The head of the national NAACP could come to Raleigh for next week's mass demonstration against the Wake County school board's elimination of the socioeconomic diversity policy.
The Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP, said he has talked with NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous about participating in the July 20 rally. Barber, who is also on the national board of directors of the NAACP, is in Kansas City for the group's annual convention.
Todd Jealous has previously spoken out publicly about the Wake school situation.
Todd Jealous issued a press release in March demanding that Ron Margiotta resign as school board chairman for having said "here come the animals out of the cages" during a board meeting.
The NAACP has accused Margiotta of having racial overtones with the statement. But Margiotta has questioned how it can be racial if he was complaining about how the mostly white crowd was booing a black speaker for saying he opposed the diversity policy.
Barber mentioned his attempts to bring Todd Jealous to Raleigh after giving a fiery speech Thursday at the prayer vigil organized by the Eastern N.C. District of the AME Zion Church.
During the vigil, in which Barber was the speaker of honor, he repeatedly said that the move to neighborhood schools in Wake would lead to more high poverty schools. He compared high poverty schools to making an upward pool shot on a table that was tilted.
"All we want is a level playing field," Barber told the audience.
Barber said that the ability of a few students to succeed at high poverty schools doesn't mean it's acceptable to go with neighborhood schools.
Barber again raised the possibility that he and others who go to the school board meeting after the march will engage in civil disobedience that could lead to arrests. He said that "folks have to do what the Lord leads them to do" at the school board meeting.
Unlike the March 23 arrests, none of the people arrested at the June 15 meeting have been barred from being on school property.
"If we have to pray together and go to jail together, forwards ever backwards never," Barber said as he was cheered by the audience.
Comments
Rev. Dr. Barber's "race-baiting speech"
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 04:47 — ellabakerIf Hui made any errors in reporting what happened at St. Mark AME Zion Church on July 8, it was that he did not really convey the religious fervor and spiritual intensity of the service. There was a long reading and exegesis from Amos 5. There were long and tearful prayers. The congregation sang "Sweet Hour of Prayer" and heard sermons from both Bishop Richard K. Thompson and Rev. Dr. Barber, both of them passionate Christian calls for love, mercy, and standing up for the poor, those of whom Jesus said, "as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me." Barber called for loving the Wake County school majority, in fact, and even those who adopt policies they know will hurt the poor. Little of the real tone of the service was covered in the newspaper and not much of the substance. Those who rail against Barber, I suspect, would have found the proceedings truly a remarkable experience, perhaps a little comforting in one sense and pretty unsettling in another. In Hui's defense, it would have been hard to capture on paper.
ot-any of these folks ever protested these places ?
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 13:34 — AngelaW25 SCHOOLS RECEIVE FEDERAL SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
Twenty-five schools in 19 districts will share over $65.4 million in federal School Improvement Grant funding over the next three years to improve student achievement. The schools received the grants based on a formula that identified the bottom 5 percent of the state's consistently lowest-achieving schools according to state testing and, for high schools, a graduation rate of less than 60 percent. In addition, selected schools had to be Title I or Title I-eligible. In Title I schools, at least 40 percent of the students are economically disadvantaged. Alternative schools were included in the selection process according to federal requirements.
Fourteen of the selected schools serve at-risk middle and/or high school students in an alternative educational environment designed to be smaller and to increase opportunities for success over more traditional school settings. In addition, two elementary schools, one traditional middle school, and eight traditional high schools were selected.
State Superintendent June Atkinson said, "These schools serve some of our most vulnerable students, and they have been challenged to show the progress needed to ensure that students graduate with the 21st century skills to succeed. We are excited to see how this kind of intervention can make a difference in schools where a large percentage of the students are economically disadvantaged, or where many of the students have disabilities, or are at an increased risk for dropping out."
In order to apply for a School Improvement Grant, schools had to select from federally-defined intervention models with a commitment to begin implementation in the 2010-11 school year. Six of the schools will be implementing a Turnaround Model, 18 will be implementing a Transformation Model, and one will be Restarting.
The Turnaround Model includes replacing the principal and rehiring no more than 50 percent of the staff, implementing strategies to recruit and retain staff, adopting a new governance structure, and increasing learning time.
The Transformation Model includes replacing the principal and removing teachers determined to be ineffective after ample opportunity for improvement is provided, instituting comprehensive instructional reform strategies, increasing learning time and creating community-oriented schools, and providing operational flexibility and sustained support.
The Restart Model involves converting the school or closing and reopening it under a charter management organization or an education management organization and enrolling any former student who wishes to attend.
The following districts will receive grant funds. The model the districts will employ in its schools is noted along with the school(s) and the grant total:
Each district must annually report on the progress its school(s) is making toward meeting its goals. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will review the school's progress to determine if the district's School Improvement Grant should be renewed. The federal funds were awarded by formula to states, which then made competitive grants available to school districts. The expected reforms are large in scale and the money can in no way be used to fill in state revenue holes. For more information, please contact the NCDPI's Communications division at 919.807.3450.
