Don't Divide Our Students by Race
Don't Divide Our Students by Race-Facebook Group Poll shows resistance to black-focused schools
Afrocentric school supporter apologizesNational Post An Afrocentric school proponent has written a letter of apology after a Jewish trustee said she used anti-Semitic language.
13 February 2008 Afrocentric schools Please read this editorial from the Globe and Mail. The Globe joins the Toronto Star and hundreds of newspapers across the country that have written editorials expressing concern about the Africentric school proposal.
Action Alert Don't Divide Our Students by Race On Tuesday, January 29th, Toronto school trustees not only voted to create race-based schools, but did so without even sourcing where the funding would come from. At the upcoming May 2008 Toronto District School Board (TDSB) meeting there will be another opportunity for trustees to vote down the Africentric School proposal when staff bring forward their final report coming out of a Program Area Review Team (PART) process. Please send an email to: david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca (TDSB clerk) and request that he forward it to all trustees. Please send me a copy of your email(s) for my records (josh@joshmatlow.ca) Please pass this action alert on to your friends!
9 February 2008 Poll shows resistance to black-focused schools Toronto Star More than four-fifths of residents in the Greater Toronto Area are opposed to the Toronto District School Board's plan for an alternative Africentric school, according to a new Angus Reid poll. Sixty-four per cent of the 451 GTA respondents stated they were strongly opposed to black-based schools, while 18 per cent said they were moderately opposed. Two per cent strongly supported the move, while 12 per cent expressed moderate support. Conducted over three days earlier this week, the poll surveyed 1,097 people from across the province; similar results were found in all areas of Ontario. Last week, the Toronto District School Board narrowly approved creating an Africentric alternative school as a way to tackle high dropout rates among black youth. Premier Dalton McGuinty opposes the move and has refused to provide funding for the school. Four out of five GTA residents surveyed supported that position. About the same percentage in the GTA stated a black-based school amounts to segregation and is a step backward. Eleven per cent said black-focused schools are needed to help black students achieve. Eighty-five per cent said they oppose creating ethnically focused schools in their own municipality. The Afrocentric School Proposal -November 2007 North Toronto Post- by Josh Matlow The Toronto District School Board, along with other levels of government, community agencies and parents, has a responsibility to respond to the fact that there is a disproportionate number of black students in Toronto who are either failing to graduate, dropping out or experiencing incidents of racism. However, the proposal to create an “Afrocentric” school is, in my opinion, the wrong approach to adequately respond to our students’ needs. Rather than focusing on one school to curb society’s ills, we must collectively combat racism and tackle the challenges we face in all of our 557 public schools. I believe that our school board should expand upon our existing courses and alternative programs which can educate all of our students about Canada’s many cultures and peoples, and about role models such as Martin Luther King Junior, Nelson Mandela and contemporary trailblazers like Barack Obama. Some have called the “Afrocentric” school proposal segregationist or the opening of Pandora’s box. I believe it could be the tip of a very dangerous slippery slope. Statistics show us that another group of students that our school system is failing is from our Portuguese community. Therefore, is the answer then to create a “Portuguese-centric’ school? And if so, must we divide that school into black Portuguese and white Portuguese classes? The answer is clearly no. I suggest that it is not it in the best interest of our society to divide our public schools, and children, along race-based lines. Rather, our public school system must identify which students are in need of support, whether it is because they are targets of racism, bullying, homophobia, or whether they are autistic, physically handicapped, hearing impaired, etc. and provide them with support within a safe and caring learning environment. Toronto’s students, no matter the colour of their skin, want to go to school together, learn about each other’s cultures and identities and succeed in the world. Let us not stigmatize them, divide them or narrow their academic experience by giving up on our diverse and multicultural school system that has an opportunity to improve.
