Hi, everyone: Here's a follow-up of my last post. As promised, a support staff member of La Follette High School called me back to talk about the Capital Times article on racial division. Based on our discussion, it seems to me that this individual works closely with this type of issue. At the outset, he admitted that he has not yet read the article (which he believes was written by the editor of the school newspaper) but he has heard students talk, and has spoken to them, about it. The gentleman said that the issues raised by the article are significant issues that exist in every high school, which I understood to mean every high school in Madison. He reiterated that La Follette works hard to break down those barriers. He believes that focus needs to continue on these issues. Regarding what the School is doing, he said that a variety of initiatives are being undertaken, that people are being held accountable, and that they can't let their guards down. When asked whether any attempts are being made to promote sensitivity among the students regarding these issues, he said that the School conducts and promotes multi-racial/multi-cultural discussion groups to help students break down the barriers. Also, when asked about what students who don't feel disadvantaged or unwelcomed think about these issues, he pulsed for a moment and said that it is a very good question. He then said that that question has a variety of answers, citing examples ranging from students who, because they are not affected, aren't aware of the issues to those who make extra efforts to reach out to students who are different from themselves. The staff member pointed out that there are challenges in putting together programs (note, I'm paraphrasing) that cater to the needs of approximately 2000 students. Citing his experience from working in elementary and other schools lower than high school, he said that what happens in the previous 9 years usually carries over into high school, creating additional challenges. In closing, he said that La Follette has made major progress in achieving gender equity among students, but they are still working on racial issues. They take these "really seriously." Well, that's the latest update. Let see what comes down from the general Madison community as a result of the published article. Have a blessed evening! - Wilmot "Wilmot B. Valhmu" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Vera, Earlier today, after posting my response to the article below, I called La Follette High School and requested to speak to someone in Administration. I was forwarded to the Principal's office, where I left a voicemail message. A few minutes ago, the Principal called me back. I asked whether he's seen the article in the Capital Times about racial division at La Follette and other high schools and what his views were regarding the article. He said that he's seen the article, stating that the School makes it a priority to make all students feel welcomed and that they work hard on diversity in the School. He stated further that La Follette is not perfect but they do their best, which I took as his acknowledgment that a problem might exist. In closing, the Principal invited me to visit the School and said that he'll have another staff member call me to share his/her views. If possible, I'll to visit the School unannounced and observe, after reporting to the Administration, how students interact. Speaking to the president of the PTA for his/her views might also be helpful. I pray that the concerns of the student will be addressed affirmatively. Something needs to be done, even if only one student feels unwelcomed. Take care, - Wilmot VERA R CROWELL <[log in to unmask]> wrote: ** Please visit our website: http://www.africanassociation.org ** The "community" has to first acknowledge the fact that there is a problem, and that it is racial in nature. As long as the "community" diverts the real issues and hides behind politically correct euphemisms and sanitized language, nothing will change. This "community" tends to turn racial discussions into discussions of gender politics and equity; perhaps those topics cause less discomfort. If you can keep the "community" on task, and not distracted by other issues, something may be able to change. (Maybe the "community" should take some Ritalin, before the discussions. Note: I am joking.) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wilmot B. Valhmu" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thursday, September 15, 2005 1:07 pm Subject: Re: Darlinne Kambwa: RACIAL DIVIDE IN HIGH SCHOOLS > Uncle Aggo, > > After reading this article, I agree with the author that something > needs to be done. But what? How does the community address this > issue? > - Wilmot > > > Aggo Akyea <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > ** Please visit our website: http://www.africanassociation.org ** > > Darlinne Kambwa: RACIAL DIVIDE IN HIGH SCHOOLS MUST BE > BRIDGED BY GROUP EFFORT > > By Darlinne Kambwa > The Capital Times > September 14, 2005 > http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion//index.php?ntid=54049&ntpid=11 > > > Most students attend school five days a week, > approximately eight hours a day, for at least 11 > years. With all of the time spent at school, it > literally becomes a second home. > > Students should never feel uncomfortable, unsafe or > unwanted in our public schools. However, many do. > > This fall I am a senior at La Follette High School. As > a minority student, I feel that the environment has > not been inviting to the entire student population. > Racial divisions at La Follette are a serious problem > that need to be addressed before it becomes worse. > > The racial divisions make students, particularly > minority students, feel uncomfortable and unwanted. > > Students at La Follette High School, just like any > other high school, tend to draw toward people they > feel comfortable around or have something in common > with. Groups are often formed based on race, age, > gender or social class. > > As you walk through La Follette's halls, the first > thing that stands out is race. The halls are crowded > with little clusters of students everywhere - but most > of these groups are full of students of the same race. > > Students are often told they can always approach a > teacher or faculty member with their problems. But not > all students know a faculty member they feel > comfortable talking with. This is just one example of > how the administration and teaching staff do not > connect with the entire student body. > > How teachers interact with minority students has a > large impact on how the minority student body feels in > school. > > Another striking example of how the teachers' and > administrators' actions at La Follette negatively > affect the minority student body is the unequal > enforcement taking place. Oftentimes African-Americans > and other minorities are stopped in the hallway for > passes or receive detention for being tardy, while > whites do not. > > Teachers and administrators need to decide on one > system for enforcing the rules. > > This is not to imply that students are not responsible > for their own actions, but rather that their actions > need to be fairly judged by the entire staff. Being an > African-American, I know this treatment makes students > feel unwanted and discourages success. > > There is no one reason that racial division exists at > La Follette, but it is an issue that needs to be > discussed. Whatever the solution may be, it must be a > group effort. Teachers, students and administrators > need to come together to solve it. > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > www.madison.com is operated by Capital Newspapers, > publishers of the Wisconsin State Journal, The Capital > Times, Agri-View and Apartment Showcase. All contents > Copyright ©2005, Capital Newspapers. 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