5 thoughts on “New Rochelle High School Students Make Lipsync Music VIdeo: Call Me Maybe – Mr. Rabadi”
OK…. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!
Leave Bob Cox alone…As a famous Newscaster used to say, “And that’s the way it is.”
Don’t leave this a sad incident Mostly this story makes me sad that the predators of the world have such impact on the innocents.
Mr. Cox – You are welcome to your opinion about the video, but there are 2 things you should attend to because of the response. First, you should not be criticizing the kids who are passionate enough to fight back when they feel attacked – somehow I imagine you would have been one of them as a teenager if you felt on the defense, as these kids clearly feel. Second, I propose that your next blog be about why the kids feel compelled to use their creativity to do the video covers AND to investigate and find out why Mr. Rabadi inspires such passion amongst the young (because associating a predator with Mr. Rabadi in the same breath can do irreparable damage and you need to be responsible for that).
Kids – bravo for speaking up. You should feel proud of yourselves. But don’t personally attack Mr. Cox even though he is an adult and has modeled that. Understand that people will feel differently than you and that is the democratic way AND continue to speak up for the innocent using good arguments. I am sorry that you have to take away a very painful lesson – that even the most innocent action can be misinterpreted. But this will not be the last time this will happen.
Mr. Rabadi – I am so sorry for this backlash. In a time when teachers are continually beat down by the educational system, you have been a shining example of a teacher who is motivated to reach every one of your students. I know that your involvement in the video had everything to do with continuing that special, appropriate, teacher-student connection that makes you one of the most outstanding teachers in the high school. I know that this was made before Ms. Anton hit raw nerves. And I can understand why no one associated the two at the time.
Mr. Cox, as a legitimate journalist, I applaud that you have stirred up such a great discussion, but I encourage you to be responsible and follow-up – not to appease, but because you might see something else, something positive, and can encourage others to see that too.
Don’t leave this intended celebration as sad situation.
certainly sad Loued007
I am of two minds about your comment. One the one hand there is a sentiment underneath the words with which I agree. On the other, much of your characterization of me, what I wrote and the response are inaccurate and misleading as has been much of the response.
“you should not be criticizing the kids who are passionate enough to fight back when they feel attacked”
As a parent with two NRHS grads, who were both AP/Honors students, I have no trouble understanding the position of the students or their parents. I also have another bright child at NRHS now and one more on the way in a couple of years. I made MANY responses to the MANY different students who responded to my article. You appear to be lumping them all together and treating them as a monolith. I do not think these students are a monolith and I did not treat them that way. I believe if you will take the time review the comments, my responses were measured and appropriate to the comments made. Some of the students were thoughtful and reasonable and others were not. Where I thought the students were being thoughtful and intelligent I responded in kind. Where I thought they were whining or engaged in ad hominem attacks I was critical for their behavior but not them as students or human beings. In a number of cases I was encouraging the students to do precisely what they were doing based on their disagreement with my opinion about the timing of the video.
“your next blog be about why the kids feel compelled to use their creativity to do the video covers”
Are you telling me that you wish to arrange an interview with the students involved with creating the video. If so, fine. Otherwise, I do not know who they are or how to reach them and, as a matter of policy, I generally avoid communicating with students as a reporter without their parents permission.
“investigate and find out why Mr. Rabadi inspires such passion amongst the young”
This is sort of the same as above. If you can arrange it I am more than happy to interview the students.
“Associating a predator with Mr. Rabadi in the same breath can do irreparable damage and you need to be responsible for that.”
This never happened. I never made any such association. This is something that has been repeated over and over again on my site, Facebook, in the petition and elsewhere and yet no one can provide me a single example of where I made any statement or inference that Mr. Ribadi himself was acting, imitating or otherwise associating himself with Marisa Anton or her actions. Since this never happened there is no need for me to “responsible” for anything in this regard.
“Kids – bravo for speaking up”
I have no issue with the students becoming engaged on this issue and have encourage them in that regard.
“don’t personally attack Mr. Cox even though he is an adult and has modeled that.”
Again, this never happened. You will not find a single example of where I made a “personal attack” on anyone as regards this video. As I did not do this I have not “modeled” that behavior for anyone.
“speak up for the innocent”
This is again relating to the false assertion that I have done anything other than what I actually wrote in my article — called the release of the video poor timing given the context.
