We Collect Inspiration: Tresa Dunbar and Kerry Purcell

We haven't done this in awhile. And these women are FIERCE:

Principals Tresa Dunbar and Kerry Purcell are the subjects of the new documentary The Principal Story. The documentary explores how the two principals, Purcell with six years of experience and Dunbar with only two years, go about inspiring their staffs, their students and themselves to improve conditions and test results in their schools.

"If you want to turn around troubled schools, schools that are challenged, school that have a majority of low-income students, you really need strong leadership," said Tod Lending, the film's executive producer and co-director, who followed Dunbar and Purcell for a full school year. Lending received a grant from the Wallace Foundation to document the challenges faced by school principals in America.

At the two schools, at least 95 percent of students are at or below the poverty line. At the beginning of the documentary, each of the principals was leading a school that faced tremendous disciplinary problems, including poor attendance and failing test scores.

Listen to this story here. Seriously.

Common Sense from Rachel Maddow

Always.
Speak up.
Speak out.
People will hear you.
And now

--when Pat Buchanan can rant on a reputable cable news channel in a way that puts the Ku Klux Klan promotional material to shame--

IS the time, if there ever was one.

Facebook Foolishness vol. 3, In response to: Chris Brown Apologizes...Facebook Style, nonetheless

Ok, so, IC beat me to this by a matter of mere minutes. Consider this post to be my answer to her question. Oh, before I go too far, it feels good to be back in CR! Missed Ya'll! Been too busy actin' a fool this summer to keep up with the past month or so's posts...
...'nuff of that...

so, i make it home from work, pee, walk ms. thang and then get on facebook and my other assortment of banned sites that i can't access during the regular work day.
while on the beloved, yet devlish facebook, i see a good friend of mine and someone i consider to be like fam post the status update you see below:









the other comments follow and as you see, the kid got a liiitle excited on this topic. so in the same spirit of IC, let me know...was his apology enough? are we too caught up in pop culture? what about misogynistic views (am i missing the boat? is isht like this okay now?) oh and lastly, "really?!" to the ppl who's identity has been protected by the genius of the Maven...you wanna play the holier-than-thou judgment game? REALLY?!

Black and Brown Kids Barred from the Pool (Philly)

From Color of Change. The day camp paid the club $1900.00 to act a damn fool.

[ETA: The Field Negro, an excellent blogger in Philly, has his ear to the ground with an excellent breakdown/update of facts]

Dear friends,

Two weeks ago outside Philadelphia, sixty-five children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club their camp had a contract to use. Evidently, the club didn't know the kids were largely Black.

When the campers entered the pool, White parents took their kids out of the water, and the swimming club's staff asked the campers to leave. The next day, the club told the summer camp that their membership would be canceled and that they would refund their money. When asked why, the club's leader said the "kids would change the complexion ... and the atmosphere of the club."

A "Whites only" pool in 2009 should not be tolerated. The club's actions appear to be a violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act. Whether or not any laws were violated, a "Whites only" pool should be something every American condemns.

I've just joined ColorOfChange.org in doing exactly that -- will you join me, and email your friends and family asking them to do the same? We're also calling on the Department of Justice to evaluate suing the facility under federal law. It takes just a moment to do both, here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=1766-899373

Obama is President but that doesn't mean that suddenly all is fine when it comes to race in America. This is a vivid reminder of what we know still lies beneath the surface.

We all know stories like this one -- similar incidents play out quietly every day in different communities across the country. The difference in this case is that folks got caught and there was a contract in place that makes for a potentially illegal act.

Standing up now isn't just about making things right for these kids in Philadelphia or bringing consequences to this swim club (called the Valley Swim Club). It's about creating a climate of accountability everywhere. If we can publicly shame the Valley Swim Club and hold them accountable for this incident, it will make others think twice before engaging in this kind of discrimination.

Please join me in condemning the Valley Swim Club's blatant discrimination and calling on the Justice Department to investigate whether they violated civil rights laws. And please ask your friends and family to do the same.

