The 88th Scripps National Spelling Bee has now come and gone and, just like the 87th last year, ended in a two-way tie. And, just like last year (as well as many other recent years), the champions have come from Indian ancestry. Naturally, this doesn't sit well with a certain segment of society, the members of which have made their unhappiness known in predictable social media rants. Apparently, at least one of them has also made it known to Paige Kimble, spelling bee director. Her response, however, was perfect in its simplicity:
The domination of the bee by Indian American spellers over the past 15 years has created some backlash, including an ugly outburst of racial insults on social media last year. Paige Kimble, the longtime director of the bee, said that she was approached Thursday and asked whether any “Americans” made it to the finals. “ ‘Yes, they’re all Americans,’ I told them,” Kimble said. “We obviously still have a long way to go.”
Oops, that's right. They are all Americans. Actually, there are a few contestants from outside the U.S., but that is irrelevant to the story of this years winners, as one hails from Olathe, Kansas and the other from Chesterfield, Missouri. The distinction is likely lost on our poor bigot anyway.
The only thing I might add to that is that if you don't like the fact that children of Indian, or Chinese, or Japanese, or Korean, or whatever other heritage are outperforming those of your own, maybe instead of directing your frustration at the children or their families, you might try directing it at the elected officials who are responsible for overseeing the performance of your own school. Oh, and maybe do your own part while you're at it, if you happen to have children in that school.this last phrase was what hit me when i first read the title. questions posed by the alleged bigot which IMO isn't so alleged just goes t show the ignorance of what those they support are really doing denying education funds wanting to kill dept. of ED., abandoning inner city schools think how many potential Barack or Michelle Obama's there are out there waiting in the wings, actually that is the right wing reason for nipping education in the bud just glaringly clear since 2008.
i wonder if and how that person's kids would have fared in the contest? kids can be intellectually accomplished inspite of radical bigot home enviroment as well as being suppressed and grow up in the abyss of hate.
