PUBLISHER'S PEACEPublic Schools Under Attack
As I think about my life and how I got to this point, it was clear that Chicago Public School has played a major role in my development and present success.
But it was just not the brick and mortar. It was the love and concerned from committed educators who understood that my life and my future deserved attention, care, love and understanding. It was also clear that my parents were concerned about my early education. They did what they could with what that knew. And what they knew was that me and my siblings were not coming into their house with bad grades and calls from teachers who addressed my clowning around. See, I was considered a minor class-clown.
I did what little boys did in school. I learned. I played around. I disobeyed. But even though I was kinda shy, I had the power to lead. My teachers knew that the other kids followed me, so they had to control my movements in order to keep my peers in line. They punished me often. I even got banned from our school library. How funny is that - given the fact that I love to read, and as you can see, I use communication to earn my living, to defend my people and to disrupt the status quo.
The status quo has failed to continue the legacy of Chicago Public Schools' ability to educate young black and brown children. They've failed to acknowledge and support real teachers who've devoted their lives to instilling the art of learning into tens of millions of grade and high school students over the years. And too many parents today have allowed this madness because they've also failed in directing and guiding their children down the right path for success. They've ignored the importance of not only having children, but how their cute little child needs more than slang nicknames, but established identities that demand attention and display power.
When CPS administration did a recent massive over haul of teachers and dedicated administrative soldiers, they lost real hustlers who cared. People like Mr. Phil Hampton, who recently retired from CPS; not because he wanted to, but because he's seen the writing on the wall from his former leadership team, now led by alleged bigot, Forest Claypool. CPS' new CEO has brought in his careless money grabbing team, and has increased their pay 30%, while the mayor complains of budget shortfalls.
One of Hampton's main concerns, as he has witnessed the transition since BBBwas forced to resign, is that very few blacks are being retained or brought in - so he wonders, who'll fight for black kids? They completely erased the Next Generation Mentor Program that was designed to pair adult alums with students at designated schools. This program was overseen by Hampton and Ashley Richardson, another committed soldier. I have not heard from her, nor do I know Ashley, but people have spoke extremely high of her to me.
These, and more changes, including the closing of 50 schools and the sneaky attempts to silence the Dyett protesters and hunger strikers, has made it extremely clear that the City of Chicago has plans to dismantle the public school system. Not to mention their investment in dozens of charter schools over the last few years.
I believe that there's only way to stop this disrespectful madness! The hundreds of thousands of CPS' alumni must speak out to put a halt to this mass exedus of our history and legacy. Peace and One Love.
I Write to Differ...
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