Sometimes even teachers say inconceivably stupid things on social media. David Spondike, a music teacher at Akron’s Firestone High School, was angry about an apparent trick-or-treat incident near his house and dropped multiple n-bombs in a Facebook rant aimed at a black teenager (complete with the classic “I’m not racist, but here’s the most racist thing someone could say” disclaimer):
I don’t mind if you come to my neighborhood from the ghetto to trick-or-treat. But when you whip out your teeny dicks and piss on the telephone pole in front of my yard and a bunch of preschoolers and toddlers, you can take your nigger-ass back where it came from. I don’t have anything against anyone of any color, but niggers, stay out!
That post was taken down, but not before someone took a screenshot and sent it to local media outlets. Akron News Now posted the picture as well as subsequent posts from the teacher this morning (I couldn’t find his Facebook page, it’s possible he deactivated it at this point). He explained:
There is a screen shot of a post floating around that is being used claim I am a racist. My position on race and racism has been posted and discussed here on many occasions and is exemplified on a daily basis in my life. I have always been clear and have never minced words on this issue. I have always confronted it head on and never behind peoples’ backs. Please do not expect me to be anything less than consistent today.
Then he posted this, with a sort-of-but-not-really apology:
1. The post contains the “n-word”.
2. I sincerely apologize to those who are sincerely offended by the post; it was promptly removed.
3. I am not going to say that “someone hacked my Facebook page”, like most people do.
4. “Racism” implies prejudging, which is clearly not what happened here.
5. Making any excuse for allowing one race to use a word and condemning another race for using the same word is institutionalized racism in and of itself, regardless of the justification used.
6. The incident surrounds the criminal behavior described below, where a teenager exposed himself in front of young children, urinating on a telephone pole in broad daylight during trick-or-treating.
Spondike teaches music, fortunately not social studies or history, at the majority-black Firestone High School. Records show Spondike lives in a (very white) neighborhood in Copley. Apparently a black male teenager urinated on a telephone pole during the time people trick-or-treat were there in the middle of the day. Then he turned to Facebook. Let’s analyze his comments.
*Statement (from second post): “I have always been clear and have never minced words on this issue. I have always confronted it head on and never behind peoples’ backs.” Analysis: ranting on Facebook is almost never “confronting it head on,” especially when the target of anger not a Facebook friend and would never read it.
*Statement (from first post): “‘I don’t have anything against anyone of color, but niggers stay out!” Analysis: I remember in my early high school days when my English teacher was giving a lesson on the definition of irony and wrote examples on the chalkboard. If he weren’t serious, this would be a pretty good example.
*Statement (from third post): “Making any excuse for allowing one race to use a word and condemning another race for using the same word is institutionalized racism in and of itself, regardless of the justification used.” Analysis: the general use of the slur by different races is a complex issue. Angrily writing about what one black person did and then using the plural version of the slur to tell them all to “stay out” is pretty much cut-and-dry racism.
From the website for Firestone High School’s visual and performing arts program, here’s information on the teacher:
Akron Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts program at Firestone since 1998. Dr. Spondike holds a Doctorate in Music Theory and Composition from Kent State University (2001), a Masters in Music Education from the University of Akron (1994), a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Ohio State University in Photography and Cinema (1988), and graduated Suma Cum Laude from Mentor High School in 1980. Dr. Spondike supervises the sound crew for Firestone theatrical productions and conducts the annual spring musical. As a bassist, Dr. Spondike is an active performer in the Akron/Cleveland area, and is a member of the Delta Chi chapter of the Pi Kappa Lamba National Music Honor Society, the Ohio Music Educators Association, and the Music Educators National Conference. Dr. Spondike is an avid sailor and holds an Extra Class amateur radio license (N8SAX).
Yes, it’s awful for someone to piss in public, but using that incident to rant about black people on Facebook only makes you look like the bigger idiot. Educators, especially those with three degrees, should know better.
This article appears in Oct 23-29, 2013.
None of what he said makes any sense. What a jerk.
After analyzing the comments, it’s terrible that this teacher stated his opinions on FB when an act of public indecency occurred on is property, from kids that are not from his neighborhood and none of the kids in his Copley neighborhood would go to their neighborhood, and used a word that is frequently used by urban residents. I hope Rev Al is called to help resolve this travesty.
How about calling the police instead?
How about people who urinate in public on the street are a$$holes. Not whatever racist BS you want to call them. It shouldn’t matter if the kid was purple, it was his actions that were upsetting – not the color of his skin. So bringing up the color of his skin makes no sense. Full stop.
The rhetoric used by the teacher is actually becoming more and more common – he is, in my opinion, separating “people of color” (as he puts it) into two distinct groups – black people, and n-words. While racist connotations are always attributed to that word because of its history, here it seems to be being used to describe black people who act according to racial stereotypes rather than in the common good of society.
