Ok, first off, everybody is getting the wrong idea about this!

First off, people just put names into the Yearbook, just as a filler before they find people. It was probably just a joke, and not meant to be racist at all!

I go to Charter Oak, and I know some of the Yearbook people personally, and know for a fact that the Yearbook staff ARE NOT RACIST. In fact there is not a lot of racist feelings going on at all in Charter Oak. This is just getting blown out of proportion by the media.

Hey DWB have u looked atthe racial makeup at COHS lately? prte dom Latinos. IT will all work its self out and the next generation will wonder what the fuss was about.

You are right about one things colt 44. The payday. Yes they should be compensated to the fullest. Well aint that the American way. A suit is the way lots of white people especially Jewish people make their money. The shoe is on the other foot now and it is not right?. BS! These kids and thier families have rights as Americans just like everyone else. White boy and predominantly white school got caught and now they must face the charge just like everyone "With Liberty and JUSTICE for ALL.! Just because they are blacks does not mean they have no rights. Colt 44 You are drinking too much Colt 45, oh take that back that is a black persons beer right? ah--e

Colt 44 may be racist, but I agree all the lawsuits dealing with people's civil rights has made this country weaker. Think about the last time you were at the airport, and they pulled you out of line instead of the guy with a turbin on his head. If we racially profile someone might get their feelings hurt, and sue. So instead, we risk blowing ourselves up. I'm tired of minorities altogether. Just shut up, and go to work like the rest of us. I know some of the kids from this yearbook see a payday instead of just earning the money. Let's see how it plays out!

New York I read and agreed with the first paragraph and almost nothing else. Racism subtle or otherwise is disgusting. That is the point. On that we agree although blantant is worst because it doesn't hide and is easily condoned by many by their silence (institutional) whereas subtle racism is subtle as a hammer to the nail/person it is being placed upon. (Systemic)

As far as your world view of politics both global and domestic it only plays upon the first of your contentions...sometimes subtle and sometimes blatant Republican dogma. All that time taking wipes at Democrats and as usual the Republican mantra is see no evil, speak no evil and do no evil....even when Republicans are in total control and the world, the economy and every economists says otherwise. Are we still debating the definition of a Recession? Wah wah wah. I hope Mc Cain wins and will vote for him as my contribution to the Republican view of America. Who needs Habeas Corpus? Who needs government oversight? Who needs accountability?

Get ready for $7 gas my friend. Did the world need gas (1.47 a gallonat the time) before the invasion or did the Chinese, Brazilean and Indian gluttenous demand just coincide with the New Gulf War?

How about new home ownership at an all time high...really did that have to do with a raging economy or ridiculous easing of lending standards and the increase in unregulated Predatory Lending Practices? How about the lack of a tax base for schools when that bubble finally pops?

No it wasnt the Republicans who did that? Was it? But then again what were they doing for the past 7 years? hmmmmm. Can't wait for your revisionists history lesson.

Get Past the Present,

Wow. All of the ugly race bashing has now turned into a pitch for the Democratic nominee, essentially saying that voting for McCain would be racist. Let me first acknowledge that I do believe that racism is still around and it surfaces its ugly self far too often. Sometimes it is obvious and sometimes it is more subtle. The subtle racism is often more damaging than the blatant racism.

However, now we are talking politics:
Blaming Bush for the price of gas, blaming bush for a housing crisis, blaming Bush for probably everything possible. Why?
Do you also credit Bush for appointing the most diverse Presidential Cabinet ever? Do you also credit Bush for record home ownership and record minority home ownership? Or do you just blame Bush for all the individuals (of all races and religions) who chose to borrow more money than they can repay?
The weak dollar definitely hurts every time I travel to London, but the alternative would be to raise interest rates and devastate the housing market even more. Plus, have you considered that a weak dollar may have been the only strategy that has allowed our exports to stay competitive?
The price of Oil is a global phenomenon, not just in the US. Take a look at prices in Europe. Should Bush ask China to stop using oil and growing its economy? How about India? Brazil? Should bush tell Wall Street traders to stop providing liquidity and stop trading?
Bush inherited an economy that was devastated by the last asset bubble, the internet. He also inherited a porous national defense that allowed the World Trade Center to be bombed in 1993, Oklahoma City Bombing (Timothy McVee), US Embassy bombing in Africa in 1998, USS Cole Bombing in 2000, and that lead into the World Trade Center bombing on 9/11. Did Bush create the current turbulence in the Middle East? Would it have been there regardless of Bush?
Worst economic downturn in 80 years? Our unemployment rate is still only 5.5%. So the stock market is hit a Bear Market, down 20%. Economies and stock markets go through cycles.
So McCain is the same old thing as Bush? Really? Do they look alike to you? Remember McCain ran against Bush in 2000. I’m sure McCain despises Bush. Why is McCain the same thing? If McCain were the same old thing like the Democrats have labeled him, then McCain would not be having so much trouble winning support from the conservatives.
So the world hates us, huh? Well I know that has been quite exaggerated past few years, especially when the ultra liberal Jacques Chirac was President of France. However, the French have wised up and elected Nicolas Sarkozy as their current President. Sarkozy seems to be a big fan of the U.S. and the EU. I am sure others will follow.
Does it sicken you that Colon Powell and Condoleezza Rice were the third most powerful people in the country as part of Bush’s cabinet? Talk about a double standard. Remember in 1996 and 2000 when it seemed obvious that most Republicans would have supported Colon Powell for President if he had wanted to run? Can you imagine how many schools would be named after those two great Americans if they were Democrats?

