I understand the need for "Empowering Males of Color", but the tone of this is exclusive offensive

[Anonymous]

Are asians POC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's shitty that they have programs literally geared toward every student except white males. Is there a correlating general leadership program that all can participate in in addition to or instead of these programs?

Why do you think it's shitty? Do you think white males need a special program to be empowered? Do you feel your white male child does not have enough support to overcome challenges in his life? What kind of problems do you think your white male child will face getting into college, going to college, and in the workplace?

It is a kind of interesting question. There are efforts to talk to boys about things like sexual violence and awareness of problems women and girls face, often at the hands of boys and men, in order to combat "rape culture" and so forth.

Should there be something similar for white boys to learn how they might be perpetuating racism, and to be challenged to think about it in a separate group and come to terms with their identity and privilege, in a useful way? As a parent of a white boy I often wonder how to make sure he grows up to be both anti-racist and a feminist, and all alone we can only do so much if social pressures go the other way.

I would not want the white or non-black boys in particular to feel left out and therefore actually step up their journey toward racist behaviors linked to some kind of misguided sense of victimhood (a la, Trumpists). I don't think this event is a bad idea, or should be more inclusive, but shouldn't we also treat the disease from the other way.

Why not both?

Some events and programs for combatting racism. By the way, there are a lot of these in DCPS already). Open to all.
Other events for supporting BIPOC. It's ok if our white kids don't go to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are asians POC?

Yes

[Anonymous]

The actual flyer does not say white people aren't welcome, it just invites POC to attend. I wish DCPS would just add that all are welcome so as not to invite the litigation risk from people like OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The actual flyer does not say white people aren't welcome, it just invites POC to attend. I wish DCPS would just add that all are welcome so as not to invite the litigation risk from people like OP.

yep. although of course, the OPs of the world would still claim that it's "toxic" and "divisive."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The actual flyer does not say white people aren't welcome, it just invites POC to attend. I wish DCPS would just add that all are welcome so as not to invite the litigation risk from people like OP.

Don’t worry they’d 100% lose and then be shunned by all non-racists. This is DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's shitty that they have programs literally geared toward every student except white males. Is there a correlating general leadership program that all can participate in in addition to or instead of these programs?

Why do you think it's shitty? Do you think white males need a special program to be empowered? Do you feel your white male child does not have enough support to overcome challenges in his life? What kind of problems do you think your white male child will face getting into college, going to college, and in the workplace?

It is a kind of interesting question. There are efforts to talk to boys about things like sexual violence and awareness of problems women and girls face, often at the hands of boys and men, in order to combat "rape culture" and so forth.

Should there be something similar for white boys to learn how they might be perpetuating racism, and to be challenged to think about it in a separate group and come to terms with their identity and privilege, in a useful way? As a parent of a white boy I often wonder how to make sure he grows up to be both anti-racist and a feminist, and all alone we can only do so much if social pressures go the other way.

I would not want the white or non-black boys in particular to feel left out and therefore actually step up their journey toward racist behaviors linked to some kind of misguided sense of victimhood (a la, Trumpists). I don't think this event is a bad idea, or should be more inclusive, but shouldn't we also treat the disease from the other way.

I'm the mom of a 14 year old white boy, and I agree with you. At work I am part of a white caucus (there is also a POC caucus) that aims to examine systemic racism and white privilege. The work of the POC is different, as their experience and needs are different. We come together as a full body (White and POC) occasionally to share, as well. The reading we do as White people is different than the reading the POC group is doing - they don't need to be brought along to understand and believe that systemic racism exists in the workplace, for example. And we White people don't particularly need to be heard and engage in healing. Different needs. My son's school actually is doing some of this work looking at what race means and what it means to each kid to be the race they identify as, and what privileges they do or don't experience. Its been interesting having conversations with my kid about all of this.

