http://racismws.com/2013/05/23/chicago-school-closings-racial-dislocation/
http://racismws.com/2013/05/10/new-neely-fuller-sound-clip-added-president-obama-is-not-half-white/
emile says:
Here’s a question that I’d like answered, and I’m very serious about having this question answered.
Why is it that we common folks can see clearly how things are being played out to our detriment yet others can’t? Are people that blind to what’s going on the modern world? Or are we not requiring that they step up their thinking? There’s really something wrong when our society has the most unprecedented exposure to information via modern media, yet most haven’t a clue to what’s going on? I fail to see that. Older generations had less than half of the acquired knowledge that we have today, and in some ways they seemed to have done better they we are doing.
It just doesn’t make sense to me, even for all of the excuses that are made about people not being enlightened to the reality of their environments. It’s like seeing someone walk through a burning house and yet they keep denying that they can’t smell their own flesh and clothing burning! I used to give the so-called Black leaders and those in positions of influence some leeway as far as their limitations in rectifying the myriad of problems faced by Black people in all areas. Yes, we know that there’s the possibility that they’re sometimes being locked out of the inner sanctums of the powerful people who influence our society. But what about those who do have this type of information? Are they holding back? Why aren’t they throwing a wrench in the gears? They have alternatives but are unwilling to use for the sake of saving their own asses, or until the system screws them over. and as expected, they want us to sympathize with their sudden shortcomings. It is my belief that they clearly see what is going on in cases like the Chicago school closings but “choose” to ignore its significance and the impact it will have on Black people now and in the future.
The CPS CEO and many others in influential positions are well-educated individuals who know exactly what’s going in this city, state and country when it comes to Black people getting a chance to compete and prosper. They are are exposed to tons of inside intelligence, as well as very cognizant of who’s pulling the strings behind this whole fiasco. Not trying to pick on anyone in particular, but if she chose to, Mrs. Byrd-Bennett could put Mayor Emanuel on the spot by asking pertinent questions about the obvious disparities between the current school closings, the proposed university sports stadium and other city assets redevelopment projects that are to be built with the same tax subsidies that could be used to lessen public school debt and expand (not contract) school services. She could also lob all inquiries, public frustrations and resentment she receive directly back to the mayor. The mayor is supposed to have a pulse on every peculiarity of the city represented. Put his a___ on the spot, make him sweat, until he comes up with the appropriate outcome you are seeking, just as they would do if the mayor had been a non-white person. While we now know how the game is being played against us, then she and others should act accordingly. You may not get him to do everything you want, but you surely can raise national awareness to the issue. The game is systematic and was also played out with a similar tune in Philadelphia. Were the CPS CEO to take these actions, she would have tremendous support from the parents, teachers and students of Chicago who have been fighting for a just cause, and who are only asking her as a Black woman and an individual to do what is in their best interests. I don’t have to imagine what the outcome were to be if these same schools were populated by white students because I know for a fact that white parents and teachers would not stand for it. Period. For people who are naive enough to throw the race card in this? You’re only fooling yourself.
We know how ethnic politics goes down in a segregated city like Chicago, and had Mrs. Byrd-Bennett been Jewish, Irish, Italian, German, Latino, Asian or any other ethnicity besides Black, the same if not even more would be asked of them on behalf of their students and the communities in which they live. That’s the hypocrisy of this whole set-up, with the smoke-n-mirrors facade of municipal debt. I don’t believe anyone is asking her to pick sides or shirk her own responsibility or wiggle out of her professional duties, but I’ll be damned if I were to suckered in to believing that a well-experienced individual such as herself, who’s perhaps had countless, various engagements in public and private service, does not fully comprehend or can reason with surety the dire ramifications our present students are faced with in a relentlessly competitive global environment. In reality, considering the conditions that the proposed school closings are faced with and their immediate communities, there should be an expansion of public financing, updated curriculum and increased emphasis on enrollment of students. Investments in students’ education now is an investment into the city’s future. The racist attitudes, beliefs and inclinations of whomever is involved with public school administration is not the fault of the students. That is their personal problem. What matters is the situation at hand, where we are literally screwing over another generation by not giving them the fundamental tools they need to survive, succeed and live out their potential, whatever it may be. It is worth fighting for and I am certain that this is what would undoubtedly happen in non-affected areas in Chicago as well as across the country. While I fully agree with Mr. Fuller’s explanation about not criticizing other Black people, I do feel that there are times when we have to review those influential Black people who are supposedly working on our behalf and not stepping up to the plate to do those things that they can effectively for the betterment of Black people.
