Education

Meet the President of the Black Student Union…He’s White!

Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia, known for being a magnet for some of the state’s best and brightest students, apparently has an issue attracting black students to even apply. The school’s Black Student Union is doing its best to help matters, and apparently their President has done a fantastic job of increasing outreach, to the point that he’s become a beloved leader, even by those who initially ran against him.

There’s just one problem, according to some people – that President is white. Meet Michael Wattendorf:

Michael Wattendorf, White President of Black Student Union at Thomas Jefferson High School, Prompts ControversyAccording to the Washington Post, while Wattendorf‘s election has done mostly good things for the school’s black student union, it’s also sparked an impromptu debate over racism at the school, and within the Black Student Union itself. To those who bemoan Thomas Jefferson High’s general lack of racial diversity (defined in this case as a high volume of Hispanic and/or Black students), the election of a white students to head the school‘s Black Student Union is further evidence of the school’s entrenched racism. After all, if there were more black students, surely there’d be more competition for leadership, and even if there weren’t, they still wouldn’t vote for a white kid, right?

The other side counters that actually, they might have. Wattendorf’s term has, according to even his former opponents, been a major success. Wattendorf has increased outreach to area elementary schools and gone out of his way to increase membership in the club. Most students – even those who cracked jokes about his race – have now turned into his enthusiastic defenders. Indeed, apparently the only area where Wattendorf’s leadership has been questioned has been his hesitance to rush to judgment on the case of Trayvon Martin. From the Post story:

“I understand what you’re saying,” he said. “But to offer the alternative opinion . . . if there was a chance he was beating Zimmerman, that is important to know.”

After the meeting, Prater said in an interview that Wattendorf is not always going to share the same perspective as the African American members of the club.

“He’s done an amazing job as president. He was the best person who ran,” Prater said. “But I don’t think he understands that Trayvon Martin could have been me. I think Michael knows [the case] is awful, but when you feel like you could be in the same shoes, that you could die and people would defend your killer, well, you have a completely different viewpoint.”

So if nothing else, Wattendorf won’t be joining the New Black Panthers. Some might consider that a good thing.

Comments (91)

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  • Ramv36
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 9:10pm

    The guy does have something of a point. Being a 28yo man, 5′9″ and 210lbs who legally carries, I can completely relate to George Zimmerman, because for most intents and purposes I AM him.
    Conversely, I have zero relatability to a 17 year old kid out in a gated community after dark (mostly because In my community, North St Louis, being outside after dark while being white is dangerous, that’s what the gun is for!)
    The sad thing is this: Had Trayvon been carrying and shot and killed Zimmerman, the same race-vultures we’re seeing now would still be circling, but they’d be praising Martin as a hero for the community, since he ‘got one’ of those evil pale folk. It’s truly disturbing.

    Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:43am

      Hey, Ramv36!

      I’m out in St. Peters, but I hear you. I used to make medical deliveries through North St. Louis after 5 PM. Had some really nasty things shouted at me in that area. The angry racism of a lot of folks in that area was shocking.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • Stew57
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:50am

      The behaviors are what seperates me from relating from either of the two. If zimmerman had confronted me I would have been yes sir, no sir, just trying to get home sir. If I had been zimmerman I would have asked the kid if he needed help, told him to be careful as we have had a lot of trouble in the area lately, and that I had called the cops who are on the way to check things out. I guess I am just different and don’t like the confrontational nature of so many people. My concealed hand gun is a desparate last resort.

      Report Post »  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:57pm

      Is there a white student union?

      Report Post »  
    • JayCee
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 1:42pm

      @johnjamison

      Of course not. That would be racist.
      The Black Student Union, the NAACP, The Congressional Black Caucus, etc. …………. are……….err………..uhhh………………..nevermind…

      Report Post »  
    • babylonvi
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:33pm

      @STEW If the Gangbanger wanna be did as you suggest, there would have been no confrontation and no death. We will see what the facts are as this works out, but the situation at the scene and what witnesses supported a self defense claim so there was no arrest. In other words the fact that there was no arrest does not mean justice will be done, but to some, a speedy lynching is the only answer. This is really strange, as I’ve always heard people of color are usually opposed to lynchings.

      Report Post » babylonvi  
  • nappy
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 8:57pm

    Why in the hell is there a student union based on race anyway? My god.. when is America going to leave these segregationist entities in the past? F’kin eh.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:14pm

      When Black Racism no longer pays people for supporting Black Reparations; When Black Propaganda thet Whites caputured them with ButterFlyNets ends; When Blacks admit that the First American Slave Owner was a Black Man; When no laws are based upon Race nor a Minority Status — then, the BS will end!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • blackyb
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:21pm

      Been going on since the beginning of time. If the races are fighting something some of them just get so bored.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • jakartaman
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:21am

      When the Black community stops wanting to be called “African ” Americans instead of jus American like the rest of us!!

