Community, nation reacts to racial slur
Greg Howard
Published: October 5, 2008
Updated: October 13, 2008
Since it was first reported in the Jackson County Floridan Thursday, the racial slur incident and subsequent suspension of Marianna Middle School teacher Greg Howard has been heavily discussed among residents and media sources all over the nation.
“I have nothing to say except that it is a most unfortunate incident,” said Betty Duffee, Jackson County School Board, District 3.
Many are speaking out against the incident, as well as the measures made by the school board since it took place.
On Monday, the seventh-grade social studies teacher at Marianna Middle School was initially placed on suspension after he told students that the letters in the word “change” included an N that stood for a racial expletive by writing it on a board in more than one of his class periods.
A few days later, Howard was placed on a 10-day suspension without pay. Additionally, Howard will be required to take diversity training, write a letter of apology to the students that were involved and was stripped of his football coaching responsibilities.
After his suspension, Howard will be transferred to the school district’s adult education program, pending any action that could be taken by the Florida Department of Education.
“He doesn’t need to be teaching anymore,” said Veverly Bailey of Marianna. “It’s not a fair choice they made. How many minds did he impact for a lifetime when he did what he did? White or black or whatever color the students involved were all young and impressionable. That’s no joke ... For (Jackson County School Superintendent Danny) Sims to say it was directed at a political party, please: Are any of those middle schoolers old enough to vote? Besides, did he watch the Democratic convention. If he had, he would have seen a rainbow of people, not just blacks. This isn’t a political issue. This is about racism and a reckless educator.”
In addition to a lot of local focus on the incident, it was also discussed on multiple national news outlets, such as CNN, Fox News and MSNBC.
MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann named Howard on his daily “World’s Worst” list Wednesday.
Bailey said that she’s disappointed Jackson County is getting national attention in a negative way.
“So many of our teachers here are compassionate and conscientious and try so hard to do what is right. This man should not represent them as a school district. Or us as a city,” said Bailey.
School board member Chris Johnson said he’s going to wait for more details on the incident before he passes judgement.
Johnson said he has not been fully informed on details surrounding the incident. He said that, as far as he’s aware, none of the school board members were involved in the decision on the actions that were taken against Howard.
“Based on what I’ve read in the paper, I was extremely disappointed in his judgement. I’d like to talk to him and find out what he meant by it or whether that’s what he really said. But based on what I’ve seen in the paper, I would have a hard time not firing him. Then again, it almost sounds like he was misinterpreted. A gentleman I know said to me that he saw on national news a kid from the school said that the students knew he was just joking. I just need to have some more information,” said Johnson.
“The man needs to be fired. In this situation, the diversity training is the joke, because he’s already revealed to those kids what’s in his heart and there’s no training that’s going to change that,” said Allison Mitchell, of Campbellton.
Many residents say they’ll be attending the October meeting of the Jackson County School Board.
“My children are grown, but I still feel the need to go and do something about this,” said Dennis Crawford.
The meeting is set for Oct. 16, at 4 p.m. inside the Jackson County School Board office on Jefferson Street in Marianna.
Attempts to reach Danny Sims and Greg Howard on Friday and Saturday were not successful.
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Reader Reactions
(Simsarecousins)
THAT STILL DOESN’T MAKE IT RIGHT!!! We expect better of our teachers. We actually hold them to higher standards because they spend so much time with our youth. They have impacts on our lives because I can still remember the teacher who influenced me the most and the one who was the nastiest.
Oh please….I’m sure the little children of Marianna Florida have heard the word many times most likely from their parents. Every person is somewhat racist in their own way. It’s just no one ever says it. I grew up in that god forsaken town but left 20 years ago and never looked back. I heard that word growing up and it did no effect me in my later life. Marianna has biiger problems then Greg Howard. Like I said, address the crystal meth problem instead of going after Greg Howard. What do you expectt. Greg Married his cousin Jeanine. All imbreeds like that are racist. Look at Warren Jessup and his followers. He did not allow any blacks in his compound and no one really cared.
