No one in a position of authority should use racially insensitive language, especially someone who's an educator and kids look up to,' he stated.

Question: Is there merit to her statement? Is privilege overlooked in the Black community? Share your thoughts.

I must have missed something. If it was racist how did they come to that conclusion? That could have described whites right here in my town. I saw no mention of race.

 

[Sparagmos]

"All for firing ppl for racist public statements or actions, which I consider gross misconduct..... etc." That is what I meant. Do you mean that you wish the unions would punish those who make public comments that you dislike?

No, unions don’t control who gets disciplined or fired, the employer does. As a union rep my job is to fight unjust discipline and any violations of due process. My belief that blatant racist behavior is gross misconduct doesn’t mean that I can cause union members to be fired. I don’t know how unions work there, but here we certainly don’t get to tell employers to fire people.

 

[bèlla]

I must have missed something. If it was racist how did they come to that conclusion? That could have described whites right here in my town. I saw no mention of race.

I'll see if they reveal more from her profile. The statement doesn't mention race. Poverty exists in all hues. But it appears the narrative equates it with one group more than the others.

~Bella

 

[bèlla]

Yes, I’m not debating the facts, it’s the same picture or similar in some other countries. Putting all that in juxtaposition right now however with ‘you can march for what you want’ and the obvious parallel with the ubiquitous ‘white privilege’, unless she lives in a cave and has no contact with the outside world, is a sign of very poor judgement, if not of a genuine dislike for black people. Referring to people marching in the middle of the BLM marches is hardly a subtle hint.

BLM marches were comprised of people of color and other races. So who is she talking about?

~Bella

 

[keith99]

I'm old fashioned. I thought that it was enough that an individual could perform the allotted tasks and more or less get on with the rest of the workers. Is it now necessary to bow to the altar of political correctness in order to keep your job?

And what is her allotted task?

To create an environment where kids can develop into adults.

He statement shows she is ill suited for that task and is in fact working toward a very different result.

 

[Tom 1]

BLM marches were comprised of people of color and other races. So who is she talking about?

~Bella

To me it seems obvious - people marching for the ‘black lives matter’ movement is a current event, in much of the world. The whole white privilege idea is part of that picture, something that is regularly raised in relation to BLM and related events/discussions etc. Presumably white college kids and so on aren’t part of those marches to support some other, unrelated, cause, maybe they are, but it seems unlikely. Tweeting about people’s privilege to protest and linking that with ideas about abusing welfare money in the same tweet - well, it is literally putting them together. Perhaps you don’t think there’s any link there between the two, between the BLM marches and the other stuff. Maybe she has some other cryptic message, perhaps she is aware of some specific demographic within the marchers who wear expensive trainers etc and are on welfare but are taking part in the marches for some other reason than to support the BLM agenda. Could be, I suppose, but I doubt it. Even if that were the case, a person would need to be quite lacking in insight to not consider how people might interpret the words.

 

[bèlla]

Perhaps you don’t think there’s any link there between the two, between the BLM marches and the other stuff. Maybe she has some other cryptic message, perhaps she is aware of some specific demographic within the marchers who wear expensive trainers etc and are on welfare but are taking part in the marches for some other reason than to support the BLM agenda.

If we're going to dismiss people over inflammatory speech it should be consistent. I shouldn't have the liberty of charging others with racism and negative behaviors and become a social hero. But when similar comments are made from the wrong sort they're silenced.

~Bella

 

[seeking.IAM]

My daddy taught me, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you." Anytime you step into the realm of your employer or its constituents on social media, however indirect, you are taking a risk. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. I think an educated Assistant Principal would know better.