Note that white people are not exempt from this rhetorical duality, nor is any other ethnicity. White people are similarly separated into distinct groups of white people and white trash. Though not ethical in the least, what’s happening is labeling subjectively “bad” activities with a racially insensitive term as a kind of “shaming,” the end result being something like, “He’s not being a black person, he’s being a (n-word).”
I hope Rev Al is called to help resolve this travesty??? You mean so he can make it into a bigger deal than it actually is? If the races were reversed and the teacher was black calling the white kid a cracker, no one would even bat an eye. Granted he shouldn’t have said it how he did but he was angry and he is human and people make mistakes.
Come on America….r u really surprised? (In my opinion) 75%of white america feels the same way, they just wont admit it
The main reason it became a problem is because all of his old and current students were his friends on Facebook. That is where it began. I am currently one of his students at FHS. Last night I got a call saying did you hear what our teacher posted and it all went downhill from there. Today was completely insane. I was shocked. I completely understand the whole “freedom of speech” thing but he should know when to hold his tongue. Instead of dropping the n-bomb he could have said I don’t like disrespectful children who have no manners. Spondike was a man who we all USE TO respect. Everyone at the school is offended and it could seriously mess up the Visual Performing Arts program.
As a “Black Home Owner” I don’t won’t Niggers pissing in front of my home either and yes they should go back to their own neighborhood.There are racial undertones that need to be addressed on his part. “Akron school teachers are held to a higher standard” . Good luck to Mr.Spondike.
who cares if someone pisses on a tree.. get over it.. that’s what kids do.. god knows he wouldnt have allowed the kid to use his bathroom!…..that is scary that he has the nerve to post something like that.. he must have been drunk!
He got angry and took his rage to Facebook & posted a rant, he used some bad language, but her didn’t break the law. I certainly hope he doesn’t lose his job over something so trivial as an angry Facebook post. People over react about the smallest slights.
Apparently forgiving and forgetting isn’t allowed anymore.
Meanwhile at Firestone, the N word was dropped at least 500 times today in the course of casual conversation.
Good for you Spondike. I don’t like the monkeys pissing in my yard either.
It is the mindset. That’s the issue.
Some of you are defending a white teacher using the n-word??? Are you effin’ kidding me?
Fire him. Now.
And you racist apologists can go straight to you-know-where. All of you are scum.
Why should he be fired? Just because you are a teacher does not mean you don’t have the same right to freedom of speech as everybody else. He did not say it on the job, he did not involve the school in any way. It doesn’t matter how much you disagree with his opinion, or how much of a bad person you think he is. The right to free speech is most important when it is speech that many others dislike. No one group should be exempt from being offended. The rest of us have to deal with it.
@Jackie Debs — no one deprived him of freedom of speech. He is allowed to say whatever he wants; however, the social and professional consequences that he has faced are ALSO not against the law. Most places of employment have a code of conduct for employees that extend outside of the workplace. At my job, if you come to an outside work event (such as an employer -sponsored basketball game or outing) you can still be terminated for getting too drunk, getting into a fight, etc. Teachers represent not only the school they work for, but also the neighborhood in which they work, and they represent the students. When you do things, there are consequences. He choose his actions (for which he was not arrested) however, he was let go from his position (a consequence of his own actions). If a white person slights me, I don’t go on FB rampages about “crackers” or “Poor white trash”. It’s not appropriate. Even if I have the right to do it, it doesn’t mean it’s right.
Have you listened to a black comedy show lately? They drop the N word in every other sentence in some of those shows. Black people stop glorifying the mofo word and maybe others will follow. It’s offensive to me no matter who says it and its extra offensive when another race says it.
WELL MARCIA whether he used the word or didnt his negative comments were still aimed at black people no matter how you look at it
I had Dr. Spondike as a teacher in high school. He is the smartest teacher I have ever had, and a true asset to Akron Public schools. The loss of his position over this so obviously over analyzed statement, would simply be a terrible loss to an already struggling school district.