Action Alert on the Africentric School Proposal Please contact all TDSB school trustees and express your support for our city's black students and your opposition to dividing Toronto's public schools by race. Click here to read more. Please be advised that the Chair of the Board has called a special meeting as follows: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 6:00 p.m. 5050 Yonge Street Board Room The purpose of the meeting is to consider the staff report related to the Africentric alternative schools proposal. The agenda will be ordered so that the first item will be to resolve into Committee of the Whole, in public, to hear delegations that wish to address the staff report. Following delegations the Board will reconvene to consider the staff report. All persons wishing to speak to the issue must register as delegations prior to the special committee meeting by contacting Board Services at: david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca. You can send an email to all Toronto District School Board Trustees c/o David Tomczak (clerk): Please send me a copy of your email(s) for my records (josh@joshmatlow.ca) NEW! Click here to read staff recommendations that Trustees will consider at the January 29th meeting. Trustee Matlow's alternative motion to the Africentric School Proposal– African and Black Studies (students learning together) Whereas the Toronto District School Board, along with other levels of government, community agencies and parents has a responsibility to respond to the fact that there is a disproportionate number of black students in Toronto who are either failing to graduate, dropping out or experiencing incidents of racism; and Whereas, it is imperative that the Toronto District School Board act in a substantive manner to do all it can to ensure optimum and equitable learning conditions, that meet the needs of all students; notwithstanding their place of origin, across each of its schools; and Whereas, Toronto’s students, no matter the colour of their skin, want to go to school together, learn about each other’s cultures and identities and succeed in the world, fully cognizant of all its intricacies and differences; Whereas, the Toronto District School Board must positively and collectively take action to combat racism and tackle the challenges students face in all of our 557 public schools in an approach that expands, not limits choices for our students; and Whereas, one of the principle goals of our schools should be to bring students together; not divide and potentially stigmatize them through artificially created divisions Whereas, all students, no matter the colour of their skin or their ancestry, should have an opportunity to learn about their own family's culture and those of their fellow students Therefore, be it resolved: That staff be directed to report back to the April 2008 regularly scheduled meeting of the BOARD with a framework of how to move forward on the following; A critical path which outlines, the recommended approach by staff on the best way to ensure that the Toronto District School Board support students toward the fulfillment of the following objectives; achieved across all board schools: 1. The equalization and expansion, where appropriate, of African and black studies and other world culture curriculum course offerings across all quadrants of the TDSB which ensures that students in all areas of the city can access and benefit from such subjects in order to achieve a greater understanding of the great contributions of African and other societies contributions to world and Canadian history. 2. That all African and black studies course offerings be delivered in a non-colonial context and in a manner that encourages students, no matter the colour of their skin, to learn about these subjects together rather than divided
-----Original Message----- Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2008 16:14:51 Dear Brenya. Wow! Thank you. I have literally received hundreds of emails about this issue but never one Thank you for sharing your remarkable story with me and I will certainly While most people on both sides of the debate over black-focused schools are However, it is clear to me that there is a diversity of voices from every Your voice means so very much and I will do what I can to help it be heard. Sincerely, Josh
-----Original Message----- Hi Josh, Thank you for taking the time to speak to me :) After, I got off the phone with you and have been thinking about so many But I think that the media is saturated with the issues... Will africentric schools reduce high school drop out rates amongst Carribean The only way I can answer this is by telling my story. I was born in Toronto and lived in the Jane-Finch community since a toddler. Being one of the few only Blacks (there were only 3 of us) in class was an The truth is most teachers I came across did not understand me---I was a By Middle school, I spent grade 6 being called, "nigger", "brown cow" and When people put your down, it is natural instinct to fight back. In search Malcolm X told me to fight!. I was determined to do both. I fought anyone who put me down and found My defiance against the authority resulted in poor grades. Desparate and in hopes for something better, my parent decided take me out The idea of Black teachers excited me, and for the first two years I did This time, my parents expected these Black teachers to understand, to be The only teacher who took the time to try to understand my struggle, was Mr. After graduating from Crawford Adventist Academy I received a scholarship to Poor Administration. Africentric school can empower youth who have become distrustful of white As administrative director of Friends in Trouble Youth Initiative, (F.I.T.) By working with these youth, I've had to learn this valuable lesson--you can ---without compassion, understanding and patience--these youth will not be So, what will F.I.T. do to help reduce the drop-out rate in the Jane-Finch 1. Make School Relevance. Bring these youth to the "water", By teaching 2. Increase Parental Involvement. The purpose of the parent council is to At F.I.T. we are preparing to start a program called F.I.T. Parents. The FIT Parent representives will attend parent council meetings and provide One thing is certain, caging our youth in an artificial reality will cripple Forward this email to anyone who may find it helpful---I will speak to If it isn't useful...thanks for taking the time to listen :) and I hope you brenya griffin vinson F.I.T. administrative director
