You wouldn't expect the dating history of a Wake County school board member to become an issue.
But as noted in today's article, critics of school board member John Tedesco are on his case for having mentioned that he's had black and Latino ex-girlfriends in the letter he wrote last week to the Rev. Nancy Petty.
Tedesco said he was only trying to show that he's lived an integrated life. But critics, such as Calla Wright, president of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African American Children, say the remarks were degrading to black and Hispanic women.
Here's the paragraph in question:
"I have never looked at another human being as anything other than a child of God. I have an African American Godson, Tyler, extended minority family members, and a few ex girlfriends who were African American and Latino women. In fact an African American Professor at one of our local universities with a Doctorate in Education is one of my ex-girlfriends and still dear friends who helped me shape my policy views and serves as an advisor today. She is a wonderful woman who was a single mom in Southeast Raleigh when we met (she has since married, but again remains one of my closest friends)."
Tedesco said he included that information about his ex-girlfriends to help respond to criticism from Duke University historian Tim Tyson that he couldn't relate to poor and minority families.
Don't be surprised if you see a story soon about this topic in The Carolinian, which has sent an e-mail message seeking comment from various female leaders in the anti-board majority camp. Wright has asked CCCAAC members to respond to The Carolinian.
Comments
wow this guy never quits!!
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 19:31 — carson79wow this guy never quits!! Did anyone ever accuse him of not associating with other races?
"I think he doth protest too much"
Does anyone care who he claims to have "dated"?
This character is a JOKE!! At least he is entertaining...
An integrated life
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 17:36 — papillionWhile I don't know from this just how integrated Tedesco's life is, I believe he was trying to show by providing a glimpse of his life where he is coming from . Many so-called diversity proponents pay integration lip service, but what is their life like? Are they expecting the school system to take care of putting some diversity in their lives, or are they taking care of this themselves? It really doesn't matter whom he dates, that's not the point. The point is that, in the face of racist accusations, he does not care what race a child is. He cares about all of them. People need to be true proponents of diversity as shown by the natural integration of neighborhoods, churches, etc. Then no social engineering would need to be done to create artificially diverse schools; they will be naturally diverse.
I agree with you. I get so
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 01:13 — shaneoI agree with you. I get so sick and tired of hearing from some (note I said some, not all) of the diversity policy supporters who go on and on about how if their kids didn't attend a magnet then they would never be exposed to poor people or people of color. If diversity is so important to them, then why don't they live in a more diverse neighborhood? There are plenty of safe, nice neighborhoods that are more SES and racially diverse than where they are living. Then their kids could be exposed to the diversity that they think is important without having to place it all on the backs of little kids.
But then they wouldn't get their magnet goodies, so I guess as Emily Litella used to say,"Nevermind".
Kind of Like Barber and Petty....
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 19:58 — JanisTangoThe letter from Wake jail was a joke. Barber and Petty can't even hold a candle to the great Martin Luther King.
Nothing Tedesco could ever
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 09:35 — woodstockNothing Tedesco could ever say or do will satisfy the naysayers and angry race-baiters who want to cling to antiquated, failed and discriminatory status quo policies that created unnecessary burdens for thousands of Wake County families and students and that did not serve our most vulnerable students. Their predictions of doom may satisfy their lust for vengeance against wide-spread public sentiment that is demanding that it is time -- way past time -- for positive change, but it does nothing to advance the interests of our school system and the students of Wake County.
The only mistake Tedesco made was to respond in a thoughtful and forthright manner to the slings and arrows dispensed by critics determined to maintain status quo policies, that for all intents and purposes amounts to racial profiling and stereotyping of students and families based on race. That should offend all fair-minded people. The Barbers, Tysons, Pettys and Wrights of the world have shown us beyond the shadow of a doubt that their goals have nothing whatsoever to do with improving the academic performance of children and everything to do serving their selfish interests ...their very livelihoods depend on escalating racial tensions, inciting the ignorant, and creating controversy. They thrive on creating an us against them mentality. Fortunately, the suckers that buy into it are a minuscle minority of ultra-left-wing fanatics. Unfortunately, among this fringe is the editorial board of the N&O who willing feeds the fanatics keeps this insanity alive.
