Question for parents of black children in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

You can change yourself but you can’t change other people’s thinking and views of African Americans. So no matter how badly you try to fit in with the whites, you are still trash to them. But hey, you do you, “brother.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

Huge difference between 1) acknowledging systemic racism in your community and doing to work to challenge it AND 2) being angry all the time and using racism as an excuse for failure.

If you cannot see that difference, you are a part of the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

Huge difference between 1) acknowledging systemic racism in your community and doing to work to challenge it AND 2) being angry all the time and using racism as an excuse for failure.

If you cannot see that difference, you are a part of the problem.

It's amazing how systemic racism seems to disappear when you stop trying so hard to look for it. You may think that we're "part of the problem" when, in reality, we have removed ourselves *from* the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

Huge difference between 1) acknowledging systemic racism in your community and doing to work to challenge it AND 2) being angry all the time and using racism as an excuse for failure.

If you cannot see that difference, you are a part of the problem.

It's amazing how systemic racism seems to disappear when you stop trying so hard to look for it. You may think that we're "part of the problem" when, in reality, we have removed ourselves *from* the problem.

I know you think that. Unfortunately, you’ve just been coopted and weaponized. Look at Ben Carson. Hell, maybe you ARE Ben Carson!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

- I am not OP

— I do not believe you are black

- How DARE you accuse anyone of looking to be a victim because they have experienced and recognize that racism exists

- You do not get to invalidate and minimize others people’s exPERIENCES because it makes you uncomfortable
- POUND SAND

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

Huge difference between 1) acknowledging systemic racism in your community and doing to work to challenge it AND 2) being angry all the time and using racism as an excuse for failure.

If you cannot see that difference, you are a part of the problem.

DP,

Just stop. You are not black, you ate a racist who is trying to gaslight people.
accusing black people of eschewing responsibility.
You are the one who does not want a accept that racism exists and hurts people.
You need therapy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

Huge difference between 1) acknowledging systemic racism in your community and doing to work to challenge it AND 2) being angry all the time and using racism as an excuse for failure.

If you cannot see that difference, you are a part of the problem.

DP,

Just stop. You are not black, you ate a racist who is trying to gaslight people.
accusing black people of eschewing responsibility.
You are the one who does not want a accept that racism exists and hurts people.
You need therapy.

I’m 17:07. Are you responding to me or the person I responded to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I’m considering a move to MCPS with my black family. I know it to be a wonderful area but I’ve recently been discouraged after reading some of the anti blackness and Dog-whistling that occurs on these forums. I know this forum isn’t representative of all parents/teachers/students in Montgomery County but I’m curious of how your child of color has experienced the district and how often you and they experiences instances of racism & bias in real life in the schools.

Thanks

OP - serious answer. If you go into any situation (like moving to MCPS) expecting to to find and looking for racism, you will surely find it (or you will at least find some failure that you can blame on racism - whether it is or not). Our AA family has made the conscious decision that we are NOT going to be victims. We are NOT going to live our lives thinking that we can't succeed because of some sort of systemic racism. We will not blame others for our failures and we are going to hold ourselves and our kids responsible for their actions. If they get in trouble in class, it's not the white teacher must be biased, it's that our child did something wrong. This mindset has changed everything in our lives for the better - with our kids at school, with our work life. It's like a burden was lifted from our backs and we are no longer angry all the time. We did have to distance ourselves from some of our old friends who were constantly emitting negative energy. I just wish more of my brothers and sisters would make the same change. It's life changing.

Huge difference between 1) acknowledging systemic racism in your community and doing to work to challenge it AND 2) being angry all the time and using racism as an excuse for failure.

If you cannot see that difference, you are a part of the problem.

DP,

Just stop. You are not black, you ate a racist who is trying to gaslight people.
accusing black people of eschewing responsibility.
You are the one who does not want a accept that racism exists and hurts people.
You need therapy.

I’m 17:07. Are you responding to me or the person I responded to?

