MCPS is spamming me - Anti Racist audit survey

[Anonymous]

Many are unhappy to see MCPS funds wasted to replicate inequities for other populations.

For example, black students are no longer the majority minority group in MCPS. Yet MCPS leadership and curriculum is unequally representative of other minority groups. They even go as far as targeting other minorities for exclusion in the magnet programs. Racism and discrimination comes in all colors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3 messages/reminders from each of the schools that my kids go to, and 3-4 emails from MCPS. Help!! There should be topic-specific unsubscribe options

Womp womp womp. You don't just get to avoid something "topic-specific" because you don't like it or it doesn't go along with some everything is fine, happy-go-lucky, utopian vision. They're sending it for a reason. Help!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

Point taken. I would be glad to complain about the fractured, numerous communications generally, though.

[Anonymous]

The fact that MCPS keeps pleading for a response to a survey that many parents thinks is a farce and wasteful of MCPS funds is a clear indication of how tone deaf MCPS is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

I completely agree with you, and even tried to answer the survey questions, BUT they're asking me about things of which I have 0 knowledge and can't honestly answer or provide any meaningful insight. I don't personally attend MCPS and my kids are too young to provide this information. I agree racism is an issue, but I don't think this survey will do much of anything to help combat these problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

No problem. This is why diversity is needed at the table, to add these dimensions to the argument, even when people will gaslight you for it. They're so bold on DCUM but they won't say it in public. I'm a B-CC alum from a while back, and there are still a lot of things that happened to me there that I'm unpacking today. Whenever I'm at school in another region, people automatically see Bethesda/CC/Potomac as "the place where Kavanaugh is from" and a place that isn't very welcoming, and they'll fairly or unfairly see me as a reflection of that. It's about our reputation and legacy at this point, which I want to be positive. Our kids rely on us to set the tone. Our schools are our crown gem when it comes to attracting the best talent, attracting business, etc. Overall, though, I remain optimistic that changes will be made. I know that though DCUM says one thing, the vast majority of families support this - we don't just cater to one powerful subset in one area. I believe in the things that bring us together and being one county, but I also believe in doing what's necessary and common sense, not what's easy. I hope that these efforts will ensure we live up to the basic premise that ALL KIDS belong, because if one group isn't served well when most people are, then what's the point.

Side note (skip if you'd like): From this step, I hope that the boundaries get analyzed and changed as well. Am I saying send Springbrook kids to Whitman? No. I'm saying that if a school like Einstein is usually underutilized (it's growing now), and a town like Kensington is divided a specific way where the two clusters are next to each other, maybe some of the B-CC people move to balance it out. If you don't like it, well guess what? It's public education, and the system/BOE reserves the right to change the lines at anytime. A big reason why these events and mindsets are prevalent are because of the huge disparity between Black and majority peers at many W schools. At B-CC, for example, most Black students (not all) come from the Silver Spring side, so when someone sees that you hold that identity, you're targeted or automatically stereotyped or you'll be less likely to "fit in" because people in your wealthy, White friend group may judge their friends for talking to you. Having more people from those subgroups would hold people accountable, show that BIPOC, etc. aren't a monolith, and it probably would have made my experience way better. It'd make them more proud to be from where they are, and at this developmental stage for an adolescent, pride and self-worth is crucial. Bottomline: much needed change is happening, and if you're scared you have three options: lead, follow, or get out of the way.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that the parent survey was only one component. I agree that as a parent I could not answer several of the questions, however, students and staff members were also surveyed and they would obviously have more potentially relevant experiences as context. I did appreciate that the survey was also provided to parents, even though in my own case I had little to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

I completely agree with you, and even tried to answer the survey questions, BUT they're asking me about things of which I have 0 knowledge and can't honestly answer or provide any meaningful insight. I don't personally attend MCPS and my kids are too young to provide this information. I agree racism is an issue, but I don't think this survey will do much of anything to help combat these problems.

I see where you're coming from, but we have to start somewhere, and they're using this as a way to get on the ground perspective. It's OK to acknowledge that you have no knowledge of it, because as long as you made a solid effort, that's fine because every answer/data point helps. There's no way that MCPS can just remove mass amounts of people from the list because it grows so big, so they just follow the default. Also, re the "my kids are too young" argument, studies show that kids start having racial preferences ingrained in them from the time they're 2 years old, I believe. Parents of color have to teach their kids about racism almost from the minute they come out of the womb - they have no choice as to the timing of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

I completely agree with you, and even tried to answer the survey questions, BUT they're asking me about things of which I have 0 knowledge and can't honestly answer or provide any meaningful insight. I don't personally attend MCPS and my kids are too young to provide this information. I agree racism is an issue, but I don't think this survey will do much of anything to help combat these problems.

