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| Black-focused (not black-only) schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 9:16:10 AM | The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is considering the idea of operating a "black-focus" school to serve the needs of their non-white students.
There have been many heated debates about this issue stating the pros and cons of such an arrangement.
Are these "focus" schools popular in other areas?
Has anyone ever attended one of these schools?
Is there a need for this type of school? | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 10:13:17 AM | | Need is not the issue. If there's a "need", then a bunch of prejudicial parents need to unf.uck their priorities. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 10:23:34 AM |
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is considering the idea of operating a "black-focus" school to serve the needs of their non-white students.
There have been many heated debates about this issue stating the pros and cons of such an arrangement.
Are these "focus" schools popular in other areas?
Has anyone ever attended one of these schools?
Is there a need for this type of school?
omg... are you serious??? I don't know Toronto laws... but if the UK suggested such a thing... omg... I can't imagine the outcry it would cause.... Can you imagine if we suggested ONLY WHITE PEOPLE IN OUR SCHOOL???? this is crazy | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 11:03:33 AM | "a puppy and a kitten will play together, a dog and cat will fight"
this might solve hundreds of very little fights or arguements for a very short period of time but will backfire in the long run long after the politicians that wanted it are out of office. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 11:59:13 AM | Here in Ontario (Canada) we have numerous specialized schools, both public and private, to address the needs of the community.
There are French schools, Catholic schools, Aboriginal schools, Christian schools, military schools, all girls/boys schools, art schools, boarding schools, schools for the gifted and schools for the challenged.
The idea behind a "black focus" school is to specialize in black History and cultural identity.
Supporters of this idea hope to lower the highschool drop-out rate of teens in this ethnic group by giving them a specialized cirriculum. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 12:18:05 PM | | It's also going to give them a specialised outlook. This programme will foster racism, that's the problem. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 1:02:21 PM | this issue has been on the agenda here in nova scotia a couple of times over the recent years.
speaking from the point of view of a parent of racially mixed children i have to say i think it is one of the worst ideas i can fathom.
racially speaking my children are black/white mix. culturally speaking they are a mix of black north african/arabic with portuguese/white in almost equal proportion. religiously speaking our families are christian/muslim and atheist.
now while i fully understand and agree with providing children with a curriculum that is relevent to their needs, and i fully agree it has to be presented in a manner that is relevent to them; i firmly disagree with any action that would segregate according to race.
religion is a different matter.....you, me, everyone in canada has the freedom to pursue or not pursue any religion they choose. the same is true of "cultural" beliefs. race however is not a freedom of choice. while many would argue that that's why race specific schools should be allowed, it's my opinion that that is precisely why they should not be allowed.
it just seems so backwards to me......for so many years so many people have fought very hard for racial equality, and as a parent i have worked extremely hard to instill in them the values of racial equality and racial acceptance of everyone; and in one fell swoop all the progress made will be wiped out.
besides that.......how will i ever be able to figure out which school will best fit there needs!! :) | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 1:21:58 PM | | something like that, even in the private sector may be considered illegal and shut down. that the school board is discussing this, which is not a private sector... it is a highly stupid joke of a topic to entertain thoughts to. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 2:44:46 PM | Just way back to segregation.
A better solution would be to have separate schools for urban kids who are doing poorly in school, ones who are doing well, and send the gang members to juvenile detention. Doesn't matter if the kids are white, black, or from mars. Separating people according to race seems pretty stupid. An all white school would have the media complaining.
The one thing that really cheeses me off about society is all that PC stuff I am XXXXX-American... All that does is deter from the fact that we are all just people.
The other end of things is also fairness. If a club, school, organization is exclusive to one sex, religion, race or whatever all people should be able to have similar clubs. There has been prejudge in the past....
...I am an equal opportunity bigot, everyone is an a-hole till they prove me different. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 2:57:39 PM |
There are French schools, Catholic schools, Aboriginal schools, Christian schools, military schools, all girls/boys schools, art schools, boarding schools, schools for the gifted and schools for the challenged.
ya know what annoys me.... in England.... now a day's... children don't know much about christianaty as they (by law) have to learn about every other religious forms..... they seem to know about all that apart from our own belief...BECAUSE OF ENGLISH LAW.... it is not right..... my daughter will be 6 in two weeks... she has yet to learn about jesus as she has been learning about other religions... I am sorry... but this is not on.... I am from Wales... moved to England two weeks before the millenium..... my son was in Welsh language school... having to learn English for 7 hours a week... now it is all welsh schools are English with (if by choice) 7 hours of welsh.... ffs... how dare they interfer with our language.... it is gettting ridiculas now a days and way beyond belief and rights.... grrrrrrrrrrrrrr | |
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Oscat
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Joined: 8/23/2007
Msg: 11 | |
| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 4:00:05 PM | There is absolutely no need for this type of school. What are these people at the TDSB smoking? First they should define what exactly is "black-focus"?