      That’s when Nappy

      Report Post »  
    • yonah
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:05pm

      There has always been clubs and organizations based on race because we are all not the same.There are Korean clubs and organizations and Cuban,Italian,Irish,Polish and every ethnic group that exits.but for some reason the thought that there is a Black Student Union is cause for you to go off.

      Why is that, sir?

      Report Post »  
    • Texas Chris
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:55pm

      Where’s the White Student Union?

      And lets be honest; most people instantly thought of the KKK and dressing in bedsheet hoods when they read my first sentence…

      Report Post »  
    • 11
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 2:31pm

      @YONAH
      Korean, Cuban, Italian, Irish & Polish clubs are all Nation based clubs. I don’t see any problem with and Algerian, Eqyptian, Kenyan or even a generalized African club. Black is not a country. It should be used to describe appearance only but it used in this case to describe a race. The analogous club to the Black Student Union could only be the White Student Union.

      Report Post » 11  
    • 1956
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:27am

      Whenever filling out forms that ask for race, refuse to fill it out or check “Other”. I Have two asian daughters. I am going to teach them to do the same. I don’t want them or me to be judged by our race. And when it comes to going to college, I don’t want them to check off “Asian” as a race. By forcing people to define their racial heritage, the government has promoted racism.

      Report Post » 1956  
  • Secret Squirrel
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 8:16pm

    .
    Does that make him an “Uncle Tom”?

    Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • blackyb
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:20pm

      More like an Aunt Edna.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:54am

      Hey, little kid…have you actualy looked up the story of [uncle Tom]? He was a great help during the underground railroad. Y’all must be one of those no-read-libs.

      Report Post »  
  • taxpro4u03
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:58pm

    A problem that consistently confronts racist law makers in the question of defining who is “*****” and who is “white.” In general, two schools of “thought” prevail is the United States on this issue. In about nine states a ***** is anyone who had a grandparent who was a *****. The laws generally define such a person as “having one-eighth or more ***** blood“ or as an ”octoroon.” The other definition of ***** is used in at least six states: a ***** is any person who has “any trace of ***** blood.” The circularity of these statements does not seem to trouble the opponents of miscegenation.
    http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1963/12/17/race-marriage-and-law-pamerican-racism/

    Report Post »  
    • Dr Vel
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 8:21pm

      Octoroon? If he had two male parents does that make him a Macaroon?

      Report Post »  
    • jespasinthru
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 11:51pm

      Remember when the NAACP tried to make congress pass a law giving financial reparations to all the American descendants of slaves? I think that was back during the Clinton Administration. Fortunately, it went nowhere. If that law had been passed, at least half of the white people in this country would be searching through genealogy records and taking DNA tests to try and prove that they had at least one black ancestor, just so that they could jump on that gravy train.
      And right after the last Civil War, the original Reparations Act to the freed slaves was forty acres and a mule. Can you imagine what that’s worth today? You can keep the mule, but for my forty acres I’ll take two WalMarts and a Vegas casino, thank you very much.

      Report Post » jespasinthru  
  • waspanglosaxon
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:51pm

    Well personally, I hope that Zimmerman gets just exactly what’s coming to him and nothing less.
    In this case, it should be about $50,000 and the key to the city.

    Report Post » waspanglosaxon  
  • robert
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:40pm

    “But I don’t think he understands that Trayvon Martin could have been me. I think Michael knows [the case] is awful, but when you feel like you could be in the same shoes, that you could die and people would defend your killer, well, you have a completely different viewpoint.”

    You would be in the same situation of Trayvon Martin ONLY if you made an unprovoked attack on an innocent white person with the intent to do serious bodily harm or murder.

    Is that what worries you?

    If you can’t understand that, it‘s because you’re too stupid to understand the situation. People being too stupid is why Al and Jesse have so many braying black jackasses screaming that they’re going to riot.

    Report Post »  
  • headbtweenlegs
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:34pm

    Racism is dead as Al and Jesse believe.. We are all Americans now…

    Report Post » headbtweenlegs  
  • SoupSammich
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:21pm

    What would Prater be doing walking around a gated community at night casing the place with skittles and tea? We do have criminals in our schools it seems.

    Report Post »  
  • Lucy Larue
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:18pm

    UGH! Is there a WHITE Student Union?!, An ASIAN Student Union?, An HISPANIC Student Union?, A LATVIAN Student Union?, An AUSSIE Student Union?, A MIDDLE EASTERN Student Union?,Oh wait…,a Dugong Student Union? Yadda, yadda, ad nauseum!
    Before this country had Multiculturalism and Diversity we actually HAD Multiculturalism and Diversity.

    Progressives BASTARDIZE everything…,to include…,“E PLURIBUS UNUM”!
    Tres degouter!