I see where you're coming from, but we have to start somewhere, and they're using this as a way to get on the ground perspective. It's OK to acknowledge that you have no knowledge of it, because as long as you made a solid effort, that's fine because every answer/data point helps. There's no way that MCPS can just remove mass amounts of people from the list because it grows so big, so they just follow the default. Also, re the "my kids are too young" argument, studies show that kids start having racial preferences ingrained in them from the time they're 2 years old, I believe. Parents of color have to teach their kids about racism almost from the minute they come out of the womb - they have no choice as to the timing of it.

That's a shame, but still my 5 year old won't have meaningful insights into these weighty matters and asking them risks doing more harm than good. MCPS needs to find a better way to get this information than polling 5r year olds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

No problem. This is why diversity is needed at the table, to add these dimensions to the argument, even when people will gaslight you for it. They're so bold on DCUM but they won't say it in public. I'm a B-CC alum from a while back, and there are still a lot of things that happened to me there that I'm unpacking today. Whenever I'm at school in another region, people automatically see Bethesda/CC/Potomac as "the place where Kavanaugh is from" and a place that isn't very welcoming, and they'll fairly or unfairly see me as a reflection of that. It's about our reputation and legacy at this point, which I want to be positive. Our kids rely on us to set the tone. Our schools are our crown gem when it comes to attracting the best talent, attracting business, etc. Overall, though, I remain optimistic that changes will be made. I know that though DCUM says one thing, the vast majority of families support this - we don't just cater to one powerful subset in one area. I believe in the things that bring us together and being one county, but I also believe in doing what's necessary and common sense, not what's easy. I hope that these efforts will ensure we live up to the basic premise that ALL KIDS belong, because if one group isn't served well when most people are, then what's the point.

Side note (skip if you'd like): From this step, I hope that the boundaries get analyzed and changed as well. Am I saying send Springbrook kids to Whitman? No. I'm saying that if a school like Einstein is usually underutilized (it's growing now), and a town like Kensington is divided a specific way where the two clusters are next to each other, maybe some of the B-CC people move to balance it out. If you don't like it, well guess what? It's public education, and the system/BOE reserves the right to change the lines at anytime. A big reason why these events and mindsets are prevalent are because of the huge disparity between Black and majority peers at many W schools. At B-CC, for example, most Black students (not all) come from the Silver Spring side, so when someone sees that you hold that identity, you're targeted or automatically stereotyped or you'll be less likely to "fit in" because people in your wealthy, White friend group may judge their friends for talking to you. Having more people from those subgroups would hold people accountable, show that BIPOC, etc. aren't a monolith, and it probably would have made my experience way better. It'd make them more proud to be from where they are, and at this developmental stage for an adolescent, pride and self-worth is crucial. Bottomline: much needed change is happening, and if you're scared you have three options: lead, follow, or get out of the way.

Lots of words. Have you started on the survey? It doesn't seem to make much sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

I completely agree with you, and even tried to answer the survey questions, BUT they're asking me about things of which I have 0 knowledge and can't honestly answer or provide any meaningful insight. I don't personally attend MCPS and my kids are too young to provide this information. I agree racism is an issue, but I don't think this survey will do much of anything to help combat these problems.

I see where you're coming from, but we have to start somewhere, and they're using this as a way to get on the ground perspective. It's OK to acknowledge that you have no knowledge of it, because as long as you made a solid effort, that's fine because every answer/data point helps. There's no way that MCPS can just remove mass amounts of people from the list because it grows so big, so they just follow the default. Also, re the "my kids are too young" argument, studies show that kids start having racial preferences ingrained in them from the time they're 2 years old, I believe. Parents of color have to teach their kids about racism almost from the minute they come out of the womb - they have no choice as to the timing of it.

That's a shame, but still my 5 year old won't have meaningful insights into these weighty matters and asking them risks doing more harm than good. MCPS needs to find a better way to get this information than polling 5r year olds.

The students' survey was only for grades 4 and up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

I completely agree with you, and even tried to answer the survey questions, BUT they're asking me about things of which I have 0 knowledge and can't honestly answer or provide any meaningful insight. I don't personally attend MCPS and my kids are too young to provide this information. I agree racism is an issue, but I don't think this survey will do much of anything to help combat these problems.