"Unlike the March 23
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:55 — woodstock"Unlike the March 23 arrests, none of the people arrested at the June 15 meeting have been barred from being on school property."
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Good, let them do whatever they want for as long as they want to do it. I would refuse to arrest these people or even give them time of day. If they want to intimidate the board members and take over their seats for a 2nd time, let them. If they refuse to leave, turn out the lights, lock the doors and tell them good night. Let them stay as long as they like. Shut down central office and put staff on unpaid furlough if need be.
For years and years, students, parents and taxpayers have fought WCPSS's antiquated, status quo forced busing policy. These noble citizens fought it by attending community engagement meetings, pleading with school board members, making phone calls, writing letters, and through other lawful and respectful means. Finally, they were rally candidates and elect a board that addressed their concerns. However, now apparently and according to the Barbars, Meekers, Gatewoods, Tysons and Pettys of the world, we are supposed to ignore those lawful and ethical effort and succumb to their extreme left-wing wishes. Ain't gonna happen no matter how loud and angry they get or how many times they break the law in pathetic attempts to grab attention.
"...succumb to their extreme left-wing wishes."
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 08:42 — hmoncelleHarry_Moncelle
My goodness woody, sit down and take a cold one out of the fridge, relax dude. When you calm down, take a minute and explain to me what is the "extreme left-wing wishes" are? From what I have read and observed, these folks don't want to see more high poverty schools created within our school district.
They feel just as strongly about this as you do about your perception that WCPSS used an "antiquated, status quo forced busing policy". I think you both legitimate grounds for debate. Perhaps if we all can calm down, lower the volume, maybe we all can come to decisions that will begin to get our school district moving forward and begin solving many of our academic challenges.
LOL It is a bit early for
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 10:57 — woodstockLOL It is a bit early for me to imbibe, but please go ahead.
It's pretty clear this is all about the extreme left-wing's desire to retain some semblance of power ...which they see slipping away. This explains the rather extreme, albeit often entertaining, tactics they are choosing to use and the identities of the rabble-rousers. Seriously, you'd have to admit that you don't get a lot more extreme than the likes of Barbar, Gatewood, Tyson, Brannon, Petty, and the Meekers.
I understand their fear and anger, they just witnessed voters electing a relatively conservative/moderate group of folks -- evil Republicans, you know -- to the Wake BoE who want to deemphasize race and income in student assignments because these issues do not have a whole lot to do with job one: education. This represents a multi-pronged assault on the left-wing extemist's very foundation which requires them to oppose every idea ever uttered by a Republican, flame -- or in this case manufacture -- racial tensions, and to encourage class warfare. It is what they do; take that away and what's left for them? It is desperation time in the left-wing extremist camp.
Additionally, what you are failing to acknolwedge is that only one side is living in 2010 and talking with the parents, voters, and taxpayers about education and student achievement. The extreme left-wing opposition, on the other hand, remains in mired in the 1960s, spewing insulting race-based rhetoric, watching movies, and singing civil rights hymns from 50 years ago.
Hi Harry, Completely agree
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 08:53 — CaryCurmudgeonHi Harry,
Completely agree with you. I will point out that all the race-baiting is coming from the forced-busing supporters. The media-fueled "dialog" right now is not very productive. I thought the conversation we all had at K&S was very productive. I'd like to see more of that and less press conferences, marches, vigils and civil disobedience.
Less rhetoric
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 09:07 — Dove314Less rhetoric and personal attacks on this blog wouldn't hurt either.
Hi Joe,
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 09:07 — hmoncelleHarry_Moncelle
good to hear from you. I think we need more opportunities to honestly listen to each other and then move forward. I don't expect everyone to agree with my point of view but I do expect them to listen and reflect on what I have to say, just as I listen and take time to reflect upon what many of the board majority supporters are saying.
To meet our challenges we need to meet face to face and not engage in the name calling and "marginalization" that tends to take place when people become so polarized in their views. I would support more conversations like then one we shared at the K&S cafeteria to begin laying the foundation for compromise and not continue this "ready fire aim" type of dialog.
March 23rd Protests
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 23:40 — true_freedomI'm pretty sure that the board members were pretty intimidated during the March 23rd protests. Anyhow, I have a feeling at this next protest, there will be a bit more than just sitting in some seats. I mean really, look at the people who are coming to this thing on the 20th: communists, liberals, socialists, and anarchists.
Sounds like they need to clean out the jails
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 09:47 — g88ky07so they have enough room for everybody!
look at the people who are coming to this thing
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 09:36 — hmoncelleHarry_Moncelle
I'm sure you agree with me "ture" that in our democracy everyone gets a voice and has the right to be heard even those who we disagree with... Otherwise we don't have a democracy.
And...
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 06:15 — Bob_SconceCriminals.
Is there anything even remotely relevant on the agenda?
I don't expect that would
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:57 — red_balloonI don't expect that would work @ I would refuse to arrest.
Disruption at the meeting would lead to BOE business proceedings being impacted. The protesters should be allocated time to voice their concerns at the BOE meeting. If they turn out to be disruptive, they need to be escorted from the building.
