WaPo Endorsement for FCPS School Board

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Keys-Gamarra has been fairly consistent that she wants to see private funding for any school renamings. Grisafe has regurgitated the R-party line that the renaming process has torn the Stuart community apart, without ever acknowledging that Confederate names cause pain within our communities. Seriously, white people who claim that Confederate names and imagery have "little or no impact' on education or on others need to look around. I also think that "eliminating bullying' as an aspirational goal is a good idea, and there are ways to further that goal.

As for budgets, Keys-Gamarra wants to protect them; Grisafe wants to cut them. Everyone with any knowledge of FCPS knows that the programs that one person wants to terminate may well be those that are nearest and dearest to others. Keys-Gamarra has the endorsements of the Fairfax County Education Association and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers. Grisafe has the endorsement of Elizabeth Schultz and Resistance Media.

Keys-Gamarra has been fairly consistent that she wants to see private funding for any school renamings.

We'd all like to see private funding for a lot of things--doesn't mean it is going to happen.

Grisafe has regurgitated the R-party line that the renaming process has torn the Stuart community apart, without ever acknowledging that Confederate names cause pain within our communities

Republicans are not the only ones who feel that way. And, the way the School Board handled this did tear the community apart. That was pretty obvious if you watched the Citizen Participation and listened to people.
What makes me the saddest is that they demonized educators--long dead-- who named the schools. There was no evidence at all that it was done out of spite. If you read the minutes of the decision making, the schools were named after famous Americans because there was conflict over the geographic names at the time. Specifically, Lee was supposed to be Franconia HIgh and Springfield people objected. So, they passed a rule to name them after famous Americans. In fact, Vienna wanted Madison to be named Vienna High and they named it Madison because of the policy. Then, they named 'Munson Hill High" after Jeb Stuart because he had an encampment there.
All of this is in the minutes.
But, people like McElveen had to demonize those people. Even Moon acknowledged that it was not right to do that.

Do you know that the children of some of those men still live in Fairfax County? They are disgusted with the way their family members were labeled. Talk about bullying.

I am sorry if it causes some kids "pain". It's kind of sad that something like that causes pain--that the kids have not learned that it has no impact on them today. Someone has failed here.
Would I name a school Jeb Stuart today? NO. But, I do understand how Southerners revered their ancestors--and the reverence had nothing to do with white supremacy.

eliminate bullying

sounds good--I cannot imagine there is not one person who wants bullying in the schools--but there are plenty of policies already addressing that. I think you already know this.

So, in the wake of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, the 1958 School Board changed the name of three schools planned as Franconia HS, Munson Hill HS, and Vienna HS to Lee HS (Lee District was named after estate of Fitzhugh Lee, a Confederate), Stuart HS (clearly named after a Confederate general), and James Madison (a primary drafter of the Constitution, which the FCPS overseers in Richmond claimed allowed school segregation). Sounds like kowtowing to me.

But, then, you have more empathy for the descendants of white men who opposed integration (remember, the 1950s FCPS School Board changed the name of the FCPS "Committee on Desegregation" to the "Segregation Committee" in the 1950s and then tried to delay full integration until the early 1970s, prompting a rebuke from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals) than you do for students today who know that it takes more than scrubbing the Confederate flag off the floor of the JEB Stuart gym to make "JEB Stuart HS" an appropriate name for their school. Small wonder Chris Grisafe is your man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You really think that it is easy for everyone to get off of work/leave work earl/if at all?

DH has frequently been there before the polls open at 6 a.m. And, he tells me that he has never been the first one there.

However, if someone wants to vote, they can. It's not difficult to get an absentee ballot. And, if you don't care who wins--why does it matter if you vote? You would be amazed at the people who do not know anything about anyone who is not at the top of the ticket in November.
Don't you want an informed electorate? Or, do you prefer those that vote blindly along party lines?

What does not being able to get off of work/get childcare/get to polls have to do with an informed electorate at all? Just because your DH can get himself to the polls at 6am on a random Tuesday in August doesn't mean that everyone can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You really think that it is easy for everyone to get off of work/leave work earl/if at all?

DH has frequently been there before the polls open at 6 a.m. And, he tells me that he has never been the first one there.

However, if someone wants to vote, they can. It's not difficult to get an absentee ballot. And, if you don't care who wins--why does it matter if you vote? You would be amazed at the people who do not know anything about anyone who is not at the top of the ticket in November.
Don't you want an informed electorate? Or, do you prefer those that vote blindly along party lines?

What does not being able to get off of work/get childcare/get to polls have to do with an informed electorate at all? Just because your DH can get himself to the polls at 6am on a random Tuesday in August doesn't mean that everyone can.

True. But, he the number of people who are working from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. is rather limited-even in Fairfax County. They had the option of voting absentee. But, you know that already. You are providing excuses for people who did not care enough to make the effort. Is that your friends?

[Anonymous]

I think that, as the minority parent of three sons who recently went through FCPS, Keys-Gamarra would bring a fresh perspective to the table. That's very different from a Chris Grisafe, who simply doesn't appreciate what it means to be anything other than a white male in America.

[Anonymous]

Why aren't people talking about Allen or Owens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that, as the minority parent of three sons who recently went through FCPS, Keys-Gamarra would bring a fresh perspective to the table. That's very different from a Chris Grisafe, who simply doesn't appreciate what it means to be anything other than a white male in America.

