Ann Arbor Field Trip for black kids only - RACIST RACIST RACIST

[The Village Idiot]

http://www.annarbor.com/news/black-student-only-field-trip-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.”

A handful of parents have complained to district administrators about the trip, the group and Madison. More than a half-dozen parents contacted AnnArbor.com to raise the complaints, but none would agree to talk on the record, citing concerns of reprisals to their children by Madison.

While there’s no clear agreement between the two sides about exactly what happened, most of the controversy centers on a field trip taken last week by the Lunch Bunch for African American boys and girls to hear a black rocket engineer talk.

District spokeswoman Liz Margolis said after the trip was over, those who went returned to their fifth-grade class and were greeted by boos by those who didn’t go on the trip. Margolis said Madison, who is black, heard the boos, and went to talk to the class. She said he and the class had a “discussion” about race issues.

“He wasn’t yelling at them. He was very passionate about it,” Margolis said.

Parents have complained he was yelling at the class and belittled a Muslim girl who said she also had experienced racism and discrimination.

The program itself began earlier this year after the school received its latest achievement results. Margolis said the Lunch Bunch came from the school’s School Improvement Team and is tied to that team’s goals. She said several other schools in the district have similar programs targeting specific subgroups of students who are at risk.

According to meeting minutes, Madison introduced the club to the PTO in February as part of the school and district’s equity work.

Parent Vicki Haviland, who is white and has three children at Dicken, said she is supportive of the overall program. Haviland is the secretary of the Dicken PTO and has filed papers for the open school board seat.

“I think the African-American Lunch Bunch is totally in line with the district’s equity work,” she said. “I think the field trip was a fine idea.”

She said she hopes the school and the district would “do a better job in talking about (race in education). Clearly there are people who don’t feel heard about it.”

[thundley4]

He should have done this during February, isn't that when they are supposed to concentrate on black achievements? 

Seriously, to limit an educational experience based on the race of the students is just wrong.

[Thor]

I'm sorry, but the only "obstacles" that are in "black people's way" are the ones they impose on themselves nowadays. A school trip should have been ALL-inclusive, not segregated. And people wonder why racism still exists in today's world........

[debk]

I'm actually kind of mixed on this issue.

I think the AA Lunch Bunch is probably a good idea....having a "meeting" over food tends to make a more relaxed atmosphere and may help the children to open up, share their problems, hopes and dreams.

I do, however....have a problem with only the "black" kids getting to go on a field trip during school hours.

I think it would have been better to make this an after school hours trip. There are always activity groups in schools that get to go to different things....whether it be sports, band, symphony, drama club...whatever. Those students that participate in various activities, may go on "field trips" ...usually outside of normal school hours...to specific events that other kids don't, simply because they had no interest in joining that group of students when given the opportunity....and shouldn't whine when they missed a trip somewhere.

I would think many students would benefit from hearing a rocket scientist speak....regardless of the student or the speaker's race.

I also think, there would be many students who could care less about listening to a rocket scientist...regardless of anyone's race!

I also think it should be pointed out....many kids need incentive to achieve success. ....regardless of race. They need incentive at their school, because they sure as heck aren't getting it at home!

 

[Alpha Mare]

When's the White American Lunch Bunch? Oh wait, that would be racist.

She said he and the class had a “discussion” about race issues.

“He wasn’t yelling at them. He was very passionate about it,” Margolis said. Left-speak for yelling

Parents have complained he was yelling at the class and belittled a Muslim girl who said she also had experienced racism and discrimination.

I'd love to hear how he "discussed" race issues.  He sure taught them the meaning of discrimination.

[The Village Idiot]

I think it would have been better to make this an after school hours trip. There are always activity groups in schools that get to go to different things....whether it be sports, band, symphony, drama club...whatever. Those students that participate in various activities, may go on "field trips" ...usually outside of normal school hours...to specific events that other kids don't, simply because they had no interest in joining that group of students when given the opportunity....and shouldn't whine when they missed a trip somewhere.

So you think official school groups and activities based soley on SKIN COLOR are perfectly fine, after school?

Sp if they were taking white kids only to a NASCAR race, that'd be fine?

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Perhaps we should arrange a field trip for all kids of Mexican descent to take a field trip that will allow them to see the antion of their origin.

 

[debk]

So you think official school groups and activities based soley on SKIN COLOR are perfectly fine, after school?

Sp if they were taking white kids only to a NASCAR race, that'd be fine?

That's NOT what I said.

The way I read the article, was that a group was formed for African-American kids - yeah, black kids - to get together, and see that there was another way to live other than gangs, drugs, welfare. That black people have another option...to be successful. Urban, inner-city kids being shown there is an alternative to what they see everyday. Even if it only works on one kid....that's one less person on welfare, or in jail (or dead)....being supported by the government.

Did the school go about it the right way....not exactly. As I said, the "field trip" should have been held outside of class hours.

Ann Arbor Michigan stats....

