Reverse racism at Jeff

I guess if you're a 'white' educational activist, you're not supposed to say anything about all the injustices heaped on the predominantly 'black' Jefferson High School by a  white superintendent and a predominantly white school board.

Or even ask questions of those in charge.

That's what my pal Lynn Schore was told by Jeff's principal Cynthia Harris, appointed to the position by that same white superintendent after her earlier choice, Leon Dudley, demonstrated he was incapable of running the school. 

Leon Dudley treated Lynn no better than Harris.  He once forced her out of the school and sent her home in tears.  I guess that's what happens when you stand up for your beliefs, at least when you're dealing with PPS brass.

When you stand up to Cynthia Harris about Jeff's closed lunch policy, you're told that's an issue to be handled in-house between Harris and the students.  Funny thing is, from all that I've read, the students themselves think the policy is unfair.  It's one of the many problems that led to Leon Dudley's resignation.   

That's not all that Harris told Lynn.  She told her, in no uncertain terms, that white people should not meddle in the running of a predominantly black school.  She said that "she didn't need advice from a white outsider" on how to get things done at Jefferson.  If that sounds racist, well, it is.  I wonder if she ever said anything similar to Vicki Phillips, another white woman, and true outsider,  who came up with all sorts of ideas on the best way to run Jeff, from uniforms to single sex academies. 

Here's part of what Lynn wrote to Harris (and the school board) after the "incident":

"Dr. Harris, at the OABA meeting you stated (paraphrasing): 'We need Black people to clean house at Jefferson, not white outsiders seeking glory for themselves.'  It is Portland Public Schools administration that needs to clean its house – of discrimination, inequity, and inadequate curriculum.  Are you saying that all the non-Black families in Jefferson cluster have no say and no stake in their neighborhood high school?  ... Are we now going to limit parental involvement at Jefferson High School based on race?" 

Maybe the "housecleaning" should begin with the resignation of Cynthia Harris. 

(Steve Rawley also has a post up on what transpired at the OABA meeting.)

Comments

[Mary]

Willamette Week also has a report in their print edition. Check it out online here: http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3345/9585/

[Steve R.]

I shudder when I hear the term "reverse racism," since it's usually used by white people when they feel slighted by things like affirmative action.

In the case of Cynthia Harris and her handlers at PPS, I think we can just call it plain old racism. I don't care what color somebody's skin is, if they say "Black kids are different," that's racism.

The disgusting subtext here is that PPS has all along tried to pander to some bizarre concept of what they think of as the "black community," as if it were some monolithic entity represented by Tony Hopson and his vision of black entrepreneurship.

It's patronizing, disrespectful, and yes, racist to suggest that black kids need things white kids don't need, like uniforms, gender segregation and closed campuses.

As I said on my blog, students of all races would be better served by full funding of educational programs and reintegration.

[Wacky Mommy]

I have a post about this topic up on my blog, as well.

[Wacky Mommy]

Forgot the link, sorry -- http://wackymommy.org/blog/archive/2007/09/19/thursday_thirteen_111_thirteen_ways_i_learned_about_racism/

[megs]

It ain't the first time and it is reverse racism....As it was at John Ball when a white teacher with wonderful credentials (two years ago)... was driven out of there because she didn't "understand" the black culture...(according to the principal there.) Racism is alive and well...Sad but true...When confronted with it, people choose to just move on in most instances, I guess. It's ugly, and who wants to deal with that?

[Terry]

I thought twice about using the term "reverse racism", but when it comes right down to it, that's what it is, isn't it? If I lived in say, Nigeria, it would be a different story.

[Wacky Mommy]

I just call it racism.

[Lisa Richardson]

"Racism", "reverse racism", or anything else, is not the real point. That's just what we choose to call it.

The real point is that parents have a right to be involved in their child's education. That involvement should not be limited based on anything, race included.

I do not know much about Jefferson's lunch policy right now, but if it cannot be defended except by saying, essentially "stay out of it", there may be a problem.

Even if Harris does not agree with Lynn's position, Lynn still deserves respect and an explanation, not an insult. As a concerned parent, that is the least she should receive.

I'm Lisa Richardson, and I am running for the open seat in Zone 6 on the PPS Board of Education, in May 2009. Please visit me at www.lisarichardson.org and share with me your concerns for the upcoming election.

Thanks!

Lisa

[Rob Kremer]

I appreciate the fact that you have such a clear eyed view of this. It is racist, certainly. Whether we call it reverse racism or racism matters little, that is just semantic.

I've always figured "reverse racism" was when a public policy intended to deal with some "majority race" advantage resulted in discrimination against the majority.

In this case, Harris's statement is simply racist. But it matters little whether we call it reverse racism or just plain old racism. It is wrong. I appreciate it being pointed out.