Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there are essentially no black kids in their school? It's my understanding that the few black kids at whitman are leaving for private, AND that the principal has made it a mission to create an inclusive student body that doesn't target anyone because of their differences. This is a laudible goal, but is it possible for him to be successful in that goal when there's no diversity to speak of at the school? I'm hoping he can make progress, obviously, but am upset that the little diversity there was is now basically nonexistent.

It's 33 percent minority; how is that "basically nonexistent "?

Anonymous wrote:China is LTAO at this Great Little Debate in American “education.”

Anonymous wrote:China is LTAO at this Great Little Debate in American “education.”

Anonymous wrote:China is LTAO at this Great Little Debate in American “education.”

Anonymous wrote:Gee there is no way to promote inclusivity at Whitman unless you bus poor minority kids out of Einstein into Whitman. Until white people houses in Einstein are worth the same as white people houses in Bethesda, there just can be no inclusivity. Priorities people, let the white DCC people pat themselves on the back AND make a bit of money. If you believe that you are so racially sensitive because you bought a house in the DCC then stand in front of the mirror and tell yourself I am a part of the problem too. I am a hypocrite. My hypocrisy is hurting minorities not helping. Own it and change.

If you honestly want to address racism YOU need to separate politics from understanding racial bias and inclusivity. Things like bussing, affirmative action, or reparations are all mechanisms defined in politics to address racism. It is perfectly legitimate to agree or disagree with whether those mechanisms solve the problem without being racist or being a racist. Pro-choice or pro-life positions are mechanisms to deal with unwanted pregnancy. No one would claim that pro choice people are religiously intolerant of Catholics because more Catholics are pro-choice. When you scream that someone is racist because they do not agree with your political views or methods to address a problem you are part of the problem. You also allow racism to run rampant within your own community.

You also have to admit that the problems of racial bias and white privilege is in no way limited to black people. Asian bashing is celebrated within MCPS. Latinos, Jewish kids, muslim kids and LGBT kids also experience racism. Is the history different? Sure. Does this mean that you focus on only one minority group? No. Do minority groups behave and think in racist manners toward other minority groups? Hell yes. The AA has a high % of anti-LGTB folks. Asians and AA do not get along. AA will move out of areas when latinos move in. Latinos tend to be anti-LGTB too.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I don’t think black kids are the only barometer of diversity, but I’m asking about black kids because that’s the demographic that I’ve heard is leaving. There’s plenty of anti Semitism too but I don’t think the Jews are fleeing. That doesn’t mean I don’t value diversity in all its forms or think black kids are the only targets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there are essentially no black kids in their school? It's my understanding that the few black kids at whitman are leaving for private, AND that the principal has made it a mission to create an inclusive student body that doesn't target anyone because of their differences. This is a laudible goal, but is it possible for him to be successful in that goal when there's no diversity to speak of at the school? I'm hoping he can make progress, obviously, but am upset that the little diversity there was is now basically nonexistent.

Read the book, Raising White Kids. It’s good for teachers too. The author moved from somewhere diverse like NYC to somewhere in Iowa...that’s not. And she has tips for those situations too.

I appreciate you as a staff person OP, who cares about the kids. White kids who are not taught how to how to exist in a diverse culture will be disadvantaged as adults.

How is reading a book helpful and telling your kids about diversity if you don't live in a mixed community? The same goes for an all black or hispanic or asian community as well. Many people deliberately live in communities with similar people (some because of financial, some comfort). Its not just white kids who are not taught diversity. And, white kids can be poor as well. Your post makes no sense. You are also living in a bubble. Its not something you can teach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there are essentially no black kids in their school? It's my understanding that the few black kids at whitman are leaving for private, AND that the principal has made it a mission to create an inclusive student body that doesn't target anyone because of their differences. This is a laudible goal, but is it possible for him to be successful in that goal when there's no diversity to speak of at the school? I'm hoping he can make progress, obviously, but am upset that the little diversity there was is now basically nonexistent.

Read the book, Raising White Kids. It’s good for teachers too. The author moved from somewhere diverse like NYC to somewhere in Iowa...that’s not. And she has tips for those situations too.

I appreciate you as a staff person OP, who cares about the kids. White kids who are not taught how to how to exist in a diverse culture will be disadvantaged as adults.

Anonymous wrote:there are essentially no black kids in their school? It's my understanding that the few black kids at whitman are leaving for private, AND that the principal has made it a mission to create an inclusive student body that doesn't target anyone because of their differences. This is a laudible goal, but is it possible for him to be successful in that goal when there's no diversity to speak of at the school? I'm hoping he can make progress, obviously, but am upset that the little diversity there was is now basically nonexistent.

Anonymous wrote:there are essentially no black kids in their school? It's my understanding that the few black kids at whitman are leaving for private, AND that the principal has made it a mission to create an inclusive student body that doesn't target anyone because of their differences. This is a laudible goal, but is it possible for him to be successful in that goal when there's no diversity to speak of at the school? I'm hoping he can make progress, obviously, but am upset that the little diversity there was is now basically nonexistent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids who express racist views at the majority white MoCo middle school where I teach learn it so early they don't really understand it. Then, when their beliefs are called into question they become incredibly defensive because accepting that those beliefs are wrong means rejecting their parents and the people at their country clubs. It's really tragic, all the more so because the few students of color inevitably accept and excuse the behavior of their friends in order to fit in. Personally, I'm really glad Whitman's principal is focusing on character education, but I agree with others: it's hard to combat what kids are learning at home.

Their parents move heaven and earth to buy into a W school specifically because of demographics. That speaks volumes about their beliefs and values.

This thread prompted me to check out the demographics of other schools. Wooton has a rather sizable Asian demographic. Interestingly, I've had friends from down county criticize our high school as being "too white/not diverse," yet it seems far more diverse than the Whitman. (Talking about Sherwood.)

Sherwood may be classified as down county but they are not downcountry nor very diverse and many downcountry move out there for the same reason.

People on this board are so misinformed and like to make ignorant uninformed comments. Sherwood is NOT classified as Downcounty, nor has it ever been.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04503.pdf