..well, while the school board are it, what jobs are the graduates of these schools going to take on? Or are they in the process of creating "race-based" jobs etc etc? This is probably the dumbest idea I have heard from these "fruitcakes". 
And what exactly are they going to be teaching anyway? How to "bling bling", "rap" or "be like Mike"!! Stupid! Stupid!! Stupid!!! Instead of trying harder to make the mark, we are trying to water down the quality and level of education..!! Oh and what about those that drop-out of these schools? Create another lower level for them?
Anything "focus" based on race should not be permitted!!!
Off to get some Tylenol-3 for the headache I get reading about stuff like these! | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 8:07:31 PM | | Sounds like the Toronto school board want segregation. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 9:32:05 PM | | It doesn't sound as if the schools will be for blacks only. It has more to do with curriculum focus. If anyone had an interest in Black history and culture and wanted to further explore it through their education than the school would provide that. The same way a school with technology focused curriculum would be geared towards kids with an interest in science/math/engineering/etc. Would it be any different than majoring in Black History/Studies at the collegiate level. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what these schools will entail. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/29/2007 10:19:43 PM | | If, in fact, this is what they're talking about doing, it would be a travesty. If, one the other hand, they are talking about opening a school with a focus on African and African-American history, that will be opened to all who wish to explore the history and many positive contributions that have been made by people from within those cultures, I think that would be perfectly acceptable, teaching the many positive contributions that have been swept under the carpet for generations. For anyone interested in exploring and learning, there is so much more to Black history than slavery, Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Jr. and that which is taught as a normal part of school curriculum. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 6:20:04 AM | The idea behind a "black focus" school is to specialize in black History and cultural identity.
now to me this is nothing short of ludicrous; the idea that all "black" people have the same history and/or cultural identity.
i'm sorry but my childrens heritage, history and cultural identity has very little in common with that of the black community predominant to the area which we live; which may have just as little in common history/culturally wise with the black people who live in large inner-city neighbourhoods, which may have as little in common with a multitude of other groups from various areas.
lets face it......the talk isn't really about reinforcing history, culture or heritage, because that can't be done within the context of "race". the talk is really about a school based on colour of ones skin; nothing short of segregation and racism.
It doesn't sound as if the schools will be for blacks only
again, not sure about what's on the table in toronto, but in nova scotia you will have to be black.
but how black is black?
will one have to "look" black to attend?; will one have to be 100% black......or will it be open to all those who are racially mixed. are you talking 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation of "north american" born black only? will 1/8 black who may happen to look caucasian be able to go?
For anyone interested in exploring and learning, there is so much more to Black history than slavery, Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Jr. and that which is taught as a normal part of school curriculum.
and while this is undoubtedly true, the same can be said of virtually every single subject that is currently taught within the school system.
i think the concepts of heritage, culture, and racial pride need to be instilled by parents. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 6:33:45 AM | As one who has taken black history/culture classes I can tell you that the subject area is very diverse. There are classes in West Indian, West African, East African, African American history, politics, arts, literature, etc. I remember taking European History in 10th grade and it was filled with diverse cultures, histories, sociology, as well as how they were all connected under the umbrella of the general subject. A curriculum focused on the cultures and histories of people of African descent shouldn't be any different.
I'm assuming that any school with a "black" focus would offer education in a multitude of areas that are largely overlooked in most school systems. Not much different than a school that decides to focus on biomedical technology (there's one in my city). I know I didn't learn about that in high school, but someone somewhere saw it as a potential area of interest for students. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 6:45:11 AM | There are classes in West Indian, West African, East African, African American history, politics, arts, literature, etc.
which is great for specialized knowledge.....which i feel does have a place in the educational system, particularly as the students advance through.
but as a premise for basic curriculum though; i can't see how it would be at all feasible or desirable. it would do nothing but turn out a(nother) generation of students whose knowledge/skills are way out of whack with what is needed to function successfully. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 6:54:21 AM | | I could be wrong, but if it's anything like the magnet/focus schools where I live, the focus area doesn't take away from the basic curriculum required for all students no matter what the school. From my understanding, students at the biomedical technology focus school do not just take classes in this subject area. They still have to take classes in English/literature, history, math, chemistry, phys ed, etc. It doesn't replace basic curriculum...it's just the electives are mostly offered within the broad context of the focus area. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 6:59:46 AM | the focus is black history? thats really dumb !!! ..........  .......... that would be like a greek or italian school in the states that will focus on the roman empire in studies. Not classes but as a focus of study... totally moronic.
we have to study how the world is today, not live in the past or study it too hard because the present is what counts. Even a person with a PHD in history has to live in the present and go by its rules.
If they do open a school of certain times in history as the focus of study, I want to study the pirate so I can get my halloween costume looking like the real deal.