Media Archives 16 February 2008 Afrocentric school supporter apologizes National Post An Afrocentric school proponent has written a letter of apology after a Jewish trustee said she used anti-Semitic language. 12 February 2008 Toronto board holds to Afrocentric school 11 February 2008 Kids are pawns in ESL shell game 7 February 2008 After approval, many questions await 'Africentric' school proposal 24 Hours Toronto Now Toronto 6 February 2008 Effort to stop black-focused school fails No plan to revisit Africentric school 5 February 2008 Trustees Not Keen To Reopen Vote McGuinty doesn’t see Africentric school trend New black school debate? 4 February 2008 Trustee wants to revisit Afrocentric school decision Listen to Josh tonight on AM 640 Toronto Radio, The John Downs in mp3 format right here. 2 February 2008 Reopen Africentric school vote: Trustees Toronto Star Threats follow tough vote Mix-up over schools' early closing Afrocentric schools unlikely in other parts of Canada: expert 1 February 2008
580 CFRA Ottawa Radio Ethno-Centric School in Toronto 31 January 2008 What's next for Toronto's Africentric school? More black-focused schools? 'Show us the money' Multiple Afrocentric schools suggested Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... 'Afrocentric' school faces hurdles Hamilton Spectator Decision unlikely to spread; Black-focused schools not expected in ... Now Magazine 30 January 2008 Metro News
Questions abound for Afrocentric school Many details to be determined on Africentric schools Many details to be determined on Africentric schools Many details to be determined on Africentric schools Details of Afrocentric schools up in the air Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... A Class act, finally Province Won't Fund Black-Focused School: Wynne
Board closer to Afrocentric school Board closer to Afrocentric school Toronto school board votes in favour of creating a black-focused school 680 News Radio Trustees narrowly approve black school Board okays black-focused school Black school okayed Black school okayed 29 January 2008
Black-Focused Schools Could Soon Be A Reality In Ontario Board had a plan to limit safety-report backlash Globe and Mail Black leaders to come out against proposed Afrocentric school Black schools plan called 'immature' Africentric school decision tonight | EZRock EZ Rock 28 January 2008 Toronto plans Canada's first black school The Washington Times Toronto poised to launch all-black school to combat under- achievement Black school for 'success' Josh on the John Downs Show on AM640 Radio - click here for mp3 file. 24 January 2007 TDSB report recommends black-focused high school Toronto trustees to vote on setting up alternative schools for ... $800Gs price tag for 'Africa school' Toronto Sun 23 January 2008 'This would be a step backwards' 21 January 2008 Click here to listen to Josh on the John Downs Show on AM640 Toronto Radio 17 January 2008 Trustee skeptical of school report Trustees mixed about black-focused schools idea Toronto steps closer to Africentric school Matter of trust Now Toronto School board to discuss black-focused schools Board trustees mull proposal for black school Board closer to Afrocentric school School board discusses black-focused schools to battle high drop ... Toronto Board Leaning Toward Black-Focused School CityNews
TDSB Staff Recommend Black-Focused School Toronto District School Board senior staff are recommending creating at least one black-focused school in Toronto's northwest end, and implementing black-focused curriculum at three others. The schools would be open to all students. Budget Chief and former School Board Chair Shelley Carroll tells AM 640 Toronto's John Downs show that it's an idea worth serious consideration. "The time has come, we have to do something. They've been looking at it for some time and they're backing it up with serious data." But School Board Trustee Josh Matlow disagrees, saying schools should be preparing students for the real world. "I think it narrows their academic experience...that's not the real world in Canada. Canada's about coming together, working together and learning about each other." The board will decide whether to move ahead with the idea at the end of the month. 16 January 2008 AM 640 Toronto Radio-The John Downs Show Shelley Carroll Toronto City Councilor, former Toronto District School Board Chair Toronto steps closer to Africentric school Toronto school board considering Africentric school
15 January 2008 Dead teen's mother blasts school board Last chance for public to weigh in on Africentric school option 7 November 2007 McGuinty not 'comfortable' with Afro-centric schools Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty CBC Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea ... Yahoo News Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea ... Macleans Black-focused schools a poor idea: McGuinty Kitchener-Waterloo Record London Free Press 'Afro-centric' schools idea doesn't impress McGuinty 6 November 2007 Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty Trustees Consider Black-Focused Schools for Toronto CFRB 1010 Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty am770 Calgary Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty am60 Edmonton Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty Separate, black-focused schools in Toronto not a good idea: McGuinty
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