Mom Mad Over Son's 'Most Whipped' Photo In Yearbook
Mom Mad Over Son's 'Most Whipped' Photo In Yearbook
POSTED: 10:41 am EDT May 18, 2005
UPDATED: 10:47 am EDT May 18, 2005
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. -- The mother of a high school senior elected "Most Whipped" by his classmates has asked for a recall of Boynton Beach High's 2005 yearbooks over a photograph of her son wearing a collar and leash.
Robert Richards, 19, was photographed with then-girlfriend Melissa Finley, who is holding the leash. Richards is black and Finley is white.
Richards' mother, Jacqueline Nobles, said the picture reminded her of the poster for the 1970s miniseries Roots, which featured a manacled slave.
"I know it's supposed to be in fun, but there are people still having trouble with African-Americans' past and this will be offensive," Nobles said. "This picture, to me, is very distasteful."
School district spokesman Nat Harrington said the pictures were inappropriate and the school would investigate. He said there could be "serious disciplinary consequences" for the yearbook adviser and "anyone else who should have brought it to the forefront for review before it was published."
About 240 copies of the yearbook were distributed before Nobles complained Tuesday. The principal is holding the remaining 460. But Richards, who came up with the idea for the pose, said he and Finley don't find the picture offensive. He said he and his peers are less conscious of race than older generations.
"We don't see a problem with it," Richards said. "If there was a black girl doing this in the picture, it wouldn't be an issue."
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
But Richards, who came up with the idea for the pose, said he and Finley don't find the picture offensive. He said he and his peers are less conscious of race than older generations.
It sounds like the kid needs to tell his stupid Mom to shut the hell up and quit whining.
I agree with DTH it was her sons choice therefore it should be published the mother has no say in this case - he should tell her to can it
Hey Shaun, DTH; Got any kids? If the kid is an adult and is paying his own bills then mom needs to shut up. It costs to be the boss; If you wanna be the boss you have to bear the costs.
I bet if mom was pissed because he got a tatoo saying "Bush Sucks" you'd be agreeing with momma.
I bet if mom was pissed because he got a tatoo saying "Bush Sucks" you'd be agreeing with momma.
Yes I do have a kid and if he really wanted something similar in a yearbook, well then more power to him. As far as getting a tattoo that says Bush Sucks? C'mon, that's apples and oranges. Absurd comparison. But I do agree Bush does suck, as do ALL politicians.
All I am saying is it is his mom's perogative to raise her son they way she wants; with her values. Anything her son does reflects upon her and the values she has instilled in her son and upon the job she has done in rasing him. Mom doesn't like it just as I won't let my son do alot of things he and his friends want to do, (but he's only nine).
Does it not pizz you off when someone tells you how to raise your kids?
On another point has anyone seen the pic? The boy is black and the girl is white . Mom says this reminds her of slavery. So now you know the real issue behind this story.
It would have been okay if the mom said I don't support this because it's not something I believe in & don't want my kids to until I'm supporting them. E.g. the teenage kid next door wants to get a motorcycle but his parents are biased against motorcyclists. I know he will be fine since he is a good kid - he wanted me to go talk to the parents but I refused & told him it's his parents decision.
But, the point is not whether or not the bondage stuff was against the mom's values - she was more concerned with the race issue which was absolute BS. Sure there is racism in this country but this is not an example of that.
DL is wishing he went to this school 
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