I see where you're coming from, but we have to start somewhere, and they're using this as a way to get on the ground perspective. It's OK to acknowledge that you have no knowledge of it, because as long as you made a solid effort, that's fine because every answer/data point helps. There's no way that MCPS can just remove mass amounts of people from the list because it grows so big, so they just follow the default. Also, re the "my kids are too young" argument, studies show that kids start having racial preferences ingrained in them from the time they're 2 years old, I believe. Parents of color have to teach their kids about racism almost from the minute they come out of the womb - they have no choice as to the timing of it.

That's a shame, but still my 5 year old won't have meaningful insights into these weighty matters and asking them risks doing more harm than good. MCPS needs to find a better way to get this information than polling 5r year olds.

The students' survey was only for grades 4 and up.

As I posted above, I can't answer these questions since I don't personally attend MCPS and will need to get input from my child that does who is 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

I completely agree with you, and even tried to answer the survey questions, BUT they're asking me about things of which I have 0 knowledge and can't honestly answer or provide any meaningful insight. I don't personally attend MCPS and my kids are too young to provide this information. I agree racism is an issue, but I don't think this survey will do much of anything to help combat these problems.

I see where you're coming from, but we have to start somewhere, and they're using this as a way to get on the ground perspective. It's OK to acknowledge that you have no knowledge of it, because as long as you made a solid effort, that's fine because every answer/data point helps. There's no way that MCPS can just remove mass amounts of people from the list because it grows so big, so they just follow the default. Also, re the "my kids are too young" argument, studies show that kids start having racial preferences ingrained in them from the time they're 2 years old, I believe. Parents of color have to teach their kids about racism almost from the minute they come out of the womb - they have no choice as to the timing of it.

That's a shame, but still my 5 year old won't have meaningful insights into these weighty matters and asking them risks doing more harm than good. MCPS needs to find a better way to get this information than polling 5r year olds.

The students' survey was only for grades 4 and up.

As I posted above, I can't answer these questions since I don't personally attend MCPS and will need to get input from my child that does who is 5.

Agree, I can't honestly discuss what goes on at the school with any certainty and need to ask my kids. I'm all for improving equity and addressing systemic racism but this survey seems a bit misguided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and many other DCUM threads is exactly why the anti-racism audit survey is needed. It takes a lot of privilege to complain about how much getting those emails bother you compared to other constant pieces of communication MCPS send out when 1) you can delete them and 2) there are probably people from all backgrounds who are craving the chance to speak honestly about their experiences. Look at how popular the "Black at B-CC" "Black at Whitman" accounts were - we can't support equity and diversity unless we create accountability, which was the main theme of those posts ("nothing was done to help me in that situation" or "I'm not doing well because I don't feel genuinely affirmed in this environment and I spend more time here than at home in the course of a typical week"). Think deep down about exactly why those emails bother y'all and other ones don't - for once, you aren't centered, it rightly calls into question your daily experiences/habits, and for once, people who have been undermined are getting what they deserve. It is individuals with mindsets like yours who are going to hurt our county's rep - just because you're liberal or "progressive", doesn't mean you express that selectively or not support causes such as this.

Thanks for calling this out, PP. This thread has been really embarrassing.

I completely agree with you, and even tried to answer the survey questions, BUT they're asking me about things of which I have 0 knowledge and can't honestly answer or provide any meaningful insight. I don't personally attend MCPS and my kids are too young to provide this information. I agree racism is an issue, but I don't think this survey will do much of anything to help combat these problems.

I see where you're coming from, but we have to start somewhere, and they're using this as a way to get on the ground perspective. It's OK to acknowledge that you have no knowledge of it, because as long as you made a solid effort, that's fine because every answer/data point helps. There's no way that MCPS can just remove mass amounts of people from the list because it grows so big, so they just follow the default. Also, re the "my kids are too young" argument, studies show that kids start having racial preferences ingrained in them from the time they're 2 years old, I believe. Parents of color have to teach their kids about racism almost from the minute they come out of the womb - they have no choice as to the timing of it.

Parents who are not of color also need to teach their children specifically. Humans are programmed from caveman days that different is bad, and it will pop out of a 3 year old's mouth that so-and-so is dark or brown or has different hair. This is not because parents are racist. It is important to explain these differences in a positive light if you really want an anti-racist baby. A lot of people who are not of color don't think to do this. Yes, privilege.