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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/21/2008 2:37:39 PM | ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Well you know...you just hit the nail on the head there .Your child was doing badly so you did something about it.You took her and worked with her to re-ignite her interest in history . Thats the big difference .
I know that Ontario has so many ethnic groups.Its not just black and white so it begs the question that if blacks feel at a disadvantage because its all Euro-centric.lol.....what about the Chinese or Arabs or Indians or Hispanics ????
Yet.............I know that the Asians are doing great but there are no Chinese focused schools or are there ? Chinese culture and history is visable ."Africa" loves to claim Arab Egypt..............don't they all .........Asia has got 3 or 4 great big civilisation areas with them popping up one after another so they have good reason to request Asian centric schools .
They do well despite a language barrier . I know Chinese coolies were transported to North America .I know East Indian ex British Army soldiers and policemen came to Canada to work the lumber mills a good while ago. I know that some of them have been MP's and even Prime Minister of a state. So thats a big contribution but if they still can impart their culture etc to their children without additional help.................it seems that blacks are the only group who can't .So its more a issue of that the home environment is not conductive to that end rather than anything else.
Trevor Philips has asked for black only schools and classes in this country for the same reason......disfunctional home life .I seem to think its been refused . Trevor Philips is at least being honest .He knows what the problem is and its not racism.Its disfunctional home life where only 19 % of black kids live in a two parent family .
In this country there are 2 minorities...Asian as in Indo/Pak (4.2) and Black(3.5) .and the Asian kids consistantly out perform all ethnic groups including white. Only white Irish (yeah.........! tie with them ) This is not a one off either. Its year on year for decades ...........and yet....they have dual language and culture.They do not have Asian History month like blacks have Black History month.........but they do have a good family structure .That gives the confidence and thats how they maintain their own history and culture and language.......in their own homes. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/21/2008 4:03:55 PM |
I call bull$hit. My ancestors did not make me anymore than they make some kid of african heritage.
LMAO this is so funny. Until you walk a day in a black person's shoes, you could not possibly understand how our ancestors struggles still affects us today. Hell in the United States, we're on 40 something years removed from Jim Crowe. But how about this, since I don't know you can you please give out some info about your ancestors and the struggles your people have had to go through. Maybe you do understand?
As for "kings and queens".... then how did those kings and queens end up being sold as slaves by other african tribes?
The same way the Persians enslaved some of the kings they conquered. Thought everyone new that other african tribes used to sell there prisoner's as slaves.
race is unimportant unless you yourself make it important.
Again, how can you possibly know this? | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/21/2008 5:19:36 PM | ok...
LMAO this is so funny. Until you walk a day in a black person's shoes, you could not possibly understand how our ancestors struggles still affects us today.
I do understand what you are trying to convey.
This statement applies to all races... I am a white French Canadian woman. One of my ancestors was sentenced death by "écartelation", around 1700(?) (I am horrible at dates, but it was not long after the English took over Canada)... It is a French word... Basically, a horse is attached to all the limbs of the body. Four horses in all facing opposite direction. On a forward command the horses slowly start walking. Hence, the arms and legs get slowly pulled away from the body and the person dies limbless.
His crime... He was a farmer who had farmed the land that was appointed by Louis XIV at the time. When the English took over, the lord appointed by the Queen of England, decided to use his land for his favourite sport. Hunting small game. He would cross with his horses and dogs, the land that my ancestor harvested. Hence, this English Lord would ruin his crops, year after year... One day, he waited in the bush and attempted to shoot him. This English Lord had fun hunting while my ancestor's children died of hunger during the winter... His son, my direct line saw his father killed that way and as history would have it... No one cared .... Soooooo... all this to tell you that we all have sad stories with the lives of our ancestors...
