Black Parents Should Boycott Schools

[Kafi Payne]

I have two sons and I am deeply concerned about their well-being. I try to buy organic food for them to eat. I make sure my older son wears his helmet and pads when he rides his scooter. I hold his hand when he crosses the street. Why in the world should I send him to a school (public, private, parochial, whatever!) that has never served black boys? I am an educator and am committed to improving the education system for all children but in the meantime, I think that as black parents, we should boycott schools until they start serving our children! I'm not radical (for the most part) but very few schools are serving our children and why should they? We're the foolish ones for keeping our children in a system that at best they get through and make it to college and at worst kills them slowly. I don't know how I'll do it but I plan on homeschooling my children (while still working full time). Am I the only one frustrated?

[Kafi Payne]

Lisa,

I think you are being rude. As an educator, there are a lot of factors that influence reading and it is not only a question of what's going on at home. Besides, who are we to judge other parents? Parenting is so humbling. We are all doing the best we can with the resources that we have. I'm a high school teacher but I'm not an expert at kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade . . . No one on here is an "expert" at parenting. And anyone that thinks they're an expert doesn't have a teenager or only has one child and got lucky.

There are cultural differences regarding how communities view the role of school. Just because certain communities view school as where their children get "educated" in a specific way does not mean that they are wrong or that they are in some way foolish or irresponsible. They teach their children other values and skills that the school does not offer. There are some families for which the school culture and home culture are more congruent--it sounds like you're one of those families. The child may go to school and feel very comfortable with the nature of dialogue, the format, the books, the order of things . . . for others that congruence cannot be taken for granted. This is not just a black-white thing. This happens with Hawaiian students, Appalachian students, Latino students, Filipino students, Vietnamese students . . .

If a child gets to the 9th grade and is reading at a 3rd grade level--many things have failed him but what's the point of pointing the blame. What we need to do is support that young man to become a confident reader. We also need to recognize that he is being assessed on a narrow set of criteria. At a third grade level he is able to read most local newspapers, magazines, job applications, comic books, Harry Potter books . . . He has a lot to build on but if people pity him or ridicule him instead of building on the foundation that he has, he will not learn to value reading and become a lifelong learner. He will only develop more coping mechanisms to hide his low proficiency. Perhaps he will act out when he is called on to read so that the focus is now on his behavior instead of his academic skills. As educators, we must learn to look past this behavior to see the true potential of the young people in front of us. I don't think that's too much to ask: for my children and the children of others.

[Ellen]

I agree with all of my sistas. I currently have my 2 boys and 1 girl in a private school. I will be taking the boys out after this semester. It has been a very hard year for the boys. They are treated differently and unfairly as opposed to their white peers. I am constantly at the school talking to the principal and teacher. I do not let them slide with anything. It's a shame that I have to do this, but I will fight to the bitter end for my kids. I wish I could start my own school geared towards African Americans, but I am not in education. As for my daughter she seems to be doing fine and cries if I said I will take her out. I also have to mention the school they are now attending is 88% white. I have found another private school which is quite far from the house; that has a great reputation and is 68% minority. I hope this will work. It will be a strain for the family as far as travelling, but to God be the Glory it will work out. STAY STRONG MY SISTAS AND NEVER GIVE UP!

[Brenda]

I probably have no business replying to this because I am white and stumbled on this site because of my interest in Soul Purpose. But please, hear me out. All your comments make me so sad. I had no idea that you go through such challenges. Please forgive my ignorance and the ignorance of the rest of us white people who care, but have not been educated as to the challenges you are going through. I live in a very white community. I could go through days without seeing a black person, or I might see many in one day. There is a city about 50 miles away that is probably 50/50 minority vs white. Our community is more like 70/30, but the minority is mostly hispanic. The community is working hard towards helping hispanics in the schools (but after reading this I doubt if it is enough). My children have friends who are black and they have never mentioned any issues. I hope this is the case. However, you have opened my eyes and I am going to ask their parents what it is really like. Thank you for opening my eyes. I also have a request for all of you. Please, don't give up! My children deserve to continue to be friends with your children. They can't if they never meet because they aren't in school together or on the playgrounds together.

[leeda78]

I've always wanted to start my own school, the system is so sad. I sub. teach and it makes me sad because if your child isn't up to par, they don't pay much attention to your child. I have been in some classrooms where the smart kids were sitting at their own table and the not so smart kids had their own table (this was kindergarten); and this was what the kids were telling me, they said "that's the smart table" how terrible. This my first child and I know I want to teach my own child, no matter what I have to do

[Monique]

Peace sis,
You are not the only one. I also feel and share your concern. It kills me slowly to send my babies away and I know this feeling will only get worse. I am tired of people telling me to get over it, something in me is calling me to do more. I agree with you, the montgomery bus boycott is an excellent model. I don't know much about organizing either but I am all on board in Houston if it is decided to boycott. I have worked in the public school system for a while and I am not prepared nor do I want to fight a whole school system that has for generations put down our people. We can do it, I am defintely considering home schooling my own children. Against all odds and the odds are great, there aren't many support systems out here. But I know we can do it, I am in it with you. Lets keep in touch and keep the details flowing.

[Maya Evans]

I share your exact sentiments my sister. I acutally tried to round up a group of mothers and educators to see if we could committ to starting a private school, but I found that either they didn't see the purpose of having our own school, or just lacked the faith that anything like that could work.

Our minds need so much changing, it's sometimes discouraging for sisters like us. It frustrates me to see mothers who actually are against any form supporting black communities. Many look at blacks who have a positive self-identity, are deeply rooted, fight for real equality, and require more for and on part of our communities, churches, leaders, government officials, etc. as just whiners, pessimists, and as never satisfied; we always are waiting to whip out the "race card".