We know what Black public officials have to go through in a white-dominated society, but there comes a time when you have to stop making excuses and do what is just, regardless of the consequences. If Black voters and supporters are the ones who put you in public office or a position of authority, with the hopes that you are going to work in their best interests, then that is exactly what you should be doing. The obstacles that most have to face are a given, especially when sincerely trying their best to bring about legislation and public services that directly benefit Black constituents. But why is it that other ethnic groups are more successful at doing this than we are? Somebody is dropping the ball along the way. At what point do we stop letting these people make fools of us? Too much responsibility is being placed on the backs of Black people who are already bombarded with many other social and economic challenges in their daily lives. Regardless of what the media portrays, there have been parents and students who have been fighting for better eduction on every level way before this scenario began and never gotten credit or coverage for their actions. Why is it that when it comes to Black people, a city government and a public school system can’t work in the same manner as it did when whites were the major benefactors of the same taxpayer-financed services? Don’t we pay taxes of every variety? Serve in the military? Vote in every election?
If home schooling is an alternative option, then I say that is one of the choices we must take for the sake of the future of our people. For years, I have advocated for the purchasing of some of these schools from the city through private investments by Black investors, modeled mainly after the Resolution Trust Corporation of the 1990s, where local governments can actually sell public properties and hand over management of certain dilapidated schools to Black and/or community investment groups.
The onus for the new schools’ success would be on the parents/teachers/investors in the school, with the objective being more control over the curriculum and assured efficiency of its students. When your money is going into the operations of these schools, as well as the outcome of your child’s education, there would undoubtedly be more involvement in ensuring the school’s overall quality of education is nothing less than successful. It would also be a job incubator, lessen dependence upon municipal funding and add value to affected communities, even to the point of competing with the best schools within the city region. Over a twenty year period, who knows what could have been accomplished? We need to think critically and outside of the box when it comes to dealing with racism. It is not going anywhere and we need as many defensive mechanisms we can muster to counter its effects, especially when it comes to our children’s education. Overall, we have to come up with other options and solutions if we are going to compete in the future.
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TrojanPam says:
@ Emile
You asked quite a few questions but I’ll deal with two
—-
why don’t we see what is happening?
My answer to the first one is MOST black people are IN DENIAL — which has been MAGNIFIED by the (S)ELECTION of President Obama, a well-calculated and designed SLEEPING PILL for the black masses. A lot of us have been braintrashed by media and entertainment and have not a CLUE about racism or how it works. Like in the Counter-Racism Boot Camp Lesson 1 video where a young black male thought harassing the homeless was the same as practicing “racism”.
Another “DISEASE” afflicting MOST black people is the RACISM AVOIDANCE DISORDER where we CONTINUALLY LIE TO OURSELVES about what is happening to black people AND why it is happening
AND usually blame other black people for what the white people in charge are doing to all of us .
for a GREAT example, check out his blogpost and read the comments by some (possibly) black people who are PRETENDING that racism is the fault of other black people (?)
This is the link./
——
And to the second question,
why don’t these black people in appointed positions challenge what they being told to do to other black people?
it has been my experience that the MORE EDUCATED and so-called “ENTITLED” (aka somebody white gave a black person a “TITLE”),
the MORE LIKELY we are to have the above disorder — the RACISM AVOIDANCE DISORDER” and be totally confused by all that white elitist education
because we know white people can with a flick of a PEN can take away our
paycheck
white SPOUSES
fancy home
luxury car
credit cards
title
status
job
vacations
designer clothing
designer liquor
Even more importantly, I believe that white people who HAND PICK those black people already KNOW in ADVANCE that the black individual in question will DO what is asked without asking a single question or showing any concern about how they are being used.
there are educated and competent black people who care about other black people but the white people in charge already know who they are SO those people will not get those appointments
which is why I believe so many high profile blacks seem to be so ANTI-BLACK.
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Ms. J says:
This post really solidifies why I’m thinking of homeschooling my children – if I have any in the future. I’ve always been a student’s who’s done exceptionally well in this Eurocentric system, but I know deep down that it’s not meant to be that way for ALL students – especially those who are Non-White.
I used to think that activism and social resistance meant having picket fences and demonstrations, but actions like homeschooling and codification are very critical ways to produce MAJOR change. I think these events are an opportunity for us to share with other people constructive and tangible suggestions as to how we can counter racism. We’re gonna have to alter our thoughts, speechs, and actions or else.
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TrojanPam says:
@ Ms J.
Absolutely, that is the best way of defeating this system VIA INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS on the part of MILLIONS of INDIVIDUAL black people, changing what we DO, SAY, and THINK
because white supremacy is a MIND GAME, a kind of WIZARD of OZ, and a “The Emperor Wore No Clothes”
where it requires the MASSES of PEOPLE to allow themselves to be DECEIVED
but once that CURTAIN is pulled back, the POWER behind it DISSIPATES
which is why it is so important to BREED anti-blackness in the hearts and minds of black people worldwide
so they will FIGHT AND KILL OTHER BLACK PEOPLE (like you and me) who even attempt to reveal TRUTH by pulling back that curtain
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Kushite Prince says:
A lot of it is willful ignorance. Many black folks know we still face racism,discrimination and oppression. But they choose to leave on their rose-colored glasses in this “post racial “America. Deep down they know the reality but choose to run from it. No amount of integration or sexual sewering will change it. Those of us who are codified have to let our voices be heard. And stand up against injustice and inequality. No matter who gets offended(black or white).
