Wake County school board member John Tedesco's car seems to be a magnet for diversity policy supporters.
One of the crowd of protesters who were chanting outside the school system's headquarters climbed on top of Tedesco's car today to post fliers. The fliers told the board that it was still time to reconsider the vote ending the diversity policy.
Raleigh police detained the student, whom Tedesco said told him was an Enloe High School student. Tedesco said he offered to not press charges if the student and his mother agreed to meet with him and talk things over.
Tedesco said his car was dented and scratched.
Since some of you guys are skeptics, Raleigh police confirmed today's incident.
Tedesco has also said his car was plastered with posters on the day of last month's HK on J rally in Raleigh in which the crowd chanted that Tedesco's got to go.
Comments
I KNOW THE KID!
Mon, 05/03/2010 - 15:34 — jbazz3yI happen to KNOW the person that "pulled these stunts". He's a very well tempered young man, and really cares about what's going on here. There was no purposeful damage to any property. He even said that he didn't even see any damages to Mr Tedesco's car. I think that Mr. Tedesco was very generous in not pressing charges, but from looking at pictures, I saw absolutely no damage. The scratches and the dent were already there. Might I just say that it's not cool for you all to say all this stuff about a kid, you don't even know him. He's so nice, and so caring for other people. I think it's great that he spoke out about what he believed in. And NO, he was DEFINITELY not influenced by his parents........how judgmental.........
Responsibility of tone
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 12:51 — SDR256The continual torquing up of the negative emotional tone has been very disappointing. Fingerpointing, name calling and insults do not help us move forward as a community. Especially disheartening were the antics of one of the GWIW leaders in front of whom I sat last night. Wearing a peace sign she loudly booed, called Debra Goldman names (idiot), commented on Debra's hair color as perhaps being the reason that she was perplexed when Debra was honestly trying to understand a detail, gesticulated, and ridiculed John Tedesco for engaging in dialog with his colleague, Keith Sutton ("yak yak yak"). Sigh. With leaders like this of course others will take it one step, two steps further.
Please everyone, it is possible to disagree civilly. Can we all remind ourselves again to take responsibility for our tone? Its healthy to be passionate. Its healthy to have a vision for change. Its not healthy to attack individuals. We all get carried away periodically, but this is a critical time. Of course, if you WANT the national media to come and see our community being torn at the seams, then of course you will organize a bunch of impressionable kids to throw themselves at the police.
There are some who I believe don't want us to find out how much we all have in common. I had some very interesting face to face conversations yesterday with people with whom I might not have otherwise crossed paths. We all learned something new and we agreed that we agree on more than we disagree. I believe that we CAN have academic success for all, stability, choice, proximity AND diversity that matters (in rigorous classes and in graduation rates). Why not? But we won't get there with vandalism and political theater. That just scares most normal people away.
I hope you all will consider talking (and listening, not shouting or lecturing) about your goals and fears about the schools with someone unexpected. Come to our event or find your own opportunity, but just please try 'stepping across the aisle'. All it takes is one or two people to start a change. Why not you? Why not me?
There is an opportunity to talk about community schools tonight at K&S Cafeteria tonight (Wed Mar 24)
Cary location, South Hills Mall, Buck Jones Road
6 - 8pm
Boy what a concept
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 15:51 — hmoncelleHarry_Moncelle
THANK YOU SDR, I will make sure I am at the K&S Cafeteria. I am very anxious to sit down and chat without name calling and fingerpointing.
I really enjoyed meeting
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 08:59 — jenmanI really enjoyed meeting you, Harry. I am so happy you and your daughter decided to come. I felt really good about the general tone and the conversations last night. Hope to see you again.
Nice to meet you!
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 23:56 — SDR256Nice to meet you Harry! Hope to see you again next time. There is lots of opportunity for us to move forward positively I think.
You beat me to it!
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 15:40 — louiselee44Thank you for capturing my sentiments and observations in what you have written. Now I can just say "ditto"!
My conversations with folks waiting in the ticket line were extremely beneficial and led to mutual understanding. It was great...