The others just don't think we're capable of doing anything, and with much validity. I know in most of the densely black populated communities in my city, you can easily find us treating each other like animals with shouting, loud profane language and music, rendering poor services out of the ragged conditioned facilities and houses we live and work in, and most importantly, with comfort! Other blacks who want to live with decent standard in regards to housing, education, etc. completely cut themselves off from the black community and sneer at the thought of helping to build up black communities in the fear of being even slightly associated with those "ignorant black folks".

Not only do we need to change how we view one another, but also cut the perpetuation of the negative aspects of the black community. I highly feel as though education of self from an African-centered perspective will at least help the up and coming generations to change the way in which we view ourselves, utimately changing the quality of our lives as a whole.

I always thing of Donny Hathaway's song, "He's not a burden, he's my brother", and I wish more us used this as our daily mantra. We'd definitely feel more connected and more obligated to helping along the success of the black community as a whole.

We have a long way to go, but I say sister, if you're able to find just a handful of black people to support your efforts, go for it! I'm still very interested in starting something in my area:Houston.

Keep this discussion going!

Maya Evans

[Maya Evans]

Correction-the name of the song I was referring to is actually titled, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother."

Same message though!

[Nicholle]

Maya don't give up on working to create your school. I have been working on creating a Saturday school in my area, and it is challenging, but I have forged ahead with my own children. As we get the word out more, we will increase awareness and interest.

Ive added some other discussions both here and on my member page on this topic that you are welcome to check out. This is the link to the discussion

http://blackmomsclub.ning.com/forum/topics/957102:Topic:59994?page=...

and the article can be found on my blog on my member page and I am in Denton just north of Dallas.

[Chandra]

I currently live in Little Rock, and taught here for a year and a half before my daughter got sick. Prior to that, I taught in Dallas public schools. I have grown totally disenchanted with public schools and the things I witnessed going on. I gave my students my best because I've always taught in schools where there was a need. I realize and appreciate the fact that there are parents that want the best for their children and just don't know how to provide the best for them. But in all honesty, I believe that No Child Left Behind is a set up for failure and the states have all come up with plots to meet the requirements of this silly law while holding our childen DOWN not behind. There is no way in the world that a law can state that ALL CHILDREN WILL BE PROFICIENT READERS BY THE END OF THE 3RD GRADE if they weren't readers when they entered.

In this economy, homeschooling is becoming less and less ideal because we all need the income to make it, but at the expense of our children who are suffering. I am home full time because my daughter had 2 major surgeries in two weeks in January and the recovery requires 4 days of out patient therapy. I'm a certified educator, but a mommy first and now that I am beginning the search for a preschool for her, I am totally frustrated at the choices available. My daughter needs PT, OT, Speech, and needs a nurse for her tube feedings. Unless I put her in public school, or her name comes up on the waiting list of one of the TWO schools here with special services, my only alternative is homeschooling.

Let me just say this. A new charter school opened here last summer. Over 1000 students left the public school to RUN to the charter school. A company was hired to survey parents as to why they are pulling their children out of public schools in the area-their response was that their children aren't safe, they are receiving a quality education, and they don't care for the administration. Points that I agree with as a parent, as a new to the state teacher and as someone with common sense!

What are we to do???

[Kafi Payne]

A friend told me about a charter school here in California for homeschoolers. They give you money for classes, curriculum, books, and other materials--the school says they give between $700-$900 a year but she has received reimbursements up to $2200--classes at the science museum, language classes, gymnastics/dance classes. I applied to the school. I'm not a big charter school fan--how different are they from regular schools? the only difference is that they have more flexibility to accept "desirable" students and kick out "undesirable" students.

The hardest part about homeschooling is the childcare part of it--we need someone to take care of our children while we work.

But why is it that we'll take time to search for the best daycare for our child and then put them in the most convenient school and not the best one for their learning and socialization.

[Bran]

No not at all. I feel your frustration. I will not elaborate on my experience with the "school systems." However, be warned that the school systems make it sooo hard to educate your children yourself with silly guidelines and senseless and useless forms and records that you must keep or be penalized. I mean it is an unnecessarilly huge amount of stuff all designed to make you feel like the whole process is too hard so why bother. Not to mention you still have to cooperate with some school systems and public libraries, and also DFS to complete standardized testing for your child and they monitor your teaching efficiency as well. I have a friend who chose not to immunize his children (they are grown now, turned out fine) and to home school and he constantly had DFS at his house charging "educational neglect" among other obstacles. It definitely takes alot of research. The standardized tests here in MO suck and are catered more to a specific "kind" of child. "HOT TOPIC", wish I could discuss it further. PC is monitored and political discussions are restricted. GOOD LUCK!

[Darcel]

We are unschooling our girls. The entire lifestyle is so amazing and the changes that we've seen in our family over the past two weeks are incredible!
I refuse to subject my children to the public school system.

I was just having this same discussion this morning with someone. I was wondering why more blacks don't homeschool their children.
I know not everyone is in a stable home or community and support is needed, but something has to be done NOW. I can't stand it anymore. My neighbors children come to me asking me to help them with their spelling words and asking if they can paint and play in our backyard. They think we are the best thing since candy.
We don't mind, we love it actually. We would love to see a movement back to community really being a community. Where everyone is always ready and willing to help.I read about it, but I want to live it.

You can view my blogs on unschooling at Authentically Unique and my new blog for black parents The Mahogany Way.

I am really enjoying this site :)