Ask me if I have issues with the English?... Sometimes... sometimes I do. The ones that are "loyalists" and seem to hate the French... Anyway... Off topic... The wounds are still there... That I understand... I remember a time where I was told to "speak white" in an expensive restaurant in Toronto. (I was speaking French to my friend at the time. We were polite and did our best to speak English to the waiter... It was not good enough. )... We left... Still... All this to say that I understand you... I do not hate the English at all... I am not able to hate anyone or anything for any reason... There are French people that are not nice either you know... I do not have the words in English to explain... Anyway... off topic....
I am a high school teacher by the way... Anyway, I have taught children of many other ethnicities. I have not found that they had any disadvantages other than the fact that some were first generation immigrant's children and many of them were born in the country of origin. Hence, often, English is their second or third language and also, they have different accents when speaking English.
Those children do have an advantage. They have experienced living in an other country and they have their own culture and they have their value system. Many have wisdom beyond their years.
What I have seen is that many of the parents of those children are struggling to make a living and they work long hours and many of these adults realize that it is difficult to "survive" sometimes in a "rich" country. (Their words, not mine.)
Soooo... due to circumstances, some children do end up oftentimes unsupervised for long periods of time... Some do end up in gangs and end up in serious trouble.
Now, at the risk of getting flamed... In the Toronto area, the "gangs" are often of other ethnicities and those kids are not in the public schools. They are on the streets getting in trouble.
Also, I have noticed that Asian parents take a lot of pride in their children and have high expectations. Often, they will not allow their child to do poorly in school. There is a lot of importance given to education and many Asian parents who are struggling themsleves will not think twice in order to hire additional help for their child. The well being of the whole family is very important in their culture.
This is just what I have noticed from my experience in a high school.
For those who care to look, I posted some research I had done on this thread. Go have a look, if you are interested... Page 15 and 16 ... | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/21/2008 6:07:29 PM |
LMAO this is so funny. Until you walk a day in a black person's shoes, you could not possibly understand how our ancestors struggles still affects us today. Hell in the United States, we're on 40 something years removed from Jim Crowe. But how about this, since I don't know you can you please give out some info about your ancestors and the struggles your people have had to go through. Maybe you do understand?
Try walking a mile in a Canadian of African heritages' shoes  .
I can understand your disbelief being that you are from Texas. We had exchange programs with out sister plant in the southern US and the racial attitudes displayed by both blacks and whites that came here was appalling.
Here in Canada we have a large African community on our east coast that has been there forever and a day, the under ground railroad terminated IN Canada, and slavery was not a part of our history. Hell I think at the last count Canada has more Jamaicans than Jamaica does.
But they are requesting a segregated school here not in San Antonio. (I know they will allow any ethnicity to attend, but face facts additional knowledge of black history will not land you a job as anything other than a teacher of black history, it isn't science, math, or even trades).
So how is this supposed to help anyone better themselves more than a stable home life and caring parents would? Frankly bigger tax breaks allowing single income families with one stay at home parent be able to make ends meet would do much more for everyone, not just one racial segment of our society.
The same way the Persians enslaved some of the kings they conquered. Thought everyone new that other african tribes used to sell there prisoner's as slaves.
Umm, nobility were held for ransom or as bargaining chips in negotiations. In the event of a complete victory monarchs were usually executed so as to prevent them being used as a figurehead in future rebellions. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/21/2008 6:11:35 PM |
LMAO this is so funny. Until you walk a day in a black person's shoes, you could not possibly understand how our ancestors struggles still affects us today
So moving back to the days of segregation will help that somehow will it?
Sorry but the very idea of certain races ONLY in any school repulses me. How is anyone supposed to learn about the culture of others if we have black only schools?
If someone suggested whites only schools there would be uproar. It wouldn't be right or allowed, it shouldn't be for any colour either.
