Reply to Diversity of schools - can this work both ways? Am I being unreasonable?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]here are better questions: are you overlooking/opting out of your closest neighborhood school or otherwise making school choices for reasons that when you really take a hard look at them are fundamentally demographic in nature?
what is the threshold that personally makes you uncomfortable and are there options that make sense for you and your child (e.g., geographic proximity etc.) where you can get maybe a little bit more uncomfortable?
the nice white parents podcast etc. basically found on average white parents are uncomfortable with middle schools that are less than 26% white.  it is not entirely lost on me that maps entirely to deal, hardy, latin, basis (the same set of middle schools that a lot of dc urban moms posters repeatedly claim are the "acceptable" ones that they would be willing to consider).

[/quote]

OP here.

The answer to the first is potentially yes (this is all in the future, decisions haven’t been made yet). Or at least, that’s the scenario I’m anticipating.

The second - certainly we’re reviewing all options. I’m just trying to be honest - it’d be so easy to come up with some excuse as to why Dunbar, for example, isn’t in the mix. But truly, honestly, I think it’s demographics.

Your point about all the “acceptable” options on DCUM is well taken. And I bet most/many UMC white parents would have other reasons why those schools are “better” but I think we all know that many of them would be singing a different tune if race wasn’t a factor at all. It’s not some giant coincidence. And I’m trying my best to be aware of that and honest about it and how that shows up in my own feelings and my own life. I mean, we’re past the whole “I don’t see color” crap from the 90s right? That’s not the path for an ally either. Honesty feels like a start.

In answer to your question - certainly 10% and I wouldn’t balk. 5%? I’m not sure. 15 kids out of 300? That’s probably around the line for me. There are other demographic factors too. A few people have mentioned class - it’s an interesting spin off. Would you send your kid to 99% economically disadvantaged school. Also 5% white is going to feel different, I would think, if the other 95% is super homogeneous, that might be harder to swallow than if there were lots of different races and ethnicities represented.

I also have seen I think 2-3 people simply call out that this is racist or I want to be an ally but I’m actually not. I appreciate your candor. I know I can do better and I should do better. Maybe I’m not a true ally because I’m even asking this. But I can say at least that I’m trying. [/quote]

OP, you are using a lot of hypotheticals. I find it's very hard to even have an honest conversation with *yourself* when using hypotheticals. what is the actual decision that you are trying to make?[/quote]

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