Meeting addresses inequities in schools
Charleston NAACP, community members concerned about racism, Ravenel comments
The Post and Courier
Video
School District Town Hall Meeting
Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III talks about the recent controversies with the Charleston County School Board.
If you go
The Charleston NAACP invites community members to come to the Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun St., at 4 p.m. Monday to rally before going to the Charleston County School Board meeting at 5:15 p.m. at 75 Calhoun St.
A passionate and charged-up group of mostly black residents say the Charleston County School Board has created racial injustices that have gone on long enough and that it's time to mobilize the community.
They are preparing lawsuits to fight what they see as unequal treatment of district students. And they want residents to show their support at Monday's school board meeting.
A town hall meeting was sparked by school board member Arthur Ravenel Jr.'s use of the word "bitch" in reference to schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley, but the issues discussed by the more than 60 residents there went far beyond that incident.
A repeated theme throughout the spirited, nearly two-hour meeting was the need for the community to speak out on inequities within the school system and demand that officials hear their perspective and make changes. Organized groups, such as the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and area branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, as well as ministers, residents, state representatives and parents took part in the meeting at Emanuel AME Church.
"This is the last gasp of a racist system, and at the end is when they fight the hardest," said Nelson Rivers III, the national director of field operations for the NAACP and a Burke High graduate. "This school district, more than any other in the state, insists on treating black students as second-class citizens. We're going to stop this foolishness in
Charleston, South Carolina this year."
The Charleston NAACP has two attorneys working on lawsuits, one of which seeks an injunction that would prevent money from going to the new Charleston Charter School for Math & Science that plans to open on the former Rivers Middle School campus this fall. They hope to stop the charter school from moving into free, district-provided trailers.
Many present Thursday see the new charter school as a publicly funded private school that will enable wealthy, white parents to reclaim the once-segregated Rivers High and separate their children from minority students. Charter school organizers say minority students are the majority at their new school, and they repeatedly have said they want, and state law requires, racial diversity in their school. They say their goal is to create a quality public school on the peninsula.
The second lawsuit challenges the legislation that calls on the district to provide anything to a charter school that it would otherwise provide to a traditional public school, said Dot Scott, president of the Charleston NAACP.
Nothing has been filed yet, and Scott would not say which attorneys were working on the cases. But she said attorneys had been working on the lawsuits for at least a month and that they could be filed "any day now."
Scott encouraged as many community members as possible to attend the school board meeting on Monday and speak out about the problems they see, whether it's the special treatment given to the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science or inappropriate comments made by school board members, she said.
Rivers said the school board has gotten too comfortable and that it should never be at peace. The community needs to disrupt that peace, he said.
"If we voice indignation and outrage, they will not act in the same way," he said.
During the meeting, attendees were asked to register to vote. The Rev. Joe Darby, 1st vice president of the Charleston NAACP, said the school board election in November is a crucial one, particularly when folks such as former state Rep. John Graham Altman plan to run. Darby asked anyone who was interested in seeking office to come forward.
Petitions were passed around the room for attendees to take home and to church, and those will be compiled and presented to the county school board on Monday. The petitions called on officials to censure Ravenel for his "profane words and threatening behavior" and to condemn board Vice Chairwoman Nancy Cook and member Ray Toler for "their complicity in trying to hide the truth."
Last week, a group led by the Charleston NAACP demanded Ravenel resign.
Five board members and McGinley confirmed that Ravenel told a district employee he had gotten rid of one "bitch," former superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson, and would get rid of another, referencing McGinley. Ravenel initially denied but later admitted to using the word but has said he can't remember the context in which he used it.
Some attendees pledged their support for McGinley and the need to get behind her because some might be planning to force her to leave the district.
The night ended with the group holding hands, singing "We Shall Overcome" and praying that they would remain determined to fight against racism, sexism, bigotry and inequity.
Reach Diette Courrégé at dcourrege@postandcourier.com or 937-5546.
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Comments
Cid95 (anonymous) says...
So, they don't want a school to open downtown which seems to offer a chance for higher academic achievement and standards for hard-working students.
That pretty much tells you what they DO want.
June 6, 2008 at 3:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH .... "new charter school as a publicly funded private school that will enable wealthy, white parents to reclaim the once-segregated Rivers High and separate their children from minority students."