As for the comment about walking in a black persons shoes, i could say to you that you wouldn't understand the struggle of what women have had to endure either. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/22/2008 2:39:10 AM |
Africa" loves to claim Arab Egypt I realize that your views lack intellectual though and factual accuracy to the point of hilarity. That is yet another staement that shows that you have been failed by an educational system that actually taught logic. Unless you are also physically blind...Eygpt IS in Africa. There is no need for Africans to claim Eygpt any more than it is for Europeans to claim england(if they wanted). Without giving you an obviously much needed education in history which you obviously need help,"arabs" did not control Eygpt until the 6th century AD. Eygpt's history of civlization predates england by some 4,000 yrs.
There was no question of your racist views, yet instead of terming them as such I simply pointed out the ignorance and stupidity of statements in your post.
I know Chinese coolies were transported to North America Outside of your use of a racial and social slur here, there is no point. British, Irish and Scottish workers were also "transpoted" to the Americas. The many throngs of British criminals also.They most often shared a trait exhibited in all of your post....mindboggling ignorance. | |
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| Black-focused (Afro-Centric) schools
Posted: 5/22/2008 2:57:58 AM |
Opening a store and placing a sign out front saying "Whites Only", would be racist. But how on earth can anyone compare doing that with having a Black Focussed School? Its obvious that 90% of those who have posted an opposition to the idea have done so in ignorance and having made rash judgements based upon knee jerk reactions from ignorance.
From what I understand, the idea of this school, is not to exclude whites , but rather to focus on Black issues, history etc. What could possibly be wrong with that if it helps one child graduate who wouldnt have other wise ? Actually, given the FACT that it has been successfully done in the USA which shares commonality with Canada, Toronto in particular in many ways should lead an intelligent person to even believe that there is a real possiblity of great continued success in Toronto. Yet, your question is one that I've posed in my 1st post on this thread and as you can see. THAT question has not been answered by any of the opposition posters. Why? most deal only or mainly from a point of negativity to which logic has no leverage.
Hey, I am proud of my Scot and English heritage, doesnt make me a racist anymore than it will a Black individual learning about Martin Luther King and Black or African history , a racist. The fact is, a Black person has a different battle in graduationg than a white person does. Or a woman for that matter , when you read that book, Marcia Clark being a woman had different issues than Chris Darden did . Perhaps a girl who has low self esteem issues, might benifit from a female focussed prgram. That is yet another point that has been lost on those who post opposition to the idea. I enjoy visiting Canada. Its because I've found more Canadians who are reasonable and with less negativity, who carry themselves with a more common sense apporach as you have exhibited than those who do not, that adds to my enjoyment. Good post
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| Black-focused (Afro-Centric) schools
Posted: 5/22/2008 3:22:20 AM |
Hey, I am proud of my Scot and English heritage, doesnt make me a racist anymore than it will a Black individual learning about Martin Luther King and Black or African history , a racist. The fact is, a Black person has a different battle in graduationg than a white person does. Or a woman for that matter , when you read that book, Marcia Clark being a woman had different issues than Chris Darden did . Perhaps a girl who has low self esteem issues, might benifit from a female focussed prgram.
That is yet another point that has been lost on those who post opposition to the idea. I enjoy visiting Canada. Its because I've found more Canadians who are reasonable and with less negativity, who carry themselves with a more common sense apporach as you have exhibited than those who do not, that adds to my enjoyment. Good post
This right here is why I believe supporters of this idea are well intentioned but misguided fools. ALL students should learn about MLK in any American history course or a history course covering the period in which he lived. ALL students should learn about as many cultures as possible to be able to have some common ground and be more inclined to understand varied peoples of the globe or at the very least be more tolerant of things they may not agree with. | |
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| Black-focused (Afro-Centric) schools
Posted: 5/22/2008 8:26:18 AM | So moving back to the days of segregation will help that somehow will it?
Who said this was going to be a black only school?
but face facts additional knowledge of black history will not land you a job as anything other than a teacher of black history, it isn't science, math, or even trades).
Well my question is this. Why can't black history, not even that but a class that talks about the history of other races that were relevant to the country built be added to the curriculum?
