When Free Speech Endangers Our Children

People's lack of common humanity, decency and common sense have rocked me to the core. The subject of my outrage could be any number of things wrong with society on any given day— but today, I am focused on the horrible advertisements in NYC depicting one group of people as civilized, and the other as savages.     

"A conservative blogger who once headed a campaign against an Islamic center near the Sept. 11th terror attack site won a court order to post the ad in 10 subway stations on Monday. It reads, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."  

In July, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled that advertisements criticizing Jihad are protected under the law and are allowed to appear in our public subways. My upset and alarm are hastened by the stupidity of those who hold the interpretation of American law in their power.  It also highlights the marriage between privilege and capitalistic power as a grotesque display and serves to reveal the great divide between the haves and the have-nots in NYC.  It is a chasm so wide here that plain common sense has no bridge. 

In the 1600's, Isaac Newton published his three famous theories on the Universal Law of physics; with the last having the kind of sound reasoning that even I can understand: 

When a first body exerts a force F₁ on a second body, the second body simultaneously exerts a force F₂ = −F₁ on the first body. This means that F₁ and F₂ are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

Never smart enough to pass a physics class, I get this very basic premise, and don't understand why Judge Englemayer hasn't taken into account, that:
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Allowing ads that target any religious group negatively is prejudiced, racist and biased. It amounts to hate speech. 

I am really bothered by the money behind certain people who get to express First Amendment protections in publicly funded spaces.  Their money affords them to infringe upon the sensibilities of the rest of us broke folk who can't avoid their messages, and yet have no protection from them, or consideration to our plight.  There is simply no escaping visual and audio imagery in NYC's public corridors, air space and transit system.  There is no turning off our eyes and ears (sans earbuds)— which really makes us not only automatic receivers, but also victims.               

Graffiti artists are not allowed to post their ideas on the subway without buying the right.  And screamers of every kind get arrested for disturbing the peace if they haven't paid and been "approved" for a permit.  

There's something very wrong in this society when it boils down to who can afford to have an opinion in the form of a un-invited message to the entire public. . .and who can't.      

So often used in the news, I admit to not exactly knowing or understanding what "Jihad" meant, and found this explanation useful in advancing my thinking: (Forgive me for resorting to the ease of Wikopedia) 

"Mahatma Gandhi's satyagraha struggle for Indian independence is called a 'jihad' in Modern Standard Arabic (as well as many other dialects of Arabic); the terminology is also applied to the fight for women's liberation.

The term 'jihad' has accrued both violent and non-violent meanings. It can simply mean striving to live a moral and virtuous life, spreading and defending Islam as well as fighting injustice and oppression, among other things. 

The relative importance of these two forms of jihad is a matter of controversy.

A poll by Gallup showed that a 'significant majority' of Muslim Indonesians define the term to mean 'sacrificing one's life for the sake of Islam/God/a just cause' or 'fighting against the opponents of Islam.' In Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, and Morocco, the majority used the term to mean 'duty toward God,' a 'divine duty,' or a 'worship of God,' with no militaristic connotations. Other responses referenced, in descending order of prevalence:

• 'A commitment to hard work' and 'achieving one's goals in life'
• 'Struggling to achieve a noble cause'
• 'Promoting peace, harmony or cooperation, and assisting others'
• 'Living the principles of Islam'

Permitting narrow minds and moneyed people to brand Jihad in only the worst way so that every individual who follows Islam is said to be a savage terrorist, is both stupid and dangerous.  Insignificant to the court seems the fact that our US foreign policies have created enemies in the Middle East for everyone in this nation— even if we don't feel as the politicians do that 9/11 is just cause to hate; and seek revenge upon the totality of the Muslim world.  

Creating negative advertisements about Jihad and allowing this racist, prejudicial material to be placed underground, is not only to invite a reaction, but to dare one. Common sense says it's exactly this kind of immoral taunting that provokes extremely retaliatory acts of violence.  My friend, human rights mentor and brain-trust member of The MANY, Ellen Raider, told me the ads are like screaming "fire" in a packed movie house.  Somebody is going to get hurt.   

Has Judge Engelmayer forgotten that extremists blew up London's Underground subway system in 2005 that killed 56 innocent people and injured 700?  Or that 1,800 people were injured, and 190 died because terrorists plotted against Spain's innocent train commuters?     

