Documentary on DC METROPOLITAN Airing Tonight on PBS

[Anonymous]

I just hope part two has a wonderful ending as the doc left-off in a cliff-hanging mode. Ironically, it showed Banneker, Bell, Georgetown Day, Cardozo and Eastern basketball teams and athletic facilities in a positive light. That was so stereotypical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know when part 2 is going to air?

tonight at 9

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was so interesting and so depressing - how can this school be in a city with a median income of 105k? Everyone should be ashamed of what is going on in this city

The true shame is that this school looked much cleaner, more structured, better run and with better teachers and instruction than A LOT of DC public schools.

If folks want to have some comparison of what is going on in other schools check out "Blackboard Wars" on OWN. It's a reality show about a charter school company taking over the worst high school in New Orleans. That show really opened my eyes to how difficult it is and the crazy, crazy problems kids bring into school with them. Isn't the DC METROPOLITAN an alternative school and the last stop for kids for kids on the path of dropping out? I don't know that it's fair to compare it to other DC high schools. A shame about the principal.

[Anonymous]

You know there's 200.00 Northface jackets at the thrift store and knock-offs are very affordable in the black neighborhood (go into any AA barbershop)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know there's 200.00 Northface jackets at the thrift store and knock-offs are very affordable in the black neighborhood (go into any AA barbershop)

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know there's 200.00 Northface jackets at the thrift store and knock-offs are very affordable in the black neighborhood (go into any AA barbershop)

+1

Wasting money on knockoffs of questionable quality that will no doubt start falling apart after a season, not to mention probably made out of some kind of toxic crap that the Chinese couldn't get rid of otherwise. Lousy choice, f'ed up priorities in life. And shame on those AA businesses for taking advantage of foolish and vulnerable people to be selling them that schlock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know there's 200.00 Northface jackets at the thrift store and knock-offs are very affordable in the black neighborhood (go into any AA barbershop)

+1

Wasting money on knockoffs of questionable quality that will no doubt start falling apart after a season, not to mention probably made out of some kind of toxic crap that the Chinese couldn't get rid of otherwise. <b>Lousy choice, f'ed up priorities in life. </b> And shame on those AA businesses for taking advantage of foolish and vulnerable people to be selling them that schlock.

Umm, that's the whole point, a lot of these kids do not have their priorities right. BUT I must say, most teenagers do want to fit it and wear what's in style or considered cool. Nothing new about that. My own teen wanted to spend his birthday money on a $150 pair of soccer cleats. Um hell no, I vetoed that choice. Most of these children came from crappy shitty backgrounds - it's not wonder they aren't making good choices for themselves, they may not have anyone to help guide them. Oh and, it's not always AA businesses taking advantage. How about every Chinese take-out or fried chicken spot on the corner offering crappy unhealthy food at a cheap price, or the liquor stores on every corner. Those are rarely AA owned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was so interesting and so depressing - how can this school be in a city with a median income of 105k? Everyone should be ashamed of what is going on in this city

Yep. Everyone. Particularly those in the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

I was moved to tears when Raven Q was accepted at college. She seems to be so mature and good-natured. She has a beautiful spirit. If only college acceptance was as easy as showing up with a transcript and filling out an application. But KUDOS to Kwame Brown for pulling that college trip together.

The other Raven? She also seems so good-natured and has a smile that lit up my room. The middle class mother in me couldn't believe her mother wouldn't wait until she graduated before moving to Texas. After all, she'd gone from New Orleans to North Carolina to DC. Like really? What are you looking for? Let the child graduate then continue your search. Alas, they're operating from a different worldview.

Speaking of, the "parents" the truancy officers visited? Like really? "S/he just does what s/he wants...I dunno where s/he is...not my problem..." UGH! They angered me more than anybody in the entire 2 hour documentary.

The 18 year old who's been living on his own taking care of his siblings since his mother's death? The principal made a point I didn't think of: how the holidays are the worst part of the year for some students. Can you imagine being that 18 year old and his brothers with no parents to buy you gifts or prepare a holiday meal? Just one long day after another with nothing to do but play video games.

It pisses me off to see perfectly good kids who only needed to be born to a different set of people...That's all they needed in order to have a better chance at life.

The principal was awesome. The kids obviously loved her and vice versa. Blackboard Wars makes DC Met look like a high-performing school in the burbs.

[Anonymous]

Part 2 coming on now!!!

[Anonymous]

Part 2 was even better than the first!

So, basically Kaya's reason for firing Minor was "Because I can!"

What a black eye for DCPS this documentary is. It shows exactly why Rhee and her ilk are so vehemently opposed to tenure: They want to be able to fire without rhyme, reason, or need to provide explanation. TENURE would have required them to have JUST CAUSE for firing Minor.

The documentary was VERY touching. It said a TON about the type of education reform taking place in this country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was moved to tears when Raven Q was accepted at college. She seems to be so mature and good-natured. She has a beautiful spirit. If only college acceptance was as easy as showing up with a transcript and filling out an application. But KUDOS to Kwame Brown for pulling that college trip together.

The other Raven? She also seems so good-natured and has a smile that lit up my room. The middle class mother in me couldn't believe her mother wouldn't wait until she graduated before moving to Texas. After all, she'd gone from New Orleans to North Carolina to DC. Like really? What are you looking for? Let the child graduate then continue your search. Alas, they're operating from a different worldview.

Speaking of, the "parents" the truancy officers visited? Like really? "S/he just does what s/he wants...I dunno where s/he is...not my problem..." UGH! They angered me more than anybody in the entire 2 hour documentary.

The 18 year old who's been living on his own taking care of his siblings since his mother's death? The principal made a point I didn't think of: how the holidays are the worst part of the year for some students. Can you imagine being that 18 year old and his brothers with no parents to buy you gifts or prepare a holiday meal? Just one long day after another with nothing to do but play video games.

It pisses me off to see perfectly good kids who only needed to be born to a different set of people...That's all they needed in order to have a better chance at life.

The principal was awesome. The kids obviously loved her and vice versa. Blackboard Wars makes DC Met look like a high-performing school in the burbs.

Perspective is everything. Here we are stressing about the school lottery, and it could not be more obvious that if you were born in the U.S., in the 21st century, to two middle-class parents who are together and love you - you have already won the biggest lottery of all.

[Anonymous]

Perspective is everything. Here we are stressing about the school lottery, and it could not be more obvious that if you were born in the U.S., in the 21st century, to two middle-class parents who are together and love you - you have already won the biggest lottery of all.
WOW! What a powerful statement. It is so true that sometimes we lose perspective.

STILL, I think it sucks big time that one can be born in the US in the 21st century to 2 middle-class parents and have your education depend on a freaking lottery. That's even more insane than being born into poverty and having to struggle against the odds.

[Anonymous]

Perspective is everything. Here we are stressing about the school lottery, and it could not be more obvious that if you were born in the U.S., in the 21st century, to two middle-class parents who are together and love you - you have already won the biggest lottery of all.



A very moving documentary. Even though, the cameras were turned off, it was good to hear the teachers express their frustrations with the system.

[Anonymous]

Perspective is everything. Here we are stressing about the school lottery, and it could not be more obvious that if you were born in the U.S., in the 21st century, to two middle-class parents who are together and love you - you have already won the biggest lottery of all.
WOW! What a powerful statement. It is so true that sometimes we lose perspective.STILL, I think it sucks big time that one can be born in the US in the 21st century to 2 middle-class parents and have your education depend on a freaking lottery. That's even more insane than being born into poverty and having to struggle against the odds.