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Home : Canada : Supporters of black-only school shut down meeting

Supporters of black-only school shut down meeting

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CTV Toronto: Anger erupts over black-focused schools meeting

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toronto.ctv.ca

Date: Thu. Nov. 29 2007 3:57 PM ET

Protesting parents shut down a Toronto District School Board meeting on Wednesday after realizing the issue of a black-focused school would not be discussed.

Dozens of supporters of a proposal to implement a black-focused school showed up to last night's meeting expecting to discuss details of a feasibility report on the issue.

The TDSB spent $300,000 preparing the controversial report, which is the first comprehensive survey that includes information on race and ethnicity.

However, when parents realized that the report would not be discussed, many erupted in outrage.

"You guys have the power to make a decision and move on tonight!" one woman shouted. "We want to move on!"

Board chair Sheila Ward adjourned the meeting but it reconvened about an hour later.

Lloyd McKell, the board's executive officer of student and community equity, apologized to parents but he eventually adjourned the meeting again after more interruptions.

Officials said they were still gathering information from town hall meetings held earlier this month and need more time before presenting a more thorough report.

The board has agreed to hold a special council meeting in mid-January, where the only issue on the agenda will be black-focused schools.

The debate for a black-focused school has enraged some parents, who feel the initiative is a dangerous throwback to the days of segregation.

However, some parents, community leaders and educators support the concept. They say the current curriculum is failing the city's black youth.

More than half of black male teens at Toronto's public schools haven't earned the 16 credits required by the end of Grade 10, according to the school board.

Supporters of the plan say an "African-centred alternative school" would lower the dropout rate of young black males.

Some parents say an African-centred school with black teachers and role models would help black youths graduate and succeed.

The school board's proposal calls for a school from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 that would have more black teachers, mentors and a stronger focus on students' heritage.

The school would teach the Ontario curriculum and have more parent involvement. If the idea is approved, the black-focused school could open as early as next fall.

Comments are now closed for this story

JDC
said

I hope Canada never moves TOWARDS segregation. What a ridiculous idea.


FreakAlert
said

The bigger picture in this is divide and conquer onto us by the government.


Canadian in the UK
said

I'm a Canadian, but haven't lived in Canada for 6 years. I'm completely appalled that this subject is being discussed. In countries that have far greater numbers of visible minorities there is no such discussion happening. There is no Mexican focus, or Asian focus, and those communities excel in the school systems. There are over 50+ visible minorities that could argue they should be entitled to their own school system. Is a separate school system really the answer?


Eric
said

As a 7 generation Canadian on one side and a first generation from Europe on the other, who's family (on both sides) fought for equal opportunity for all, I find this concept quite insulting, and quite racist. I find it insulting because it snubs Canadian culture and values in favour of foreign. I find it racist becuase it suggests that black youth require special attention for learning, and it makes the suggestion that black people can't hack it amongst everyone else. This is a bunch of B-S. Why don't we start asking tougher questions as to why there is a problem within the Black community with underachievement in school. We only need to take a recent history lesson into the borough of Harlem to see that this new concept is not going to work.


You can't have it both ways
said

Canada is not America. Programs like this will only serve to encourage an "us and them" attitude is our society. How can we say "we don't want religous schools but we're ok with ethnic schools." You can't have it both ways. Either we're all equal or we're not. If this goes through, are we going to have a "Korean" based school and a Hungarian based school? This is not the Canadian way.

Henry Wysmulek
said

Cool. So when does the whites, Asian, and other races only schools open?





not surprised
said

If white people were to open a school and not allow blacks, it would be considered blatant racism.

JDM
said

As much as this would help the blacks, they're clearly making themselves subject to discrimination. For example, a black applies to a job, the employer asks what high school they graduated from. They see it's a black school. In their mind it'll be yea typical, blacks only so it's easy.

Vince M.
said

Black schools ok, religious schools not ok?

Educational aparteid on the grounds of color ok, educational aparteid on the grounds of religion not ok.

One can picture the politically-correct dog chasing its own tail.


Garry B.
said

There are African-centred schools, and Pakistani-centred schools. They are located in Africa and Pakistan. In Canada we should have all inclusive Canadian-centred schools.


DD
said

Is there any reason we can't implement these changes in our current school programs? How is separating our kids from each other going to help anyone? Why not get rid of MRE and replace it with more culturally diverse classes that teach world history where our kids can come together and share their heritages with each other? Why not create more after school programs that speak directly to all kids from every culture so that they can learn more about each and their own rich heritages? What about the province putting out money for more tutors to help all our kids succeed? Now is not the time to break our kids up into groups dependent on what their ethnic back-ground is - it's time to update our curriculum's to speak to all our kids at the same time and not just focus on one over the other. We need more than just black role models, we need Asian and Jewish, Indian and Muslim, Aboriginal and Hindi role models too! We need to get our kids involved in our world - not just the four walls of their classrooms.