Hasn't the court been paying attention to world news?  A film made in California and released on the Internet just resulted in the recent murder of Americans, and caused untold death, turmoil and suffering to countless human beings in the Middle East. 

Mother wisdom and common sense cause me to think of what this all means to everyday, innocent New Yorkers.  Cryrus McGoldrick, a Muslim director of the NY chapter on the Council on American-Islamic Relations is quoted as saying the ads represent "the language of war" and are "divisive propaganda."    

I have been afraid of the subways ever since 9/11, and like everyone else here, I swallow down that fear and confront the dangers lurking below in order to get from point A to point B only because I have no other option.  

Now my fear has escalated to the max over thousands of children who use our underground system everyday-- unescorted by an adult-- in order to reach their schools.  

If there wasn't a good enough reason before to fight like hell for excellent, and equitably resourced K-12 public schools in EVERY neighborhood, in every zipcode, this is it.  Children are criss-crossing the city everyday to get to distant schools far from home, but who has the onus for ensuring their safety on public transportation?       

Freedom of speech is a protected right in America, but somehow-- somewhere in the interpretation of constitutional law -- someone has to be smart enough and humane enough to take into account the dangers of protecting that freedom, while also protecting the most vulnerable among us: OUR CHILDREN.  

What does it take to amend the law with a clause that says, speak freely, but you may not do so ANYWHERE you please?  Some places just have to be off limits for messages that have the obvious potential of disturbing peace.

Like our transit system.  

I'm for no signage other than ads about NYC and state on subways and buses. I don't want to be visually bombarded with ads for Dr. Zizmore, abortions or adoptions anymore. I don't want to see ads that promote politics of any kind, nothing having to do with religion, materialism or capitalism.  I want no visual or audio assaults of any kind other than the glorious parade of people and the noise of the subway create.  Maybe select musicians will be OK, but no singers, dancers or acrobats. As for the venue that will be lost?  Let the MTA's head executives accept a sizable cut to their bloated salaries.         

I venture to guess that Judge Englemayer and others with the power to interpret law— and thus, preside over the safety of millions of lives, isn't using the subway as his only means of transportation.  In this society, his echelon has options.  

I also venture to further guess that those options allow his children (if he has any) the privilege of attending private schools near their homes. Too broke to be a betting mom, I'll even wager that the Engelmayer children are not sent to school riding public transportation by themselves because there is NO OTHER option for getting their education.   

I close with this prayer:  

Please God, help and protect our most vulnerable residents, NYC's children from any retaliatory attacks of violence for this egregious stupidity on the part of our skewed system of justice.  Keep safe all travelers, pedestrians and workers.  Please keep religious extremists, who are sure to be offended by the critical ads and outrageous propaganda, from imposing harm upon innocent people.  

Please God, look after our nation's children. . . because those who hold the power in this country, aren't going to. 
  
Here's the first article I read explaining the court ruling:  
Ads criticizing "Jihad" bound for New York City subway stations

By Edith Honan | Reuters – Wed, Sep 19, 2012

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - As Muslim countries reverberate with fierce protests over a film mocking the Prophet Mohammad, an ad equating Islamic jihad with savagery is due to appear next week in 10 New York City subway stations despite transit officials' efforts to block it.

The city's Metropolitan Transportation Authority had refused the ads, citing a policy against demeaning language. The American Freedom Defense Initiative, which is behind the ad campaign, then sued and won a favorable ruling from a U.S. judge in Manhattan.

According to court documents, the ad reads: "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel/Defeat Jihad."

MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said the ads would be displayed starting on Monday, but he could not say at which stations.

"Our hands are tied. The MTA is subject to a court ordered injunction that prohibits application of the MTA's existing no-demeaning ad standard," said Donovan.

In July, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled that the ad was protected speech. While agreeing with the MTA that the ad was "demeaning a group of people based on religion," Engelmayer ruled that the group was entitled to the "highest level of protection under the First Amendment."

The American Freedom Defense Initiative gained notoriety when it opposed creation of a Muslim community center near the site of the Twin Towers, which were destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Pamela Geller, who heads the American Freedom Defense Initiative, could not immediately be reached for comment. In July, she called the judge's ruling "a great victory" for free speech.

Ibrahim Hooper, the spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urged the MTA to donate any proceeds it collects to a "cause that promotes mutual understanding."