Bill Rusell the ultimate sports winner of any generation and the leader of what is arguably the greatest sport dynasty of all time once had crap (human waste) spread all over his door in the most exclusive neigborhod in Boston. Was the coach odf the Celtics white? Yes. Was Russell black...again yes!

Crack a book you short sighted moron and come with better than a bigoted view of the world. Enough said. Case closed. It was wrong. People have a right to get angry and no it's not cool to say "get over it" unless you can define "IT", dare we say what that is?

We once had an IT guy who put in his program...NO WAY JOSE everytime we tried to gain system access and put in the wrong password. NO WAY JOSE???? Are you kidding me? Is that racist? No Just plain STUPID...problem was when it was brought up to management s attention it became a similar discussion as it is here..."GET OVER IT!"..well that was 20 years ago.

Some things never change. Not Racism, that will change but like the saying goes...'Stupidity has no limit"

Hey Chris Allen is the starting QB over at COHS. I do not see racism there. White Coaches over at CO too. If there was racism over at CO you could almost assure yourself they would have a white QB. enuf said now all need to get the F#@* over it now.

sports fan are you that weak minded that any information will cause you to change your opinion. Even worst do you think bloggers will run and hide at the mere mention of political discourse because they too are so inclined.

By the way you've mixed up your cliches...its "politica; SOAPBOX"...should have crack a book or two while in school.

Fred is it any wonder why AOL is running a piece on the DECLINE of NEWPAPERS/Print Media....the newes one is Tribute.com. That's right the obits are going the way of the Polar Bear....thin ice and climate change is a B#tch!

Wow!Fred,
Since when has these sports blogs become a political venue. Maybe because the yearbook incident has gone on and on. All has been said that can be said so now people like Get Past the Present will get on a political bandwagon and force their views on bloggers looking for sports, mostly football this time of year.

Jimmythedean,

What world do you live in? Is race a factor in America? Ask yourself why did they make that joke in the yearbook n the first place? A couple of years ago a man was dragged from the back of a pickup truck until his body was torn to shreds and very litlle of his remains resembled a human body? Most thought they were dragging an animal. Was that racial?

A few years back the miniseries Shaka Zulu showed back women's breasts all night long for the lenght of the week long series without a wimper from the FCC or condemnation by white Christian groups so typical today, why? Was that racial? Could the same historical record be shown if they were white women? You know the answer don't you? Of course you do.

So now we have what is arguably the poster event for the "end of racism" in this country : a Black man running for President of the United States of America.

In the midst of the greatest economic downturn in the last 80 years, an economy built without oversight, The dollar at an all time low, a White House that has turned and torn the very fabric of the Constitution on it's ear, with gas prices at over 300% and possibly hitting $7.00 by term's end, with housing ready to implode at an historic pace, with the thought of thousands of families losing their homes, with our reputation in the world community at an all time low, with war raging in parts of the world that everyone warned would be a hornet's nest, with war profilteering at an all time disgrace, with a President who is lead by the nose by a Vice President who answers to no one...what do we have ?

A white candidate that is running in a virtual dead heat on a platform of 4 more years of the same old same old? Does that not strike you as odd? Continue the same policies that the majority of Republicans can't even associate themselves with and do everything to ditsance themselves from? Is that because Obama is a Democrat or a Black man?

Read the racist propaganda against Obama...by the way HE'S NOT MUSLIM!!! No racism is alive and well in this country. Go to any Home Depot and see it for yourself. White men hiring undocumented workers in plain sight and not one arrest. Why? Yet everyday the white community complains about a probem they benefit from. That called econimoc racism. Open a book sometime my friend.

AMAERICA IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD...INSPITE OF ITS HISTORY OF RACIAL CONFUSION.