(Simsarecousins),
Why should Greg Howard be left alone? This was his way of having FUN. He didn’t allow our children a choice when he put that vile comment on the board. He showed no concern for our childrens’ welfare at all. Turn about is fair play.
Greg should just leave Marianna. I mean who needs to live there. Go to New York City Greg. Really. No one cares there or in any other city in the US. The Jackson County Flordian has become like a ENQUIRER of Jackson County. Just one big tabloid. They will run poor Greg out of town not the people. Who really cares in a town full of meth heads. Go back to smoking the pipe and leave Greg alone.
Now that’s what I’m saying, (simsarecousins).Blame the Drugs. Maybe this was his plan to get back to that Sweet-little-secretary at Adult Ed. All in all I think he’s just a mean, nasty,racist, who has no need to teach in the public schools where we pay taxes.
Drug test him. Marianna has become a mecca for crystal meth. Everyone is hooked on it and it has become a big problem. Not saying that Greg is but, most of the people who stayed in Marianna are messed up on this drug.
Danny sims and Greg Howard and Jeanine carrol Howard are all cousins. This might have something to do with the situation. Also, Greg Howard was racist when he was younger so was alot of the redneck Sims. He went on a mormon mission.
Everytime a Sims is arrested—it seems to go away. Very interesting.
I think that should be investigated.
Alright, now that I’ve had my own personal chuckle (by the way which was the same when I first heard the acronym for P.O.N.T.I.A.C.) ... let me say that I didn’t hear it from someone who wasn’t of African descent ... now that that is said ... it is never appropriate for someone who is not of African descent to say the “n” word to, around, about or anything else that you may find fitting ... to where someone who is of African descent can hear it ... truth be told ... it’s not appropriate for anyone to use the word ... I don’t care who you are ... (Jessie Jackson) ... the word is the shame of non-african, non-mexican, non-native american ... OKAY, IT’S THE SHAME OF WHITE FOLKS’ PAST that has survived here in the present due to plenty of ignorant folk to include those so racist that they can’t see past their noses and plenty in the rap industry that can’t see past the $$ signs in their eyes, by those whose Identities are in crisis that saying the word makes them feel special because they feel they have every right to use the word but are not understanding that this is the word the slave owners and (“crakers”, those who cracked the whips) used to call the slaves and it carried on way too long even post-slavery because they thought they still had the upper-hand and didn’t have to respect black folks enough to call them “sir” or “friend” ... So, anyone still using the word today is just as ignorant and disgusting as this teacher who should be terminated from his job, if the shoe were on the other foot, I am sure that person would have been out the door so fast it would have left their head spinning!
I think the right call was to suspend the teacher with pay. A complete investigation needs to be done and subsquent and appropriate punishment administered. I’m not sure termination is warranted. Does this teacher have a questionable track record? Previous reprimands or suspensions?
The real phenomenon worthy of discussing is why do so many (seems espically true among educators) jeopardize their careers and livelihoods? There are endless reports like this incident..teacher-student sexual intamicy..not stepping in to prevent hazings ..ignoring student-student bullying. Loss of moral identity? No clear leadership? Accountability?
JOneses,
I’m certainly not dressing it up, defending it or minimizing it. If you will look back on what I did say I said that Mr. Howard’s action should be investigated unbiased and dealt with fairly (if that leads to dismissal, so be it). About the point I was making with the students, if you would ask the students if they here the N word from other students I suspect you may be surprised. Also if you would listen to some of the rap music (used loosely) they listen to, you just may here the N word several times. I say let’s take this a little further. I say no one should use the word, so let’s stop it for all, fairly. I hope that does not scare anyone.
Freedom,
Unless you are reading articles that I have not seen, No where was it printed in the articles that a student or students said this word(The N word).
It was written that Mr. Howard wrote this on the board for STUDENTS in different classes. No matter how you dress it up, defend it,minimize it,HE WAS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE FIRED!!!!!
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