"It's like the anti-Islam film that is creating controversy. It is designed to offend, designed to provoke," Hooper said of the New York ad campaign.

A torrent of violence erupted last week after the short, poor-quality film made in California was posted on the Internet.

Demonstrations have rocked Muslim countries and last week the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were killed in an attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya. U.S. and other embassies have been attacked elsewhere.

On Wednesday, a French magazine published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, drawing harsh criticism from Muslim leaders.

(Reporting By Edith Honan; Editing by Dan Burns)

Open Letter to Our Black Youth

Register for the Working Summit on Black Education in Chicago October 11-13, 2012

An Open Letter to Our Black Youth

We, the individual members of the NATIONAL BLACK EDUCATION AGENDA (NBEA) are mothers and fathers, grandparents, God-parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters entrusted as the loving adults and tradition-keepers who hold together our own Black families. We are also your neighbors, mentors, counselors, coaches, pastors, teachers and professors. It is in the spirit of love and family responsibility, that we write to you— our urban African American youth— and extend our heartfelt apology.

Each one of us deeply regrets that America's education system and its urban schools have failed you so miserably, for so long. Many of us work in the schools. Many of us also run after-school or cultural enrichment and college-prep programs. We have an inside view and know exactly what the education system's problems are and who is responsible for them being, and staying that way.

We are writing this letter to you because from this day forward, we refuse to allow public perception to continue to blame you for the gross failures, racist practices and educational negligence of a society. America is a very wealthy nation run by grown-folks who make laws and education policies, yet in every area pertaining to Blacks and other people of color, there are just too many shameless, selfish adults of every racial background who aren't abiding by the very laws and rules they get paid to enforce.

This country has consistently undervalued the African American people. Stolen and brought here in chains, it does not acknowledge that its wealth was created by the centuries of forced labor, toil and tears of our ancestors. Nor does it readily recognize our vast Black history of accomplishments, scientific, technical and every-day inventions, intellectual gifts, cultural contributions, patriots and heroes except for using them during the month of February to try to sell the world a false notion that African Americans on the whole, are seen as valued and important. If that were true, then there would be no excuse for why the national priority isn't making right your schools; ensuring that you excel by affording you the exact same, rich opportunities to advance yourselves to lead the same kind of happy, successful and productive lives promised and realized by others in America.

The NATIONAL BLACK EDUCATION AGENDA (NBEA) formed because we know this. We know our African American history and the history of America, and we are stepping up to lead our Black youth in knowing it too. This country cannot fathom how deep our African-ancestral blood still runs within our families, providing us the individual will to endure and determination to struggle to overcome the horrible atrocities of discrimination in the most basic areas of life; equality in housing, jobs, access to healthy food, medical care and education. Remember that racial injustices, poverty and the inhumane conditions we endure, can never define who you, or we are as a people. The famous African American— the U.S. poet-laureate, Maya Angelou has written a poem called “Still I Rise”­ and we want you to find it, read it and take it to heart.

Know that the NBEA is growing our membership to survive any obstacles put in the way of demonstrating our abiding love for you— our glorious and brilliant Black children— and we will put forth the energy to see that you not only rise, but thrive.

The NBEA is individually related to each of you by a shared African ancestry, and our work is to create a sort of national family reunion of African-centered consciousness and principles that demonstrate respect for each other, our diverse experiences, knowledge, education levels, talents and gifts. As one giant Black family across America, the NBEA is hereby declaring to use all of this in our collective protection of your educations. We will no longer allow what you learn about yourself as a child of African ancestry, and your human potential to contribute to the betterment of your family, community and this society, to be controlled solely by others.

We promise to do everything in our power to positively change what your educational paths and schools are like, only we need your help.

First— we need you to honor life. It is never too late to love and respect yourself and decide once and for all, to take ownership over your academic and social lives. We need you to continue to make positive choices and allow your brilliance to shine through everyday, in everything you do. This means you must study, demonstrate self-discipline, Black pride and a personal determination to do what you can to avoid the trouble that seems to be around every urban corner.

Next, we know you are resourceful! We know you have dreams, goals and great ideas. We encourage you to keep following them along a positive path. We need you to step up as a leader in your own life. Do your best to help your parents and/or those whose roofs you live under, and remember to be respectful of our elders— forgiving them even if they aren't especially of you. Stop and consider what they must have endured in their lives to make them who they are. Treat yourself and others kindly, and know that good and decent people come in all colors of the human rainbow.