My bad. My bad quote job.
I was responding to the supposed AA family who chooses not to be a victim.
INSERT EYEROLL.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know why OP even bothered to bring their query of other black parents’ experience in Montgomery County schools to an anonymous forum that they admitted had them “discouraged after reading some of the anti-blackness and dog-whistling that occurs on these forums”...

I mean if you already knew that many of the folks on here ain’t exactly anxious to hold hands and sing Kumbaya with you but are more inclined to denounce and disparage you under the safe cover of anonymity then you had to know you wadn’t gonna get any helpful responses, just an endless thread of bitter back and forths that goes nowhere.

But, if OP is serious and not a troll trying to stir up animosity and instigate arguments then I’d advise em to seek assistance elsewhere cause as you can see the folks on here ain’t interested in doing anything but bickering and digressing into other arguments about race that ain’t got nuthin to do with your initial appeal.

Try the NAACP Parent Council of Montgomery County. They got a lotta information and resources that will be of far more assistance than these folks.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/qohs/orgs/ptsa/NAACP%20Brochure.pdf

[Anonymous]

When I read posts like this I honestly can't imagine this is anything but a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I read posts like this I honestly can't imagine this is anything but a troll.

16:49 is clearly a troll.

I can understand how someone unfamiliar with DCUM might think they would get valuable info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I read posts like this I honestly can't imagine this is anything but a troll.

I wouldn't be so sure. Not everyone goes through life with a chip on their shoulder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I read posts like this I honestly can't imagine this is anything but a troll.

I wouldn't be so sure. Not everyone goes through life with a chip on their shoulder.

Experiencing systemic racism is not having a chip on your shoulder.

Like gravity, systemic racism works whether you believe it exists or not. Any person of color who thinks that they have beat the game by refusing to play is a fool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How the heck do you know with such certainty what people privately assume?

I can’t tell you what is privately assumed. I can tell you what parents said or wrote regarding AA students at our W school. Sometimes these comments were mean spirited. Other times, the white parent “meant well”, but the assumption itself was based in bias. Unfortunately, their brains were trained that black = FARMS & Section 8.

So what you gonna do?
How you gonna handle this?
How you gonna educate your kid on how to handle this?
I'm sure you know that the assumptions people make about you because you're black aren't limited to these 12 years of elementary school, middle school, and high school, right?
When your kid goes to college you do realize that a lot of people will automatically assume that the only reason they were accepted into that school is because... Yeah.
When your kid graduates and gets that job offer you do realize that a lot of people will automatically assume that the only reason they were hired is because... Yeah.
When your kid gets that promotion... Yeah. And when your kid becomes a parent and sends their child to school guess what parents will be saying or writing regarding AA students... Yeah.
So what you gonna do?
How you gonna handle this?

DP.
Are you black? I’m ASSUMING NOT, but I could be WRONG. I assume not because I think many black folk ALREADY KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE BEING BLACK IN AMERICA. I think a lot of us are not in need of a checklist of places and spaces in which we may encounter bias and racism.
Thanks anyway wanna be Shaun King.
And I went to an HBCU so I didn’t have to worry about assumptions. My high school Spanish handled that when he asked if my college was “a good one”
So yea , we know how to survive being black, why eff do you think this conversation started, someone trying g figure out how to get inwhete her family fits in.

Yes you are wrong and ain't nobody ask about your HBCU experience I don't need to I got my own experience (Proud Bison - shout out to H YOUUUUUUUUUUU)
I was just asking a simple question for the parents of black children in Montgomery County...what you gonna do?
Cause these assumptions ain't going nowhere regardless of how irritating and inappropriate and insensitive and just plain ignorant they are.
Simple question: parents of black children in Montgomery County what you gonna do about these white parents and their preconceived notions about your socioeconomic status?

I don't care what others think. It's that easy. I know who and what I am and am proud of it. I have nothing at all to be ashamed of but then we are not poor, pwn two homes, and our oldest does fantastic in school. Live your life. You cannot change what others do or think anyway, so why bother. My energy only goes into my career and family.