FOF Cathie Black, the just deposed Chancellor of New York CIty public schools (her term lasted three months), believes she would have been treated differently if “she were a man.” I’m tired of hearing statements like this from women.
Cathie was asked to leave her position because she wasn’t qualified or suited for it. Although she tried to learn about the system as quickly as she could, it proved too daunting a task in such as short time, even to a woman as smart and capable as she is. And instead of laying low the weeds, and observing the ins and outs of the bureaucracy, budgeting, policy, etc., she jumped in and started tangling with the wrong people.
Although New York City parents can be an obnoxious group, Cathie mocked parents at a meeting, a major NO-NO. Perhaps she mocked employees in her past jobs (most recently, she was head of Hearst Magazines), but you don’t mock New York City parents when you’re Chancellor of their school system. 2.) She made an offensive, off-the-cuff comment about using birth control to control over-crowding. She said she was joking, but that was no joke in a public forum about school children.
It appears Cathie never smiled either, judging from the hundreds and photos and videos that have been plastered all over the newspapers, TV and Internet. She’s not a warm and fuzzy person in the first place (I’ve met her on a number of occasions), but it wouldn’t have hurt to turn up her lips and “make nice,” as my grandma would have said.
Maybe if she acted more like a woman, she would still have the job.
0 Responses to “It was pretty Black and white”
Kate Line Snider says:
I hate incompetent people who use cop-out excuses when their incompetence is showcased; however, I covet her earrings!
Geri — I learned a lesson years ago about taking on a job that I really didn’t know anything about. In my case, it was for freelance stuff – someone wanted me to write an annual report which I’d never done. I told them, “I don’t want to turn this into a job training thing on your dime but I know someone who can do a good job for you; here is her number.” Cathy Black’s real mistake (IMHO) was that when Bloomburg approached her, what she should have said is, “Mayor, this is terribly flattering but New York’s schools deserve someone far better qualified and experienced in urban education issues than I am. Thank you for asking but no.” But she didn’t. I realize for some folks, walking away from what looks like this terrifically interesting and challenging deal is a non-starter – their ego’s won’t let them do it. But this was a huge mistake for Ms Black and now New York’s public school system is in panic mode because so many people quit while on her watch.
0 Responses to “It was pretty Black and white”
Kate Line Snider says:
I hate incompetent people who use cop-out excuses when their incompetence is showcased; however, I covet her earrings!
Geri says:
LOL about the earrings Kate!
Toby Wollin says:
Geri — I learned a lesson years ago about taking on a job that I really didn’t know anything about. In my case, it was for freelance stuff – someone wanted me to write an annual report which I’d never done. I told them, “I don’t want to turn this into a job training thing on your dime but I know someone who can do a good job for you; here is her number.” Cathy Black’s real mistake (IMHO) was that when Bloomburg approached her, what she should have said is, “Mayor, this is terribly flattering but New York’s schools deserve someone far better qualified and experienced in urban education issues than I am. Thank you for asking but no.” But she didn’t. I realize for some folks, walking away from what looks like this terrifically interesting and challenging deal is a non-starter – their ego’s won’t let them do it. But this was a huge mistake for Ms Black and now New York’s public school system is in panic mode because so many people quit while on her watch.