Please send us an email teaching us about you and the positive things in your life, along with a picture. Let us acknowledge your pride and share your accomplishments with your national Black family.

When we roll-out our Regional Action Groups, get involved and help the NBEA put your ideas and role-modeling to work for other young sisters and brothers.

We are asking you to take control over you— and think very carefully about how you choose to respond to challenges and hardships. Think about your individual power to overcome adversity, remembering that violence begets more violence. Giving up your inner peace because you are carrying hatred and grudges gets you nothing, and takes you no where good. We urge you to do things that invest in your brain, are healthy for your body and give you peace of mind: exercising, practicing a sport and expressing your hurts and hopes through the creative power of music, art, dance, writing and other positive outlets. If you believe in a higher power, invest in your faith. And make time to read everyday. Knowledge really is the base of your power. When you continuously fuel your brain, no one can hijack or steal it away from you. If you don't own a library card, get one. Read the “Autobiography of Malcolm X,” even if you've seen the movie. The library will let you download free audio books for your iPod or phone. Hear the true stories of how our oppressed people have endured for centuries and learn what they did to make good and productive lives for themselves. Through the transformational power of books, find those that inspire and allow you to escape to distant lands. Allow yourself to travel the limitless world of your imagination. Hold on to that.

Should the problems you face be more than you can handle, look to your parents and if that's not an option, seek out a caring teacher, religious leader or youth worker in your community to talk to. Don't stop looking for help if any one person lets you down— decide never to give up on yourself.

As we lovingly make this request of you— we know change isn't easy. But we “feel you” and we've got your back. Meanwhile, the NBEA and our allies are fierce in demanding that this nation's schools and system of education implement policies that respect your intelligence, your parents, and your rights.

Again, change will not come easily. Just know that we believe in you— our brilliant, beautiful Black children, and we believe in our united power to make a difference in your lives, schools and communities. Hold onto hope and do your part. We are here for you. Know that we love you because we are you. You belong to us and we belong to you.

Lastly, we need you to know from America's history that every single time Black people in this country have decided to organize and mobilize, the nation has shifted a little more towards freedom and justice for all. That is our undeniable legacy. Our Black education agenda is a movement that will soon make history in this same manner: moving all of us closer to freedom and justice for all.

True that.

Signed, with love, hope and respect,

The members of the National Black Education Agenda

September 8^th, 2012

HOW PROUD.... and also, how not.

Long time, no write and another promise to do better.  

Today I'm inspired to put fingertips to keystrokes thinking about the specialness of three distinctly different American mothers: one with world profile and status and the other two not nearly as much... except in the minds and hearts of those who know them. 

Each one of these women is showing the world the strength of motherhood.  Two of them stand in the glow of what Black women can achieve, and what our combined contributions as women of every color and ethnicity stepping up in their responsibility to be caregivers of humanity, decency and caring about this nation's future— can do when we put our  minds to it.    

Can I get a hi-five for First Lady M.O.?
What a wonderful and uplifting speech she gave at the Democratic National Convention last night!  Mrs. Obama's speech contained something I just learned from another amazing sister-leader from Chicago, Dr. Iva Carruthers (Google her).  Dr. Carruthers told me this week that "anyone can bash, but only a rare few can build." The fact that the First Lady of the United States never spoke the name of her husband's political opponent, nor did she blatantly bash the other party demonstrated how to build back a movement behind the POS (and her)-- based upon love and hope.  This was a serious lesson to all warrior-moms about how to be in the midst of battle, and fight with grace and dignity.           

And how sophisticated and gracious it was to have a another mother, Elaine Brye introduce her!  Mrs. Brye is the proud mom of five sons of Ohio, four who are in every area of military service to our nation.  

Elaine Brye spoke as an average everyday American, but only another mother can ever imagine the fear that grabs her heart in quadruples (!) every time one of her sons is deployed.  

While certainly-- very brilliantly orchestrated by the DNC planners-- there was still a sincerity in having Mrs. Brye at the podium that over-rode the politics and reminded the world what down-home patriotism looks like.  

To see the first lady and this military mom embrace... ...women who are respectful, deeply caring human beings of one another's service and sacrifice to the country —  and more importantly — through their stage presence that educated and elevated this racist political campaigning — the nation saw their bond as mothers cross any perceived racial divide, and it was indeed a very touching moment. 

