Tuesday, May 4, 2010

'CRACKERS' CAN'T COME: Field trip for black students sparks controversy at Ann Arbor elementary school


An Ann Arbor elementary school principal used a letter home to parents tonight to defend a field trip for black students as part of his school’s efforts to close the achievement gap between white and black students.

Dicken Elementary School Principal Mike Madison wrote the letter to parents following several days of controversy at the school after a field trip last week in which black students got to hear a rocket scientist.

“In hindsight, this field trip could have been approached and arranged in a better way," Madison wrote. "But as I reflect upon the look of excitement, enthusiasm and energy that I saw in these children’s eyes as they stood in the presence of a renowned African American rocket scientist in a very successful position, it gave the kids an opportunity to see this type of achievement is possible for even them.

“It was not a wasted venture for I know one day they might want to aspire to be the first astronaut or scientist standing on the Planet Mars.

“I also think it’s important that you know that I have talked to the children who did not go on the field trip, and I think they have a better understanding of the purpose of the AA Lunch Bunch now, as I hope you do. I’m sorry if any kids were upset by the field trip or my discussion afterwards with them, and I have let them know that.

“The intent of our field trip was not to segregate or exclude students as has been reported, but rather to address the societal issues, roadblocks and challenges that our African American children will face as they pursue a successful academic education here in our community.” READ MORE...

8 comments:

  1. Their intent was a "feel good" address to social issues, but it boiled down to racism. There are many challenges for students of all races, social economics, language and immigrant status. I'm sure students who are not AA would of benefitted from this field trip, including those with money and lighter skin. Let's applaud a rocket scientist for the achievement and not consider race or gender. It's insulting to think this was achieved by the color of one's skin (and gender).

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  2. Home school/virtual schooling. It's coming get used to the idea. Two countries, where will we draw the lines?

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  3. Seems like this was the doing of one man who has been moved from school to school. He has a chip on his shoulder about race and is passing it on to the black kids at that school, which is a shame. He should be fired.

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  4. "This is racism...straight up" Janene Garafelo.

    Now I ask why would this not be considered racism? Where are all the liberal progressive morons screaming about this? Nary a peep from them. Now ask yourself why? Seems to me that if this principle were truly concerned about societal disparities he would begin by addressing the broken family unit that most of those children come from. Therein lies what is truly at the heart of black children that have fallen behind their peers. But I would wager that this principle and the moronic b listers of Unholywood will never admit that let alone address the real issue of the disparity!!!!

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  5. Wow.. nothing short of firing this principle is acceptable.

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  6. @ Anonymous re: homeschooling

    My line has already been drawn. I am homeschooling 2 children now and I homeschooled my oldest who is now serving in the U.S. Navy in linguistics.

    Schools have become nothing more than a place where children learn just as much about becoming "progressive" as they do about math. Well, maybe more about becoming progressive.

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  7. tHIS MORON SHOULD BE FINALLY DEALT WITH AND ELIMINATED FROM SEEKING AS ANY TYPE OF EDUCACATOR IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY

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  8. @jc uuuhm....... And I quote "he would begin by addressing the broken family unit that most of those children come from" no where in the article does it say these black children came from broken family units. Thats just a stereo typical assumption and you become no better than the man you are judging... People are funny...

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