First published on TCFKSM on July 10, 2013.
'If this is how "anti-racism education" works - giving cover to organizations and policies that hurt people of color more than anybody else, it might be time to re-think that whole contraption as well.' — Bruce A. Dixon
Black Agenda Report (BAR) has been a consistent and principled opponent of neoliberal education reform for as long as corporate interests have been attacking our public schools. Please sign their petition right away:
Anti-Racist Educators Should Not Issue Ghetto Passes To Teach For America
Here's the text of the petition:
Mass firings and layoffs of experienced teachers, school closings like those in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and elsewhere are only happening in black and brown school districts. Teach For America is a key element of policies driving us toward the profitable (for a few) privatization of public education. Anti-racist educator Tim Wise is scheduled to speak at a July 19 TFA event.
We the undersigned urge Mr. Wise to reconsider, to not show up, to refund his honrarium if already collected. In the event Mr. Wise DOES address Teach For America we urge him to tell his audience and the world the truth.... that replacing black experienced teachers with mostly white temps is a disaster for black communities, the education of black children, and objectively racist. Nobody's sending "teachers" with only 5 weeks training to white suburban schools, why should we believe it takes only 5 weeks to learn to teach inner city children. If that's not racist, we wonder what is.
We promise to forward the list of signers to Mr. Wise on the 18th. Signers who give us permission to be recontacted will be offered the chance to sign up for Black Agenda Report's weekly email notices, and other ongoing news about the fight against educational privatization and so-called "school reform."
Full Radio Commentary: Why Is Tim Wise Stamping the Anti-Racist Ghetto Passes at Teach For America
A transcript and audio of a longer radio piece by BAR's distinguished Bruce A. Dixon is available: Why Is Tim Wise Stamping the Anti-Racist Ghetto Passes at Teach For America. I can’t recommend it or Black Agenda Report’s education coverage enough.
H/TTim Wise specializes in talking to white people abt racism. Black Agenda asks Why he's stamping Pass Go passes 4 TFA http://t.co/dy2vweSlgd
— Susan Ohanian (@susanoha) July 10, 2013
Addendum
@DailyWak3Up @KeeangaYamahtta @CriticalReading pic.twitter.com/JPYhsONPUF
— Jeff Bale (@JeffBale1) July 11, 2013
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