Households: 101,727
In family households: 64,245 (15,874 male householders, 6,010 female householders)
17,628 spouses, 21,447 children (20,425 natural, 515 adopted, 507 stepchildren), 608 grandchildren, 754 brothers or sisters, 345 parents, 658 other relatives, 921 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 37,482 (11,261 male householders (7,323 living alone)), 12,599 female householders (8,849 living alone)), 13,622 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 12,383 (514 institutionalized population)

3,822 single-parent households (661 men, 3,161 women).

Education attainment for males 25 years and older:

No schooling: 103
Nursery to 4th grade: 75
5th and 6th grade: 44
7th and 8th grade: 124
9th grade: 128
10th grade: 189
11th grade: 257
12th grade, no diploma: 379
High school graduate (or equivalency): 2,493
Less than 1 year of college: 974
Some college more than 1 year, no degree: 3,035
Associate degree: 1,004
Bachelor's degree: 8,860
Master's degree: 7,019
Professional school degree: 2,510
Doctorate degree: 4,109

Education attainment for females 25 years and older:

No schooling: 159
Nursery to 4th grade: 44
5th and 6th grade: 118
7th and 8th grade: 152
9th grade: 121
10th grade: 231
11th grade: 315
12th grade, no diploma: 355
High school graduate (or equivalency): 3,319
Less than 1 year of college: 1,187
Some college more than 1 year, no degree: 3,531
Associate degree: 1,525
Bachelor's degree: 10,442
Master's degree: 8,258
Professional school degree: 1,676
Doctorate degree: 1,936

Unemployment rate for White non-Hispanic males: 3.6%
Unemployment rate for White non-Hispanic females: 3.3%



Unemployment rate for Black males: 8.9%
Unemployment rate for Black females: 6.3%



Unemployment rate for American Indian and Alaska Native males: 7.8%
Unemployment rate for American Indian and Alaska Native females: 0.0%



Unemployment rate for Asian males: 5.6%
Unemployment rate for Asian females: 7.4%



Unemployment rate for other race males: 4.1%
Unemployment rate for other race females: 8.3%



Unemployment rate for two or more race males: 5.9%
Unemployment rate for two or more race females: 6.4%



Unemployment rate for Hispanic or Latino males: 5.6%
Unemployment rate for Hispanic or Latino females: 4.8%



Median household income in 2008 for:

White non-Hispanic householders: $54,946
Black householders: $26,436
American Indian and Alaska Native householders: $35,202
Asian householders: $42,100
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander householders: $2,813
Some other race householders: $21,954
Two or more races householders: $21,547
Hispanic or Latino race householders: $26,806


Read more: http://www.city-data.com/housing/houses-Ann-Arbor-Michigan.html#ixzz0mz0hkXAF


If you have a group of kids in a school...regardless of color, race....that need incentive to succeed in life....then good for the school, that they recognize there is a problem and they are trying to do something to encourage these kids to be successful.

DO NOT for one minute, think that the "smart, priviledged" students in schools don't have benefits that the other less successful kids have available to them.

Did you know that elementary school kids, that are on Safety Patrol, get a trip to Washington DC, at the end of the school year? Did you know that most schools only allow honor students to be on Safety Patrol?

Did you know that only HS kids that score high on standardized tests, get to take AP classes, some of which they get advanced college credit for?

Do you know which kids are the ones that actually do slip through the educational cracks? The average middle of the road kid, that does their work on time, gets average grades, and doesn't cause any trouble or call attention to themselves.

[The Village Idiot]

The principal and teacher should be fired. They should be banned from having contact with kids.

You do not treat kids differently based on the color of their skin. period.

The stuff that happens "outside of school" should happen without the school. Let their church or community groups, parents, do those things. Then no-one cares. When you have agents of government separating children by race, you stay here these black kids are going on a fieldtrip (that wouldn't stoke resentment at all, huh), then I have a problem with that.

Governments conducting social experiments is a BAD idea.

[Alpha Mare]

Blue Eye/Brown Eye

In 1968 a school teacher decided to try a horrid experiment on her students. Her objective was to teach children that racism was unfair. The way she went about the experiment was to affect the children's lives - some of them forever.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8066/racism_experiments_of_the_1960s.html

[littlelamb]

Reverse discrimination is alive and well

[VivisMom]

Ann Arbor school district looking into legality and principal's actions in black-only field trip
AnnArbor.com


The Ann Arbor school district is investigating the actions - and legality - surrounding a field trip organized exclusively for black students at Dicken Elementary School last week.

Superintendent Todd Roberts said the idea to take 30 black students to hear a special presentation by a black University of Michigan scientist was well-intentioned. But Roberts conceded the execution of that trip and its aftermath might not have been appropriate.

One aspect of the investigation is how Principal Mike Madison handled students who were upset about being excluded, Roberts said Wednesday. Two of Roberts’ top administrators - LeeAnn Dickinson Kelley, the district’s elementary administrator, and Liz Margolis, the district’s communications director - will be at Dicken tonight to hear from parents and offer answers.

Roberts has also asked Dave Comsa, the district’s legal counsel, to determine whether the trip violated state law.

[The Village Idiot]

There is a school in California facing the same thing over US flag shirts, when they asked the kids to wear Mexican flags.