The Observation Deck

Technical College's 'White Ad' Causes Stir
Board President Says School Received Calls

JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Blackhawk Technical College officials created an unintentional stir recently with an ad featuring a family whose last name is White.

The publication calls the Janesville school "the perfect fit for the White family."

The line on the cover caused a bit of an uproar, even though "White" was capitalized.

College board President Eric Larson said that people who proofread the cover beforehand didn't think twice about it.

School officials said that the college did receive a number of phone calls about it, but most callers were simply pointing out how the line could be misinterpreted.

The Web site has since been updated. It now calls the school the "perfect fit for the James and Casey White family."

It's not a matter of people being too sensitive it is a matter of people being insensitive, probably not maliciously but with no awareness of why that might be unacceptable.

The people who proofed it should have known better including the administration.

They need diversity training big time.

So maybe these people should just change their name. For crying out loud, their name is White...why is it insensitive to use it? Diversity has absolutely nothing to do with this except that some people are making it an issue. I'll be sure not to let anyone use my family name in an ad as such for I wouldn't want to offend anyone who isn't German. I'll just use my maiden name.....no wait, I wouldn't want to offend anyone who isn't Irish.

How funny... and ridiculous

I have black friends who have the last name Black.

And if the reverse happened?

Okay - nope.

Open your mind - you are not a protected minority.

If you wish to be you could start a German civil rights movement and talk about all the ways you've been oppressed because you're white.

Oh wait, that was done before wasn't it. And I hear it's really big down South.

sharon kinsella wrote:And if the reverse happened?

Okay - nope.

Not Okay to who?

I have seen almost everything with the work Black in front of it without it being a problem.

Black debates, Black newspapers, Black magazines, Black award shows, Black entertainment.

Do you have a problem with these?

Like I said Ryan - whites are not a protected minority.

Why in the world would you jump in with this.

Go back to work!

After seeing you Sunday I wanted to chat more!

I just didn't understand your statement - I wasn't sure if you were saying all of the black events were bad. I wanted you to clarify. The okay - nope statement was confusing.

Ok, back to work!