Doesn't it take diversity of all kinds to make it truly diverse.

Anonymous wrote:PP, I just feel sorry for you, plain and simple. It must be exhausting to carry that hate and anger around all day every day. I hear what you are saying, but the fact is you don't change people's minds or make progress by shouting like a child and meeting nasty remarks with your own nastiness. I assume because you are on this forum that you have children. Is THIS what you are teaching them? Don't you think you should do better? Do you think it would be okay for me to tell my son that because you were on here spouting hatred that it is okay to secretly say "screw those racist black people, most of them will never like us so why bother?" That seems to be what you are saying. Where does that get you?

I personally don't care what you say to your son. I only have responsibility over my own child and what goes on in my house which is my buisness. I don't care about what you think, the proof is in the pudding and I'm not shouting like a child I'm expressing my views like many of you

I was at a gathering on Sunday with a former Assistant Sup of high schools under Dr. Janey. He asked if Eastern was diverse and my response was no. So he seemed genuine surprised and I asked why? He said that he is friends with a person who was overseeing Eastern's IB criteria.

The gentlemen said that Eastern's inaugural class of IB students will be significantly strong if granted IB. Eastern's IB review was extremely well planned and for it to be 98% AA, that Eastern has set the bar high for comprehensive schools.

In actuality you really don't need a diverse school in DCPS to justify progression. It is like you don't need to have college/universities to proclaim diversity as a success. Case in point historically black college/universities are ranked comparably with their white counter-parts. So let Wilson hold the claim to fame of being a great diverse high school. There's another title of being a great school that is predominantly all AA aint too bad to have in their favor. A blue ribbon school title for a predominantly AA high school is not too far-fetched.

What is being experienced at the elementary school level has spread all the way to high-school level. That's why the Chancellor has felt the need to disperse Spingarn students to Eastern. They have relaunched and retooled Eastern to the Ward 6 specs. They forsaked an earlier group of neighborhood children so that a more diverse school population would attend. Yet, the whites said that Eastern wasn't ready, DCPS waited around for year two. Whites are still frowning upon Eastern within the Cap-hill neighborhood. So, DCPS has decided the true boundary kids deserve better, hence giving the majority AA school population a deserving chance. Kaya and Vincent can't deny their heritage or prefernces.

That MF poster has gone to the deep end for sure. What's wrong w her?

Anonymous wrote:And you probably are a black person with I white partner with mixed kids or come from that situation. My statements are very clear. I would not have said any of that if the remarks weren't made first. I didn't say all white people just the whit people who think like that! You probably aren't even black at all you just posted you were! And to the white middle class family living in the black neighborhood, I have white friends as well, and gay friends but I'm not gay and I don't approve of it but I don't condem. I also have black friends and family who have thoughts, jobs and lifestyles I don't agree with. I don't care if you think I'm a racist or not. I'm speaking the truth for myself and those who wouldn't say so themselves because I KNOW how they feel because of prior conversations. Again, anything to deviate from the truth

So you're not only a racist, you're homophobic too. Wow, what an interesting combination coming from an individual whining about discrimination. I hope that you're not passing this hatred on to your children.

Okay, since I don't consign with your racism I'm not black. LOL! Lady, you are a piece of work. Next you're going to say, "That I'm secretly a White Supremacist." No one is trying to deviate from the truth. Yes, DCPS has a long history of racial and class segregation. I was born and raised in DC. I'm probably old enough to be your mother. I attended DC Public Schools. Despite the racist beliefs that certain individuals have (including yourself), I don't walk around with this chip on my shoulder. I live in a diverse neighborhood, I attend a diverse church, and I have friends from all over the world. Racism doesn't dictate my life nor does it consume it. Are there some racist white people in DC of course just like there are some racist black people in DC. I'm not naive. I've been around long enough and I traveled the world to know that nothing good comes from hatred. All of your negative energy could be better spent at joining the PTA at your child's school, a social justice organization, or volunteering your time to racial justice since you claim to be so passionate about it. However, you have to get rid of your bigotry if you want people to take you seriously.

I won't waste any more time entertaining your bitter soul. I have one last thing to say to you, "Be the change that you want to see in the world (Gandhi)."

