Did Dr. McKnight's antiracist speech fall flat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:99% of the county did not watch and does not care, OP. And rightly so, because it's meaningless. Families want schools that aren't falling apart, with working A/C and heating, no rodents, and hustling to build more schools to alleviate overcrowding. Also, they'd love to have an adequate number of qualified teachers to fill all empty positions, and enough bus drivers.

We can all dream.

What are you going on about? The speech was inspiring, and McKnight is a fantastic role model for our kids. We are so lucky to have such a great leader!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:99% of the county did not watch and does not care, OP. And rightly so, because it's meaningless. Families want schools that aren't falling apart, with working A/C and heating, no rodents, and hustling to build more schools to alleviate overcrowding. Also, they'd love to have an adequate number of qualified teachers to fill all empty positions, and enough bus drivers.

We can all dream.

This would be great, and more teaching vs. discussions and group projects, actual homework that relates to the class topics for reinforcement, textbooks for references and to guide the class, reading actual books in English class and going back to the basics - math facts, spelling, grammar, etc.

I care that my kids are in an environment where the religion they identify with is regularly being subjected to hate crimes but sadly we/they know there isn't anything anyone is going to do about it as its not a group of MCPS interest.

This is my reaction too. DC is subject to nearly daily racism in MCPS but because they are not a group of interest to them, Dr. McKnight and others choose to ignore it. I'm glad she is stepping up to address the anti-semitic attacks, finally, but there are a lot of other groups who are being hurt and they are doing nothing. I hate the hypocrisy.

Did you listen to the speech. She addressed every marginalized group (all races except white). What group is your DD that you think she did not address? In fact, you are demonstrating part of the rationale for the speech. Just because anti-semitic attacks have been in the new recently and are getting direct attention right now, doesn't mean that other groups targeted by racism and bias are less important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I liked the speech but also was listening for the action steps and was left feeling like it was a lot of talk. I think most of us, and certainly those with kids who are getting bullied, would like to hear what, specifically, the consequences are now for hate speech and behavior, and how the curriculum will be altered to address this as well. It’s not that I think she doesn’t care, it’s that I want to see the tangible changes in school policies. I think that’s what she wants too, so I want her to be brave and just enforce standards of decency. Give the words some teeth.

This is a broad problem for society that MCPS can't possibly address. The school system should focus on doing its job of educating kids.

But you can't educate kids when they are afraid to come to school because they are targets of racism and bias. Even if they do come to class, if they are distracted all day because someone said something mean to them, they can't learn. Try getting a kid to focus on today's science lesson when a kid in their previous math class commented about their grade on a quiz with reference to their race (I've seen Asian kids get a B on a quiz and told they were a poor representation of their race. I've seen Black kids get an A on a quiz and asked "what, are you trying to be Asian?") Kids are brutal and unkind to each other, especially if the adults around them model similar behavior towards anyone perceived as "other". The only place to address the diversity in our community and how to get along with each other is with explicit instruction in the classroom. Kids can't learn if they feel unwelcome at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McKnight is a politician. Just a lot of noise and no action. Until they stop wasting money on ridiculous programs and actually fix schools, address overcrowding, and the current teacher shortage- none of it actually matters. Many administrators don’t respect her and some of the top people have left. It’s only getting worse before it gets better.

She's not any worse or better so far than her predecessors. Which tells you that they're all pretty bad At least she dresses in a more interesting way!

Her dress was pretty but it doesn't come across as a business dress vs. going out to dinner/evening dress.

Are we talking about her dress … or the content of her speech?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:99% of the county did not watch and does not care, OP. And rightly so, because it's meaningless. Families want schools that aren't falling apart, with working A/C and heating, no rodents, and hustling to build more schools to alleviate overcrowding. Also, they'd love to have an adequate number of qualified teachers to fill all empty positions, and enough bus drivers.

We can all dream.