As for the comment about walking in a black persons shoes, i could say to you that you wouldn't understand the struggle of what women have had to endure either.
And I have not made one derogatory comment trying to downplay the struggle women have had in this or any other country. That's why I had to bring that up. I'm sure you would feel the same way if someone made comments similar about women. | |
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| Black-focused (Afro-Centric) schools
Posted: 5/22/2008 2:52:20 PM |
Well my question is this. Why can't black history, not even that but a class that talks about the history of other races that were relevant to the country built be added to the curriculum?
Now that makes much more sense than the current proposal.
And it prevents modern day "tribalism" and is truly open to all.
Saves the taxpayers alot of coin as another plus.
One of my early history classes did cover the French Voyageurs, and many of the local native tribes/bands and the way they shaped my country. If there are noteworthy people from different backgrounds that had a major impact on the early foundations here (such as the many Chinese labourers that toiled to build our national railway or the large number of Polish immigrant family pilots that enlisted for WW2) by all means add it to the curriculum. | |
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| Black-focused (Afro-Centric) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 1:14:28 PM | my question is, now that we have this "black centric" school, whats stopping them from....jew-centric? or arab-centric ?
now you might think, theres nothing wrong with this, other then the obvious "discrimination/segregation" it causes. I for one don't want to flip the bill for all of these people who think their children should be separated into these separate schools because the standard system is unfair/racist/whatever their reason is.
Another thing, how about a WHITE centric school, think that would fly??? no?? I didn't think so, so why should these others be allowed? Why am I as a white male the only person with NO rights at all. Can't have a white rally, or a mens rally, can't have a white focused anything, thats racist, but for some reason any other skin color/religion / women are allowed to have these ??? Does this sound fair to anyone?
On another note, in ottawa, we already have a "jewish" focus school, and a "muslim" focused school, the tax payers just dont have to pay for them, they're private establishments. So the new question becomes, would you rather have them private and pay nothing ? or would you rather have them paid for by the province, and "hopefully" have a bit of a say in what they decide to put in their curriculum ? | |
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| Black-focused (Afro-Centric) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 1:47:46 PM |
On another note, in ottawa, we already have a "jewish" focus school, and a "muslim" focused school, the tax payers just dont have to pay for them, they're private establishments. So the new question becomes, would you rather have them private and pay nothing ? or would you rather have them paid for by the province, and "hopefully" have a bit of a say in what they decide to put in their curriculum ?
The difference here is, that as you say the taxpayer is spared the cost.
If the taxpayer has to pay for a black focused school then its only right and proper that they then pay for the Jewish/Muslim/Hindu/Buddist and whatever school.
However....the biggest difference of all is that Judaisn,Islam ,Christianity etc are faith based schools not race based .
This is Canada and the national history of Canada is white as in British and French and Native American . If one decides to implement black into the mix.................there's Chinese ,Indian,Polish,German,Dutch etc ...why leave them behind ?
You can't expect Kenya to be teaching English history yet England had a lot to do with building the place up. There's no racism involved here.Its plain common sense logic.
These black gangs shooting one another in Toronto need more support and discipline in the family.No amount of schools /money can fix a disfunctional unit. . | |
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| Black-focused (Afro-Centric) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 2:43:21 PM |
Well my question is this. Why can't black history, not even that but a class that talks about the history of other races that were relevant to the country built be added to the curriculum?
Are you saying that we do not include black history in our current curriculum? It certainly is a part of the curriculum where I live. Where I think your dissatisfaction lies is with the depth of the curriculum.
However important black history is to the black community you have to look at the entirety of the history of North America when you teach history. For unfortunate reasons the contribution of blacks in North America is very small. Yes there were some incredible contributions by people of black heritage. But when held up against the totality of history it is but a small portion.