PP, I just feel sorry for you, plain and simple. It must be exhausting to carry that hate and anger around all day every day. I hear what you are saying, but the fact is you don't change people's minds or make progress by shouting like a child and meeting nasty remarks with your own nastiness. I assume because you are on this forum that you have children. Is THIS what you are teaching them? Don't you think you should do better? Do you think it would be okay for me to tell my son that because you were on here spouting hatred that it is okay to secretly say "screw those racist black people, most of them will never like us so why bother?" That seems to be what you are saying. Where does that get you?

You know what? And if I AM a racist or perceived as one, sooooooooooooo what! All the racist shit that is said on this list serve either out right or undertones against AA's, and stereotype on FARMS, then I'm right in my element!!!!! Carry on.....

And you probably are a black person with I white partner with mixed kids or come from that situation. My statements are very clear. I would not have said any of that if the remarks weren't made first. I didn't say all white people just the whit people who think like that! You probably aren't even black at all you just posted you were! And to the white middle class family living in the black neighborhood, I have white friends as well, and gay friends but I'm not gay and I don't approve of it but I don't condem. I also have black friends and family who have thoughts, jobs and lifestyles I don't agree with. I don't care if you think I'm a racist or not. I'm speaking the truth for myself and those who wouldn't say so themselves because I KNOW how they feel because of prior conversations. Again, anything to deviate from the truth

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Banneker question is out there though. What say those who avoid Banneker? I know what is said to me privately by those I know with HS aged children, and it had nothing to do with SES. Many have admitted that they and their children would never consider Banneker because they feel uncomfortable with the idea of possibly being the "only." I know exactly what is meant by that and I personally think that it's sad.

Banneker, SWW, Wilson, Ellington, McKinley, parochial and independent schools are ALL on my list. The jury is still out on the charter high schools. Our HS choice will be based on course offerings, not pigment.

Here's why we won't consider Banneker - it isn't that good. See the SAT scores for the previous graduating class - and this from an application high school.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/186327.page

OMG! According to your link, my children are doomed since we make just under $200K.

I think you really should visit all of these schools and encourage your child do a shadow day before you conclude anything. If you are only looking at numbers, then you better hightail it to the suburbs or to a private school. DCPS and the charters are not for you.

Funny thing is when a white parent doesn't want their white child to be "the only one" in the school their being responsible parents looking out for their child's best interest. When a black parent or minority has the same concerns they have "a chip on their shoulder" or are going against the grain. I would LOVE for my kids to go to school without white kids. This is the first year my kids have gone to a school with almost half of the students and with only two weeks in the school year, there was a letter sent home of an outbreak of damn lice! Nasty fuckers! If we really got a fair share and could have schools in bad neighborhoods or black neighborhood that were academically equipt, I would NEVER send my kids to school with whites PERIOD! Call my post what you want. I'm not racist, I just don't want myself or my family to be where we are not wanted and since so many of you (not all) have a problem with expressing your true feelings unless in private, I don't wanna be around you mutha f#*kas unless I ABSOLUTLY have to!

Can someone help me translate this?



I think it reads:

Being the "lonely only" is recognized in all communities as difficult. Therefore, I don't want my children to ever interact with anyone different from them. I want them to be in a cocoon. Furthermore, I want them to only be exposed to people of their same race. (Can I also control for religion? What about being gay/straight?) Oh, now that I think about it, they can only speak English. Or Spanish. But not both, because that's a compromise that pisses me off. What if I could demand that they are vegetarians? Or vegans? Or at least single-parent families who agree with my politics, and sew, knit, or tape their own clothing? I got a letter about lice and I can't make any sense of or about it, but I'm freaked out to the point of being incomprehensible. So, can I use that as an excuse to demand racial segregation? Because I'm not a racist, but I just know that anyone I don't like is a "mutha f#*kas"

Did I miss anything?

