At BCC, fit the crime to the gibe

Time to shift the focus from the Bellevue Community College math instructor who wrote a racially insensitive test problem, to what the college is doing about it.

Only stupidity could account for a teacher's use of a math question that referred to Gallagher, the comedian famous for his watermelon-dropping and -smashing routine, and replacing the name with Condoleezza. Students who complained were correct. The teacher's name switch may not have been a deliberate racial gibe at U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, but it was an unacceptable employment of an old stereotype about blacks and watermelon.

BCC has from the start condemned the instructor's mistake. More important than what officials are saying is what they're doing.

The college plans to add a vice president of equity and pluralism and an ombudsman. Spending on diversity training will be increased and evaluations of programs and employees will include expectations of how well the college's diversity values are reflected.

Some are ignoring these fixes and instead calling for the instructor's termination. Firing the teacher would be out of proportion to the mistake made.

Teachers ought to be held to high standards. They instill values and knowledge in our young people. But if an instructor is fired for using the word "watermelon" in connection with a name most people link with a prominent African American, what then would be the punishment for actual bigotry? There must be levels of punishment that fit the transgressions.

The BCC instructor has a long and solid record in higher education. He has taught for 37 years, including at the University of Washington. He has apologized and acknowledged the pain caused by his actions. He should expect a reprimand, perhaps even a suspension. This is enough.

We should then let a school and an instructor, both with a history of good works, get back to their jobs.