'Most Whipped' photo in Boynton Beach High yearbook has mom mad
Everyday Hero
Associated Press
May 18, 2005, 10:32 AM EDT
BOYNTON BEACH -- 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.''
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