Posted on 03/18/2002 8:11:59 AM PST by ResistorSister
When the Rev. Al Sharpton blew into town a couple of years ago to discuss the issue of racial profiling, there was great concern; not so much about the issue at hand, but whether he would wreck the upcoming Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities.
Pro that he is, Sharpton deftly allowed his more outspoken minions to make threats about a possible boycott, then shanghaied the city into drawing up a policy to address racial problems, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
But what most people didn’t get to see was Sharpton’s brief visit to the Edward L. “Peel” Coleman Center. When a small group of educators and civil activists there invited the reverend to return to town for a forum on education, Sharpton, who called for a “Marshall Plan” for education, promised he would — but you could see the big guy’s eyes glazing over.
Why? Because there’s nothing sexy about a forum on education.
We could use some of Sharpton’s media-savvy bluster right now. If the latest proficiency scores are at all accurate, a lot of black kids are in big trouble.
Educators say black children are falling further and further behind, and they don’t know why.
Al, how about using that gift of gab to hold a national press conference to encourage — no, demand — that the black community be more responsible and accountable when it comes to their kids’ education.
I’m guessing there are no black Ph.Ds sitting in the Stark County Jail today, but I’m certain there are more than a few black high school dropouts.
You don’t have to be a mathematician to understand that equation.
Marching on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, was a noble gesture, Al, but why not picket, push, and protest for a law that would require prisoners who are dropouts to work toward a GED while they’re incarcerated?
How about boycotting big-time colleges that fail to graduate one, single black athlete?
The latest crop of proficiency tests shows that some black children are lagging far behind their white, Latino, and multiracial counterparts.
Are white kids smarter than black kids?
Doubtful. Not if chess is an indicator. Black kids in Stark County scoop up chess matches like they invented the game.
Wouldn’t it have been nice if Shaquille O’Neal had come to Canton to watch the chess tournament recently conducted at Hartford Middle School, rather than to watch one basketball player whom everyone knows is not going to college, who may or may not make it in the NBA?
Some experts blame economics. No doubt, life is easier when you don’t have to work two jobs, or worry about the gas bill, or groceries, or a decent place to live; but it doesn’t cost a nickel to turn off the TV and spend 20 minutes a night reading with your kid.
Does racial profiling exist? I think it does in places, but that’s just my opinion.
One thing is certain. Black children are floundering at a spectacular rate.
Al, where’s the outrage?
You can reach Repository writer Charita Goshay at (330) 580-8313 or e-mail:
Because that would mean blacks would be taken OFF the plantation (Federal government) and then Al and Jesse wouldn't be needed and wouldn't have the income they currently enjoy.
It is harder than hell to get ANY parent involved. There is NO motivation in the homes to spell better, read stories, to do better than the parents are doing so that someday they may crawl out of the mean streets that they live in. A crying shame.
In God We Trust.....Semper Fi
No doubt!
At a St. Patrick's Day party yesterday, my dad (retired naval officer) mentioned that it is every parent's duty to make sure their child has the abilities necessary to do better than the parents are doing.
It's a pity that many parents don't live up to that standard.
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