People using it amongst one another, within a race, to lessen the blow of the inconceivable degradation that our ancestors experienced, IS tolerated and accepted… You know the phrase, sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying? Racism can definitely be implied with and/or without omission, and the ignorance of this teacher, speaks magnitudes about others thoughts about Blacks by omission. He has the nerve to teach the arts too, so I would assume that he is more cultured and open minded. I don’t expect for him to tolerate criminal activity, but for him to think only ‘niggers’ urinates on telephone poles in front of children makes me think he doesn’t read the news about the White republican politicians that he probably vote for that send penis pics via text to their *ahem* ‘side hoes’. (Meant to use Black slang there BTW). I am Black, I am working on my PhD, my father was a College Professor and my Mother, an Administrative Officer for the City of Cleveland Water Dept. and I grew up in the hood… Man ‘Getcho Life’ Dude!!! Stop that before a black woman put some lovin’ on you…. You know what they say… Once you go Black…. lolololol
Dr. Spondike’s remarks are tragic. He himself is a good man.. a very passionate and usually a quite fair pro-social teacher who has inspired his student to think, be critical and to speak out on the issues with clarity. I think his incredibly bad and stupid judgement in making these irretrievable remarks in a public forum is indicative of how “burnt out” this teacher has become… he lost it…. “Burn out” is a disorder and Dr. Spondike needs help right now.. not condemnation. Yes, what he did is fundamentally wrong.. tragic on so many levels and so damaging to many of the students who have admired him through his years of going above and beyond to educate, inform and inspire. No arguments about the stupidity, insensitivity and offensiveness of his remarks …. But what happened to this good man? For him to have done this… it is completely out of character for Dr. Spondike… Anyone who knows him, and I do.. may have noticed the stress behind many of the remarks he has made on FB just lately.. But there is no safety net for teachers… I hope the board investigates this, identifies the burn out and offers Dr. Spondike help and the opportunity for redemption. I hope all you reading this go out there and hug your kids and give teachers your support and appreciation. Prayers are needed for Dr. Spondike.
nigger
Ok first off freedom of speech is like everything else in America subjective! ehen you hold position that that requires people to respect you dont get to rant racial slurrs about a situation that had nothing to do wit race! Teenagers today of all races are disrepective and have no home training…..so as inappropriate as it would have still been…there are several things he could have called the kid besides a nigger, so for that to be the first thing that came to his mind he is obviously racist! And the content and mindset he said it in also shows rasicm! Should he be fired of course he should because there are no all white schools in America in 2013 and besides another predjudice white person… who would want someone like this teaching there kids anything!! I also dont know why teachers keep getting hemmed up this way…why are you facebook friends with your students…..when he choiose to let students be his facebook friend he gave up his right to freedom of speech, if he cant say it in class he shouldnt be saying on facebook knowing hes friends with students and personal!! All those degrees and hes this stupid and ignorant!
Animals urinate in yards do we call them names.
Kori Gibson is dangerously close to being illiterate.
Why is the naacp getting involved? Freedom of speech people. I would have called him out too. Blacks are the most racist anyways. You said it so dont have your black kid take credit. Who cares. U should have went outside and kicked him in it. Is there no trick or treating in the ghetto? Go figure lol heres my phon number to all you white man haters. 234-214-3640. Dont apoligize i wouldnt want to teach that kind anyways
Some people need to stay off Facebook altogether and this guy is one of them. He is obviously an idiot.
If he would have tossed in “please” throughout the rant…..maybe he would not have faced the music.
Now that he’s been terminated, I’d be very interested to read analysis by the Scene of all that’s happened. Spondike’s extreme and protracted efforts to hide the truth and evade responsibility for what he wrote are almost as disturbing to me as the post itself was.
Madeline, I find his extreme cowardice even more shocking than the hideous racist comments. Unfortunately these self-serving, hypocritical thought processes are rampant and in certain communities the norm. Had the community not been as diverse as it is, I am afraid his peers would have allowed this. Unfortunately, the harm done is great because it occurs in our educational systems and with our elected officials. Areas where many community residents seldom get involved.
I’m amazed at the double standard that is accepted in this country for saying this word. Why are there 2 sets of rules for using this word, black people can use it and white people cannot not? If people want equality, then nobody should use the word.
What this teacher said is probably not the smartest thing but, firing him is not the answer.
Are you kidding me? Whether or not black folks should use the word is their business and their conversation not some white guy ranting over someone peeing on a telephone pole. He’s racist. There are a lot of racists who are considered good, kind and God fearing people. Doesn’t make them less racist. White people wake up. It is not a double standard. You have no right whatsoever to use such a word. And when did “cracker” or “white trash” have the oppressive and disgusting history as the n word? No comparison. Were your ancestors sold into slavery and not allowed to vote or go to most restaurants, hotels, bathrooms, diners. Were your ancestors forced to eat in the back kitchen or outside in the dirt? Was your family treated as less than human? stupid? not worth a life? Do you see the white community trying to reclaim words like cracker or white trash? It’s LAUGHABLE! I would be more upset if called an idiot or fat liar that cracker or white trash. Read your history. The N word was to refer someone as a NON PERSON, a nothing. I’m shocked that the country hasn’t come further than this. This man is an embarrassment to American education and an exact representation of what’s wrong with our education system. He’s clueless to what he’s done. Like most people of the dominant culture (white male) he can’t accept that he’s wrong because he’s ENTITLED. Absolutely disgusting and saddens me beyond belief.
I’m surprised that the worst thing to come of this was a facebook rant. Where I’m from we would have strung up the little jigaboo on the nearest tree for all his monkey pals to gawk at. Seriously, it’s high time we either send these apes back where we got them from or get busy eradicating them from the gene pool.