    Report Post »  
    • yonah
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:12pm

      Yes Lucy we had multi culturalism in the form of segregated buses,housing,employment,restaurants,hotels and in all areas of public accommodation.Are those the good old days you want to return to?

      Report Post »  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:15pm

    Nothing in American politics, culture and general discourse is as dull and cliche’ as the “race debate.”

    Report Post » MrButcher  
  • Inlightofthings
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:06pm

    Congrats to this kid for earning respect and the support of his peers with a successful tenure……..

    Report Post »  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:00pm

    Ladies and Gentlemen…….I bring you Barack Obama Jr. “claps hands”

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:57pm

    Since the kid has Blackheads, maybe that qualifies him.

    I wonder if he gets a black midget boyfriend, he can say “I have a little black in me”.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Bottomgun
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:20pm

      You are a sick puppy. I know cause I laughed at your comment and I‘m told I’m sick also.

      Report Post » Bottomgun  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 8:51pm

      Not funny! Tres mahervellian!

      Report Post »  
    • Texas Chris
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:56pm

      I think he’d be “African by injection”…

      Report Post »  
  • Liberty1791
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:56pm

    He must be one of those White-Negroes like the White-Hispanics in Florida

    Report Post »  
  • elkhunter48
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:55pm

    This is all very interesting on Trayvon Martin. Sad he is dead, however, isn’t it amazing that Zimmerman who is 1/2 white and 1/2 Mexican is being pushed as white. But Obama who is 1/2 White, 1/4 African American, 3/4 Arab is being tought as Black. So, can anyone explain to me the difference between Obama and Zimmerman’s ethnic make up that would cause one to be called white and the other to be called black? Why doesn’t our journalistic geniuses out there try and put that out to the world and start calling Obama White?

    hmmmmmmmmmmmm… something to ponder.

    Report Post »  
    • HumbleMan
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:33pm

      You left out 100% Marxist

      Report Post » HumbleMan  
    • Arc
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 5:08am

      There ya go again……spouting off that good ol “common sense”. You really know how to make folks set up and take notice with that “straight-up” talk. I suppose you know you will be branded a trouble maker and a racist for speaking the truth. Well friend, if it’s any consolation, should you ever get railroaded for speaking the truth, I’ll drive wherever and stand right beside you even if its in jail……..

      Rock on with the Truth.

      Report Post » Arc  
    • yonah
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:15pm

      President Obama is half white and half African.He identifies himself as African-American and you can’t make him anything else!.

      Report Post »  
    • Texas Chris
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 1:01pm

      Obama has a 100% white mother.

      He has an African father who is 25% black and 75% Arab.

      That means Obama is 50% white, 37.5% Arab, 12.5% black.

      Report Post »  
    • paleoman
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 2:06pm

      Minority wins. Right?

      Report Post »  
  • Joyzee
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:50pm

    He’s very light skin for a Brown folk!..

    Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:33pm

      He is an Albino Black, very rare.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • neidermeyer
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 7:41pm

      There was a story a few months ago about a black couple in England from some caribbean island ,,, the lady had a white child with (I think) blue eyes … recessive genes…

      Report Post » neidermeyer  
  • honestynow
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:36pm

    This is a public school. Why is there even a Black Student Union at all?
    Why are they segregating themselves?

    Report Post »  
    • godhatesacoward
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:46pm

      They want a better football & basketball team.

      Report Post » godhatesacoward  
    • friedwatermellon
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:17am

      They should have segregation of Blacks. It would be best for the Whites and other races.
      The 50 y+ yeaqr experiment of trying to teach and educate Blaqcks was a Failure and now we have rampart Black crime throughout the country 44% of all the crimes are from Blacks.

      Report Post » friedwatermellon  
    • term limits for congress
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:04am

      There should be segregation, but it should be among sexes instead of race. The feral male child needs male teachers and role models. The females need to know that it is okay to not be tatted, pierced, and pregnant before they’re 16. Kids are kids. The guys need discipline and taught to respect… same for the girls. It would be easier if they were separated at about 7th grade.

      Report Post »  
  • omgfolks
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:17pm

    This whole Travon Martin thing is a load of bull poo! And her is why I say this. I read in the article where some said this could have been me. AfricanAmericans have been killing whites for years, it could have been any of us. But more to the point is the way the goverment is systematicallly stripping the rights of all citizens, IT IS US. We do not see AfricanAmericans demonstrating against society issues only issues they prescieve to affect their race. Oh poor black folks have it so hard, I do not beleive you have it as hard as you make for yourself, it you chose to live on goverment money instead of taking advantage of the education processes then you deserve to be told how to live and where to live. If you chose to rob and commit crimes as whole then you deserve the treatment that comes your way.. On the other had I know many many black citizens who do not subscribe to the give me mentality and they are doing well for themselves, they despise being black , not because of of heritage but because of their race not advancing themselves through the opportunities provided. They deplore the give me mentality and stand testament that if you work hard and apply yourself you can suucceed. This travon thing is only a racist thing because for some it is profitable and for others its all they know how to do. That is the sad part of it.