WEALTHY WHITE PEOPLE DON'T SEND THEIR KIDS TO CCSD SCHOOLS. THESE ARE PARENTS THAT CAN'T AFFORD THAT SO WHATS THE PROBLEM? THEIR SUPPOSED TO KEEP SENDING THEIR KIDS TO BURKE, N.C., STALL, AND THE OTHER FAILING PREDOMINATELY BLACK SCHOOLS WHERE THEIR KIDS FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES?? WHO CAN LEARN IN THAT ENVIRONMENT. HEY DOT WE DON'T WANT OUR KIDS TURNING OUT LIKE YOUR KIDS. WATCH THE NEWS, DRIVE BY PUBLIC HOUSING,GO TO CHUCKY CHEESE!
June 6, 2008 at 6:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jon62 (anonymous) says...
Please!!! the naacp is a antiquated racist group that is more like the KKK than they realize! Just try calling a African American a colored person and see what breaks loose. As for holding hands and singing "we shall over come" just sounds like they were pandering to the press that was there.
June 6, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barney13 (anonymous) says...
If they were really interested in inequality then they would wonder why white students are attacked and harrassed in 'their' schools. I went to an all-white school with one black person. Do you think he was harrassed for the color of his skin. NO!!!! He was accepted and actually ran with the 'popular clique'. Put a white child in an all black school and you'll be lucky if they don't come out that day in an ambulance. Perhaps instead of looking to 'whitey' for all your problems you need to look within, and if you want equality...you need to give it. Maybe you should address why africans in all countries lag behind in education and surge ahead in destructiveness and violence.
June 6, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCgal (anonymous) says...
CCSD is improving and offering a better educational oppoortunty and choice for it's students and some want to complain about this?
What exactly is the complaint?
Has the school even opened yet and is an enrollment roster available?
June 6, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missthang (anonymous) says...
Y'all white folks are hilarious.
June 6, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCgal (anonymous) says...
"speak out about the problems they see, whether it's the special treatment given to the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science or inappropriate comments made by school board members"
More like the problems some are trying to create, IMO~~
June 6, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Riptide (anonymous) says...
Martin Luther King wanted all of us to judge people by the contend of their character not the color of one's skin. Calling someone a bitch is way to describe one's character, it has nothing to do with the color of a person's skin. Could it be that Nancy McGinley is truly a bitch? I've known a few in my life and some of the them will actually admit to it. At times I can be a real horse's ass and under certain situations I'll admit I'm a real ass. Pulling the race card is a weak argument in a heated debate over issues. If the NAACP is to remain credible with people, they got to stop using the race card every time people disagree over issues or the contend of one's character.
June 6, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newbattleaxe (anonymous) says...
"During the meeting, attendees were asked to register to vote." Here's hoping everyone on the other side of the Math & Science Charter School issue is already registered and will vote next week AND in November. Maybe there are enough of us to outvote these narrowminded, bigoted people.
June 6, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Roget (anonymous) says...
I find it troubling when a group of people, regardless of race, spend valuable energy and time lambasting a system which is not the source of their perceived inequality. In this case, instead of spewing rhetoric and blaming others for their perceived troubles, their time would be better spent reading to their children, teaching them manners and respect, holding them accountable, and making them understand that everyone is responsible for their own success or failure. Emotions to often get in the way of facts, and the NAACP has found it easier to look for specks in others eyes instead of taking the logs out of their own.
June 6, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlm (anonymous) says...
The stale and out of date hate of people like Rev. Wright are still being heard in places like Charleston. Just like Barak Obama, we need to repudiate and move away from the racist and hateful positions of people like the Rev. Joe Darby and Dot Scott. They aren't from here. They don't feel our pain. And they obviously don't care to improve our city schools. Pay no attention to these ugly people.
And the reporter says they want to "censure [one county school board member]...for his 'profane words and threatening behavior.'" What about the assault on a downtown school and community advocate last year that Hillary Douglas, Dot Scott and Ruth Jordan arranged? Nelson Rivers witnessed it. None of these people have any credibility. Given the people involved in this report, this is all about one thing: political power. It has very little to do with improving public education.
My vote is with the charter school people with all 58 of its board that truly represent the people of this city and against the self-serving and mean-spirited Rev. Wright's (Joe Darby's and Dot Scott's) of this world.
June 6, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
I don't see much of an inequity. American public schools suck in general. I mean seriously, this is like trying to compare NFL teams where their respective records are 4-12, 3-13, 5-11, 2-14....sure some are better than others, but if you're a black parent and you look a "white public school" and their standards as the goal for your child, your sights are set way too low. Black America, wake up, your communities would benefit the most from completely scrapping the public school system and going to a voucher system.
