How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

I really feel bad for this woman. She is never going to live this one down. It was a joke. I don't think she was malicious or racist at all. I could see how people could twist it that way but I think that when she said it SHE wasn't thinking those things. Come on people. I don't think they should burn her at the stake but I do feel that because her position was so controversial to begin with that maybe she shouldn't have said it at all because people go overboard like this.

What do you think?

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

It was definitely a stupid comment,very off colored and VERY inappropriate. As a teacher I clearly understand the politics, rhetoric and political correctness within the education system. IMO A person who is well versed in this area would NEVER EVER have said anything like that. Do I understand it was a joke? Yes. Do I feel bad for her? No, not really. She is a grown woman who accepted a controversial high profile job with no knowledge of the jobs inner workings. She should be more careful about what she says especially because people are going to picking at every little thing she does.

Message edited 1/15/2011 9:48:52 AM.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

I think it's a perfect example of why not to hire someone with no education experience.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

She should think before she speaks. Overcrowding in NYC schools is a serious issue and it is now her job to find solutions, not quips.

I wouldn't waste an ounce of sympathy on this woman.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

I was all set to be 'annoyed' with her comment but after seeing it last night, honestly, it was a freakin* light hearted joke. It wasn't a serious solution brought to the table - it was a JOKE. How do we stop schools from being overcrowded "we could try birth control". I thought it was funny. They moved on to talk about realy solutions, not sure why anyone took it as anything more than it was- a joke to lighten the mood.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Elizabeth ... Really? She is an idiot! Jokingly say that to your husband .. Okay? ... To the parents of the children in te school system you are running(which is all ready over crowded)?? Big ol NO .


I dont feel bad for her. You have this HUGE position (in which she has no training for) I think you should have the intelligence to not say such off color remarks!

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Eh, I don't have a problem with what she said, personally. How could it even be construed as racist in any way at all??? And CLEARLY it was a joke & not her true solution to overcrowding. And it's true that many people who SHOULDN'T be having kids are, and aren't raising them properly or even bothering to attempt to raise them at all.... as a teacher in NYC I saw the result of this every single day & it was sad. It could have been worse..... she could have said "The answer is sterilization".... now THAT would have been very inappropriate..... but birth control?... sorry but I don't think that's so horrible.... schools are giving out condoms as it is to try to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

If she'd been chatting informally, or privately, then fine. But coming in with no ed background means she does not understand that overcrowding has been happening for *years*. And larger class sizes have a negative impact on what kids learn, regardless of what the Mayor, Bill Gates and Arne Duncan say about the matter.

You're talking about parents who were concerned enough to come out in lousy weather to have a serious discussion about how to solve a serious problem. It was a thoughtless thing to say. Her "Sophie's Choice" reference during that same meeting was equally stupid- maybe she thought she needed to counter the birth control comment.

As an NYC teacher, I feel great about the fact that she's going to be involved in making key decisions for our kids, many of who live in poverty and need a true advocate.

ETA- She made this comment in Tribeca, so I'd assume she was talking to a relatively affluent/ group of parents who knew to brush it off. If she said that in an area where many parents are/were teenaged parents and/or have many kids, I think the reaction would have been much different, and worse for her.

Message edited 1/15/2011 10:03:21 AM.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Message edited 1/15/2011 10:34:41 AM.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

I'm thinking upwards of 75% of us have said something similar in a joking manner... BUT, given her position, and the controversy surrounding her appointment, it bespeaks an UTTER lack of judgement, which concerns me greatly.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Posted by colette

I'm thinking upwards of 75% of us have said something similar in a joking manner... BUT, given her position, and the controversy surrounding her appointment, it bespeaks an UTTER lack of judgement, which concerns me greatly.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

A bit off topic but I don't understand why she got the job in the first place. Why is ok to hire someone with no experience in education for this position of obviously such importance with actual lives at stake but it's not okay to hire someone at say a restaurant with no waitress experience? This doesn't make sense to me.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

It was a joke.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

What did she say? I can't find anything recent online. Anyone have a link?

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

It clearly WAS a joke

BUT

It CLEARLY was inappropriate for her to be making jokes in her position, especially knowing the scrutiny she'd be under.

Poor judgment. Further solidifying the doubt that she's be capable of handling this high profile position, while under-educated and under-qualified.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

It was a JOKE.....why must people read into things so much and turn them so many ways. Not just her comment but with many things.....I swear people just look for things to complain about in life. She is human, never claimed to be perfect, trying to break into a job that clearly maybe a handful of people want her in.....people need to give the lady a chance. Geez, the last guy in there, who was in education, obviously didn't fix the system, so give her a chance. Trust me, the kids will not suffer!!!

ETA- I am NOT talking about anyone on here, just people in general!!!

Message edited 1/15/2011 11:41:11 AM.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

I didn't know anything about it until this morning and frankly, i don't understand why people are making such a big deal about it. It was a joke, maybe not the cleverest joke in the world, but clearly a lighthearted comment of someone who is new and still a little uncomfortable in her new position and is trying to make some light of it. The way they introduced the segment before rolling the tape, you would think she was suggesting we start drowning kids in buckets or something....

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Posted by WhatNow

I didn't know anything about it until this morning and frankly, i don't understand why people are making such a big deal about it. It was a joke, maybe not the cleverest joke in the world, but clearly a lighthearted comment of someone who is new and still a little uncomfortable in her new position and is trying to make some light of it. The way they introduced the segment before rolling the tape, you would think she was suggesting we start drowning kids in buckets or something....

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

Message edited 1/15/2011 1:03:16 PM.

Re: How do you feel about the Cathie Black comment?

she was joking , no? I mean not that she should joke like that , but I guess it was one of those foot in a mouth moments, we all have those sometimes (I think, I know I do )