I felt inspired by and proud of — and for — them both.

The last mom I take my hat off to today is Denise Bolds.  A DNC delegate who drove herself all the way to North Carolina to represent all of us sisters who only wish we had the chutzpah to do something like that. 

She's an extraordinary sister from NYC, but now residing a little further north, who I met at a lecture on poverty a few years ago. She's smart, down to earth and is an inspiration for showing us all how to stand tall, be proud and walk in our own power.  I wish to have the chance to spend time in her company because I know I would learn a lot.  

Here's what I copied form her blog profile:   

Denise Bolds is a single Black parent of a son, now a college (grad) student! Ms. Bolds is also a Community Activist, Advocate, Public Speaker and Author. Ms. Bolds' first book: "Raising Princes to Be Kings: The Black Single Mother's Guide to Raising Her Black Son" is published. Ms. Bolds holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and has worked as a Medical Social Worker for seven years with her prior career also in the medical profession. Ms. Bolds is a champion of diversity in the medical arts as well as a voice for Black young men and empowers Black motherhood. 

Denise has her own BlogTalk radio program called: Black Mother Empowerment and she's developed a huge following.  Her pod casts are on iTunes, and best believe this sister has it going on!   


Now, to the not so proud part. . .

I was sent a link to watch United States Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-Brooklyn) in a segment that aired just in time for the DNC by Stephen Colbert / Colbert Report.  
Still shaking my head. When I saw this clip, I wanted to laugh except it's so sad. 

Really sad for any woman elected to be a legislator in the United States government and appear to be such a nitwit.  
But really.... how smart am I for still holding out hope that our elected representatives would be educated people?  At least about American history!      

What a shame that Congresswoman Yvette Clarke showed herself to the nation, no... bigger than that— to the world, as being so poorly prepared for what came at her.

I could blame her appearance / answers to Steve Colbert on nervousness.
Either that or it's just more of an indictment on how lame-brained people educated in NYC's schools turn out. Or maybe it says a lot about getting passed along without doing any homework.    

Even as an adult.   

Hadn't she ever seen the Stephen Colbert Report?  

Why on earth would she ever agree to be on that particular program?  

With so many savvy, college educated interns willing to work at her whim,(even for FREE) why wasn't she coached on how to give Colbert what-for in a funny and sophisticated way?

Final insult?  Stephen Colbert called her Congress M A N. 

And our Congress-member had no reply, no come back.  It went right over her head.        

With so few women in elected government office, and Black women at that, I feel embarrassed for my sister. And now just as much for my beloved Brooklyn.        

See it here. And let me know what you think. . . .

Creating Change through College Partnerships

VIOREL FLORESCU/FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Professor Mark Naison and Fordham University student Angel Melendez in front of Roosevelt campus. Melendez

Hooray for Angel Melendez and kudos to his Professor, Mark Naison!  


A spectacular article in yesterday's NY Daily News about a novel idea from them makes so much sense it's a wonder why anyone is stalling on implementing it all across NYC, and the nation.

The fact that a simple enough, grassroots solution to education inequities was sponsored by a Fordham University student Angel Melendez, in a course taught by a Professor of African American History makes the case even stronger.  Within that class on Affirmative Action, students were obviously taught by Professor Naison to recognize the history of American racism, oppression, poverty and civil/human rights, and were astute enough to look critically at how those societal issues affect today's reality for underserved kids of color in NYC.  The Fordham student and his course mates have proposed that their university adopt the six failing public high schools bundled under one school building that's located right across the street.  

“We looked at the numbers, and how many minorities schools (like Fordham) actually accept, and we realized it’s definitely not kids that go to schools like Roosevelt,” said Melendez. “We decided as a class to create a proposal that would encourage Fordham to accept 50 students (from Roosevelt) and open up its resources.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/fordham-university-senior-pushing-college-adopt-high-schools-roosevelt-campus-street-article-1.1077846#ixzz1uxBqXchz

Back in July 2007, I was the newly elected Parents Association (PA) president of my son's (grades 6 - 12) secondary school called the Henry Street School for International Studies on Manhattan's Lower East Side.  As a mom of a senior in the class of '08, I had two motivations for taking this thankless post:  

(1) to ensure that the first high school class to graduate (from a Gates Foundation / Asia Society sponsored, failed experiment in new, small urban schools) would have a grand ceremony for those who had learned enough to walk across a regal stage-- highly celebrated for beating the odds and earning their NY State Regents Diplomas;  

(2) to encourage the middle schoolers earning their eight grade diplomas and embarking on high school to have something wonderful to strive towards in four years.  The PA thought about the possibility of the 8th graders having their graduation in the school's auditorium (with a big party afterwards,) and those who wanted to-- could get tickets to the high school ceremony so that they could actually witness the grand occasion that awaited them.    

