Update on the Seattle School District 's bizarre "definition of racism", that Andrew's Dad noticed last month and we've commented on a number of times. The District has just pulled the "definition of racism" statement from its website in light of all of the criticism, but the google cache still has the priceless original.
While this particular web page is currently being revised, the nutty people and thought process responsible for it are still in place. Today's press has two very good columns taking them to task -- Knute Berger in the latest Seattle Weekly: "Dumbing Down Racism: The Seattle School District's definition has a hidden agenda". And in the P-I, an op-ed by Andrew Coulson of the Cato Institute: "Planning ahead is considered racist?". Coulson's conclusion: reorganize public education around choice instead of government monopoly. Indeed.
And speaking of government monopoly schools, here's a fascinating spectacle you won't want to miss: the accelerating discomposure of a man who spends his waking hours propagandizing on behalf of unfettered government and then one day discovers through his own experience with the Seattle School District that unfettered government really is as incompetent and unresponsive as we've been saying all along.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at June 01, 2006 10:10 AM | Email ThisI will never understand why the boneheads in charge refuse to see there is nothing remotely discriminatory about having academic and behavior standards and enforcing them.
This latest stunt by the school board won't solve the problem of declining enrollment in a city with a growing population (normal people see this as sign something is seriously wrong with the school system). The only reason schools in the north end are being closed is to make the selected closures look "fair". A pox upon them for being such morons when it comes to our children's future.
Posted by: Burdabee on June 1, 2006 10:45 AMIt's funny watching him continue to dig and dig. He's put up a picture of kids at his school, probably not a good idea given the predators that lurk on the Internet. The picture hopes to justify that he's racist to the right degree by selecting a class with just enough different hues to justify his point, etc.
Ignorance is something Goldy could work around, but blind faith in progressivism is proably not curable. Sad that his daughter is ending up a political football, and mostly because he can't let go of anything, even when he's been beaten.
Posted by: Jeff B. on June 1, 2006 11:01 AM“In response to the numerous concerns voiced regarding definitions posted on the Equity & Race website, we have decided to revise our website in a way that will hopefully provide more context to readers around the work that Seattle Public Schools is doing to address institutional racism. The intended purpose of our work in the area of race and social justice is to bring communities together through open dialogue and honest reflection around what is meant by racism and the impact is has on our society and more specifically, our students. Our intention is not to put up additional barriers or develop an “us against them” mindset, nor is it to continue to hold onto >>>>unsuccessful concepts such as a melting pot or colorblind mentality. Warm regards,
Caprice D. Hollins, Psy.D.
Director of Equity & Race Relations
Seattle Public Schools”
The “melting pot” has served this county pretty durn well for 200 years and now it is obsolete (according to them). Is this stupidity or something more sinister? When the “leading scholars” they speak of are hard left redistributionists (dare I same the ‘C’ word?), we will see more of the same. Maybe more tenderly worded, or disguised so as not to raise concern but more of the same.
These people create more racism because they are so racist.
Posted by: G Jiggy on June 1, 2006 11:09 AMExactly. Only in the upside down world of a progressive does more racism fix racism. What they want is a "Ministry of Racism" where color is dolled out to the precise degree of a commission that decides exactly how many blacks, whites, yellows, browns, etc. are allowed into Seattle Schools.
Dr. King's dream of a world where people are judged for the content of their character is being replaced by a world where people are once again judged by their color.
The difference, and what supposedly legitimizes racism for progressives is that it is now institutional. As long as racism is defined by the omniscient and omnipresent government, it's OK.
Posted by: Jeff B. on June 1, 2006 11:17 AMJeff B......that quote is a beauty!! It also applies to Poverty, Joblessness, Immigration and all the other LEFTIST PINHEADED issue du jour that every time them try to tackle GETS WORSE!
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on June 1, 2006 11:20 AMThe vast majority of intelligent people with kids in or about to go to public screwl packed up and moved outta Seattle in the 1970's --
Posted by: Bill on June 1, 2006 11:26 AMSo as being colorblind doesn't work we are all being classified (in the same way as Hitler did it?) and separated by the pigmentation of one's skin. But this isn't creating an "us against them" mindset?
Such morons, saying this group gets this, but that group doesn't based on pigmentation. How on earth does that not set up and institutionalize an "us against them"?
Posted by: Fred on June 1, 2006 12:25 PMAside from that, the responses in the thread show the usual pattern: liberals are unable to post anything without using the f-word at least once of twice in their spewing.
Why are liberals such foul-mouthed jerks? I'd really like to know what it is about liberalism that makes its followers think they will sound grown up if they use filthy language. I suppose they think it makes them "cool", but all it does is make them look like bigger jerks than they would otherwise.
Posted by: Interested Observer on June 1, 2006 12:35 PM"nor is it to continue to hold onto unsuccessful concepts such as a melting pot or colorblind mentality"
Wow. I am angry here. According to the Seattle schools, we must obsess with petty, unchangeable things such as skin color and the goal of stop obsessing with something petty and unchangeable is futile. Wow. The Seattle Schools are racist and those crying racism are the most racist.
The Dept. of Equity and Race Relations and its director, Caprice Hollins must go.
Posted by: AP on June 1, 2006 12:40 PMAnd they say they are not trying to be devisive? Gimme a break. Google it and you'll find organizer of the White Privilege buffooner is some race-baiting diversity idiot from the Bush School in seattle.
Never trust anyone named after a defunct, discontinued low quality sedan (Caprice)even if they sport a PhD (Piled higher, Deeper).
Ross
Posted by: Ross on June 1, 2006 04:25 PM