—————————————————— A New Quote on the Wall at Houston School | Houston Press

Education

New Quote Painted on Houston School Wall to Replace the Girl Shaming One

A better message indeed.
A better message indeed. Photo courtesy of HISD
This just in from the Houston Independent School District:

A new quote has been painted to adorn the hallway at Gregory Lincoln, attributed to Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai. Children at the school this year will be reading Malala’s book, “Malala’s Magic Pencil.”
To recap, on Friday word and photos spread on social media about a quote painted on the wall of Gregory-Lincoln School in Houston carrying the words "The more you act like a lady, the more he'll act like a gentleman."

Reaction was swift, massive and unfavorable. Most people called the message sexist and misogynistic.  HISD's administration reacted quickly first putting out a statement that the quote — said to be by the Mayflower Madam — was not in line with the district's basic principles.

In short order, drywall was replaced, paint applied and now we have a new quote to greet all students when they return to school this fall.

The Houston Press talked with the person who took the original photo, a visitor to the Gregory-Lincoln campus. This visitor, who does not want to be identified, was so appalled by the quote — the only one on the wall not attributed to someone — that the visitor took a photo and shared it with friends.

One thing this person stressed was that this quote shouldn't be seen as HISD as a whole; adding that the visitor had never seen anything like this at any other HISD school.

Here's the quote taken down over the weekend:


The original quote that adorned Gregory-Lincoln's wall
Screenshot of a photo taken at Gregory-Lincoln PK-5 school
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Margaret Downing is the editor-in-chief who oversees the Houston Press newsroom and its online publication. She frequently writes on a wide range of subjects.
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