I’ll tell you what else, it’s also that myself and other Anglo and international Al families are sick of the shackles of DEI. I dont give a rats ass about anti racism. I care about advancing our kids in science. Math, engineering, AI, computing, literature and more. Who gives a crap who anti racist you are if your kids can’t compete?????

[Anonymous]

Until teachers and students who spout rascist trope are held accountable in a meaningful and severe way nothing will change

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I liked the speech but also was listening for the action steps and was left feeling like it was a lot of talk. I think most of us, and certainly those with kids who are getting bullied, would like to hear what, specifically, the consequences are now for hate speech and behavior, and how the curriculum will be altered to address this as well. It’s not that I think she doesn’t care, it’s that I want to see the tangible changes in school policies. I think that’s what she wants too, so I want her to be brave and just enforce standards of decency. Give the words some teeth.

This is a broad problem for society that MCPS can't possibly address. The school system should focus on doing its job of educating kids.

This. Not MCPS’ job to fix racism.

MCPS needs to focus on EDUCATION. For all kids. Smaller class sizes and a solid curriculum.

Get rid of some of the useless Central Office bloat and get rid of the useless initiatives that don’t benefit our kids.

This x10!!!!!
MCPS is not going to fix racism! What they can fix is an environment that holds kids accountable whether it’s for using phones in class, talking back to teachers, violating a dress code policy, vaping or fighting, exhibiting any racist behavior and more!!!! A code of conduct and consequences fixes every problem.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it fell flat. Nobody cares. Teach math and reading and writing - pretty simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:99% of the county did not watch and does not care, OP. And rightly so, because it's meaningless. Families want schools that aren't falling apart, with working A/C and heating, no rodents, and hustling to build more schools to alleviate overcrowding. Also, they'd love to have an adequate number of qualified teachers to fill all empty positions, and enough bus drivers.

We can all dream.

This would be great, and more teaching vs. discussions and group projects, actual homework that relates to the class topics for reinforcement, textbooks for references and to guide the class, reading actual books in English class and going back to the basics - math facts, spelling, grammar, etc.

I care that my kids are in an environment where the religion they identify with is regularly being subjected to hate crimes but sadly we/they know there isn't anything anyone is going to do about it as its not a group of MCPS interest.

This is my reaction too. DC is subject to nearly daily racism in MCPS but because they are not a group of interest to them, Dr. McKnight and others choose to ignore it. I'm glad she is stepping up to address the anti-semitic attacks, finally, but there are a lot of other groups who are being hurt and they are doing nothing. I hate the hypocrisy.

Did you listen to the speech. She addressed every marginalized group (all races except white). What group is your DD that you think she did not address? In fact, you are demonstrating part of the rationale for the speech. Just because anti-semitic attacks have been in the new recently and are getting direct attention right now, doesn't mean that other groups targeted by racism and bias are less important.

I can pretend to support other groups too but MCPS has done nothing when racial incidents have come up against other groups. Nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I liked the speech but also was listening for the action steps and was left feeling like it was a lot of talk. I think most of us, and certainly those with kids who are getting bullied, would like to hear what, specifically, the consequences are now for hate speech and behavior, and how the curriculum will be altered to address this as well. It’s not that I think she doesn’t care, it’s that I want to see the tangible changes in school policies. I think that’s what she wants too, so I want her to be brave and just enforce standards of decency. Give the words some teeth.

This is a broad problem for society that MCPS can't possibly address. The school system should focus on doing its job of educating kids.

This. Not MCPS’ job to fix racism.

MCPS needs to focus on EDUCATION. For all kids. Smaller class sizes and a solid curriculum.

Get rid of some of the useless Central Office bloat and get rid of the useless initiatives that don’t benefit our kids.

You can't separate racism and EDUCATION, though. No matter how much some people keep insisting that you can.

I don't need her to give a speech on racism. Her job is to make sure kids, of all races, are getting a solid education. Making speeches about racism (or global warming) isn't going to achieve that goal.