Most people affended by the year book need to get over it. The race cruch is getting old, when you run around claiming your Afican American, Mexican American, Chinese American ect, Your trying to be an indivial group. What happend to just plain American, were all decendents from somewhere show me someone thats pure anything race.I'm pure American.

What an ignorant posting Colt 44 has made. Enough of this already, it should be resolved tomorrow. The longer it goes on the more the real racists will be coming out of the closet.

I WANT TO NOE WHAT KIND OF NAMES WERE TYPED ... DOES ANYONE NOE ??

How sad...

For all those people that have said "it's no big deal" and "get over it"

How quickly would you get over it if it were your child or yourself for that matter that had to deal with the insensetive remark for the whole school to see?

Imagine the rest of your high school tenure and always carrying that stigma as the kid that was singled out?

But whatever...just get over it!

I know Mrs. Wiard and she's a great person, obviously fred you haven't worked the bully.

I wish Romero/Molina and others would also get involved in preventing and addressing the race-related gang shootings in the area that drove a few football players out of Monrovia toward other schools, including Charter Oak. I wish the politicians would not just choose the easy fights.

And did I miss something? What exactly is racist about using the name Shanique or whatever? Would there be outrage if "Billy Bob" was put under the picture of a white guy?!

The only thing that would upset Gloria Romero more than this "alleged racism", is if this little dust up went away before she has had a chance to fully exploit this for her own interest!

Wow the white people are anonymously out in force! lol

romero is a typical whining democrat who loves to pile on these social causes. Every time a minority get into something romero, jessie jackson and fools like them come out of the woodwork. Hey romero go find something worthwhile and leave this issue alone. It will wind up going away if you leave it alone.

MEGA your obviously young and completely ignorant.

Lets get back to sports, where race is not an issue.

Mega your an idiot. BSU is a national club for highschool and college students. A lot of people in BSU arent even black. you better check your facts you donkey, before you come on here and look like an idiot.

mega,

the students didnt start the bsu. this is a organzation just like there are hispanic,asian and natvie amercian organzations. you have it all wrong there is nothing wrong with organzation like this. no matter what you think this country is 70% white. There is nothing rasict about BSU.

everyone thinks this racist. but dont you think it is, these kids started this club (BSU) i think it's called' on the color of thier skin there is no other race in the club. now who is racist

"Either you stand for something, are fall for anything". This is not funny and should be adressed no matter how small any person feel about it. If it had happened to an asian, mexican are student any other race.

Dont worry I hear she is making personal phone call apologies to each and everyone of you over sensitive little babies.

The principal never called our house. Waird must GO.

RUkidding
I did in a previous post say how terrible it was to do something like that. I never said no big deal. I only said it is being taken care of and enough is enough. It has really gotten too much publicity. Let it be corrected and it appears that will be taking place. Move on

It is a little confusing but the Tribune meant to say Molina. But I agree with you both she Molina is "pathetic" and plays the race card continually. Just look at Million Plus Dollar Mexican/Chicano culture center that was built with taxpayers money.
Pathetic, I say so. Quit putting people into boxes people we are in this together.

To get over the pity party Romero is "pathetic" - Not sure exactly what makes her pathetic, but whatever.
"Schoolyard name calling" - Do you mean like " Nerd, or you got the cooties.... I would think this is quite different from such
"Such nonsense" - makes sense to me and many others.... obviously.
"Such a sensitive bunch" - Such a sensetive situation wouldn't you think.... well, maybe not you.. another bad apple in the BUNCH.
"How sad is that, I'd say very sad" - Very, Very Sad indeed.. for all involved!
"Deal with it" - Correctly yes.
" and move on" - True, in do time once the powers that be have dealt with it.
Peact to All in 2008

Pity Party I think you meant Gloria Molina.

Gloria Romero is still pathetic!
And look at all the "victacrat's" crawling out of the wood work. Like rats to crumbs and over what? school yard name calling. Such nonsense this is and such a sensitive bunch how sad is that, I'd say very sad.
Whoever said deal with it an move on I totally agree.
My Word!

"White Problem", "Romero's Fault", Look, the truth is that this matter should have been nipped in the bud when the first complaint came in. Whether or not it was done as a joke or with the intent to offend black students, IT DID! Im sure that before this got to the local newspaper, Charter Oak had complaints about the issue. All of a sudden, it has spiraled into an national issue everybody wants to take action!!

Fix it:

White Problem? Please explain to me your realm of reality. If it were a problem in which it offended anyones RACE, CULTURE, RELIGION etc., it should be taken seriously. Some of you folks would have had a shyt fit if someone on your job or within your social setting made a negative reference to your race, heritage etc.. You read about lawsuits all of the time from all angles about the same shyt!! If you dont want the negative attention, what do you do?? KEEP YOUR PREDJUDICE AND BIGOT thoughts to your self. That goes for Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asians and everybody else that doenst believe in a diverse and equal environment!!!

