Good Morning,
I hope everyone has had a chance of reading my email regarding legislation to "exclude" our kids from even having the option to apply to attend certain schools. So, I wanted to share -- when I wrote the initial email -- I couldn't figure out what was the real piece that was bothering me. Pays to have a good friend who happens to be a White Male.
So, here is the irony in his statement when the answer poped into his head was -- "Rob - this ain't about our kids, this is about them". "We don't do anything unless it benefits us". So one minute, he was talking about the the "Affluent" keeping kids out of Charter Schools that are in more affluent areas of the City and then the other second, he made it a Racial Process as he identified that "We" (White People - since he is White") don't do anything unless it benefits us".
You see, being East-Indian, I understand both the distinction of being on both sides of the coin of being Non-African American and African American. Him being White and us being really good friends and respecting each other, his association with me and his much longer associations in the Black Community brings it "home". Association usually brings with it a level of assimilation. I can also see the growth in his instinctual language over the period of us knowing each other -- Just like I watched Mr. Peloquin Grow over the last 4 years -- even at 70 years old. Like I said, once the core of "fairness" is present in an individual and cognitive dissonance occurs - change occurs -- slow or rapid -- and that is the way to build the "Above Ground Railroad".
So back to the legislation and before folks STONE me again as being "Racist" -- we are not talking about all White People but, there has to be a relation here to this legislation that links this "Affluence" to "Racism".
So, before folks say that I am calling Grosso a Racist -- I am not. Like I have said, I live less than 100yds from him and from the discussions that I have had with him, I don't get that he is a Racist. The fact that he is White, when certain things are said and done, my ears, nose will really expand my "superman like" vision (we all have this ability) to search for the Core Anchor of his thought and action with this legislation. In this case, I question who proposed this to him (lobbied) for this, what the discussions were centered upon as legislation is not something that a CM would just throw together and if he really looked at what this really means for our kids VS the kids in the more Affluent Areas of the City - and the disparity/ratio of Black to White who would be enrolled at those Charter Schools.
So, that is a question for Grosso to answer. If I ever asked him, I will know whether or not he knew. Training in eye, skin and voice variation is a 99.99% (to me). I think that everyone should be asking that same question. I guarantee you that all those who "Lobby" for certain things have their agenda and who knows whether the CM is aware or not of the "fallout". Like I told a few CM's (current and the 3 who have most recently been removed) -- anytime that they surround themselves with Developers and certain other folks -- it is just a matter of time before the "Sale at the Auction" occurs.
Now -- I am sure that our Mayor is thinking of how to make Charter Schools embrace the children of our neighborhood as a primary source of enrollment as this ABSOLUTELY ties into his "GREEN"/WALKABLE City -- from all directions. Furthermore, I am going to say that it would be puzzling to me me that if our Mayor and CM's push for this approach and Charter Schools don't instantly adopt this approach for future enrollment, certain questions that many of us have about the intent/inclusiveness of Charters would be actualized.
Rob Ramson.
On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 12:19 AM, Rob <indianrob@gmail.com> wrote:
Commissioner Thomas,
It is a genious piece of legislation. I had a conversation with a friend today and he told me that this is not about kids in Ward 5, 7 and 8. It is about the kids in Wards 1, 2 and 3. Allowing Charters to have the option to make this "neighborhood preference" allows for a Ward 3 Charter to choose kids in their neighborhood first while Charters in Ward 5,7 and 8 don't have to allow for that. Another way to keep certain kids out of schools slated for the "affluent". Genious PLAN!! Makes you wonder!! Definitely something to think about.
So Commish, This is like the "ethics reform". I don't believe in "first steps". You only need first steps when you must have "first steps".The real question is WHY aren't childern in the neighborhood given a preference?And if they want to utilize DCPS buildings (not purchase them - but lease them), they should have to accept kids from our neighborhood.So, Part of a conversation I had this week -- someone asked me - "how do we know that the "lottery" is a fair process. It was further pointed out that some Charter Schools are really disproportionate to our actual population in DC Schools; especially in NE and SE.From a business perspective, The reason that Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, bloomingdales and godiva are not in certain areas is because of the demographics. When placing a business into an area, the goal is to service the population in the communoty -and by chance, some others who venture the area as a convenience. I can't imagine placing a school in a hood and kids who can walk to school aren"t by right/proximity have a first choice to attend -- kind of like a first right of refusal.
As to the lottery -- there needs to be a real transparent system in place. A simple application and a computerized choice/acceptance
Rob Ramson.--This is a good first step and I applaud Councilmember Grosso for introducing the legislation but my question is this: Why does it need to be voluntary? Why can't charter schools be required to maintain an enrollment that includes a certain percentage of neighborhood students? These schools are being granted charters by the taxpayers of the District of Columbia. As taxpayers, we should demand neighborhood accountability, not just offer to allow the schools to consider it as an option. As I said at the outset, this is a good first step but we need to go much further.
Bradley A. ThomasOn 04/09/13, Councilmember At-Large David Grosso<dcalhoun@dccouncil.us> wrote:Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Councilmember At-Large David Grosso. Don't forget to add dcalhoun@dccouncil.us to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.
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R. Ramson
3744 12th Street, N.E.,
Washington D.C., 20017
202-438-5988
"We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi-
(Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)
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