So, the TDSB has decided that it is time to start teaching children the values of segregation! Sure, they call it an "alternative school", but let's be realistic - children are once again being segregated into different schools based on their race. Does anyone else see the problem?
A quote I heard on the news the other day about this issue was, in fact, likely the best description - "There are no black workplaces...let's prepare these kids for the real world!"
The TDSB trustees are adamant. They are going to try and reduce the number of Black children who drop out of high school. They are going to teach subjects such as Black Math, Black History, Black Culture, Black Gym, Black Health.
I guess this really is a good idea! I am so unaware of Black People's issues, that I didn't even realize that Black math was different from White, Muslim, Indian, or Chinese Math!
I am absolutely certain that if, for example, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board was to open an all-White, or all-Chinese school, there would be pure outrage!
I fully endorse teaching children the struggles and triumphs of Black persons. In fact, I distinctly remember that in high school, we did learn about the struggles and triumphs of Black persons. I am a White person from a small town, and I know and respect the greats, such as Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jessie Jackson, and Malcolm X.
I truly believe that a Black school is perhaps the wrong road to take. Why put children through the struggles and tribulations of all that attention? And does anyone remember the Jim Crow Laws? Those that promoted segregation? Does anyone remember how that all turned out?
School Segregation Banned
U.S. Supreme Court Decision, May 17, 1954
4 comments:
This is an issue that I am very confused about. Like you, I listened to many opinions about this just ahead of the vote. Here are the two views that stayed with me:
1. We have schools segregated by religion and paid for by the government (Separate schools). Our own premier and member of parliament (Jeff Leal) send their children to these faith based schools. We have in Peterborough schools segregated by program specialty (arts school). So how is a black focused school different?
2. This is a direction that does not solve the problem. It will not be able to reach all black teens so whatever the problems are will not be resolved in a real way. We will put all of our hope into this one school and lose sight of changes that should be made.
So I can't resolve how I feel about this issue.
Wow, this is certainly quite the, potentially controversial, topic you chose.
I myself would not fight against a school like this. If enough people feel as though it is capable of change, why not go for it?
Yet I can see your point of view as well. I feel there must be other things the TDSB can do that would be much more effective.
Overall, I am quite neutral on this subject.
When I first heard that there was going to be an afro-centric school that was publicly funded I didn't know what to think. I went to publicly funded schools so it's not that I'm against that.
I agree with what the other commentors have said.
Not all black students wil be able to attend. There isn't enough room for a city that is filled with ethnically diverse people.
It's a tough choice to make.
I still don't know who thought this would be a good idea. Let's look at this hypothetically for a moment. If these students do have problems because they are black (I do not think they do but playing devil's advocate) then you have just taken all of the problem students and put them in one area together.
They will negatively influence each other and begin a downward spiral.
However if we live in reality then we can realize that the best way to help students with issues of all races is to start trying to help the rather than putting them somewhere else out of mind. They should try counseling, after school programs and talking to parents.
I applaud your choice of topic, few would be willing to touch a sensitive issue such as this but you have done it well.
Signed Gregory McIntyre
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