I first heard about this story on Twitter and thought it might have been one of those crazy things people say on the Internet. However, when I check it out, sure enough it was real.
An Ann Arbor elementary school principal used a letter home to parents tonight to defend a field trip for black students as part of his school’s efforts to close the achievement gap between white and black students.
Dicken Elementary School Principal Mike Madison wrote the letter to parents following several days of controversy at the school after a field trip last week in which black students got to hear a rocket scientist.
“In hindsight, this field trip could have been approached and arranged in a better way," Madison wrote. "But as I reflect upon the look of excitement, enthusiasm and energy that I saw in these children’s eyes as they stood in the presence of a renowned African American rocket scientist in a very successful position, it gave the kids an opportunity to see this type of achievement is possible for even them.
“It was not a wasted venture for I know one day they might want to aspire to be the first astronaut or scientist standing on the Planet Mars.
“I also think it’s important that you know that I have talked to the children who did not go on the field trip, and I think they have a better understanding of the purpose of the AA Lunch Bunch now, as I hope you do. I’m sorry if any kids were upset by the field trip or my discussion afterwards with them, and I have let them know that.
“The intent of our field trip was not to segregate or exclude students as has been reported, but rather to address the societal issues, roadblocks and challenges that our African American children will face as they pursue a successful academic education here in our community.”
If I were one of the parents who got this letter my question to Mr. Madison would be, what is it that would prevent black students from experiencing excitement, enthusiasm and energy if children from other races were around? I would ask this question because for the life of me, I cannot see any good reason.
What this program of exclusion reminds me of is how socialism really works. The way socialism works is that it does not really elevate the poor or middle class. Instead, what socialism does is to bring down the wealthy to the level of the poor. In this case, Mr. Madison is attempting to pretend to elevate black student’s achievement by bringing down the educational opportunities of children from other races. Not cool, Mr. Madison.
Via: AnnArbor.com