Agree
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 09:11 — SupportNeighbor...John's character - even his sexual orientation - has been repeatedly attacked. While I don't blame him one bit for trying to set the record straight, he'll be crucified no matter what he says. IMHO he'd be better off not responding at all - the many folks out there who know him and support him, know better. And that's all that matters.
I agree. Tedesco has a huge
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 15:12 — red_balloonI agree. Tedesco has a huge task ahead of him and he should be ignoring the distractions.
Who cares
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 07:31 — SatchHHwho JT has dated? The fact that he has dated women of color is irrelevant to whether his policies will help student achievement for students of any background. The fact is that his proposed policies will severely limit opportunities for poor students (minority and non minority) and he's too arrogant to address the concerns posed by people who see where JT's road is leading the county. Mr. Tedesco needs to lead with his actions and show how he is going to help rather than continuing to trot out the argument that he comes from a poor background and has dated African American women, so knows what's best. He's not DOING what's best for students. The Boys and Girls Club saw his double-speak and took action, asking him to resign his post there. Wake County needs to as well. This zone system is going to be a disaster for Wake County.
You're offering real solutions aren't you!
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 09:21 — g88ky07Unfortunately people like you are the "disaster" for Wake County!
As with attempting to demean
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 10:38 — red_balloonAs with attempting to demean Homework Haven, this is yet another illustration of Calla Wright's total lack of grasp on issues that impact education. Her petty vindictive attitude is a roadblock to the progress of AA students in WCPSS. Bereft of positive ideas and the capability to build consensus, Calla Wright will continue to tread a path that will demean the children she claims to represent and alienate those who can and want to help. I hope it will not be long before her failure to contribute anything meaningful relegates her to the sidelines.
I think she has already been
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 13:32 — CaryCurmudgeonI think she has already been relegated to the sidelines, and she put herself there. Her group (and I use the term 'group' liberally) puts out an occasional press release, which is probably never seen outside of the small circle of school junkies. I attended one CACCCAC meeting that was not political in nature, a workshop on improving academic achievement for AA students. But this "workshop" consisted on David Holdzcam presenting a bunch of slides which showed that there is a huge achievement gap, and that it is not improving. It was a WCPSS PR meeting, nothing more.
This group can choose to roll up their sleeves and do some real constructive work toward improving education, or they can continue to part of the group of critics, with little hope of helping a single kid.
Many of us reached out to this group, and it was made clear that we were not welcome. Right now we could be working together to build programs that helped kids, one at a time.
I love one of her latest
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 13:49 — jenmanI love one of her latest missives. Where has her concern been for all the parents who can't get to their children's schools because of the distance?
We are looking forward to your prompt response.
The Elephant in the Room
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 07:48 — SatchHHPerhaps, jenman, Ms. Wright realizes that what is more important than the distance to school is the quality of the school our children attend. It's the quality of the education, not the convenience to parents that is critical to our children's future. Yes, it would be nice to have both, but Wake County doesn't have the resources to adequately serve the high poverty schools that will be created with this new zone plan (and the new board members know it, but they don't seem to care). Wake County doesn't even have the resources to adequately serve the high poverty schools that already exist in Wake County. Your post about transportation and the central office conveniently blurs issues here. Moving the offices to a less convenient location for parents does not serve any positive educational purpose (the financial savings are questionable) - it just makes it harder for poor parents to participate. Sending students to schools that are not their closest school DOES serve a larger educational purpose - creating more balanced schools and a healthier educational environment for everyone. Ms. Wright understands this - why don't you - or do you, and you just have a different political agenda?