My wife is laughing at this and can't keep from ribbing me. You don't have any idea how difficult it is to be a white male in this county, who has no idea what you all are bitching about. I'm pretty thankful to have come here, with my family, and have an opportunity to vote for my representative, have a job and raise my kids in safety. Keep on with the white male bit but recognize that your simple stereotypes leave out plenty of people like me - recent immigrant from Poland.

[Anonymous]

NP. Thanks all, this thread has convinced me to go vote tomorrow. DH too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that, as the minority parent of three sons who recently went through FCPS, Keys-Gamarra would bring a fresh perspective to the table. That's very different from a Chris Grisafe, who simply doesn't appreciate what it means to be anything other than a white male in America.

My wife is laughing at this and can't keep from ribbing me. You don't have any idea how difficult it is to be a white male in this county, who has no idea what you all are bitching about. I'm pretty thankful to have come here, with my family, and have an opportunity to vote for my representative, have a job and raise my kids in safety. Keep on with the white male bit but recognize that your simple stereotypes leave out plenty of people like me - recent immigrant from Poland.

You can be a white male immigrant from Poland and automatically be treated with more respect than women and minorities who get told they are "bitching" or "complaining" whenever they speak out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that, as the minority parent of three sons who recently went through FCPS, Keys-Gamarra would bring a fresh perspective to the table. That's very different from a Chris Grisafe, who simply doesn't appreciate what it means to be anything other than a white male in America.

My wife is laughing at this and can't keep from ribbing me. You don't have any idea how difficult it is to be a white male in this county, who has no idea what you all are bitching about. I'm pretty thankful to have come here, with my family, and have an opportunity to vote for my representative, have a job and raise my kids in safety. Keep on with the white male bit but recognize that your simple stereotypes leave out plenty of people like me - recent immigrant from Poland.

You can be a white male immigrant from Poland and automatically be treated with more respect than women and minorities who get told they are "bitching" or "complaining" whenever they speak out.

Women are Complaining all the time , so they aren't taken seriously

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that, as the minority parent of three sons who recently went through FCPS, Keys-Gamarra would bring a fresh perspective to the table. That's very different from a Chris Grisafe, who simply doesn't appreciate what it means to be anything other than a white male in America.

Identity politics. That will solve all our problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that, as the minority parent of three sons who recently went through FCPS, Keys-Gamarra would bring a fresh perspective to the table. That's very different from a Chris Grisafe, who simply doesn't appreciate what it means to be anything other than a white male in America.

My wife is laughing at this and can't keep from ribbing me. You don't have any idea how difficult it is to be a white male in this county, who has no idea what you all are bitching about. I'm pretty thankful to have come here, with my family, and have an opportunity to vote for my representative, have a job and raise my kids in safety. Keep on with the white male bit but recognize that your simple stereotypes leave out plenty of people like me - recent immigrant from Poland.

You can be a white male immigrant from Poland and automatically be treated with more respect than women and minorities who get told they are "bitching" or "complaining" whenever they speak out.

Women are Complaining all the time , so they aren't taken seriously

You can go back to your man cave (or boy basement) now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that, as the minority parent of three sons who recently went through FCPS, Keys-Gamarra would bring a fresh perspective to the table. That's very different from a Chris Grisafe, who simply doesn't appreciate what it means to be anything other than a white male in America.

Identity politics. That will solve all our problems.

No, it's a question of who has more experience and a different perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that, as the minority parent of three sons who recently went through FCPS, Keys-Gamarra would bring a fresh perspective to the table. That's very different from a Chris Grisafe, who simply doesn't appreciate what it means to be anything other than a white male in America.

Identity politics. That will solve all our problems.

Yep. That's a candidate I won't be voting for (Keys-Gamarra).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone who follows politics realizes that limiting voter turnout is a key component of GOP politics. Even Republicans will concede this point. This is why they do better in off-year elections. This is also why they favor stricter voter ID laws, limits to polling hours, not having elections on the weekends, etc.

Yes, go vote for Keys Gamarra. It's a school board election so I'm sure very few people know the details of the four candidates. But efforts to limit voter participation should be stopped.

No, actually that is what the Democratic Party wants you to think. The GOP believes that voting should be limited to those who are voting legally.

I fail to see how having an election at an "off time" discourages people who know the issues and want to vote. But, I have worked the polls--you would be amazed at people who come to vote and do not have a clue as to who they want to vote for.

No, it's actually what Republican strategists involved in running elections will tell you. Try stepping outside of your partisan mindset. It's not about illegal voting. Do you have evidence of voter fraud being a major issue?

Regardless of party affiliation, as a democracy, we should make it easier for people to vote. If you've worked the polls, then you have options in life that aren't available to everyone.

+1. I'm not sure I would have voted in this election knowing that the Democrats will have 9-3 or 10-2 majority on the School Board through 2019 either way, but the Republicans have been so snarky and hypocritical in their efforts to get Grisafe elected that I will make a special effort to vote for Karen Keys-Gamarra tomorrow.

Just as I'll be making a special effort to vote for Chris Grisafe. Cheers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Post endorsed Karen Keys Gamarra yesterday for the open seat. They pointed out the $250K (actually, $300K, according to state officials) that the county will have to pay for this unnecessary special election due to Republican maneuvering.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/karen-keys-gamarra-for-fairfax-school-board/2017/08/25/cf29c058-890d-11e7-961d-2f373b3977ee_story.html?utm_term=.1c1ff125c6bb

Interesting. Did they also point out the $1 million it's going to cost to change the name of J.E.B. Stuart HS? No? Why not?