BTW, I've heard all the arguments against privatizing the entire school system and none of them hold water.
June 6, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
belovedbliff (anonymous) says...
I wish NAACP would have the same passion about the abysmal leadership of Burke (middle and the high). It's terrible, but I guess they see two black faces at the helm and just give them a pass.
Come check out the Burke Middle facilities. Come check out the poor leadership. Come check out how kids are promoted to the next grade even when they have failed. Do all of this NAACP and then I will believe that you are really concerned about inequities between black and white students.
June 6, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I agree with tripsa. This crap is getting out of control.
Ravenel was wrong in his comment, but what does his comment have to do with black students being treated as second class citizens?
You tell a child that they are being treated this way, and they will feel and act in this manner.
The NAACP has just been waiting for some excuse to stir up trouble. If they really want to help ALL people then they should back off this, and focus on what the real problems are.
There is no need to list them, as everyone knows where the problems lie.
June 6, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlm (anonymous) says...
What's wrong with this reporter? She can't tell the difference between Macedonia AME Church and Emanuel AME. I know white people say we all look alike, but at least she should have been able to identify the location of this meeting correctly. I wasn't there, but the video shows any awfully sparce crowd without many parents of school aged children. This is spin, people. Nelson Rivers, and others like him, are speaking into any echo chamber. They aren't speaking to issues that concern many concerned black parents.
June 6, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pluffmuddy (anonymous) says...
The only inequities in schools are the differences in parental involvement in their children's education and future. If you wonder who the irresponsible parents are, just look on any street corner and ask the kids who hang-out until all hours of the night. If you want to know who the responsible parents are, you'll have to check the schools' Honor Roll list...
June 6, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrsmomofthree (anonymous) says...
What's wrong with ccsd schools is the lack of parental involvement. We need more parents held accountable for their childrens behavior. Maybe the NAACP should go in to these schools and try to help instead of "bitching". They should also consider a name change......National organization to hang those that use the term bitch. Watch out...
June 6, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charles_Town (anonymous) says...
I really just do not get it. Why hold these type meetings in churches? If these parents want to change something start with their own children and then talking with other parents not doing their job raising children responsibly. Get your children to behave and stay in school. Stop blaming "the system". While I agree some members on the school board need to be replaced not naming names (cough ... Ravenel), take what you have work it to the max and then ask for more. A lot (not all) of problems are the disruptions caused by undisciplined children/students. Fix your children/students discipline problem, teach them to behave, act mannerly, give respect to the others to get respect (teaches, school administrators, adults, each other, etc...). Get them to stay in school and not drop out to street life.
June 6, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Honestly..I'm still trying to figure out why Dot Scott and the cult got involved with this. There are more important things at hand then griping because Art called Nancy a bitch. Big whoop. And I still dont understand how Dot and the cult can be for the advancement of black people but still use the term "colored". Get with the millenium. Just keep in mind, the NAACP and their sometimes wayward way of thinking and reacting does NOT speak for all black people. JMO
June 6, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missthang (anonymous) says...
I don't understand why peopele get so upset over what NAACP is doing or saying. Pay them no attention. I'm black and I don't pay that organization any mind. To me, it's just like the KKK. I ignore well try to ignore stupidity.
June 6, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Wpc..you think only black people do that? Get out a lil more man.
June 6, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
First let me say this. There are a lot of black parents that have drop the ball and are not teaching there children right from wrong. These are the kids that are causing the problems in the schools, because they have no respect for teachers or anyone else.
But please don't crucify all of our children, because we do have children that respect and do well in school. Like a poster stated, check the schools Honor's Roll. My 17, and 6 year old stays on it and are very proud of it.
Those type of pride has not been installed in all children (White, Black, Asian, American Indian or Latinos). It all depends on who there parents are, and what they have taught there children.
NAACP goes to far in some cases. All Nancy had to do was called the old fooled a A z z Holed like she would do her husband or someone in her family, and this hold mess would of been over.
For Jon69...calling a black American a "colored person" is racist. When you use to go out and get your SUN TAN you were coloring your skin, so if someone had called you colored, it would have defended you. So please call me a Black American. Its were I was born and its the country that I spend 20 years protecting.