Littler25
said

This is so ridiculous!!!
We are suppose to be moving forward to an age without segregation and rascism. This is setting us as human beings back 50 years.
How is this any different from the days when black people had to sit at the back of the bus????? It's important to have multi-cultural schools in Canada as we are a multi-cultural people. There has to be a better way then creating a school that excludes everyone in the population who is not of that colour or race!!!


Nancy
said

Ot is a very sad day indeed when we have to even hear about segregation in Canadian schools.It is like being taken back in time. People fought and died so that all people would be equal. Is the back of the bus the next stop??? Our world is made up of all different races and cultures,we should be able to learn from each other together.I am the proud grandmother of two very handsome bi-racial grandsons,I thank god they live in Saskatchewan and not in the twilight zone of Ontario esp.GTA. Martin Luther King is rolling in his grave.Please let sanity rule and never let people be divided again.


hyp
said

Why would you want to go to segration??? We have native schools out here on the prairie's. And, it will come back to bit us in the rear. Are we not a country that is to be equal. If we were to open an all white school any where in Canada what do you think that the rest of the country would think. Or the world for that matter. But, it is ok to have Native schools and now black schools. What is next??


G.M
said

I strongly oppose the idea. I migrated from Africa 2 years ago and got a rude shock to find black males do not want to be in school but instead want to make money in dubious ways, e.g selling drugs. Why don't we as a community tackle the root problems one of which is drugs. And how about having programs that will help our children have a positive attitude and also help young parents with parenting? The question we ought to be asking ourselves is, how come the problem is only with us yet there're other minority groups?


RG
said

Why are the black males failing at such an alarming rate and not the black females?
What exactly are the differences being proposed for these schools that they think would make them more successful than the current system? No pass /fail-everyone moves on regardless of learning?


Steven
said

I think a black-focused school is a good idea. It will allow black teachers who understand and know black culture to better communicate with their students. Visible minority drop out is a problem in this city, and this idea is currently the only action that is being taken to resolve the problem. I think they should pilot the movement and observe the difference it will make.


James A. Smith
said

I was born in Spain, brought up in Cuba...of Scotish parents...why shouldn't my heritage be taught in the schools today???
What issthe idea of having another group segregated?
It's bad enough that we have Roman Catholic and Protestants in separate schools now!


sean
said

Are you kidding me? People have fought to avoid this exact thing. Equal treatment regardless of race. What would happen if a group requested a White focus school...I would guess racist accusations. If more minority interest courses are needed, than focus on that, for everyone...


Bob Reiber
said

Ridiculous !
Segregation will never solve the problem.
Can you imagine the uproar if we suggested having special schools for those of us with a white European heritage ?


Wes
said

This is im my opinion a very dangerous concept. After an elementary school what is next? A race based high school? The term separate but equal comes to mind. And if there is a school that is only for black students would it be considered racist if parents wanted a school only for white students? Or what if parents wanted a school exclusively for asian students claiming that other ethnicities were only holding their children back?

Andrew
said

"However, some parents, community leaders and educators support the concept. They say the current curriculum is failing the city's black youth."

Unbelievable! There always seems to be a core group that finds fault with others. How about parents and community leaders finding it within themselvs to fix the problem instead blaming and segregating.


Kate
said

I feel the exact same way. There should not be a separation of races in our public school systems. If we make a special exception for one then the same must be done for the rest. Many Asian kids are in our public schools and our universities and they are excelling even with a language barrier. I think if we separate our kids now and give in to this new school, there will be more grief in the future.


Roger T
said

Given that fact that we claim to be a multicultural country, this would be a bad example for all citizens.

BUT if the Black community is the ones who are pushing for this than grant it to them. BUT keep in mind that if for any reason it fails and does not meet the Black community's targets on keeping Black kids in school than NO ONE is to be blamed for this. You aksed for it you need to make it work and not blame anyone after the fact.

Better to assimilate than segregate.


DM
said

You have got to be kidding me! This is not a problem of have and have nots. My children go to Catholic School where they can celebrate the "Holiday Season" how I see fit!Give people the choice! As a parent, choice is important. Lay off the religious based schools!!!!


David F
said

Yet another example of our multiculturalism. We create a society where individual cultural groups can live insulated lives. Which in many cases reinforce and encourage fundamental beliefs totally at odds with secular small L liberal Canadian values.