Wish I could make it tonight - thought I could, but turns out my church meeting is at 6:30 instead of 7-something.
I'll be there in thought and spirit - count me in on wanting to find a rational and respectful way to deal with differences...
Thanks Louise!
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 23:58 — SDR256No worries. We had a great meeting. It was about 1/2 WSCA and 1/2 new people - several of whom clearly had 'crossed the aisle' to come. Very happy to build new bridges of understanding.
Maybe next time! But even so, Louise - you do and have done so much! You're an inspiration.
Glad to get the details on
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 09:56 — jenmanGlad to get the details on this. THanks Keung.
As for John, I applaud his actions. Very generous and thoughtful response.
What a generous response by
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 09:27 — changewcpssWhat a generous response by J Tedesco to a truly classless action. If a child is acting like a hooligan he needs to learn that there are consequences to his actions. Did Mom even care? I know that J Tedesco comes from a rough upbringing, but where he gets his unending compassion for others is a mystery. WCPSS has a real gem in J Tedesco.
He tells us where he gets it
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 09:38 — louiselee44Tedesco's words in Keung's bio of him - "...by the grace of God..."
Why is it that only white
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:00 — JoeTarheelWhy is it that only white people are the ones in favor of 'ending diversity' while white, black, asian, latinos, etc are the ones who think it is a good policy?
Does anyone wonder why there are racist undertones to this idiotic decision?
I can't stand stereotyping.
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:05 — louiselee44Were you present at the meeting yesterday - and/or three weeks ago? Did you listen carefully to the points of view as you took note of the speakers' race? You are wrong on this one.
Keung
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 07:35 — louiselee44Thanks for posting about this!
Keung, While you are at it
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 07:45 — Voice_of_Reason_I heard on TV there were a few arrests and they were from out of town young adults. Could you find out what group they represented? Thanks
arrests
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:07 — essequamvideriVOR - As I wrote about this yesterday, I'll let you know what I found out, quite easily.
One arrest, that of the angry young man w/ glasses, was of Dante Strobino, a 28-yr old from Durham. He writes for workers.org, he's been arrested for trespassing during his work as a union organizer up in Butner, and he started or is involved with Raleigh FIST - Fight Imperialism, Stand Together.
Just google his name - he writes quite fascinating material. He appears to be a professional agitator.
I wonder if he attended this protest alone, or if he was part of a group. And 28 is hardly the age of a student.
Some laugh about it
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 10:38 — Voice_of_Reason_But is there not a common thread with communist leaning groups in the organized resistance to this new board. This is a model school system to them because it holds socio-economic equity theme in such high regard. It's failure is a blow to their cause.
I am not saying all the opposition is this, but I still think we hit a hornet's nest. So far I am quite surprised this Dept of Justice has not stepped in to join in the fight. I am sure they are looking into it.
Voice. This is a group of
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 23:34 — festusVoice. This is a group of three. They are really not that scary. They are a lot less attractive and a lot less scary after yesterday.
Are we still afraid of communists?
what communist leaning groups
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 10:46 — Athey01are you referring to?
OK here you go
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 12:21 — Voice_of_Reason_Caveat - these groups have other than Communists within, however they are heavily infiltrated by them in leadership positions and their goals are aligned:
But let's start with one of the guys that were arrested, go to this web site:
raleighfist.wordpress.com/
Universal Unitarians, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, and ,yes the NAACP.
Note: Social Justice is not being used in a religious sense, it is being used in a Communism sense.
Here is what I found out about the other two arrests:
Rakhee Shirish DeVasthali - Community activist, part of a group protesting UNC Board on potential budget cuts in Apr 2009 organized by many groups with communist ties.
Duncan Edward Hardee - Community activist, arrested at Republican National Convention for violent protest at age 20
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OT Sidenote : Ever wonder what the healthcare bill is all about see: breitbart.tv/shocking-audio-rep-dingell-says-obamacare-will-eventually-control-the-people (user I beat Rush on this)
the whole story
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:11 — louiselee44Do you think the AP will bother to publish this? I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath.
not in my lifetime ...