Falsely building up the degree of contribution of blacks in the development of this country would be just as shameful as completely dismissing it. Falsely building up the degree of contribution is to negate the struggles of the black community and refute the efforts of those that built the community to a contributory level. By embellishing or overstating the history of Black America we are doing a disservice to the Black community.
How deep do we have to dig to find these contributions and important historical facts? Do we equally have to balance them out with the multitude of similar accomplishments of the white community that are all but forgotten now?
As for not understanding until we walk a day in a black person's shoes....... I think this applies equally to many of the diverse groups that have come to America........What about the wave of European immigrants that came here with pennies to their name and no English skills? Now there s a success story and you don't here them whining 60 years later. They assimilated, learned the language and became contributing members of the society. And before you start...... Many of those people felt prejudice and racism. However, instead of succumbing to it, they over came it.
Honestly, it is time to stop whining about being black, it is time to stop looking for excuses and special treatment..... It is time to build and raise children that believe that success is within their grasp if they work hard at it and value education......Success is to be earned, it cannot be kept from you, and it will not be GIVEN to you...... | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 3:01:22 PM | | There is never a need for segregation unless a need is not met. In the US, we tried to desegregate, but the non black parents yank their kids out of the schools. So the process becomes segregated anyway. Just like our neighborhoods. There are good people on both sides of any issue. Not every non black is racist and not every non white is a threat. We just need to pay more attention to the positive people and quit allowing the others to shape society. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 5:30:46 PM | What about the wave of European immigrants that came here with pennies to their name and no English skills? Now there s a success story and you don't here them whining 60 years later. They assimilated, learned the language and became contributing members of the society. And before you start...... Many of those people felt prejudice and racism. However, instead of succumbing to it, they over came it.
The European immigrants did a great job of getting on their feet with pennies to their names and people were very prejudice towards them. That is certainly true, but this is where the difference lies. They had a few advantages over blacks.
1) Their skin was white
2) They CHOSE to come here with a dream in mind and many did indeed achieve it
3) Although they worked for low wages, they were atleast paid
4) They weren't brought up in slavery where EVERY aspects of their lives were controlled. Really, how much can you accomplish when you know nothing about how the outside world works. Shouldn't that take a lil time. This is an extreme example but that's like expecting a child who's been in prison all their life, let out at 25 and you expect him to accomplish what the same person at his age did who's been living in the world their whole lives.
5) In a lil bit of modern history, I don't remember any water fountains saying "American's Only" as a matter of fact I don't remember any laws in recent history to keep immigrants from equality(Jim Crowe)
6) During the time when immigration was really rampant, blacks had their fingers chopped off if they were caught learning to read.
Like I said from the start, a lot of European immigrants did indeed overcome a lot but I don't think it's on the same level of blacks in the same time period. They are both struggles, but just completely different struggles. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 5:45:08 PM | I would like to state that obviously I was not able to read ever last post, and my point of view does not reflect any one person, but I have to admit I was a little piss when reading some of the posts.
When I think of a black focus school, I do not see segregation of races, rather I see a venue where black kids and other nationalities can be better informed about a particular culture . I see it as a way of making the black youth of this society proud of their heritage.
My feeling is that todays youths do not know enough about their history, thus know very little about themselves. They do not appreciate the struggles and contributitions that those before them have made. Unfortunately alot of that is not being taught in the school system. Ones needs to get to the college/university level in order to take a black history class. Yes I am aware that their are libraries and other source of information, my opinion is that if the interest in not there why would one bother. This needs to be instilled at a young age in the school system. I received a letter from my child school, asking permission for the class to read "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Although I appreciated being consulted...my question is why??? My imput in not asked to read other books as it pertains to other culture...well thats another fourm.
As reported by the Toronto star there are currently 4,852 students that attend a Toronto Based alternative schools for various reasons. Physcial attack, gay/lesbians, bisexual,transgender, performing arts, aboriginal, gifted and the arts to name a few.