[Anonymous]

?? That sounds like a great program and those are two fantastic presenters, OP. Do you truly not understand that white children have opportunities their classmates of color do not? There are plenty of school-based programs that aren't open to every single student - and unless you're taking offense to each and every one of those, this does come off a bit "all lives matter."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actual flyer does not say white people aren't welcome, it just invites POC to attend. I wish DCPS would just add that all are welcome so as not to invite the litigation risk from people like OP.

yep. although of course, the OPs of the world would still claim that it's "toxic" and "divisive."

Because it is. Look at the insults being flung left and right in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actual flyer does not say white people aren't welcome, it just invites POC to attend. I wish DCPS would just add that all are welcome so as not to invite the litigation risk from people like OP.

yep. although of course, the OPs of the world would still claim that it's "toxic" and "divisive."

Because it is. Look at the insults being flung left and right in this thread.

So it goes like this:

DCPS: Here is this program to help disadvantaged black kids
You: THIS IS RACIST
Us: No, you are racist for trying to block programs to help disadvantaged black kids.
You: LOOK AT ALL THE INSULTS BEING FLUNG HERE! NO MORE HELP TO BLACK KIDS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:?? That sounds like a great program and those are two fantastic presenters, OP. Do you truly not understand that white children have opportunities their classmates of color do not? There are plenty of school-based programs that aren't open to every single student - and unless you're taking offense to each and every one of those, this does come off a bit "all lives matter."

Please, do tell me what opportunities white children have that classmates of color do not have here in DCPS? My kids have gone through 4 separate DCPS schools in ward 3. I am not aware of any opportunity that was opened just to white students. Over the past 12 years, they have participated in lots of many different types of school based activities. Not only has the makeup of the participants pretty diverse, in at least half of those activities the leadership positions (captain, etc), have been filled by a student of color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actual flyer does not say white people aren't welcome, it just invites POC to attend. I wish DCPS would just add that all are welcome so as not to invite the litigation risk from people like OP.

yep. although of course, the OPs of the world would still claim that it's "toxic" and "divisive."

Because it is. Look at the insults being flung left and right in this thread.

So it goes like this:

DCPS: Here is this program to help disadvantaged black kids
You: THIS IS RACIST
Us: No, you are racist for trying to block programs to help disadvantaged black kids.
You: LOOK AT ALL THE INSULTS BEING FLUNG HERE! NO MORE HELP TO BLACK KIDS!

Actually it is not an event for “disadvantaged black kids.” It’s for all “students of color.”

[Anonymous]

If u don't like then u prob shouldn't live in a "chocolate city"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actual flyer does not say white people aren't welcome, it just invites POC to attend. I wish DCPS would just add that all are welcome so as not to invite the litigation risk from people like OP.

Don’t worry they’d 100% lose and then be shunned by all non-racists. This is DC.

No, if a serious law firm took it, then almost certainly DCPS would settle in some way, because this sort of lawsuit would draw press attention they don't want and be expensive to defend. They'd probably end up cancelling or rebranding the program in an unhelpful way. If they said all were welcome but just invited POCs, no serious law firm -- even a conservative one -- would take the case; as currently phrased, some annoying conservative shop looking to make a point probably would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think asking questions about this event makes anybody a racist. That is crazy and throwing around the term so casually really makes it difficult for people to engage in a meaningful conversation.

I mean, what do you want to discuss? The finer legal points about how you could bring a reverse discrimination lawsuit? The need to block black kids from getting support tailored to their lives? The fact that your white child feels excluded? You want a White Empowerment seminar for your child?

About the ONLY thing people of good will have to discuss here is the fact that DCPS would be well-advised to add an asterisk “all are welcome” to deal with the new “concerned” citizens, and hope for the best there is no trolling or disruption.

Is anyone suggesting blocking Black kids from these opportunities? Why not extend the invitation to every child? Why perpetuate the division?

why do you think resources and education tailored to black kids is “division”? do you believe your white child not being able to go to this event or have a white empowerment event is as harmful as black kids educational disparities? do you think your white child needs additional consideration and resources to address disparities based on race? finally, do you actually feel offended at the idea of a black-only event? why?

So you agree no one is suggesting blocking Black kids from these opportunities?