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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think DCPS should be hosting events that exclude some students. I think that creating events that highlight diversity but are inclusive would be better. Private organizations and non-profits could host events that specifically cater to a demographic.

So no special workshops for girls and STEM, right? Or test-in schools? Or sports teams that cut? Black boys have different life experiences that white boys or black girls or white girls. They may need different things. This provides them something they need. It is not tailored to everyone's needs. Just like a special workshop for girls and STEM would not be the right fit for...boys and STEM, or girls in humanities.

[Anonymous]

My white son loves Jason Reynolds. He's the only author he'll read.
That's all ai have to add.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meh, I lean far more center than left, and this doesn’t bother me. It’s sort of like HBCU’s. I think it’s a good thing they exist. It’s about building community for these kids. It’s an extra. I don’t see the issue.

HBCUs are open to everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I just got this email from DCPS...WTF?


"September 21, 2020



Dear Middle School and High School Families,


DC Public Schools is hosting an Empowering Males of Color (EMOC) and Reign: Empowering Young Women as Leaders virtual conference on Saturday, September 26 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.


Students of color who are in 6th through 12th Grades are invited to attend, and you can register for free at this link.


The day will consist of fun and engaging workshops, keynotes speakers, student roundtables, giveaways, and much more. We are excited to welcome award-winning author, Jason Reynolds, and activist, educator, writer, and leader, Brittany Packnett, as our guest speakers who will engage with students attending the virtual conference.


Students can register here to attend this awesome experience. We hope that you will encourage your student to attend!


DCPS Equity Strategy and Programming Team"

Isn’t racial exclusion—I’m sorry, segregation—illegal? Seems...problematic.

[Anonymous]

This is a really hard time to be a minority. I am very happy they’re doing this.

Yes OP Karen, we hear your cry of “All Lives Matter!“

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a really hard time to be a minority. I am very happy they’re doing this.

Yes OP Karen, we hear your cry of “All Lives Matter!“

I’m glad they are doing it too. I just wish they weren’t excluding 11 yr olds while they’re at it.

[Anonymous]

It’s questionable whether it’s constitutional for a public school to have an event that is only open to students of a particular race, given that race is a protected class.

I’m 100% in support of the BLM movement, but don’t know if this is the right way to go about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s questionable whether it’s constitutional for a public school to have an event that is only open to students of a particular race, given that race is a protected class.

I’m 100% in support of the BLM movement, but don’t know if this is the right way to go about it.

Definitely not legal if they actually exclude white children. I assume that's why it just says they invite POCs to attend, but don't say that white children can't.

[Anonymous]

OP not everything is about YOU.

[Anonymous]

Here's the thing: The activity is oriented towards "students of color". I have a lot that I could say in support of this activity -- but it's been interesting reading some of the objections. My guess is that they're more about people feeling excluded in a way that is rare for them to experience than about actually wanting these resources available to all. In practice, I'm sure that any student who wanted to attend would be welcome. (Just a guess, but it's likely based on my own experiences.) The link won't work for me, but fill out the form and support your kid. Or check with the organizers about the best way to have your kid participate. Just prepare your kid for participating in an experience where students of color are centered -- something that might be a bit jarring for those who aren't used to this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, I lean far more center than left, and this doesn’t bother me. It’s sort of like HBCU’s. I think it’s a good thing they exist. It’s about building community for these kids. It’s an extra. I don’t see the issue.

HBCUs are open to everyone.

As are our schools. But this is an extracurricular activity geared to one audience. I don’t see the big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the thing: The activity is oriented towards "students of color". I have a lot that I could say in support of this activity -- but it's been interesting reading some of the objections. My guess is that they're more about people feeling excluded in a way that is rare for them to experience than about actually wanting these resources available to all. In practice, I'm sure that any student who wanted to attend would be welcome. (Just a guess, but it's likely based on my own experiences.) The link won't work for me, but fill out the form and support your kid. Or check with the organizers about the best way to have your kid participate. Just prepare your kid for participating in an experience where students of color are centered -- something that might be a bit jarring for those who aren't used to this.

In DCPS, people are used to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP this is DCUM

Everyone else do you find this offensive

"Empowering White Males" then you should with the other too

Except white males are already empowered.
This is filling the gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a problem with this, but they should have added a line saying all students are welcome.

I know from experience that people get upset when you focus. I ran a woman's group at work for years. Females have different challenges in the work place and we focused on those. One man complained and wanted us to end it, so I added that anyone can join. If a man wants to hear about breast feeding at the office or the glass ceiling they should feel free to join.

A DCPS student who does not fit the focus group
may find that nothing applies to them, but they should be invited.

That man shouldn’t have been invited in your space. You should have instead advised him to form his own group.
Just like a woman may not speak as comfortably in a space where men are present, the same goes for people of color. Sometimes our conversations and deeply personal experiences are best shared amongst people like ourselves. We have very few spaces where it’s just US. Let US have something.

Events such as this in a public school system should be open to and welcoming for every student in that system, regardless of the race of the student or the majority race of the school district population as a whole.

There are a lot of events just for gifted students. Should those be eliminated?

[Anonymous]

DC Public Schools is 80% black and hispanic:
https://dcps.dc.gov/page/dcps-glance-enrollment

So this event excludes under-represented groups (whites 15%, other 5%), and includes only those who are the majority.