It is redicilous to say that this is not the right approach when no real solution is being put forth. some want to call it black-focused, others Africentric, TDSB prefers Africentric, depends one ones orientations and affinity and commitment to Africa as the motherland...I believe there is politics and fear associated with race especially blacks.
The proposed school with have a majority of black students, teacher, but not limited to just them. the curriculum with present a broad view point of the world and how the students can best fit in it. The curriculum will not just be the traditiona Eurocentric as currently pervalent today. It will be filled with black/white teachers, role models who expect excellence from their students and understand that culture are best to set the kids on the path to success.
It is in my opinion that the current cirruclum are boring black kids with an all white history, there needs to be a wider range and diversity of books other than these books ie; Harper Lee "To Kill A Mocking Bird", Richard Wright "Native Son",
Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes were Watching God", Langston Hughes " THe Big Sea or "I wonder As I Wander, and lets not forget Uncle Tom Cabin.
These books causes discouraging barriers for learning with todays black youths and certaintly not used as a form of motivation in the class room. A great book I came across is written by a black professor Joseph Mensah called "Black Canadians" It was an eye openor and great read.
In closing, I personaly do not see a problem with this being a trial school, we need to keep our black youths in school, we need to get them motivated, respect themselves more, find a sense of comfort and pride, and seeing that in someone like themselves in the class room may be just what they need. I don't believe anyone has the right answers but someo of the comments I read here border racist comments...not going to call anyone out, but you know who you are. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 5:49:11 PM |
1) Their skin was white
2) They CHOSE to come here with a dream in mind and many did indeed achieve it
3) Although they worked for low wages, they were atleast paid
4) They weren't brought up in slavery where EVERY aspects of their lives were controlled. Really, how much can you accomplish when you know nothing about how the outside world works. Shouldn't that take a lil time. This is an extreme example but that's like expecting a child who's been in prison all their life, let out at 25 and you expect him to accomplish what the same person at his age did who's been living in the world their whole lives.
5) In a lil bit of modern history, I don't remember any water fountains saying "American's Only" as a matter of fact I don't remember any laws in recent history to keep immigrants from equality(Jim Crowe)
You speak as if this is still holding you back? Is this how it is down there to this day? And it wasn't that way here where they are proposing this since when they could and did get away with help wanted ads stating "only good Scots' lads need apply"
Maybe we need PUBLICLY funded Irish schools since the Scots discriminated against them and are still being "the man" and holding them down
P.S. If you want a taste of ludicrous racism, you should visit several Caribbean islands. It will boggle your mind. To this day they will still begrudge eachother what SHADE they are. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 6:29:31 PM |
You speak as if this is still holding you back?
Not at all, but the poster tried to compare apples and oranges to me. It was too different types of struggles back then. I was talking about the time period which the immigrants first came to america.
It will boggle your mind. To this day they will still begrudge eachother what SHADE they are.
Caribean? Hell we have that in the United States. I don't know carribean history but in the U.S. it's sad for me to say but that's something that stems from slavery with the house slaves being lightskin and the field slaves being the darker skin slaves. It's very ludicrus. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 6:52:40 PM |
Not at all, but the poster tried to compare apples and oranges to me. It was too different types of struggles back then. I was talking about the time period which the immigrants first came to america.
Its not apples to oranges.........the black experience post slavery is very similar to the European immigration experience....... You are going back too far.
At the risk of being harsh........ The bottom line is that in the long run no matter how bad you perceive the black experience to be here in the United States it beats the hell out of the living conditions in Africa. Which would you choose? A life of starvation, disease, no education and an almost certain early death or life in America with its minor flaws...... America may not be perfect but it is a hell of a lot better than being in Africa right now.