“even the most innocent action can be misinterpreted”
I accept the idea that the student’s did not consider the context of the Anton arrest. That is my entire point about this video — the failure to understand the “innocent action” in its proper context. The lesson to be learned here is that perception is just as important as intention. Good judgement would be to understand both. The students are still young and I think they can be forgiven for a lapse in judgement. My real issue would be with the adults involved — and my sense is that there were parents who were aware of this video and involved to some degree — THEY should have known better.
“this was made before Ms. Anton hit raw nerves” and “I can understand why no one associated the two at the time.”
Although it was not part of my original article, I disagree with this point and have said so since. It does not matter WHEN the video was made. The narrative, such as it is, in the lyrics is a traditional pop tune (with a twist). The official video for this song has a second twist. The classic narrative is “boy meets girl, boy chases girl, boy catches/doesn’t catch girl” The twist is that it is the girl chasing the boy. The second twist in the video is that as the girl thinks she is finally catching the boy, the boy ignores her and chases another boy. In either case, the “story” in the song is about a girl wanting to hook up with a guy. She initiates that by giving him her number and wishing he would call so they could hook up.
Internet meme aside — Harvard baseball team, etc. — how is it appropriate for students and teachers at NRHS to be in a video singing to each other “call me so we can hook up” and holding up their phone numbers with a symbol of physical affection and lyrics related to chasing and kissing.
I understand that this did not occur to them or the teacher. That is why it is bad judgement. If I thought the teacher actually intended something I would not simply call that bad judgement.
I would note that in your entire comment you do not once address what I actually wrote in the original article. Why is that?
I can tell you. It is not nearly as interesting to address what I actually wrote. There is no melodrama.
I offered an opinion that the timing was poor. Either you think the timing was an issue or not but your view on that question alone determines whether there is disagreement between us on my article as that is all that I wrote in my original article.
While there are surely some students who were genuinely upset about the criticism that I actually made, the vast majority of the response that I got was from a completely misinformed and false petition which entirely misrepresented what I wrote and my role in regards to the video.
For example, I never once called for the video to be removed. In fact, when I learned that it has been removed from YouTube I put it up on a competing service myself and explaining why I had done that — that while I disagreed I would also not support censoring the video.
The petition — and many of its signers believed this — says that I am the one who took down the video. This is not only false but obviously impossible as I did not uploaded it. As noted, the opposite is the case.
A final note, there is also a political aspect to this as well. Some of the people who involved themselves in this and actively fomented the response are long-time political activists in New Rochelle (you know who you are). These people have always had the same agenda — silence Talk of the Sound and silence Bob Cox. For them this was just another bite at the apple in their misguided and anti-democratic, anti-American belief that the solution to speech they do not like is to crush dissent.
I see that you do not feel that way based on your comment. I think you basically have the right idea that the solution to speech is more speech. You are right that the students should be encouraged to engage, debate and discuss. I agree that it is sad that the actions of a sexual predator would tarnish a school or its faculty and students in any way. I would point out, however, that any anger in that regard is misdirected. Any anger should be directed at a school administration that has the worst track record in Westchester County in this regard and is widely known for it. Instead we have more than a bit of a “shoot the messenger” approach. I did not cause these problems; I point them out. The solution is to fix the problems not complain that they are made public.
Bias & Complete BS This video was 100% completely turned around and twisted. Not only is he not texting, but using a calculator, the video wasn’t even his idea!
Anyone that thinks Cox’s is just seeking attention should join up here:
Mr Rabadi Domo arigato Mr. Rabati. You got to be a fine teacher to attract this many committed students. Where were you when I needed you — ok little old for that but even a 75 year old guy who subbed in the District and stood on more than one university platform in his day likes this degree of student support.
I said my piece on one of the number of postings on this already. Frankly, I liked it, don’t have the sightest idea of what a reasonable time period is to stop any such activity, don’t even care. Reason I don’t care is that this celebration of a beloved teacher might be a counterbalance to that horny (should I say alleged?) librarian.
In the classic words of Bill and Ted during their excellent adventure “rock on” Mr Rabati.
I am going to try to make this City better by supporting change in government; students, suggest you take a rest and see what you can do in this end. Habitat can always use a few good young men and women.
Anyway, 28th place worldwide in math and/or science. Maybe Mr Rabati is building the base for improving this as we text or speak
OK….
ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!
Leave Bob Cox alone…As a famous Newscaster used to say, “And that’s the way it is.”
Don’t leave this a sad incident
Mostly this story makes me sad that the predators of the world have such impact on the innocents.
Mr. Cox – You are welcome to your opinion about the video, but there are 2 things you should attend to because of the response. First, you should not be criticizing the kids who are passionate enough to fight back when they feel attacked – somehow I imagine you would have been one of them as a teenager if you felt on the defense, as these kids clearly feel. Second, I propose that your next blog be about why the kids feel compelled to use their creativity to do the video covers AND to investigate and find out why Mr. Rabadi inspires such passion amongst the young (because associating a predator with Mr. Rabadi in the same breath can do irreparable damage and you need to be responsible for that).
Kids – bravo for speaking up. You should feel proud of yourselves. But don’t personally attack Mr. Cox even though he is an adult and has modeled that. Understand that people will feel differently than you and that is the democratic way AND continue to speak up for the innocent using good arguments. I am sorry that you have to take away a very painful lesson – that even the most innocent action can be misinterpreted. But this will not be the last time this will happen.
Mr. Rabadi – I am so sorry for this backlash. In a time when teachers are continually beat down by the educational system, you have been a shining example of a teacher who is motivated to reach every one of your students. I know that your involvement in the video had everything to do with continuing that special, appropriate, teacher-student connection that makes you one of the most outstanding teachers in the high school. I know that this was made before Ms. Anton hit raw nerves. And I can understand why no one associated the two at the time.
Mr. Cox, as a legitimate journalist, I applaud that you have stirred up such a great discussion, but I encourage you to be responsible and follow-up – not to appease, but because you might see something else, something positive, and can encourage others to see that too.
Don’t leave this intended celebration as sad situation.
certainly sad
Loued007
I am of two minds about your comment. One the one hand there is a sentiment underneath the words with which I agree. On the other, much of your characterization of me, what I wrote and the response are inaccurate and misleading as has been much of the response.
“you should not be criticizing the kids who are passionate enough to fight back when they feel attacked”
As a parent with two NRHS grads, who were both AP/Honors students, I have no trouble understanding the position of the students or their parents. I also have another bright child at NRHS now and one more on the way in a couple of years. I made MANY responses to the MANY different students who responded to my article. You appear to be lumping them all together and treating them as a monolith. I do not think these students are a monolith and I did not treat them that way. I believe if you will take the time review the comments, my responses were measured and appropriate to the comments made. Some of the students were thoughtful and reasonable and others were not. Where I thought the students were being thoughtful and intelligent I responded in kind. Where I thought they were whining or engaged in ad hominem attacks I was critical for their behavior but not them as students or human beings. In a number of cases I was encouraging the students to do precisely what they were doing based on their disagreement with my opinion about the timing of the video.
“your next blog be about why the kids feel compelled to use their creativity to do the video covers”
Are you telling me that you wish to arrange an interview with the students involved with creating the video. If so, fine. Otherwise, I do not know who they are or how to reach them and, as a matter of policy, I generally avoid communicating with students as a reporter without their parents permission.
“investigate and find out why Mr. Rabadi inspires such passion amongst the young”
This is sort of the same as above. If you can arrange it I am more than happy to interview the students.
“Associating a predator with Mr. Rabadi in the same breath can do irreparable damage and you need to be responsible for that.”
This never happened. I never made any such association. This is something that has been repeated over and over again on my site, Facebook, in the petition and elsewhere and yet no one can provide me a single example of where I made any statement or inference that Mr. Ribadi himself was acting, imitating or otherwise associating himself with Marisa Anton or her actions. Since this never happened there is no need for me to “responsible” for anything in this regard.
“Kids – bravo for speaking up”
I have no issue with the students becoming engaged on this issue and have encourage them in that regard.
“don’t personally attack Mr. Cox even though he is an adult and has modeled that.”
Again, this never happened. You will not find a single example of where I made a “personal attack” on anyone as regards this video. As I did not do this I have not “modeled” that behavior for anyone.
“speak up for the innocent”
This is again relating to the false assertion that I have done anything other than what I actually wrote in my article — called the release of the video poor timing given the context.
