Rob
02-09-2014, 05:35 AM
CONCORD, CA (KTVU/CNN) - The president of a private school for girls said a student effort to have a Black History Month lunch was to blame for the menu of fried chicken, cornbread and watermelon.
Sister Ann Bernard, interim president of Carondelet High School, apologized Thursday. She said members of the black student union club at a neighboring school planned the special lunch.
Ann Bernard added the choices came from a place of ignorance, not malice.
"They thought this was a very clever way, in their own way, of celebrating Black History Month," she said. "It was as simple and naive as that."
The school principal sent out a letter saying the school did not want to "perpetrate racial stereotypes."
Rick Moss, the chief curator at Oakland's African-American Museum and Library, said the food choices did not reflect reality.
"I guess there's an impression that all black people eat this kind of food, which of course is false," Moss said.
The school interim president said the menu had been planned without the students seeking staff approval. Administration was not aware of it until it was announced over the loudspeaker Monday.
She said Carondelet planned to use it as a teachable moment. Teacher sensitivity training and a student assembly has been scheduled for February.
Copyright 2014 KTVU via CNN. All rights reserved.
Sister Ann Bernard, interim president of Carondelet High School, apologized Thursday. She said members of the black student union club at a neighboring school planned the special lunch.
Ann Bernard added the choices came from a place of ignorance, not malice.
"They thought this was a very clever way, in their own way, of celebrating Black History Month," she said. "It was as simple and naive as that."
The school principal sent out a letter saying the school did not want to "perpetrate racial stereotypes."
Rick Moss, the chief curator at Oakland's African-American Museum and Library, said the food choices did not reflect reality.
"I guess there's an impression that all black people eat this kind of food, which of course is false," Moss said.
The school interim president said the menu had been planned without the students seeking staff approval. Administration was not aware of it until it was announced over the loudspeaker Monday.
She said Carondelet planned to use it as a teachable moment. Teacher sensitivity training and a student assembly has been scheduled for February.
Copyright 2014 KTVU via CNN. All rights reserved.