As for NAACP using "Colored People" in there name, does not mean it represent what black people feel these days. The name was establish in 1909 when the saying of "Colored people" was acceptable, so they used it in the Organizations name as a reference to helping the "Colored people" advance there life in the early 1900's.
June 6, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
when an institution is around, only to keep itself alive, and its only purpose WAS to eliminate oppression... It makes you wonder if said institution should eliminate itself?
June 6, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
allwoman, you have every right to express your opinion without being subjected to name calling.
You are not the only black poster to have expressed your disdain for the NAACP.
No one, regardless of race, needs to have a group speak for them. We have all been blessed with our own individual brains in which we can exercise our right to freedom of speech.
June 6, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GM (anonymous) says...
In1959
You said "So please call me a Black American. Its were I was born and its the country that I spend 20 years protecting."
How about taking a major step forward and just calling yourself "American."
June 6, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mkhaynes (anonymous) says...
I think that what you guys are posting is hope - hope that we can change the way things are, starting from the bottom up. Are there any groups that are more positive about change than the NAACP? Cause I think we all need to get involved in making change happen. We all need to realize that we don't have to listen to what the hate-spewers are spewing. The majority of people in this country care about each other and want everyone to do well. I only wish it was more obvious looking at the news every day.
June 6, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
allwoman, my son is a nice chocolatey brown right now. He is definitely colored. It is only early summer, so he may get even darker.
Should I see if he qualifies for membership in the NAACP? He definitely needs some advancement, along with a swift kick in the butt thrown in for good measure.
June 6, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
orvinc (anonymous) says...
If they demanded half as much from their own children as they do from the state, county, city councel and school board they would have the highest ranked district in the state. Seriously, how many times can you shoot your self in the foot and still have a leg to stand on.
June 6, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
Jon62 wrote: Please!!! the naacp is a antiquated racist group that is more like the KKK than they realize!"
Missthang wrote: "I don't understand why peopele get so upset over what NAACP is doing or saying. Pay them no attention. I'm black and I don't pay that organization any mind. To me, it's just like the KKK."
I feel that NAACP, however misguided they may be, cannot be equated to the KKK, who lynched and killed black men and women and raped black women. And in the 90's the KKK was still burning down black churches right here in South Carolina. Has the NAACP, done that? NO! So both of your comments are RIDICULOUS.
I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, Arthur Ravenel has always been a bigot and a racist. He has never cared about treating all of the residents of South Carolina equally. The good ole boy needs to go somewhere and crawl under a rock. The days of doing and saying anything are over. Ravenel was your typical racist enabler that I heard about in the 60's. Specifically, disallowing blacks the freedom to enjoy life in these United States.
I'm thankful to God that times have changed for the better and that a lot my fellow white South Carolinians are not standing for this type of hypocrisy anymore.
June 6, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jrobinson (anonymous) says...
What is the matter with you black folks here in Charleston. Holding hands singing "We Shall Overcome". These children will never overcome until black leaders here in Charleston stop dwelling on what happened in the past, and work towards a brighter future for these children!!! We have a black man representing the democrats in a run for the presidency, and you are still singing "We Shall Overcome" and responding to statements made by Arthur Ravenel. How can you expect them to think they can overcome, and you act like you are still fighting the same fight you were fighting back in the 60's. The year is 2008. Nobody in this article speaks for me. It's time for each parent to advocate for their own child, and stop looking for these weak azz leaders`to make changes for the better. You people always want to host a dam pity party. "WE HAVE OVERCOME"!!!!
We may not be where we need to be, but we have come a whole lot further than this article. Maybe all of the black leaders in Charleston should take a month off, and go to a city up north, or in the midwest, and they will see the progress that has been made by black people. Come on people!!!
June 6, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
Who invented the idea of race anyway? And why is it skin color? Why don't we refer to the blue eye race, the brown eye race and the green eye race? If you step back and look at it, this is as stupid as it gets. I've filled out plenty of forms where I checked "other" for race and wrote in "human"
June 6, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Greyridrer-
I'm going to start marking other as well...thanks for that little tidbit
Preachlove- good post
June 6, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I always check other, just to mess with their minds.
Is it me, or does anyone else think that Eyes_n_Skies has a keyboard that stcks or stuttering fingers?
June 6, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
Early,
You have people who still uses the work "colored people in a racist way. Why can't we just be called Americans. When 911 happen, there was an all out cry for blacks to be proud Americans, not African Americans.