Perhaps instead of continuing to whine about slavery, which we have all acknowledged as wrong, you should celebrate the sacrifices of your ancestors that have gotten you where yo are today. Pay homage to them by seeking success and putting the past behind you. Appreciate the struggles of your race but no longer use it as a reason to accept mediocrity or less...... | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 6:54:42 PM | the OP states quite clearly in the title of this thread that we are speaking of "black focus" not "black-only". can those who are speaking of segregation please read the title of the thread carefully? if whites or browns or greens or purples wanted to attend a black focused school, they could. the school is not being set up to keep other races out.
there was a poster early on who made a great point - one of the most significant reasons for developing a black focused curriculum is disproportionate number of black dropouts. (we've also heard plenty of discussion on first nations' schools in order to deal with the very same issue.)
i think a school that focuses on children most vulnerable to not finishing their education or having special learning needs is the issue - not race based. teachers deal with class sizes of upwards of 30 kids with very diverse and mixed needs in their classrooms - esl, learning difficulties, socio-economic factors i can't even begin to list here. we need our children to be educated; to finish high school; to become productive members of society. the public education system as it stands now cannot do this for every child. hence we've seen the rise of various "private" schools and faith based schools...and now this debate over a specialized focus, catering but not limited to, a specific race.
we should be focused on the learning outcomes and how to make learning successful - the reading, 'righting, 'rithmetic model does not work for every child and is doubly difficult if you are hungrier for a meal than you are for learning. schools based on learning rather than race might be better suited to the problem at hand. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 8:10:27 PM |
Caribean? Hell we have that in the United States. I don't know carribean history but in the U.S. it's sad for me to say but that's something that stems from slavery with the house slaves being lightskin and the field slaves being the darker skin slaves. It's very ludicrus.
I was not aware of that. SO that means there is a significant number of people both black and white and inbetween that feel that let's say Lisa Bonet is somehow superior to Will Smith (despite his acceptance into MIT and greater success in the entertainment industry) based on one having paler skin? And people let what others (especially the ignorant among us) think affect them that greatly? Wow.
But again this isn't happening in a place with those circumstances, and I'm not convinced that it is really a solution. It is happening in Toronto because of a rash of mostly young black male on young black male shootings with a few passersby as secondary casualties. But that wouldn't have anything at all to do with the Crips opening shop in the poorer sections of town, and kids out doing whatever they want with little to no parental supervision would it?
the OP states quite clearly in the title of this thread that we are speaking of "black focus" not "black-only". can those who are speaking of segregation please read the title of the thread carefully? if whites or browns or greens or purples wanted to attend a black focused school, they could. the school is not being set up to keep other races out
Sort of like a "white focused" golf course? Sure Tiger can play here, he just won't be very comfortable . Then of course there were the negative comments directed at the white kid that became the valedictorian at Morehouse.....
If they want it that badly open a private school, don't go digging in my pockets. Frankly I'm still a little peeved that Toronto also let slide a whack of Tamil Tiger families collect welfare under multiple names (ie triple and quadruple dipping) so they could send money overseas to support their little war. Torontonians seems to for the most part consider their little area the center of the known universe, and their bungling costs the rest of us more often than not.
we should be focused on the learning outcomes and how to make learning successful - the reading, 'righting, 'rithmetic model does not work for every child and is doubly difficult if you are hungrier for a meal than you are for learning. schools based on learning rather than race might be better suited to the problem at hand.
You do know that our schools here have breakfast programs to help alleviate just that problem right? Proper nutrition does help learning, but at what point do we stop doing it for people. Must I take the tests for them too? I'm all for helping others but if they want continued support I'd like to see them working as hard to help themselves or harder than I am. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 8:22:23 PM |
You do know that our schools here have breakfast programs to help alleviate just that problem right? Proper nutrition does help learning, but at what point do we stop doing it for people. Must I take the tests for them too? I'm all for helping others but if they want continued support I'd like to see them working as hard to help themselves or harder than I am.
not all the schools have breakfast programs in the gta (bc has some in the inner cities but not all schools are covered either).