John
said

I think a blacks-only school is a fantastic idea, just as a whites-only school is. Teach the kids some white racial pride & history! Keeping them separate from the "bling-bling" crowd will help them focus on their studies.

And let's not forget to segregate the Asians. They have their own imperialist & oppressed histories that need to be taught. But don't lump them all together in the same school. For example, Japanese & Chinese histories are quite different.

Y los Latinos? Of course they need their own schools, too. After all, this is Canada - we don't have a melting pot here. We have enclaves based on ethnicity, religion & old country roots. God forbid (or Allah, or - insert deity name here) we come together as one people and live in harmony. That's just fanciful thinking...

I did miss any races? Of course I did, - my apologies - but that doesn't mean they don't deserve their own schools as well. After all, who in their right mind wants racial harmony & tolerance? Better to teach our children they have less in common with each other, than they have commonalities.

Sigh... I hope you understand sarcasm. It's something I learned at (a racially-mixed) school...


Eric P
said

I graduated from Cole Harbour High School in Nova Scotia. I know that this will not work. My school had its share of racial problems. In the aftermath of the tensions in the 1980s the school was effectively split into 2 groups. We had a black Vice principal and guidance councilor for black students and white ones for white students. All this did was create a division and inequity. The racial tensions erupted again in 1997. The division in the school made the situation worse. Integration is the only way to get a true understanding of our differences. Tolerance should be the focus not division. This sounds to me like it is a community problem. Let the community fix it and leave the school board be.


wm
said

Consider this: the largest segregation of all is the wealthy private schools. I don't hear cries about them. Why not try this as an experiment, give it 5 or 10 years and check the results? Is there any REAL harm in that?


David
said

I find it bizarre that some members of the black community actually support this retrograde step towards segregation.

I don't much like the slippery-slope argument, but establishing a blacks-only school system will lead to demands for other ethnically and religiously segregated schools.

Thurgood Marshall must be turning over in his grave.


Andy in Cambridge
said

Last I checked, we live in Canada, not Alabama. Is my information wrong?


may
said

I think the students that do not thrive in our school system include all students who live in low income areas, not just black students.

If a special school is established, it should be for all students who live in the "hood".




warren
said

We already have various separate ethnic schools in Canada. Catholic schools and Mennonite schools can largely be viewed as ethnic-based. Furthermore, there's many schools with uirriculum created for Aboriginal students in Northern Canada (not residential schools, but still located in non-aboriginal majority communities).


Ian
said

Why on earth would the board do something that has white supremacists cheering and 'high fiving' each other?
For all the intellectual babble these 'educators' present, they only serve the interests of racists.


I. Sharette
said

The question of racism has been omitted from the general discussions on black focused schooling; Dr. George Dei's 1995 report: Drop out or push out? highlights the reasons for black students' disengagement from high schools. The same reasons generally apply to Aboriginal and other students of colour.


Redbike
said

Let me get this straight: these people want segregated schools? Blacks want schools with no whites? In 2007? Martin Luther King is spinning in his grave!


Cheryl K.
said

It's totally ridiculous that the taxpayers should have to pay for a Black- only school. If the Black community is adamant on sending thier kids to a Black -only school then perhaps they should set up their OWN private school at their OWN expense.

Francois
said

I am a 10 generation caucasian French Canadian male, During the summer months, my skin gets darker than some black people that I know. So, please could someone tell me what shade of brown or black we are talking about. Aren't we all coming out of the African continent ?


One-faced Canadian
said

The idea that Canada is moving toward segregation is ridiculous. Canada has always been segregated. Open your eyes and take a look around (for a change). The Anglos, French, Italians, and yes the Blacks all have their own particular geographical strongholds.
Smarten up and quit insulting my intelligence! And stop the weaseling around! There are only a few Canadians who are not playing the two-faced game. I am obviously one of them because:
I am of mixed race and ethnicity;
I have been taught by God that all human beings are physically related; and
I am certain that inter-racial marriage between people that can naturally produce children is the real answer to segregation.
You liars out there are mouthing unity but practicing segregation with your lives. And you are in vast majority.


Cherie Rothwell
said

We already have Muslim schools! How can you say no to Black only schools now? I totally disagree with the concept and think we lack the will to keep our Canadian culture intact.


dustin
said

Why not integrate ideas about how to get black youth culturally involved instead of just lumping them into a school which will no doubt see the same drop-out rates as we see now. School is not a problem--that's too narrow. Society is the problem


George W. Scriven
said

There should only be one school system funded publicy. Private schools should be banned. Religious faith based schools should be banned. There should be no such thing as a Catholic school board system also. We are all equal in this country regardless if race, colour, religion sexual preference, and disability. We need our children to be taught to respect each other, and to help them build the roots to their futures. This is another fringe group like any other from many types of cultures doing more harm than good. This idea just doesn't make any sense. It is totallly contradictory to the lessons in history that have brought us this far today in creating a more inclusive society.
The underlying problems in the Toronto for the black community could very well be social economics and the youth culture itself. The root cause of the problem needs to be indentified before corrective action can be developed, then acted on. creating a segregated school for black youth will only multiply the problem in my opinion.



