Unless wiser heads prevail, which it appears they have.
A tweet that spread like wildfire apparently started the chain reaction as it included the photo with the words "The more you act like a lady, the more he'll act like a gentleman."
Several people have reacted in shock, calling the message sexist and misogynistic. One said she hopes that wall is painted over before school starts.
You have to ask, what were they thinking? Girl shaming to start the new school year?
Whether the powers that be at HISD's administration building knew about the outrageous words-to-live-by is unknown. Just now they issued a statement, adding that they would have no further comment at this time. Here it is:
“The quote does not align with HISD values, and it will be taken down.”
And full marks to KTRK TV who did a little research and reports that:
According to a search, the quote appears to be attributed to Sydney Biddle Barrows, a best-selling author, business woman, and the founder of a New York City escort agency.
Barrows pleaded guilty in 1984 for promoting prostitution, according to her biography. She went on to write several books, including Mayflower Madam: The Secret Life of Sydney Biddle Barrows and Just Between Us Girls: Secrets About Men from the Mayflower Madam.
Well, whoever said it, it is indefensible and should not be a part of any message campus administrators are sending out. Makes you wonder what else girls get blamed for at that school.
Update 7 a.m. 08.18.18: The HISD press office issued a statement shortly before 1 a.m. today saying:
"Please be advised that the quote on the wall of Gregory Lincoln PK-5 Education Center has been removed. Overnight, the wall decal letters were taken down, the wall was floated out, and new slab of drywall was installed and painted."Update 9:50 a.m. 08.18.18: The HISD press office has issued a clarifying statement, as follows:
"The wall decal letters were taken down yesterday evening, before the day ended."Update 1:20 p.m. 08.18.18: The HISD press office just issued another statement:
"The Houston Independent School District acted swiftly to remove a quote at one of our schools that does not support our values. The input of our community is invaluable, and we appreciate that this was brought to our attention."And we have corrected this story to reflect that it was Gregory-Lincoln PK-5, not the middle school, where this occurred.