    Report Post »  
  • Cruelnunusual
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:13pm

    Um, what exactly is wrong with having something just for white people?

    Report Post » Cruelnunusual  
    • possom
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:36pm

      Our town used to be all white they even had sign’s that said “black’s not allowed past 6 pm”. But in the early 70‘s they took down the sign’s and let them in and now you can‘t let your kid’s play outside after sunset because there’s crack, drug dealer‘s and thug’s allover. Not to mention half the town look’s like a dmz! I miss the old day’s.

      Report Post » possom  
  • Coonrapids
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:08pm

    This is why we can’t have nice things. This nation is full of self hate, what happened to my country? Hard work, family, a mother and father that a free of drugs and full of love is what is needed.

    Report Post » Coonrapids  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:16pm

      I just wonder if all black schools are doing outreaches to get more racial diversity at their schools. Just saying. Its a fair question considering this situation we read about here. I am totally ok with a school being whatever majority they happen to be, lets not turn ourselves into pretzels over this matter because by default we are saying race matters in the educational system. It has to look like it represents everyone and if it doesn’t then that is suppose to be taken as a bad thing. Pretty soon someone in city council will solve his problem for him and mandate blacks being put on buses and brought to his school.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • charlsrippy
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:04pm

    The more I see and read, the more I understand that blacks do not want to end racialism they just want to inflict it on everyone else.

    Report Post »  
  • hogtrashhd
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:03pm

    Prater said. “But I don’t think he understands that Trayvon Martin could have been me”.. well yeah.. and the white kid could have been one of 1000′s that blacks kill EVERY YEAR.. in fact statistics show blacks kill TWICE as many whites every year, and I bet that’s low balling it, than whites killing blacks.. soooooo your frigging point is??? get off that po’ me crap.. we’re sick of it.. i don’t see any other race whining like the blacks do.. they’re a bunch of crybabies..

    Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:21pm

      FBI crime stats are corrupt…since the 80s they put Latinos into the White category for violent crimes thus skewing the White on black crime stats whereas without their numbers the crime is almost non-existent. The Black on White crimes would pale in comparision and were not PC.

      93% of all Blacks killed in this country are killed by their own race. No one is crying about that. No one not even Al or Jesse the race baiters. Sick!

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • weneedrubio
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 5:57pm

    I hope this is the start of the backlash. We are diverse and the melting pot is the most important aspect of our country’s ability to excel. A smart liberal would have done this from the beginning, having only blacks in a club is segregation and breeds contempt both from within and without. It takes a conservative to straighten them out.

    Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:07pm

      Isn’t it amazing, that the left has turned the concept of racism, into not only something that is supposedly exclusive to white people, but also as an offensive weapon, to bludgeon and guilt others into silence, when confronted with their Communist agenda.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • Texas Chris
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 1:05pm

      When left alone peoples (cultures) tend to blend based on mutual benefits; trade, peace, cooperation, productivity.

      It is only when we are forced together, when old ignorance and hatred is stirred up my race baiters and inventive story-seeking media, that things get ugly.

      Report Post »  
  • Ruler4You
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 5:49pm

    Diversity “IS” perversity.

    If you can’t muster the requisites for leadership you should see if you can figure out how a broom works. I don’t care what your “culture” “IS”. If you can’t make it on your own merits, too bad. If ‘diversity’ happens to be resultant, fine. Everyone wins.

    Making quotas or changing criteria for the poor intellectually handicapped minorities so “some one else can have the power” “IS” stupid.

    Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 5:58pm

      Is there no end to the excuses for underachievement.

      Report Post »  
    • AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 5:59pm

      Maybe we should just close up shop and wait for the aliens to land and see how they do it. Oh, wait they are already here.

      Report Post »  
    • Texas Chris
      Posted on April 3, 2012 at 1:08pm

      “Diversity” requires first that we all be sorted into our cultural and societal groups. This is the foundatio of collectivism, which “diversity” claims to want to stamp out.

      Busybodies and government officials (but I do repeat myself) cannot help but to try and hasten the process of comingling, and they muck it up in the process.

      People fight change. The frog boils if the heat turned up slowly, but the Diversity crowd just wants to throw us all in the scalding cookpot.

      Report Post »  
  • nocomment
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 5:45pm

    Excuse me while I kill myself. I can’t take this crapola anymore…

    Report Post »  
    • nocomment
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 5:47pm

      Since I was 1st in line… i’ve changed my mind. I’ll kill myself tomorrow.

      Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 6:56pm

      I hear ya…..but t’aint worth it. Hoping you’ll be 1st in line tomorrow too. :-)

      Report Post »  
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