That summer, I set about asking the local colleges for their auditorium space for the high school graduation, and what I learned was an eye opener.  

- Dumb assumption that our local colleges would have some small interest in supporting the graduates and families of a Title 1 high poverty school.  Nothing could have been further than the truth. The college(s) administrators were totally disconnected from the community and looked at me like I had two-heads for suggesting that they should care about plans for poor kids graduating from a new, nearby high school.          

- Colleges are businesses, and using their space is costly.  Outrageously so.  The litany of expenses beyond the actual seating space included a costs for security personnel, lighting, janitorial services, union fees, etc, etc., etc.     

- Quickly erased was the notion of having the graduation in a small space in any of NYU's numerous buildings, even though the high school touted having a "partnership" with the prestigious University.  (Hosting white student teachers, and a plethora of Psych majors doing a 3-year long research study on "Adolescent Identity of Low Income Students of Color" was the extent of the partnership).  No doubt the high school got a monetary benefit to allow our kids to become human subjects, but for parents and students there was no value to be had.  For us, the claim of an affiliation with NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development was all bogus rhetoric that was put into marketing brochures so the Asia Society could get more private contracts from public schools, and NYU could use stories and photos of our "disadvantaged, at-risk," Black/Brown kids for their fund-raising benefits.            

- Also learned that the large City University campuses with schools like CCNY, Hunter or Baruch College all had almost-as-expensive rental fees as NYU did, but they'd also been booked three and four years in advance, so no dates at the end of June were available for a graduation by a new school like ours (whose novice administrators weren't experienced enough to plan ahead).    

- The Borough of Manhattan's Community College, just a short bus ride away from the high school, seemed possible but our principle stalled on signing the papers for two months and we lost out on the space.  She would not commit to the $2,500 rental cost for less than 40 graduates (the senior class started out as a cohort of 78 promising ninth graders… which says a lot about the school's failure over four years).  

The experience of not being able to do something special at a college for our graduates made me angry, but I put it aside to work on other more tangible injustices. Seeing the article about the Angel's proposal makes me want to act on his idea.     

Colleges and universities, be they public or private, get tax benefits from the city, state and federal government.  In the case of public institutions, our tax dollars are supporting their real estate and in turn, they should be mandated to support the local public schools in their communities by allowing a little of that space (and their resources) to be available to the community.  

It's insane that NYC public school students are starved of space; co-located and crowded into a shared building intended to house only one school years ago, but now housing up to seven schools, with hallways split between some of them and gyms and offices turned into classroom space.  Unless a unique program has been crafted by an individual school (who is fortunate enough to have an aggressive principal, guidance counselor, or PTA president) our children have no access to the public colleges in this city.  

Only it shouldn't be that way.  

Our public school teachers and administrators are stretched too thin as it is. . . all the while that every NYC college already resides in a school district.  

Because of their government funding, they should be made responsible for reaching out to the middle and high schools to develop a partnering plan.  Put out an RFP or a Needs Assessment.  Design a course and make the college students figure out how best to create the collaborations.  Not every school will respond-- but those that do should be offered a free program that might include use of a certain section in the library, computer lab, specific time for use of the gym and/or playing fields, as well as art, music, technology and dance centers staffed by student instructors.  Parents should be involved in fund-raising for the programs to keep them alive, and also provide them with a means of getting a GED, or learning about re-entry as students themselves.  

College students could be paid for their time through work-study so the university isn't out too much money for adopting the local students and their schools.  And of course, academic tutoring should be provided by the college students as well, either to earn credit or money.  No one should be expected to work for free.      

Those of you who work at colleges and universities will no doubt think me naive and cite a lack of funding for this kind of collaboration, but still, I think it's a worthy idea to discuss.  

