Chancellors email on Marion Barry

[Anonymous]

anyone else appalled the chancellor would choose to publicly celebrate a convicted drug user?
seriously undermines any confidence i had in her judgement about appropriate messages to send to our kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:anyone else appalled the chancellor would choose to publicly celebrate a convicted drug user?
seriously undermines any confidence i had in her judgement about appropriate messages to send to our kids

No. I teach my kids that people are neither good nor bad - just complicated. People can do good things, bad things, and anything in between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:anyone else appalled the chancellor would choose to publicly celebrate a convicted drug user?
seriously undermines any confidence i had in her judgement about appropriate messages to send to our kids

What I noticed was the complete lack of diversity in the accompanying photos. Do Asian, Latino and other children deserve representation in DCPS correspondence?

[Anonymous]

I personally think there are more balloons in the world than people Marion Barry helped....

[Anonymous]

Appalled that you are so disrespectful and judgemental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally think there are more balloons in the world than people Marion Barry helped....

Huh? There are more balloons in the world than people in DC... what's your point?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:anyone else appalled the chancellor would choose to publicly celebrate a convicted drug user?
seriously undermines any confidence i had in her judgement about appropriate messages to send to our kids

What I noticed was the complete lack of diversity in the accompanying photos. Do Asian, Latino and other children deserve representation in DCPS correspondence?

I believe they simply used pictures from Ward 8 schools and the photos simply reflected the demographics of the schools.

[Anonymous]

Marion Berry was a real mixed bag, but I also think he gave hope to a lot of people that wanted to believe their son or daughter or brother could come back from a terrible disease.

Considering how young DC is as a political entity, I guess I just see a character like him as part of our political toddlership and I am not going to berate anyone for finding some good, it was not all bad, just problematic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Marion Berry was a real mixed bag, but I also think he gave hope to a lot of people that wanted to believe their son or daughter or brother could come back from a terrible disease.

Considering how young DC is as a political entity, I guess I just see a character like him as part of our political toddlership and I am not going to berate anyone for finding some good, it was not all bad, just problematic.

What do you mean by disease

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:anyone else appalled the chancellor would choose to publicly celebrate a convicted drug user?
seriously undermines any confidence i had in her judgement about appropriate messages to send to our kids

What I noticed was the complete lack of diversity in the accompanying photos. Do Asian, Latino and other children deserve representation in DCPS correspondence?

I haven't seen the email yet, but had been dismayed by that lack of diversity many times before. If DCPS wants to promote itself as a system by blacks for blacks, take it or leave it, they are doing a pretty good job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Appalled that you are so disrespectful and judgemental.

Perhaps OP's question was framed in a provocative way, but it raises important questions:

Would the death of say. Anthony Williams, elicit an unsolicited tribute broadcast to all DCPS parents with an email account?

Given MB's long tenure as Mayor and the severe deterioration of school facilities under his leadership, are parents justified in asking if this is an appropriate tribute?

I can think of more questions, but I imagine you can see my point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Appalled that you are so disrespectful and judgemental.

+1. Mr. Berry was someone that I deeply admired. His actions that night will never take away what he has done for this city just like Bill Clinton's legacy was not tarnished in my eyes. Crazy we can have presidents and politicians do cocaine, drink and drive, kill, solicit indiscriminate sex in aiport bathrooms, cheat, solicit prostitutes, have slave concubines etc but a mayor tries crack and he's shamed for life. If he did coke like Bush would that have been better for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Marion Berry was a real mixed bag, but I also think he gave hope to a lot of people that wanted to believe their son or daughter or brother could come back from a terrible disease.

Considering how young DC is as a political entity, I guess I just see a character like him as part of our political toddlership and I am not going to berate anyone for finding some good, it was not all bad, just problematic.

What do you mean by disease

I'm sure the disease is a reference to addiction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Appalled that you are so disrespectful and judgemental.

Perhaps OP's question was framed in a provocative way, but it raises important questions:

Would the death of say. Anthony Williams, elicit an unsolicited tribute broadcast to all DCPS parents with an email account?

Given MB's long tenure as Mayor and the severe deterioration of school facilities under his leadership, are parents justified in asking if this is an appropriate tribute?

I can think of more questions, but I imagine you can see my point.

Williams was mayor for 8 years. Hard to compare but yes I would want an elaborate tribute for any politician that made a major impact on this city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Appalled that you are so disrespectful and judgemental.

how is stating a fact disrespectful? it happened, he did it, he got caught, etc. while that does not completely negate the positive things he did for some DC residents I DO think it impacts to what extent he should be held up as an example to todays' school children. Especially via a public platform from a current government official. And especially without any acknowledgement of the mistakes he made to provide full context.

mostly I just think the chancellor sending that email is completely unnecessary. If individuals wish to celebrate Marion Barry's life and hold him up as an example to their children good for them. It just troubles me to see the message coming from the school system.