I still don't understand how the March violators are barred from WCPSS property but not the June violators. Don't bother having a rule if it is not enforced.
No worries
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 13:58 — MichYankeeNow that the Central Office will be moving to Cary, I'm sure the Town of Cary will
put an end to all of this madness. Perhaps THAT was the motivation for the move?
Apparently, the clincher was
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 16:08 — red_balloonApparently, the clincher was the proximity to Galaxy Cinemas.
I guess equal application of
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 11:09 — DrActualFactualI guess equal application of the law is optional.
Barber needs to make it
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:29 — red_balloonBarber needs to make it worthwhile for Jealous to attend the 7/20 meeting. That would mean, for starters, to stray even further from the goal of educating children. The grander the spectacle the greater the lure for Jealous. However, once the circus leaves town, maybe we can pay some attention to making sure high F&R schools are not deprived of resources.
...
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:44 — SideburnsThe rally may serve as an activity for those attending this at the Raleigh Convention Center:
July 16 through July 21 – The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church will hold its Christian Education Division Quadrennial at the Raleigh Convention Center. The event is expected to draw more than 3,500 people.
LOL I love it. Let's bring
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:24 — woodstockLOL I love it. Let's bring Reverends Jackson and Sharpton into the mix too to make it a real 3-ring circus and so that everyone can see for themselves that this is ALL about race and the NAACP's desire to cling to any semblance of legitimacy in 2010.
Please pay attention to who is doing the talking -- and who is NOT talking -- then ask how any of what they have to say has anything at all to do with academic achievement, equity, and the best interest of ALL the students and families in WAKE COUNTY.
Keung, what was so "fiery" about Barbar's speech. Was it more of his usual angry, insulting race-baiting rhetoric or did he offer something different this time?
Most of it is his usual
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:25 — KeungHui (author)Most of it is his usual speech, which he treats like a sermon, as he motivates the crowd with various accusations about the plans of the school board majority. I focused on the newer stuff for this blog post.
"....various accusations
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:55 — woodstock"....various accusations about than plans of school board majority."
I see, maybe he and Mr. Oxolm -- who wrote a Point of View piece in the N&O today -- got a two-for-one deal on their crystal balls.
Well..
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 11:06 — Bob_SconceOxholm does have a good point -- local school boards are relatively weak in what they can do, compared to what's mandated by the State. I wasn't aware that NC teachers had the apparent equivalent of tenure here, creating simply horrible incentives without any substantial public benefit. And, parts of the SCOS are abominable. (Brought to you by the same people who didn't think it was important to teach the country's founding or the civil war to high schoolers.)
But, I'm with you on Oxholm's jumping to conclusions -- because the board wants the ability to consider non-education people, he's concluded that they will necessarily choose one.
is the speech on the wral site?
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 09:45 — Athey01I did not see it.
N&O Cover for Barber
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 09:28 — PACK_MIKE77"Barber mentioned his attempts to bring Todd Jealous to Raleigh after giving a fiery speech Thursday at the prayer vigil organized by the Eastern N.C. District of the AME Zion Church."
Someone not have enough
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:23 — KeungHui (author)Someone not have enough coffee yet this morning?
I don't know about you, but I'm not going to sit here and type out his entire 30 minute speech word for word. Some of the stuff he's mentioned in past speeches, such as his history lesson about segregration in NC schools, his allegations of a secret school board plan, the ties with Pope and Luddy, I've already written about so I'm not going to repeat them all again in a blog post. I ran the most interesting of the newer stuff he's talked about. If you want an example of a full Barber speech, you could have found it at this blog post: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/seeking-the-high-moral-ground-in-the-wake-school-diversity-fight I PDFd his speech there.
Technology?
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 11:28 — PACK_MIKE77"If you want an example of a full Barber speech, you could have found it at this blog post: http://blogs.newsobserver.com wakeedseeking-the-high-moral-ground-in-the-wake-school-diversity-fight I PDFd his speech there."
EXACTLY. You can do it. Do all the speakers on JULY 20. Get Drescher to get you guys recorders where you are able to record and download to a PC automatically creating a Word or PDF document. Then you don't have to write it by hand!
While I am at it. You linked to Chris Fitzimon's calendar blog describing the rally as an effort to stop WCPSS from "re-segregating" the schools . Isn't that illegal? Or is Chris Fitzimon lying about the WCPSS assignment plan?
"Opponents of the re-segregation of the Wake County schools have announced plans to hold a public rally on July 20, the dat of the next Wake County Board of Education meeting. For more information"___ http://www.ncpolicywatch.org/
Why do you bother commenting
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 23:42 — true_freedomWhy do you bother commenting if you hate Hui's writing so much? Why even bother reading?
I've posted the full text of
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 12:12 — KeungHui (author)I've posted the full text of Barber's speeches when I've been provided them. I'm not going to spend my time transcribing his speeches. That's why I try to summarize them with the more interesting parts.
As for Fitzsimon, I'm not quite sure what you're referring to. I've blogged about his columns in the past but I'm not sure about the calendar thing you're referring to.