New Haven Independent

Posted by: Ned | April 18, 2006 4:09 PM

Sounds like the same old blather to me. Free everything, more housing projects, bigger government, higher taxes, envy, etc... Reality check: Have you heard of a country called China? Manufacturing is not coming back to urban America anytime soon, if ever. Corruption and mismanagement apparently resulted in the "loss" of the Q House - sound familiar? What exactly are the basic needs of the "average" African American or Latino, as opposed to the average American? Also, can we retire the tired phrase "our children," please. I don't have any children; you might have children - which makes them yours, not ours. Also tell your children that they do not have to be well dressed to go to the Criterion Theater, they just have to be well behaved, which works well wherever they might go; it's simple, and free, really.

Posted by: Lovebabz | April 19, 2006 9:33 AM

I think Jackie James did a great job of bringing policy issues to the forefront of our consciousness. It is easy to forget how poor communities are often left out of economic decision making, unless it involves displacing them. There is some real truth about young African-American and Latino youth perceptions about their intent when they dare to venture to places that are outside their neighborhoods. I have the priviledge of age and education on my side so, I can ignore the looks from others or stare down others when I enter a place that is often not accustomed to seeing my Black Ass in their establishment, so I can see how young people of color without the skills of history and confidence to protect them.
When we begin to see any child as our child then we begin to see the world in a larger context. We begin to work toward solutions. It is easy to say what is wrong with young people, it is easy to say what is wrong with the world. But imagine if you could think about making a real difference. If each one worked toward the preservation of neigborhoods regardless of who lives there, we could maybe get to some equitable distribution of wealth. I don't know any "average african-americans" We are not monolithic. I know at my house, in my family we want a clean place to live, good food to eat, safe places to play, good schools, caring teachers, satisfying work for pay, access to arts and culture, libraries that open more than they are closed, festivals in the parks, nice neigbors, safe neighborhoods. But most of all we want a place that allows for the cultivation of dreams and wishes and hope. Change your mind and the rest will follow.

Posted by: nellyblydeux | April 19, 2006 1:03 PM

Is Ned under the impression that people see the world the way he does? Tell me, has he ever heard of the concept "it takes a village" to raise a children. If Mr. Ned has no children does he remember what it was like when he was a child. Back then the largest group of the population was not the social security set. The children are the future of this world and especially this country. Always have been and always will be. My children and their peers can go anywhere in this country and this world and find people to relate to. I don't take my children every place but there are places that should be geared toward them or should make allowances for them. I'll take my children across the city line to New Haven or to Orange to theaters that welcome them. I would never take my kids to a theater that needs an alcholic crutch to pull people in on Sundays. Those poor suburban kids with all their stuff need to malls to fund their education. Many fine children come out of the NHPS system. While charter schools have gained the press lately, New Haven also has magnet schools that draw from surrounding towns. Why? The children of New Haven would perform better if more of the teachers lived in the city they work in. The recent manufacturing job losses is because consultants say you can't manufacture in the city. Dear Ned, have you been to River Street lately. China, indeed. Lack of affordable housing hurts everyone. Not just the old, or the poor people of color. Perhaps you need to go back to school.

Posted by: Jeff Klaus | April 19, 2006 3:32 PM

NellyBly,

Many fine children come out of NHPS - but not most. That is NOT to say that they are bad kids, just under-educated. I attended NHPS. I have always believed that it is possible to get a world class education in NHPS. But that doesn't prove anything. Pointing to the cream of the crop is not the test of a good system. The better test is asking "Do MOST of the kids get a good education?". The answer today in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Waterbury etc. is sadly, "No". Unfortunately in order to get the most out of a public school in New Haven, you and your parents have to be resourceful, educated, and determined. Too many NHPS students do not have the support at home to successfully navigate the NHPS system and create a great educational experience for themselves. So what to do? Should we throw up our hands and lament that until we fix poverty and social injustice, or spend $30k per student per year, that poor black and hispanic kids will never learn on par with whites? Not when we can finally do something about it! We now have examples all over the country where these kids, OUR kids can learn and become educated if they are in a proper public school setting. Where are those settings? In public schools like KIPP, Achievement First, or Uncommon Schools. Why has the Chancellor of Schools in NYC (the largest district in the country) sought out and wooed the leaders of New Haven's own Amistad Academy to come to Brooklyn and open schools as fast as they can? Because they work! These are great urban public school models that are getting it done for disadvantaged kids. Here are the real questions: Why has CT., and New Haven in particular, shoved the Amistad model to the side by basically under-funding it and not supporting it's expansion to serve more kids? And most importantly, what are WE going to do about it?