| Interesting Article re: inclusion vs. segregation |
| Monday, 03 December 2007 | |
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You know how I often speak about all-black orchestras versus all-white orchestras and matters of inclusiveness, the superficial reasoning behind all-race groups in the first place and the deeper psychology behind it? Well, here's an interesting article re: all-black schools in Canada. Let's discuss the similarities or rather, who cares? Blacks in Canada want Black-focused school Blacks in Canada have been clamoring for the establishment of schools that teach their history. And this past November 29, 2007, CTV Toronto reported that a group of parents shut down the Toronto District School Board's (TDSB) meeting when they found out that a feasibility report on the establishment of such a school has yet again been tabled. The article, "Supporters of black-only school shut down meeting" said that "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." Back in 2005, Dr. George Dei, wrote an opinion piece entitled "Black-Focused Schools Are About Inclusion, Not Segregation" for the Ontario, Canada newspaper, the Guelph Mercury. In that piece, Dr. Dei the current professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Equity Studies, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) refuted charges that a Black focused school would be segregationist. "A black-focused school works with the principles of social responsibility, mutual interdependence, respect, transparency and accountability. "Classroom teachings centre the learner in her own culture, history, personal location and spiritual identity. A focused school treats education as an expression of shared community responsibility. "Teachers work collectively with students and parents, educating about academic and social success, community belonging, social responsibility, mutual interdependence, respect for oneself and peers, and the wisdom of elders. "The school will teach discipline by developing the learners' sense of self-worth, moral fibre and purpose within society. Teachers will invoke alternative ways to practise effective discipline without resorting to suspensions, expulsions or the summoning of law enforcement to the schoolyard. "The school will be established within the public school system. The idea is no different than those behind the establishment of faith-based schools, all-girls schools, the French Immersion programs, specialized arts program, and even boy-only literacy classes in the junior grades. "Some have asked if we should give in to any group that wants such a school. My response is that where there is established educational disadvantage (e.g. Aboriginal students) we must never close the door to new, or even radical educational options for youth." |
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