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:25 — essequamviderias you might agree, the AP, in my book, stands for A-bsolutely P-athetic.
It would ruin the narrative, after all - hundreds & hundreds (I understand the N&O said 500, WRAL said 200?) of kind, compassionate, non-racist, rainbow-colored citizens of world, attending a moving candle-lit vigil, holding hands & singing "we shall overcome" ...
To then turn that cream puff of a story upside down & report on the ugly truth of the motivations of some of those involved in the anti-community schools movement would just spoil the fairy tale.
You disappoint me. Dante
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 23:37 — festusYou disappoint me. Dante Strabino as representative of the people who packed the church two nights ago? You really have no respect for the huge range of people--old folks who were forced by law to attend segregated schools, nearly a dozen clergy representing more than 60 churches, many well meaning and concerned parents, and children--at that church? How sad. How sad that your vision of community is so small, and your world so bitter, that you don't have room in your community for us.
Edit: I've got room in my community for you.
A Black-Eye for Enloe
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 07:25 — Voice_of_Reason_I wonder if they have an course in anarchy, bodes well for the future. Funny thing, did you notice any black students protesting from Enloe? I'm sure these kid's really value that diversity.
Is vandalism a course being
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 05:57 — shank561Is vandalism a course being offered at Enloe or is this the NAACP and GSIW's doing ?
Classy move
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:25 — raleighlauraon Tedesco's part. I'd be furious with my kid, or anyone who did that to my car, and to say "just let me talk to him" is both generous in spirit and with his insurance deductible!
Was it one of those
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:21 — klanders65Was it one of those "diverse" kids, angry that the wealthy white students might be moved out of their school?
Keung - Thanks for all the
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:37 — red_balloonKeung - Thanks for all the information you have provided on today's meeting.
Thank you.
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 01:02 — KeungHui (author)Thank you.
NO Way
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:30 — jgegbgmgI wouldn't give JT the pleasure of meeting with him - Rather be charged - He is a poor example of someone who really cares about the kids !!!!!!
This was big of Tedesco
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 23:28 — festusAnd his own personal willingness to walk his talk is admirable. Plus I totally respect his work.
Where I disagree with him is his policies, which are disastrous. But I admire him and I thought this was a truly kindhearted gesture that will help this child.
That's a real smart
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 05:47 — shank561That's a real smart atttitude to have. You must be another enloe kid. I think the best thing for the kid to do is take his chances, get charged and see if it affects his future career prospects.
With the background checks
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 06:16 — DrActualFactualWith the background checks employers do these days and employment policies such as they are kids should think long and hard before getting arrested. I have seen potential employees lose out for a simple bounced check infraction. Just sayin.
You'd rather the kid be
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:36 — red_balloonYou'd rather the kid be charged (which he deserves, btw)? And you pass judgment on caring for kids!
It's Called Consequences!
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:07 — JanisTangoI appreciate the approach JT is taking. I think it will be better in the end. However, if my kids misbehave and make bad choices they PAY the consequences. If they don't, then how do they ever learn! Maybe this kid will learn a valuable lesson in the end.
I think it would be an
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 09:26 — red_balloonI think it would be an expensive lesson depending on his career choices. I commend Tedesco for continuing to sit down and talk with those vehemently opposed to his ideas.
Totally Agree!
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 09:47 — JanisTangoI totally agree!
SEE!! This is uncalled
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:25 — aquaman4life68SEE!! This is uncalled for! If it were my kid, I'd pull a Bill Cosby on him..."I brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it!"
Sickening to see this happen, and we have nothing but this to look forward to in the future.
Five brownie points for the Cosby line
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 23:39 — festusLove it. My dad used to say that to me, too. Along with, "Your mama ain't watching."
Edit: I did some pretty shameful and stupid stuff when I was a kid. Even if I try to forget it now. My dad was always there for me anyway. That is what I really remember about him.
I fear this may be a case of
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:47 — enufalredythe apple don't fall too far from the tree. Hard to believe a kid raised with expectations of respectful behavior would have done such a thing. Don't know that mama is going to care much.
My kids would know not to call me to bail them out if they pulled a stunt like that.