It's about the School for International Studies. I had never heard of it (don't live in Brooklyn), but I am in District 3 on the UWS, which had a similar racially-charged battle with re-zoning a few years ago. I was deeply unimpressed by the first two episodes of the podcast. Lots of stereotypes of the white parents (they're over-involved and tone-deaf, surprise!), and no mention of the more nuanced/challenging issues involved.
I admittedly have not listened yet, but I do think these issues are generally pretty complex and that segregation is more of a socioeconomic issue than a racial one (if those things can be separated). We do live in a racist society, and all of its benefits (education, health care, employment, etc.) are unevenly distributed, with the wealthy getting the most. But in general you can't place the blame on individuals -- there are broader policies in place that perpetuate inequality. (See, e.g., the 2017 massive tax cut for corporations and billionaires.)
You're right about the socioeconomic issue. When our school was re-zoned to include low-income housing, some of the loudest voices in opposition were MC/UMC parents of color. It's extremely simplistic to say that white parents shoulder all the blame for segregated schools in NYC. It's also extremely simplistic to imply that integrating the schools - which, mathematically and geographically, is virtually an impossibility in NYC - will magically solve inequality.
Yep, it’s socioeconomic. This is something I was going to point out. The MC/UMC black & POC families I know would have demanded the same things that the white families did in order to be comfortable with sending their kids to a school considered as “failing”.
@Anonymous and hypocritical. Brilliant POC friend is furious her kid lost the lottery for a better public and is putting her in private. Meanwhile I'm tone deaf and white. Sure.
Yes, it is mathematically impossible, when only 15% of public school students in NYC are white. But also, the schools need to have equitable policies. For example, all fundraising has to benefit the students in an equitable (not necessarily equal) way. Everyone should get what they need.
Anonymous
Aug 05, 2020
This is unrealistic...people fundraise to benefit their own children...this has been demonstrated over and over again. "Everyone should get what [they] need" is from the Communist Manifesto...these are never going to be equitable schools.
I don't know of any schools that allow fundraising for specific classes. Several schools in our district have a segregated gifted track that has a far wealthier/whiter group of parents than the other classes, but I've always heard that the funds that are raised are distributed evenly. Regardless, I find the "private public" model grotesque, ditto with the obnoxious public school "galas" where wealthy parents bid thousands for Kindergarten artwork. I think the funds raised by PTAs should be shared with all schools.
Yes, as OR posted below - it sounded like the parents were offered the chance to start a French program but told they had to raise funds for it. Then they were crucified for their efforts. Nice.
Anonymous
Aug 05, 2020
You're asking people to raise money for children...whose parents can't or won't raise it for their own children. Not gonna happen.
I have been wanting to check it out. What did you think?
Which school is it?
It's about the School for International Studies. I had never heard of it (don't live in Brooklyn), but I am in District 3 on the UWS, which had a similar racially-charged battle with re-zoning a few years ago. I was deeply unimpressed by the first two episodes of the podcast. Lots of stereotypes of the white parents (they're over-involved and tone-deaf, surprise!), and no mention of the more nuanced/challenging issues involved.
I admittedly have not listened yet, but I do think these issues are generally pretty complex and that segregation is more of a socioeconomic issue than a racial one (if those things can be separated). We do live in a racist society, and all of its benefits (education, health care, employment, etc.) are unevenly distributed, with the wealthy getting the most. But in general you can't place the blame on individuals -- there are broader policies in place that perpetuate inequality. (See, e.g., the 2017 massive tax cut for corporations and billionaires.)
+1
You're right about the socioeconomic issue. When our school was re-zoned to include low-income housing, some of the loudest voices in opposition were MC/UMC parents of color. It's extremely simplistic to say that white parents shoulder all the blame for segregated schools in NYC. It's also extremely simplistic to imply that integrating the schools - which, mathematically and geographically, is virtually an impossibility in NYC - will magically solve inequality.
Yep, it’s socioeconomic. This is something I was going to point out. The MC/UMC black & POC families I know would have demanded the same things that the white families did in order to be comfortable with sending their kids to a school considered as “failing”.
@Anonymous and hypocritical. Brilliant POC friend is furious her kid lost the lottery for a better public and is putting her in private. Meanwhile I'm tone deaf and white. Sure.
Yes, it is mathematically impossible, when only 15% of public school students in NYC are white. But also, the schools need to have equitable policies. For example, all fundraising has to benefit the students in an equitable (not necessarily equal) way. Everyone should get what they need.
This is unrealistic...people fundraise to benefit their own children...this has been demonstrated over and over again. "Everyone should get what [they] need" is from the Communist Manifesto...these are never going to be equitable schools.
I don't know of any schools that allow fundraising for specific classes. Several schools in our district have a segregated gifted track that has a far wealthier/whiter group of parents than the other classes, but I've always heard that the funds that are raised are distributed evenly. Regardless, I find the "private public" model grotesque, ditto with the obnoxious public school "galas" where wealthy parents bid thousands for Kindergarten artwork. I think the funds raised by PTAs should be shared with all schools.
There are some events along these lines in the podcast. A French immersion program, separate fundraising, galas etc.,
Yes, as OR posted below - it sounded like the parents were offered the chance to start a French program but told they had to raise funds for it. Then they were crucified for their efforts. Nice.
You're asking people to raise money for children...whose parents can't or won't raise it for their own children. Not gonna happen.