Rose
said

It is quite obvious that people go to school to receive an education, but they also learn how to socialize properly. So what happens when these students start to attend university or start working and they are not only surrounded by their own race? Will they be able to fit into this new environment which has many races and will have to deal with many cultures...not only their own.


Ashamed to be an Ontarian
said

Do you people really think this is what my grandfather and uncle fought for in WWII? Do you seriously believe that's why I served? Screw your heads on straight people!


Adrian
said

Good Lord!

We will be turning the clock back 50 years to the era of the segregated South!

Are we going to make blacks ride on the back of the TTC buses next?

Are we going to impose Jim Crow laws on VIA Rail too?

What a stupid idea. Get rid of the drugs and the posse gangs, and attending school will be cool again.


Jason
said

This is ridiculous. Ok so let’s not treat everyone as equal. Why would you want to do that now after they fought for the right to be equal? Hey what would they be saying if we had white only schools? God the school board would be sued the government would be sued for letting this happen and then what if I want my white child to have a chance to learn as a "black" student, would he be allowed to attend this school and if not then is that racist...

Alan
said

Insanity!


mike
said

If this idiotic idea is somehow approved, what's next? White-only universities? Black-only universities? Asia-only universities? What happens when people start entering the workforce and expect to be around only their 'culture'? Will this lead to white/black/asian -only workplaces?

This is Canada, where people are proud to a part of a diverse community...let's keep it that way.


Edna Martiniello
said

I do not understand the black community. First there was an outcry over discrimination against blacks, the children not being allowed in "white schools", etc.
Now that all this is in the past, schools are integrated and discrimination has been outlawed, they want schools for blacks only?
What am I missing, I wonder.


Bob
said

To wm: You don't hear about private schools because the families PAY for them. The taxpayers do not. So maybe we should let the parents of black only schools pay for them as well, just as faith based schools must do (except, of course McGuinty's catholics - they are special)


Bob
said

I agree with John. This is a really backwards idea. Alabama in reverse. This is Canada and supposed to be diversive? Again what would they say about whites only school? If the start a black school and a white wanted to go to it they'd have to fight to go it or the blacks would be racists for a change? Let's get along we're all one great country and why slam Ontario, we're all Canadians and I am one very PROUD Canadian no matter what part, Canadian first, Ontario, NL, Sask, MB second.


Sean Calder
said

I totally disagree with the idea of a Blacks Only School system. Not only for reasons of segregation (which I believe has been well represented here), but also for reasons of special interest groups.

The Ontario Public School System serves the Ontario public at large with no bias or discrimination or exclusion.

When a Special Interest Group wishes to teach a particular kind of group, they open a Private School. They do this because it excludes the public at large, is obviously passively bias and passively discriminatory. Enrollment in the Private School is subject to whatever criteria the Organizers desire, and the school is fully funded and supported by that Special Interest Community.

IF they want a "Blacks Only School", I suggest they open a Private School. The problem is, they want the Province and the taxpayers to pay for it, even if it doesn't serve the public at large.


Matt
said

To be clear, they are not excluding any race from these schools. It is a curriculum adjustment initiative geared towards the African heritage.
That's fine, but why not implement that into our current system along with a wide variety of other world studies.
Regardless though, this will not solve the issue of underacheivement and dropouts. That solution will come when we focus more on after school activities and better paid teachers/mentors in these low income areas. It's hard to find motivated teachers to work for next to nothing. Let's tackle the issues at the root.


Ann
said

This is an absolutely ridiculous idea. If our government won't fund religious schools (other than Roman Catholic) why should they financially support a school that is created based on race? Another waste of our taxpayer dollars.
Maybe it is time that society is not blamed for everything that goes wrong with one race or another. If you choose to have children, then it is your responsibility to raise them, not societies. IT is not societies fault if your child engages in a life of crime.
As a parent I am trying to teach my child that we are all equal and that you should treat everyone with respect and dignity. It is however a shame that we need to revert to segregation and teach our children that everyone is not equal.
The Mennonites have their own schools but they are not funded by the government, they support them out of their own pockets. Wouldn't it be a great idea if the people that want a black focused school pay for it themselves and save the taxpayers some money.



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