GM..I always called myself AMERICAN. When I traveled over seas in the Navy, I did not express myself as a black American, but as a proud American. Its in the US that we blacks have to describe ourself. I never liked calling myself African American. I was not born in Africa and then came here and applied for citizenship. But when I fill out forms, I am required to select "Black or African Americn", not just American.
And yes, the NAACP had something to do with the African American label. So let me set the record straight. I don't support the NAACP in anyway. They are always fighting the wrong fight and have not left the 1900's behind. Yes, there always using the race card, and I hate it. I worked hard in school to be someone, and I expected all others to do the same.
June 6, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Dot Scott has to get in the paper at least once a month. This is it until a new cause in July.
June 6, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bpwnz (anonymous) says...
From the article "Charter school organizers say minority students are the majority at their new school"
Where's the issue if that's true?
Also a minority being the majority is self contradicting.
June 6, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
What a joke...naacp is a joke, Dot (I'm a racist) Scott is a joke and the Burke School system is a joke. Lets just find a way to blame everyone but ourselves (naacp motto)and now Cnn and Nbc news , its all about blacks.Obama, instead of change its black black black.ooops African American again another joke, Had to have another name then just American. Nah I'm wrong this is so sad its no longer a joke , it's just pathetic..
June 6, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
squirt16oz (anonymous) says...
What madness! This is not discussion or debate for the good of the system or the kids!! You people-and it's inclusive-I mean black and white YOU people-need to stop the petty political posturing and games and concentrate on improving the quality of education in Charleston, SC!! I guess in the end, you'll all get your way-destroy any semblence of an education system-- while the kids continue to learn nothing, except how to fight and feud to stop ANY progress!
You ALL need a little trip around the shed with your daddies and mommies wielding an elm switch. Might teach you something about getting along and all working in the same direction for the good of all concerned!
June 6, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
idguy (anonymous) says...
jrobinson= good post sir or madame
June 6, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smalls2331 (anonymous) says...
It was so good to be apart of the vision of the future of our children last night at the Town Hall Meeting. This is a time of our life that the School Board have to understand that this is a movement, and somebody got to move. It's time for a change, some people just don't understand that our children means so much to us that we are going to stand on this issue. How good a parent is Ravenel?? His child is a drug dealer and user and someone call him from the police station to warn him about getting busted. But is didn't work. But he still got less time because he's Ravenel son. One day it's going to catch up with you Ravenel, all the dirty stuff you done.Nancy Cook talking abou people girls she better remeber she has girls girls too!!
June 6, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pluffmuddy (anonymous) says...
smalls...,
Effective education is about more than visions and movements!!! Education happens where the rubber meets the road...where students behave and participate in class and respect their teachers...where parents are involved and control their children...where students take responsibility for their own learning and do homework, read, and study. You can wave all the flags you want and get wrapped-up in high-minded eloquence, but until you get serious about understanding how learning takes place, you're just pandering a bunch of fluff. By the way, looks like you could take some remedial spelling and grammar courses for yourself!
June 6, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pluffmuddy (anonymous) says...
...and in case you didn't follow that, I'll spell it out: YOU CAN'T POUR KNOWLEDGE INTO SOMEONE'S HEAD!!! The student must accept his responsibility of LEARNING. This is mighty hard to do if he cuts class, is disruptive when he's there, is too busy chasing skirts or drugs or trying to be cool instead of paying attention and doing his part in the process. If those folks who complain about the failure of their children to "get" an education would work as hard to elevate the importance of it in their community, the problems would disappear!
June 6, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlm (anonymous) says...
JRobinson said it well. When we rely on 2nd rate leaders, we get 2nd rate results. It's time we shake these loosers and do it ourselves.
The charter school parents are doing just that. The problems at Burke have been because we are waiting for others to make the decisions for us. One thing I find interesting about the targets of Ms. Scott, Mr. Darby and Mr. Rivers. They want to stop parents taking charge. They find fault when Whites and Blacks are working together. Now they want to seek ways to set up legal road blocks to a genuine parent initiative.
Don't forget that Ms. Scott's very unremarkable leadership of the local NAACP has done nothing to advance parent concerns about the stripped down curriculum at Burke or CCSD's failure to properly staff downtown schools with qualified teachers. The local NAACP leaders have consistantly ignored Black parents who were discriminated against at Buist and they have also ignored the string of complaints to the Office of Civil Rights that have been filed by downtown parents concerning the inequities between Charleston Progressive and Buist, two magnet schools that are being treated very differently by CCSD.