I don't think Ms. Wright
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 12:54 — jenmanI don't think Ms. Wright realizes anything at all. About 2/3 of low income children in recent years have been moved from already healthy schools under 40% to another school that is under 25%. Wright implored low income minority parents to accept year round assignments (even though most were far away) because otherwise those YR schools would be segregated. It wasn't about education.
I brought up the central office email because I find it interesting that she is now so concerned with what WCPSS is going to do to ensure that low income parents can get to central office. She should have been fighting all along for WCPSS to do something to make sure that low income parents could get to their child's school. Rarely does one need to go to central office. It is much more important that parents can get to their child's school. Wright has her own political agenda, and it is not the kids and their education.
Sending students to schools that are not their closest school DOES serve a larger educational purpose - creating more balanced schools and a healthier educational environment for everyone. Ms. Wright understands this - why don't you - or do you, and you just have a different political agenda?
And sending low income students to a school 12, 15 or 18 miles away just because that school doesn't have enough of them does NOT serve a larger educational purpose. That was not done with the children's education in mind. I've never been a proponent of a strict proximity assignment model--I still think there's room for some balancing. I fully understand the reasoning behind the old policy and it wasn't all for the good of the children. It did more harm than good in many cases. The only agenda I have in this is to improve WCPSS for all students.
I agree 100%. Great post.
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 12:32 — jenmanI agree 100%. Great post.
Maybe if she went on a date
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 12:05 — bnartistMaybe if she went on a date with John Tedesco she could become qualified to speak about her own gender and race and the issues affecting African American children.
I think Tedesco
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 12:11 — gregishereShould go on a date with me. Then, he'd be qualified to speak about what its like to actually have an idea that didn't come from the Art Pope School of Crap for You, Nice Things for Me.
Open Mouth/Insert Foot
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 09:02 — jgegbgmgTedesco continues to open his mouth and insert his foot. He might end up be the best hope we have to keep diversity in our schools. Sooner or later that mouth will really get him and the board majority in trouble and they will not be able to work their way out of it. JT please keep up the good LIP service as you show your true colors !!!!!! Wonder how long it will be before he and Margiotta go at it. I can see trouble brewing within because of JT and his ego !!!!!! This is like watching a soap opera (instead of Days of Our Lives we can call it Ways to Destroy Our Children's Lives) !!!!!
Tedesco - ism
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 08:50 — gregishereTedesco: "I am good and nice and decent. See how I talk about how good and nice and decent I am. See all my words... about me. See my story. See. See. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me."
Narcissist? Probably.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 20:10 — ApexterQuite a deal you've got rigged against Tedesco there. Serious slurs are made against his character, and he tries to show evidence that there is no truth to the slurs. Since it is nearly impossible to prove what a person's feelings about an issue are, he is pretty much left with using illustrations of his past relationships.
What are his other options? Ignoring the slurs? In that case, you would likely be on here crowing "See? He can't even defend against it! That PROVES that it's true."
Case in point: See your comments in the thread about Cash Michael's idiotic question of "Would you vote to rename Enloe after Jesse Helms?," which was an obvious planted "gotcha" question. Since he didn't bother to jump for the bait, you're damning him again.
Yes, we're clear that you hate Tedesco. Why bother to even comment on anything he says or does, since it's clear that you will complain about anything he says or does?
Well said
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 09:21 — g88ky07and the same goes for all the rest who are obviously jealous of John!
On another note, I noticed earlier there were a lot of comments with this story off the home page, but now they are all gone and you can't comment at all.
What's up with that???
Ahhh the silence ...
calla wright's witch hunt
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 20:40 — red_balloonCCCAC has been at this for quite some time now. This is from a few months ago:
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/cccaac-releases-john-tedesco-e-mail-exchange
It would seem that the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African American Children is questioning the diversity of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, which employs Wake County school board member John Tedesco.
Straws
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 08:42 — JanisTangoThey are grasping at straws now!
what is the world does this have to do with anything!
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 06:31 — Athey01Enough already.