Update: Is that ‘offensive’ concert program at Frelinghuysen Middle School just a bad printer?

This program cover has sparked controversy at Frelinghuysen Middle School.
This program cover has sparked controversy at Frelinghuysen Middle School.
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That controversial program cover at Frelinghuysen Middle School — the one that has sparked a community meeting this week– is the result of a bad printer, not bigotry.

At least, that’s what some of our readers are suggesting.

They found the original clip art, and it looks quite different from the version that appeared on a May 31 concert program, which Morris School District officials have described as “offensive…insensitive and inappropriate” in response to parents’ complaints.

Here’s the program that triggered the outrage:

This program cover has sparked controversy at Frelinghuysen Middle School.
This program cover has sparked controversy at Frelinghuysen Middle School.

And here is the original clip art:

 

Clip art used for an FMS concert program that has sparked controversy.
Clip art used for an FMS concert program that has sparked controversy.

Why the school distributed the inferior black-and-white version, which turns a minority chorister into Al Jolson from The Jazz Singer, is a question that presumably will be answered at the community meeting, at 7 pm on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at the school in Morris Township.

 “The image that ended up on the concert flyer is inconsistent with our most cherished values and our most enduring aspirations,” Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast and Principal Joseph Uglialoro said in a message to parents. They pledged that such mistakes won’t be repeated.

We reached out to the superintendent, and will add his remarks when he hear back.

 

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Really? People seem to be missing the point over the fact that the copy was printed and issued despite what it represented to people of color. The fact that someone reviewed and approved the final copy of the “clip art” used is amazing, totally insensitive and ignorant. With all the racial issues that our communities and country are facing at this present moment, it is disgraceful that the program organizers, principle, assistant principle, etc. did not feel that it was important enough to find other “clip art” that would not offend anyone once printed. Next thing you know, the “budget” issue will be the reason. Come on people, let’s use some common sense. So glad that the people in the community did not allow for this to be “ok”.

  2. This is NOT a bad print job. It is the only part of the original image that was affected by a bad print job? That image was manipulated prior to printing. If you are using that as your excuse; that only offers explanation of the print job. Once it was printed it is completely inexcusable that this brochure was distributed. In Morristown?!?! Inexcusable!!!

  3. Thanks for the informative and balanced piece, Kevin. I don’t see how anyone could accuse you of seeking inappropriate “publicity” in this article. Your inclusion of the original clip art greatly illuminated the issue for me, making clear that the final product was a poor depiction of what was originally intended. The coverage I read in a print publication this morning offered no such explanation.

  4. Kevin Coughlin, are you serious? What is the reason for your sensationalized headline and for alluding again that this was bigotry. I give you credit for at least posting some the evidence in this latest tabloid trash firestarter article, but why are you again stirring the pot and trying to create a controversy that clearly doesn’t exists? You mentioned that the program “triggered the outrage”. What outrage? I am sure that some parents complained, and with justification, but I haven’t heard of any “outrage” and neither have my friends in town. Rational and intelligent parents and residents can clearly see that this was an innocent mistake in releasing a bad print job. Anyone who was “outraged” must have a screw loose or looking for a problem in what was an unfortunate print error. Why do you pose bigotry as a possibility?

    Kevin Coughlin, I suggest you show some responsibility and edit your articles. With so many incredible things going on in our school district, we don’t need your sad attempts at publicity for your website using this tabloid trash journalism causing problems that do not exist and creating negative publicity for our schools.

  5. It seems to me that the original clip art image demonstrates one of the “most cherished values” the district holds. If we felt the MSD did not embrace diversity, my family would not be living here. It is one of the district’s greatest strengths.

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