Why haven't these self proclaimed Black leaders stepped up to the plate to help minority parents? Why wait to do something negative when parents are taking action on their own within the law?
JRobinson, I'm with you.
June 6, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
politicalanalysis (anonymous) says...
What is the NAACP doing here anyway? I thought they were boycotting the state over the flying of the Confederate flag in Columbia! Their "influence" disappeared a long time ago, they are as outdated as some on here have said. They have degenerated into a group that has nothing more to do with their time than be the "racism police", ready to jump the minute someone cries "racism" over the tiniest and insignificant little thing someone says or does, then here come the Justice Brothers (Sharpton and Jackson) to ruin that person's and their family's life forever, and the group's actions have led to protests and riots and violence, just like the actions of the Klan have done over the years. The NAACP hasn't done anything to live up to their name at all. It's up to all of us as Americans (not African-Americans or -Americans) to rise to our potential without needing help from the government or an outdated group like the NAACP.
June 6, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jawjad (anonymous) says...
So once again, here are the Blacks complaining and raising hell about the school system....a system supported by taxes....taxes that Blacks largely don't pay. Hence, they have free schools....and now have the gall to complain about them!! Further, whites are paying for the Black's lunches, books, sports equipment....in essence, everything. Yet, the sense of entitlement is so huge amoung Blacks they feel they are OWED a great school system without contributing any of the money. 70% of Black births are now out-of-wedlock...often to very young women. Now there is a tax base! Yet, blacks wonder why schools don't "work." Once again the real problem is within the Black community (there are Black chidlren starting to school knowing only 90 words.....they will never catch up....for perspective, an elephant can learn 200 words). Note how the NAACP RUNS away from this reality and simply blames "whitey." Keep it up Black Charleston, and you'll run off all the whites who aren't already in private schools. Then you may actually end up having to pay for your schools. Now that would be fitting....and a first..... Finally, and this is a hard truth, the Black community does not value education. In fact, Black kids make life terrible for Black students who do achieve....telling them they've sold out to...."Whitey." Why should White families want their children to mingle with a culture like that? And no, it isn't racism....it is a Black cultural failure that the NAACP and the Black leadedship does not have the courage to address.....and they know it.
June 6, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
I would think that if these folks cared as much about the schools as they claim that they would try to get their own communities involved.
Morningside Middle School in North Charleston services many black kids in its neighborhood. The president of the PTA is a young white woman who lives in the neighborhood and HAS NO CHILDREN. She constantly talks about the difficulty in getting parents involved as do several of the teachers I have met that teach there as well as at North Charleston Elementary and High School. It is pathetic that the only person willing to get involved is not even a parent and other than caring about her neighborhood has no real interest in the school.
If the 60 or so folks who were at this meeting want to really make a difference, figure out how to get the parents of these kids involved in a positive manner in the schools that their kids go to. The school system will remain crummy until the parents of these kids get off there behinds and do something.
June 6, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GM (anonymous) says...
In1959
Having spent 20 years in the Navy myself (Submarines), I understand what you are saying about being a proud American. Most of the countries I visited looked at all of us in one color. GREEN. Unfortunately, our country seems so preoccupied with race. Any suggestions?
June 6, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
I thank God my kids are in private school everyday...
if the ghetto follows us we'll move further out, as I've done for years
I do not sit around waiting for others to "change"... tomorrow may never come, today I make and act on decisions that are best for my children now because time doesn't stand still and we only have one chance at this
sit around and debate all you want, you should be doing something rather than jacking your jaw about what you might do someday someway for some reason because it's someone else's fault
one good thing about these post is we all get to see what other's visions in life are and learn from other view points in life... as funny as this sounds and as much as I debate the race problems at times too, I actually learn a lot from reading the different views from different races here in these forums
I've learned the most from those I've disagreed with the most often... light bulbs come on not when I learn what you believe in, but when I learn why you believe in it
kudo's to all that post no matter what your opinion
June 6, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
echo (anonymous) says...
Hey Math/Science Charter School -
We'd love to have you in District 2. Come on over the profanity-using-crack-smoking bridge and set up camp in the old Wando. There's a whole town of folk here who appreciate a good education and need an extra high school. Leave the racial infighting on the peninsula behind, and feel the D2 love!
June 9, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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