“even the most innocent action can be misinterpreted”
I accept the idea that the student’s did not consider the context of the Anton arrest. That is my entire point about this video — the failure to understand the “innocent action” in its proper context. The lesson to be learned here is that perception is just as important as intention. Good judgement would be to understand both. The students are still young and I think they can be forgiven for a lapse in judgement. My real issue would be with the adults involved — and my sense is that there were parents who were aware of this video and involved to some degree — THEY should have known better.
“this was made before Ms. Anton hit raw nerves” and “I can understand why no one associated the two at the time.”
Although it was not part of my original article, I disagree with this point and have said so since. It does not matter WHEN the video was made. The narrative, such as it is, in the lyrics is a traditional pop tune (with a twist). The official video for this song has a second twist. The classic narrative is “boy meets girl, boy chases girl, boy catches/doesn’t catch girl” The twist is that it is the girl chasing the boy. The second twist in the video is that as the girl thinks she is finally catching the boy, the boy ignores her and chases another boy. In either case, the “story” in the song is about a girl wanting to hook up with a guy. She initiates that by giving him her number and wishing he would call so they could hook up.
Internet meme aside — Harvard baseball team, etc. — how is it appropriate for students and teachers at NRHS to be in a video singing to each other “call me so we can hook up” and holding up their phone numbers with a symbol of physical affection and lyrics related to chasing and kissing.
I understand that this did not occur to them or the teacher. That is why it is bad judgement. If I thought the teacher actually intended something I would not simply call that bad judgement.
I would note that in your entire comment you do not once address what I actually wrote in the original article. Why is that?
I can tell you. It is not nearly as interesting to address what I actually wrote. There is no melodrama.
I offered an opinion that the timing was poor. Either you think the timing was an issue or not but your view on that question alone determines whether there is disagreement between us on my article as that is all that I wrote in my original article.
While there are surely some students who were genuinely upset about the criticism that I actually made, the vast majority of the response that I got was from a completely misinformed and false petition which entirely misrepresented what I wrote and my role in regards to the video.
For example, I never once called for the video to be removed. In fact, when I learned that it has been removed from YouTube I put it up on a competing service myself and explaining why I had done that — that while I disagreed I would also not support censoring the video.
The petition — and many of its signers believed this — says that I am the one who took down the video. This is not only false but obviously impossible as I did not uploaded it. As noted, the opposite is the case.
A final note, there is also a political aspect to this as well. Some of the people who involved themselves in this and actively fomented the response are long-time political activists in New Rochelle (you know who you are). These people have always had the same agenda — silence Talk of the Sound and silence Bob Cox. For them this was just another bite at the apple in their misguided and anti-democratic, anti-American belief that the solution to speech they do not like is to crush dissent.
I see that you do not feel that way based on your comment. I think you basically have the right idea that the solution to speech is more speech. You are right that the students should be encouraged to engage, debate and discuss. I agree that it is sad that the actions of a sexual predator would tarnish a school or its faculty and students in any way. I would point out, however, that any anger in that regard is misdirected. Any anger should be directed at a school administration that has the worst track record in Westchester County in this regard and is widely known for it. Instead we have more than a bit of a “shoot the messenger” approach. I did not cause these problems; I point them out. The solution is to fix the problems not complain that they are made public.
Bias & Complete BS
This video was 100% completely turned around and twisted. Not only is he not texting, but using a calculator, the video wasn’t even his idea!
Anyone that thinks Cox’s is just seeking attention should join up here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/rescind-statement-put-the-video-back-up?utm_campaign=share_button_modal&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
Mr Rabadi
Domo arigato Mr. Rabati. You got to be a fine teacher to attract this many committed students. Where were you when I needed you — ok little old for that but even a 75 year old guy who subbed in the District and stood on more than one university platform in his day likes this degree of student support.
I said my piece on one of the number of postings on this already. Frankly, I liked it, don’t have the sightest idea of what a reasonable time period is to stop any such activity, don’t even care. Reason I don’t care is that this celebration of a beloved teacher might be a counterbalance to that horny (should I say alleged?) librarian.
In the classic words of Bill and Ted during their excellent adventure “rock on” Mr Rabati.
I am going to try to make this City better by supporting change in government; students, suggest you take a rest and see what you can do in this end. Habitat can always use a few good young men and women.
Anyway, 28th place worldwide in math and/or science. Maybe Mr Rabati is building the base for improving this as we text or speak