Urban colleges have to step up and become responsible for creating pathways to educational change in this nation--- and they can help a lot by reaching out to future students in their districts so they can actualize their human potential.  Rural colleges that get our state and federal tax dollars should also made to host summer programs for our urban kids by giving them an opportunity away from these mean streets to further their learning.  Some of these programs exist but not for our kids because tuition is in excess of $7,000 for just few weeks of residential and recreational programming. With no scholarships, that automatically means that none of our children are ever the beneficiaries and the achievement divides just keep on growing.    

But if there's a will to create real partnerships with the colleges, there's also a way.  

Please send in your comments and ideas-- (and if young Mr. Melendez or Professor Naison read this posting, please get in touch!)     

Like our Sister Muba always says, in unity there is strength.  

Peace out.    

Black women are too busy for nervous breakdowns

Too much work.

So much to be done to stop the policy madness. . .

- to stop the disrespect,

- to halt the harm,

- to put fear to rest.

So much worry for my beloved Black / Brown community and our children.

This mayor is OUT of CONTROL, he's lost his freakin' mind and that's making mine want to explode.

Just In: Justin, a friend to The MANY

CEC - 19 Town Hall Meeting

When an "A" doesn't mean Anything

Since I don't have cable, I hadn't seen last week's NY 1 news report on the closing of Maxwell HS, or the mayor and chancellor's forked-tongue explanation for it until a few days ago.

Even though I'm so jaded by the DoE, I think nothing else they say or do would surprise me-- I WAS surprised to see just how casually these scoundrels pointed to the state's education standards.

http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/education/154790/community-rallies-against-doe-plan-to-remove-teachers-from-a-rated-brooklyn-school

It's that finger point that should motivate the Coalition for Public Education (CPE) and allies (which WE are!) to take up a class action law suit.

The mayor and chancellor's speech about the state's standards verify that all the money spent on DoE School Report cards, evaluations, networks and school support organizations have no value.

Implementing School Report Cards has been a hoax designed and cleverly initiated by brilliant, highly-paid consultants. They successfully marketed a flashy data ruse to confuse and disempower from the onset, and they certainly earned their money for a job well done.

Parent leaders and whole school communities bought into the Emperor's New Clothes of School Report Cards and Progress Evaluations, just as parents all across the city have continued to believe in, and defend the Chancellor's Regs, especially for PTAs, and every other construct of parent involvement created by the evil, naked egos of Joel Klein and the city's plantation master-in-disguise, mayor. CPAC, CECs, the various Councils and especially the PEP-- were designed specifically to keep concerned folks so mentally and physically exhausted by the chaos created by the DoE, that critical sights were kept off of any "big picture" analysis of the underlying intent to use these constructs for the sole purpose of disempowering NYC's growing Black and Brown population, and eventually doing away with as much democracy and public education for us all as possible.

For those familiar with Noami Klein's "Shock Doctrine," this is classic manipulation of the masses.

I don't think the return flight of White folks to public schools was considered to be a threat before the economic downturn made these parents reconsider their spending on educating their own kids, and for sure, the White uproar over Bloomberg being an equal opportunity oppressor has been noticed. It may well be one of the only monkey wrenches thrown on the tracks of his Disaster Train for public schools— but it's not stopping it.

Assemblywoman Inez Barron has always been on the right side of this issue, and we are grateful that as a seasoned educator during the first half of her public service career, she's always been outspoken on the flaw's of mayoral control as an elected official. Now she's about to introduce a bill to end it. Though it seems to be languishing in Albany-hell, Senator Tony Avella also put forth a bill to impose a moratorium on school closings, and just recently and for whatever LATE excuse — Assemblyman Keith Wright feels he can no longer remain silent on the issue of school closings. He and old time Assemblyman Herman Denny Farrell are ready throw political-career-caution-to-the-wind and do something about mayoral control. Councilmember Robert Jackson says he will back that with a resolution from the City Council so that finally, FINALLY, our schools will get relief from its dictatorial control and destruction.

Not only is about EF'n time, but Please Lord, let these politicians LISTEN and really hear from those of us who have an alternative plan: a completely new human rights based education system for NYC. The Independent Coalition for Public Education (iCOPE) is about to put out a book about an alternative to the corporate model. (Look for it here). And the Coalition for Public Education (CPE) has been working on and calling in allies to create a real People's Board of Education.