Tell us what you are going to do about the abysmal test scores. Tell us what you are going to do about the low staff morale. Tell us what you are going to do about the prevalence of drugs in our schools. That's really what parents and staff want to hear about from McKnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:99% of the county did not watch and does not care, OP. And rightly so, because it's meaningless. Families want schools that aren't falling apart, with working A/C and heating, no rodents, and hustling to build more schools to alleviate overcrowding. Also, they'd love to have an adequate number of qualified teachers to fill all empty positions, and enough bus drivers.

We can all dream.

This would be great, and more teaching vs. discussions and group projects, actual homework that relates to the class topics for reinforcement, textbooks for references and to guide the class, reading actual books in English class and going back to the basics - math facts, spelling, grammar, etc.

I care that my kids are in an environment where the religion they identify with is regularly being subjected to hate crimes but sadly we/they know there isn't anything anyone is going to do about it as its not a group of MCPS interest.

This is my reaction too. DC is subject to nearly daily racism in MCPS but because they are not a group of interest to them, Dr. McKnight and others choose to ignore it. I'm glad she is stepping up to address the anti-semitic attacks, finally, but there are a lot of other groups who are being hurt and they are doing nothing. I hate the hypocrisy.

Did you listen to the speech. She addressed every marginalized group (all races except white). What group is your DD that you think she did not address? In fact, you are demonstrating part of the rationale for the speech. Just because anti-semitic attacks have been in the new recently and are getting direct attention right now, doesn't mean that other groups targeted by racism and bias are less important.

I can pretend to support other groups too but MCPS has done nothing when racial incidents have come up against other groups. Nothing.

New PP - Bullying should have consequences no matter who the victim is. Bullying in MCPS also goes beyond skin color to other races, religions, disabilities, genders, LGBTQ, and physical characteristics just to name a few. Unless Dr. McKnight implements a specific plan to end bullying in MCPS, she will not make a dent into the crisis. Focusing on one racial group at the exclusion of all others is also a racist agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McKnight is a politician. Just a lot of noise and no action. Until they stop wasting money on ridiculous programs and actually fix schools, address overcrowding, and the current teacher shortage- none of it actually matters. Many administrators don’t respect her and some of the top people have left. It’s only getting worse before it gets better.

She's not any worse or better so far than her predecessors. Which tells you that they're all pretty bad At least she dresses in a more interesting way!

Her dress was pretty but it doesn't come across as a business dress vs. going out to dinner/evening dress.

Are we talking about her dress … or the content of her speech?

DCUM gonna DCUM!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I liked the speech but also was listening for the action steps and was left feeling like it was a lot of talk. I think most of us, and certainly those with kids who are getting bullied, would like to hear what, specifically, the consequences are now for hate speech and behavior, and how the curriculum will be altered to address this as well. It’s not that I think she doesn’t care, it’s that I want to see the tangible changes in school policies. I think that’s what she wants too, so I want her to be brave and just enforce standards of decency. Give the words some teeth.

This is a broad problem for society that MCPS can't possibly address. The school system should focus on doing its job of educating kids.

This. Not MCPS’ job to fix racism.

MCPS needs to focus on EDUCATION. For all kids. Smaller class sizes and a solid curriculum.

Get rid of some of the useless Central Office bloat and get rid of the useless initiatives that don’t benefit our kids.

Because focusing on getting an education is so easy when you're the victim of bullying and harassment.

[Anonymous]

The White Nationalist Cultural Warriors are out in force today!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:99% of the county did not watch and does not care, OP. And rightly so, because it's meaningless. Families want schools that aren't falling apart, with working A/C and heating, no rodents, and hustling to build more schools to alleviate overcrowding. Also, they'd love to have an adequate number of qualified teachers to fill all empty positions, and enough bus drivers.

We can all dream.

I’ll tell you what else, it’s also that myself and other Anglo and international Al families are sick of the shackles of DEI. I dont give a rats ass about anti racism. I care about advancing our kids in science. Math, engineering, AI, computing, literature and more. Who gives a crap who anti racist you are if your kids can’t compete?????

THE SHACKLES OF DEI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111111111