Posted on 05/04/2010 6:24:57 AM PDT by Darren McCarty
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.”
(Excerpt) Read more at annarbor.com ...
Oh, sorry, that was two only-semi-connected thoughts - one about the hotness of smart men to smart women, and one about the racist principal not caring if the girls got the same opportunity as the boys, which I took as a reflection on his opinion of their intelligence. Probably I should have done it as two separate posts.
I’m wondering why the discussion is about a “rocket scientist,” when it appears the speaker was a popular astronomer.
Journalistic incompetence.
Ok, we've noticed that some of our students are dumber than others so we are going to even things out by making sure ALL OF our students are equally stupid./SAR
This is exactly what it boils down to: Making everyone equal in the good old communist fashion by bringing everyone down to the lowest level.
Because you're a frickin' idiot?
No ... but I’ve had my thinking re-arranged because of Freepers on this thread ... for which, I thank.
Which is exactly the opposite of what integration was supposed to do. Somehow a black kid sitting next to a white kid would somehow make him/her smarter/better educated. Can’t have it both ways. Personally, if I were a “minority” I’d be insulted at either insinuation!!!
They are afraid to speak of it...in many cases it is true.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.