Posted on 08/22/2011 2:58:07 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
On the first day of school, third-graders in Angela Robinson's class sat cross-legged on the floor and recited the African creed taped to the chalkboard.
They would accept their duties and responsibilities, respect themselves and others, they stated.
"I will study hard," they continued. "I will learn because I will study hard. I love myself. And loving myself, I will be myself, and know myself."
Pamoja Preparatory Academy @ Cole opened Monday as an African-centered school - a place where reading, math, and science are taught alongside African values, customs and culture. Among those values are self-control, respect toward elders and giving back to community.
The school is the first with an African focus in the St. Louis public school system, a district where about 80 percent of the students are black. It's also one of more than a dozen public schools in the city - traditional and charter - that are focused on a particular philosophy or emphasis.
Advocates of specialized schools in urban areas argue that they are an effective way of keeping school-age children in the central city. Magnet schools and often charter schools offer a specialized focus - such as performing arts, foreign language or classical education - to engage children who otherwise may lose interest at more traditional schools.
But others contend that the African-centered approach is too narrowly focused on one racial group.
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
So just because you're black, it's assumed you want an African focus.
Is the school serving fried chicken and watermelon after basketball practice?
Are you kidding me? Africa (the black portion) never contributed anything to modern civilization. No high rise buildings, not even a wheel, no autos, no steam engines, no water wells, no water systems, no sewer systems, no airplanes, no electronics, no nothing. So why would anyone want to send their child to a school that teaches African culture. I wonder where the witch doctor fits in.
However none of the above is the important concern. The important concern is that these parents and school administrators get to vote.
But then again, we still have a Black Congressional Caucus. It all begins with Congress. Go figure!
Machete art anyone?
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