Right now, the rumbling in ed-activist circles is all about school closings and co-locations and understandably, concerned people all across NYC are hot and bothered. The sad and scary thing is our inability to forecast when the school closing train will pull up on a neighborhood— which lends itself to our double inability to ACT BEFORE it happens.

Also, we seem to all have a combined avoidance of, or lack of interest in thoroughly disseminating the mayor's 2030 PlaNYC-- the blueprint for the destruction of public education and the road map for the train wreck of school closings.

Seems like the more I read it and make note of how the city is taking new shape and spending gobs of our money on everything BUT the construction of enough brand new schools, the more obvious it is that this plan was designed by corporate free-market privateers and covertly racist segregationists. Furthermore, it was put in motion long before any of us caught wind of what it would mean for our public schools, and especially our poorer Black/Latino communities.

No longer should we question why the schools and surrounding communities in Brownsville, East New York, Jamaica and Far Rockaway have been allowed to decay and remain starved of resources that we all know can be implemented to improve very human outcomes. These neighborhoods are an easy commute to, and are in close proximity to JFK airport. The newly constructed Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct and the NY Times article about Governor Coumo's backing of a convention center there, speak directly to the future plans of white power players to generate income from control of disadvantaged communities.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/nyregion/cuomo-proposes-convention-center-at-aqueduct-in-queens.html

A convention center near the airport and Casino means hotels and a huge revenue from tourism without even having to come into Manhattan. While jobs may come from these plans to develop under-served real estate, by denying the academic and intellectual growth of thousands of kids in those areas, the power players have already determined their fate as bus-boys, chambermaids, valets and janitors. The PlaNYC is big on supporting entrepreneurial start-ups and city contracting (as long as you make $5 million a year), but where are the parallel measures to ensure wealth creation for the hundreds of thousands of poor Black and Latino students and families who currently live out there? It is not a coincidence that the majority schools in these areas are in chaos and financial crisis, or that they are providing academically challenged and bored-to-death students with deficient educations. Centuries worth of colonists have shown us that the best way to move in and take over land, is to force people out through starvation and draught. Intellectual and academic starvation are just the modern methods. Schools serving predominantly poor children of color have been embargoed.

I intend to use the NY1 video segment on Maxwell HS as a "Wake up, Folks!" organizing tool, and hope you will as well.

Hopefully enough teachers, parent leaders and students will heed the heartbreaking lessons of Maxwell HS (and SO MANY other schools-- like Wadleigh MS and Legacy) who are struggling to keep from being closed. Clearly the message is that even when you do all the right, hard work, and determined things to improve, and even when you raise graduation rates over 60% like it's reported that Maxwell has, it doesn't mean a thing. Regardless of the efforts of students, parents, teachers, principals and the community to earnestly follow the DoE's directives, mandates and regulations-- if City Hall has told Tweed and the PEP to target your school, that train is gonna' pull up on you sooner or later.

Even though the mayor "allows" a few protesting school communities to feel empowered by taking a step back, make no mistake-- this is merely a strategic calculation on the part of the chess players at City Hall. It is not a loss for Tweed, or for the mayor's 2030 PlaNYC, but rather part of the strategy to confuse, cause chaos and ease the pressure on them so that something else behind the scenes is cleverly orchestrated-- all the while we activists are busy taking a breather and/or enjoying a false victory. Bloomberg & Co's master plan is in full operation.

ANother reason I so like this NY1 video is because it encapsulates a painful warning to all good-intentioned parents involved in defending the CECs, CPAC and their various "elected" positions in DoE's Councils, and it shows the entire city just how unjust and harmful mayoral control is to our democracy, and human and civil rights.

It supports what Khem Irby said about recognizing the plantation politics orchestrated by the DoE, and her calling (on behalf of The MANY) for NYC parent leaders to step up and LEAD. There sure needs to be a PARENT led moratorium on school closings and co-locations initiated by their united resignation from all DoE parent involvement constructs. This does not mean to walk away from the fight-- not at ALL. It's just encouraging parents to walk away from the game the DoE has created all the rules for.

Like Muba always says, in unity there is strength.

Indeed, a People's Board of Education is a logical next step.

So is a real and democratically formed Parent Union.

But in the MEAN-time, the strategic component of a campaign to end Mayoral Control must be urgently waged.

Raising money to hire a Civil Rights law firm and calling in the Justice Department are paramount.