Yep! You got it. That lice shit did freak me out just like most white people sending their child to an all AA would freak them out! Just like moving to a black neighborhood would freak out a white person too just as long as we stay in our place long enough for them to raise the rent and buy up all the property and push us out. Again, I'm not racist and I think I speak for most black people when I say "if you leave us alone, we would leave you alone" but that's not the case is it? I didn't say I didn't want my child to live in a cacoon and not be around other races or religions. I just don't want to live or be around most white people because in reality, most of y'all don't want to be around us and what what you don't know and black people don't say all the time is that he feeling is very mutual. We send our kids to your schools reluctantly because the facilities are better and sadly there is more money spent on developing a surrounding education. If all schools had the same standards, there wouldn't be so much back and forth about AA, SES and so forth!! Bottom line, I don't want to be where I'm not wanted period reguardless the race, religion or etc. There are also some blacks I don't want to be around cause they discust me to for personal reasons and I would avoid as well but as for the racial issue, all you white muth f#ckas that don't want to be around blacks, trust me we don't want to be around y'all's asses neither. We just tolerate it!!! Now translator, translate that.

WOW! So, let me get this straight...you're a black racist who hates white racist?

I'm sorry you don't speak for most black people. Your racist venom is no better than some of the white folks who come here posting hateful messages either. Hate is hate and it comes in all colors. Thankfully, I'm the type of black person who would never associate with the likes of you because I don't entertain racists. I don't paint an entire race of people with a broad brush. Suppose people will paint all of us black women as irrational and bitter due to your posts? Why resort to name calling, racial outbursts, and profanity to get your point across?

Diversity is a beautiful thing I wish you will learn to experience it!

Anonymous wrote:Rubbing shoulders is not the problem, it is when other are trying to rub you out. That's when you might rub people the wrong way. See, you have said it "more middle class families" like it should hold more weight than a poor family. It's a public education, which the last time I have seen it to be was FREE.

10:46 didn't say that and you know it, so let's be clear.


Regarding more middle class families, that wasn't my remark but I think I know what the poster meant. Look, there are TONS of data which tell us there is a critical SES tipping point in schools. It's better for everyone - middle class and less-advantaged - when that line isn't crossed. Solid majorities of middle class students/families/values/expectations serve everyone best, especially the less fortunate. There's nothing sinister in wanting to optimize the system to benefit everyone.

Rubbing shoulders is not the problem, it is when other are trying to rub you out. That's when you might rub people the wrong way. See, you have said it "more middle class families" like it should hold more weight than a poor family. It's a public education, which the last time I have seen it to be was FREE.

Anonymous wrote:I call these threads the If Only discussions. You know it's "if only there was a way we could shield ourselves from certain people." Today it's FARMs. Tomorrow it's SPED.

It really is a shame that there are so many beautifully behaved, gifted children, at least based on the discussions here, that are being deprived because of FARMers, etc. (sarcasm)

Sigh. I don't know where everyone else lives, but I live in this city with all sorts. I knew this when I moved here had children. Luckily, there are more and more middle class families who have planted a flag and are willing to rub shoulders with those who were here when they arrived.

YES

Anonymous wrote:Ya know what, it's my turn to rant.

I'm sick and tired of hearing about FARMS. I am sick and tired of hearing all the complaining, whining and blaming. I could give a damn what race FARMS are.

Lemme tell ya, I grew up in a dirt poor home, my dad was the son of immigrants, abused as a child, bipolar and a drunk. He left us when I was 5 years old. My mom came from a broken home, she was raised by a single mom who was the pariah of her community, and she in turn also raised us as a single mom. We were shipwrecked in a backward dirt poor coal mining town in the middle of nowhere, with no opportunities. There was no low income housing, we had to room with strangers because we couldn't afford an apartment. We lived on rice and beans. I worked two, three and four part time minimum wage jobs at a time, scrubbing pots and pans, pumping gas, painting houses, cashier, you name it. I didn't sit on the stoop sucking on a 40 ounce, I didn't sit around BSing and smoking blunts all night and get up at noon, I worked my ass off. I managed to put myself through college, managed to get out of that hell hole town, worked and worked my ass off to get ahead in one job after another, paid off my loans, put myself through grad school, waited til I was financially sound before having babies and now I have that family and own my home.

That's how you do it. I saw I had a problem, so I fixed it. You don't sit around waiting for someone else to fix your damn problem for you. As the old folks say, the Good Lord helps those who help themselves.

+1 I grew up working class poor too and have busted my ass my whole life. If it is racist to point out that people could be doing more for themselves, so be it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Banneker question is out there though. What say those who avoid Banneker? I know what is said to me privately by those I know with HS aged children, and it had nothing to do with SES. Many have admitted that they and their children would never consider Banneker because they feel uncomfortable with the idea of possibly being the "only." I know exactly what is meant by that and I personally think that it's sad.