I Mean Really,

Things like this should never be taken lightly! It is a big deal and everyone should know about it and it should be corrected. You obviously have never been discriminated against and therefor, think this is not a big deal. People like you are pathetic, not Gloria Romero!

To " I mean really"

you said " Let it go " - " Big Frecking Deal " - " That's Life" - You called Senetor Romero "Pathetic". You called civil rights leaders " So Called " - C.O is not a racist community or school, rather it has some racial issues just like many other schools due to some bad apples amongst the bunch. After reading your comments, I'm willing to bet that you are one of those bad apples amongst the bunch. Peace to All in 2008

This is taking so long because you have to be real careful when correcting a racist problem. First off the Kid that did this must be protected along with his family because some whacko could go to the extreme of a backlash against them. Their safety is important he is a minor. The kid himself should not be allowed to return to CO because that could further complicate matters. Replacing the year books, altho costly is the correct thing to do but how many kids will keep the old one just to show they have that copy of the racist remark. Most will not switch out now. So if no book replacement then a apology and a cash settlement for the pain these kids suffered is the best choice for all. The School District that represents CO should step up, bite the bullet, take it in the shorts and be done with it. Something good better come out of this because next years campus may have a racial tension in it despite what Principal Waird is saying.

Here we go again!

"White" is the establishment and considered the perpetrators of this type of racism for centuries.

Now Jeese and Big Al

Oh Please

Thats the problem CO Student. You see nothing wrong with this. That makes you part of the problem. If it wasnt a racist act why doesnt the person or people responsible step forward and explain their actions? It is the act committed that makes your school look bad, not the reaction. Im sorry if you feel it should be let go, but if you as a people did not have a voice in THIS country, the USA for over 500 years, you would not be so quick to take incidents like these so lightly. It wasn't so long ago when blacks not being able to go to white schools was ok and not a big deal. Lynching and burning crosses wasnt a big deal either. If we are trying to move forward and evolve as a people and a nation, none of these things can be jsut "let go".

This had better be put to rest as soon as possible before Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson show up, then all hell will break loose and we'll have marches in the streets.

Just print the damn things and have the people turn in the old books for the new ones. People have short memories, in a few months it will all forgotten.

This really should go away.
Gloria Romero is going to take credit for solving this, when two days ago the principal phoned all students and parents to explain the situation and a remedy in the making, which is replacing yearbooks(this is vey expensive, but if that is what it takes to end this mess fine)
What a shame that so many people other than CO families have jumped on this and made our school look racist which it isn't.

The more it drags on the worse it will get. Where is the correction and why is it taking so long to come up with a solutions and end this mess. Charter Oak HS will be always remembered for this but time heals all wounds. Douse it already. It is a shame but it's time to move on with all the proper apologies and whatever needs to be done.

"Hate to say this, but if this were a white problem, would the Senators, politicians, civil rights leaders be coming to the rescue?"

This question is a bit off base in my opinion. "White" is the establishment and considered the perpetrators of this type of racism for centuries. Therefore, this would and could NEVER be a "white problem". Also, has there been proof that this was done by white kids or adults? There are lots of problems with that question. But I digress...

It is a BIG DEAL. People were not only insulted and hurt but they paid good money for their kids year books. So is it right that their money be wasted because someone was trying to be funny? I dont think so. A yearbook is a permanent record of your time in school. I dont believe anyone should have to be reminded of this for their lifetime.

Hate to say this, but if this were a white problem, would the Senators, politicians, civil rights leaders be coming to the rescue?

It’s a bad thing that happen. But when the press continues to make a bigger issue out of it, does the real problem ever get fixed sooner? Or do we just keep harping on the situation and not the solution...

What I've said from the beginning is that it should have been handled better. Whenever you have something that involves race, civic leaders and senators such as Romero get involved. And ask yourself this, when has the press ever let things like this, "just go away."

It will continue to be a big story until the press including yourself Fred move on and let it go.
But no, all you political correct feel gooders let's not offend anybody people tyoes continue to harp on this. A few kids got bent out of shape,BIG FRECKING DEAL, that's life your going to be offended. DEAL WITH IT AND MOVE ON!!!!!
GLoria Romero your pathetic, and your being used by these so called civil rights leaders.
Fred if you been over to Charter Oak and never felt "racial tension" on campus. then why even bring it up.
That's called "piling on" Fred and you just got called for it! Despite what you say this IS NOT going to effect this school for any extended time PERIOD.