LOL !!!!... eh matey. got any rum? | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 7:22:26 AM | | If you've ever taken European History the Roman Empire is a big part of the curriculum. In my class the entire month of September was spent learning about it. That could be because the majority of Europe was under it's reign of control and it gave a foundation for all of the dynasties, wars, royal families, etc. that were to come later. Learning about history gives a context for current events. For example, Israeli/Arab politics are at the forefront of current events, yet steeped in centuries, hell millenia, of history. Focusing on the history of people of African descent is no more dumb than focusing on the people, societies, and cultures of those of European descent which is the primary focus of the majority of schools. What's so dumb about having electives focused on another perspective? I don't know of a single magnet/focus school that ONLY teaches subjects in the focus area. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 2:40:25 PM | | This is a great idea. Its about time white and blacks were separated in schools. Whites have suffered far too long from forced integration. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 3:58:13 PM | I've heard this on television and read about it. What decade are we in?, a separate black school is not going to solve any problems what it is going to do is create more. Too often minorities blame the system for their problems. Its not the kids causing the problems its the parents. If they think for a second it will solve the racial issues kids have at school they are wrong, it will only make them worse.
If parents want these separate black schools and separate catholic schools and french schools etc etc and the list goes on, then they should be privatized. Imagine the uproar if white people said they wanted a school to themselves!!!!
A friends children say at school if a black child gets a low mark on a test or assignment its not their issue its because they are black, or if they get into trouble its because they are black. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 4:05:13 PM | Cheetarah, after...what is it, grade 10? all social sciences are electives; there isn't a specific social science course you have to take; they should be implementing it into the curriculum as a series of post-grade-10 electives, not making it an entire focus. It's alienating a lot of people if a separate school were set aside for one area of focus - especially race-based.
Also, regarding the roman empire, you only take that in ancient history classes - which is an elective; history up until grade 10 focuses specifically on Canadian history and Canadian politics, or at least that was the way it was on the old curriculum (9 to OAC); I don't see why it would be any different with the new.
Regarding history, elementary years and the first years of high school should focus their social studies on Canada exclusively. It's our home country after all. When it comes to nationalistic heritage, imo, it's the duty of the family to teach your kids where their roots originated from not us taxpayers - especially since we have our own heritages.
Do they teach Jewish history in grade school? Other than the holocaust, No. Rumanian history? No. Italian history? Up until Rome (as an elective), yes. Possibly Mussolini Italy. After that, bupkis. German history? Other than Nazi Germany? Not a chance. That's all reserved for post-secondary, pretty much. | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 6:45:27 PM | I'm American so it seems as though our curriculums are quite different. I didn't get social sciences electives until I was in college. In grade school we focused on our specific state's history, geography, and basic U.S. history.9th grade is Global Studies, 10th grade is a 2nd year of Global Studies (or European History if you're advanced), 11th grade is U.S. History starting from colonialism and progressing to today, and 12th grade is split into a semester a piece of Economics then U.S. Government. This may vary by state, but that was the curriculum in NY when I was in high school.
As for 10th grade European History I learned all about the differnt dynasties that ruled throughout Europe from the fall of Rome through present times.
But that's not really the point. I know I'm coming from an American perspective, so take this with a grain of salt if it doesn't apply to Canada. Focus/magnet schools are often developed around subject areas that most students aren't exposed to in the basic curriculum. There are schools focused in the performance arts, higher level science and technology (that's usually not introduced until college), literature, etc. These schools do NOT replace the basic curriculum with the focus area. They simply add it on and interweve it into the state's standard of what needs to be taught. The customs/societies/politics etc of people of African descent just aren't given much attention in school. Sometimes people don't realize just how much a curriculum focuses on their perspective until it's suggested that life be studied from another. Interesting, how the parents of minority students never spoke out about the curriculum that taught them about other people, but the second a minority suggests that people learn about their history/culture/societies, then it's racist.
Aahhh, the privilege of NOT being the "other." | |
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| Black-only schools
Posted: 11/30/2007 10:18:30 PM | Cheetarah, your chronicle of curriculum in the U.S. is the same as mine, except we split U.S. History and Government in 11th grade. But, even the history taught from grade school on up was largely European
history as it pertained to immigrants coming to the U.S.
The customs/societies/politics etc of people of African descent just aren't given much attention in school. Sometimes people don't realize just how much a curriculum focuses on their perspective until it's suggested that life be studied from another. Interesting, how the parents of minority students never spoke out about the curriculum that taught them about other people, but the second a minority suggests that people learn about their history/culture/societies, then it's racist.
Aahhh, the privilege of NOT being the "other." Not only is your point right on in accuracy, but it doesn’t leave much room for argument—at least not any argument based on logic…
Thank you for your insightful assessment on this topic-- in other words, "You go, girl!" | |
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