Banneker, SWW, Wilson, Ellington, McKinley, parochial and independent schools are ALL on my list. The jury is still out on the charter high schools. Our HS choice will be based on course offerings, not pigment.

Here's why we won't consider Banneker - it isn't that good. See the SAT scores for the previous graduating class - and this from an application high school.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/186327.page

OMG! According to your link, my children are doomed since we make just under $200K.

I think you really should visit all of these schools and encourage your child do a shadow day before you conclude anything. If you are only looking at numbers, then you better hightail it to the suburbs or to a private school. DCPS and the charters are not for you.

Funny thing is when a white parent doesn't want their white child to be "the only one" in the school their being responsible parents looking out for their child's best interest. When a black parent or minority has the same concerns they have "a chip on their shoulder" or are going against the grain. I would LOVE for my kids to go to school without white kids. This is the first year my kids have gone to a school with almost half of the students and with only two weeks in the school year, there was a letter sent home of an outbreak of damn lice! Nasty fuckers! If we really got a fair share and could have schools in bad neighborhoods or black neighborhood that were academically equipt, I would NEVER send my kids to school with whites PERIOD! Call my post what you want. I'm not racist, I just don't want myself or my family to be where we are not wanted and since so many of you (not all) have a problem with expressing your true feelings unless in private, I don't wanna be around you mutha f#*kas unless I ABSOLUTLY have to!

Can someone help me translate this?



I think it reads:

Being the "lonely only" is recognized in all communities as difficult. Therefore, I don't want my children to ever interact with anyone different from them. I want them to be in a cocoon. Furthermore, I want them to only be exposed to people of their same race. (Can I also control for religion? What about being gay/straight?) Oh, now that I think about it, they can only speak English. Or Spanish. But not both, because that's a compromise that pisses me off. What if I could demand that they are vegetarians? Or vegans? Or at least single-parent families who agree with my politics, and sew, knit, or tape their own clothing? I got a letter about lice and I can't make any sense of or about it, but I'm freaked out to the point of being incomprehensible. So, can I use that as an excuse to demand racial segregation? Because I'm not a racist, but I just know that anyone I don't like is a "mutha f#*kas"

Did I miss anything?

Yep! You got it. That lice shit did freak me out just like most white people sending their child to an all AA would freak them out! Just like moving to a black neighborhood would freak out a white person too just as long as we stay in our place long enough for them to raise the rent and buy up all the property and push us out. Again, I'm not racist and I think I speak for most black people when I say "if you leave us alone, we would leave you alone" but that's not the case is it? I didn't say I didn't want my child to live in a cacoon and not be around other races or religions. I just don't want to live or be around most white people because in reality, most of y'all don't want to be around us and what what you don't know and black people don't say all the time is that he feeling is very mutual. We send our kids to your schools reluctantly because the facilities are better and sadly there is more money spent on developing a surrounding education. If all schools had the same standards, there wouldn't be so much back and forth about AA, SES and so forth!! Bottom line, I don't want to be where I'm not wanted period reguardless the race, religion or etc. There are also some blacks I don't want to be around cause they discust me to for personal reasons and I would avoid as well but as for the racial issue, all you white muth f#ckas that don't want to be around blacks, trust me we don't want to be around y'all's asses neither. We just tolerate it!!! Now translator, translate that.

Just. . .wow. I am white and live in a majority black neighborhood. I am friendly with all of my neighbors. They know me and my kid, I know them and their kids, and we look out for each other. There are some bad elements and guess what? Most of my neighbors don't like them either and would be glad to see them leave. My child goes to a majority AA/Latino school where he is one of maybe 10 white kids. He has black and Latino friends and we get along fine with their parents. People like YOU are the reason that white middle class people like my family are trepidatious about putting down roots in this city. Thank god our fear were not realized in our neighborhood and I hope you don't live there. You sound absolutely awful. Your race/class resentment is telling and you are every bit as racist as a white person expressing the same sentiments toward the black or Latino community. We are not going away, and we are not all rich gentrifiers. I live in a home I paid $285K for that is constantly in need of repair and our HHI places us solidly in the middle class of DC.

Signed,
A white mutha f#cka who thinks you need to do some soul searching.