loony - i absolutely agree that there is only so much you can do for a person and at some point they've got to do it for themselves. i come from a single parent household, yet i put myself through school, make enough money to afford a house and give my son tons of opportunities (even though i'm a single mom).
i just think education is an opportunity to nip a lot of problems in the bud - we can pay now or we can pay later but if we defer it, we'll only be paying bigger in the long run. children are a lot simpler than impoverished adults on welfare or in the prison system or addicts living on the street. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/23/2008 11:09:54 PM | The bottom line is that in the long run no matter how bad you perceive the black experience to be here in the United States it beats the hell out of the living conditions in Africa. Which would you choose? A life of starvation, disease, no education and an almost certain early death or life in America with its minor flaws
If you take the majority of healthy people out of the country and only leave the sick and old what do you expect? Also, you talk as if racism is a thing of the past. I know you're in the north but have you ever lived in the south? Things haven't changed nearly as much here. Also, to stop and just celebrate what black leaders did for us in the past would be a slap in the face to them b/c there is still a long way to go. Don't know about your area but here in the south things aren't as peachy.
I'm a successful and educated man but that doesn't mean that I just assume everything is peaches and cream. I still have to fight negative stereotypes everyday.
I don't speak for all blacks but I will say the thing that irritates me is the fact that a lot of people talk about racism as if it's a thing of the past and doesn't affect people today when in fact that is not the case. | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/24/2008 5:31:45 AM |
people talk about racism as if it's a thing of the past and doesn't affect people today when in fact that is not the case. Really, can you give some examples of how racism has negatively impacted your career, your ability to buy a home, your access to education? | |
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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 5/24/2008 5:32:27 AM |
If you take the majority of healthy people out of the country and only leave the sick and old what do you expect?
You are quite obviously overstating the truth here. Far from the majority were taken from Africa. And obviously a significant breeding population was left there as Africa currently has a large population of its indigenous people. You write as if the slaves were taken just a few years ago and it is something that is impacting Africa now. You need to get some perspective.
Yes, I do live in the North. However, my family is from and still lives in Alabama so I do have a perspective of the Southern states. Yes, they may be lagging behind, but only a little bit.
Racism can be a thing of the past, but people keep bringing it up and harping on it for their own good. People like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton perpetuate racism to keep themselves in the spotlight. Have these people really accomplished anything to reduce racism? Not really, what they have done is to further polarize the issue by being solely black-focused. Have they once spoke out about ANYTHING that a black person has done to a white person? Have they ever stood up for anything that did not involve a black person? I think not....... You know who is one of the real heroes of the black community that does not get enough attention? Bill Cosby. He has stood up and told the black community to stand up and take responsibility for them selves and to stop looking for someone (the government) to make it all better for them. If the black community would listen to this message and act upon it he will bring more benefit to the black community than Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and all of the other divisive rabble rousers out there.
You want to know real prejudice in our day and age? Try being a middle aged white man looking for work. No one will hire you as long as there is a black man, black woman or woman of other origin with equal experience and skills. Hiring a white man does not allow the employer to check off any boxes on his affirmative action worksheet. That, my friend is racism.
This country bends over backwards to accommodate the special needs of far too many people. With our educational system financially maxed out we cannot afford to fund a black focused school when it would only be supporting a very small percentage (18% max) of the population. If someone were to privately fund such a school and it would be self supporting without the need for tax payer money I would be all for it. However, from an educational perspective I don't think it will be doing a great service to the students. I don't see how this type of education will better prepare the student for success in the real world and prepare them for college.
Perhaps black parents should step up and help educate their children at home about the things they feel a mainstream education is lacking. Just like any other piece of the curriculum that you feel you want to know more about. Books, movies, documentaries, internet.......there is a plethora of material out there that will allow a student or their parents to further explore black history. There is no need to create a special school for essentially what is simply the subject of history. The last I checked there is no black perspective on math, English, or reading........ Once the majority of black parents place significant importance on education then we will be on our way to developing a stringer black community. | |
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