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=1766-899373

Thanks.

Here are some links to more info:

"Pool Boots Kids Who Might 'Change the Complexion,'" NBC Philadelphia, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/90Zyr

"60 Black Kids Booted from Philly Pool For Being Black -- Speak Out," Jill Tubman at Jack and Jill Politics, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/GkJTs

"Valley Swim Club: Day Two," Adam B at Daily Kos, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/qbpSA

"Section 1981 Summary," Employment Law Information Network
http://www.elinfonet.com/1981sum.php

Update: Department of Justice takes the case on

Facebook fooliness.. (a story in screen captures)

So yesterday a single friend of mine posted an article about marriage on her facebook page. The article itself was cool, but as can be expected, the comments quickly deteriorated into the typical "Good Black men are hard to find" and "Y'all Black women are too picky," Below is the screen grab of the convo. I have blotted out the names to protect the ignorant. Notice the post before mine...

So pretty much, my intention was to a) "give a brotha a chance and b) maybe get some free dinner! (can't blame me for trying) Next thing I know I get this message in my personal inbox from the guy who posted before me... we'll call him E.



WTF!!!!! I think to myself...well you fit neither of my criteria... then there's not reason for me to call you...so i go on to bed and living my life...until i get this message tonight...read on...

i
So now I'm a little offended... okay... more than that, I'm starting to get pissy...so this is my reply...

"Hate to answer a question with a question... and i will try not to be combative... but dude... you don't know me and you just stepped to me with some real BS. you told me you were in a relationship, then gave me your number, then sent me an email entitled "offer" when i did not respond. What exactly were you offering me, E--? a chance to be your jump off? a chance to get you out of a complicated situation? a chance to get myself caught up in all of the unnecessary drama that black men and women embattle each other in? a chance to be "that girl" that brings hurt into another woman's life? it clearly wasn't an offer just to trade ideas...we could have done that on the wall post without needing a private message or things being complicated, or you passing a "litmus" test.

I'm grateful you were honest and up front, many people aren't even that up front. but dang really? And what makes it even more hurtful is that i asked my girl what your deal was and she told me exactly how successful and intelligent you are. I would have been just as happy talking to you as an interesting, non-romantic interest. But you took it to this other level where you frankly had no reason or business taking it.

Why did i have to establish the boundary? why didn't you? Because you have a Y chromosome? THAT is what frustrates me. So i will let our interaction be the response to your inquiry. Yes, it is difficult..because for some reason even seemingly intelligent men make the assumption that i just MIGHT be willing to pass on my standards and convictions for a compliment, or a hug, or a dinner or a good lay... and when they find out that i am a woman of substance (education and looks notwithstanding) they move on to something a little less challenging...often lesser quality, but something that makes it easy to dabble and let go when they are done. because they were never really interested in the substance that i had to offer.

do me a favor though, don't move on to the next thing until you properly finish with what you have on your plate now. And you should look at what you have now...it very well may be worth being actually COMMITTED to.

no animosity intended, i just wish brothers (of all race) didn't approach situations this way, and i wish even more that sistahs (of all races) wouldn't fall prey to the fear of loneliness to let them get away with it."

After sending this message of course, he's all upset and is like..."Oh it wasn't even like that, you jumped to a conclusion, I gave you my number so we could have a non-romantic discussion about the topic that was posted. Plus, as an intelligent woman you should know that I could just be meeting people people to help some of the single guys that I know find good women out there!" blah blah blah....

I just wanted to check with yal... do i look that stupid? Or could someone really be out of touch of how this whole thing could appear of base? ::sigh:: N**** aint ish, man....

White Privilege-- Real Talk

take a moment to watch it all the way through... then let the discussions begin.

I know many of you are familiar with Tim Wise...but I thought we'd bring him into The Common Room.

"F&ck what ya' heard!"

so yea, it's '09 and i'm about to dispel/bring you up to date on a couple of items...

1. niggas ain't shit! (well, we have known this since we were, what? 8, 9, 12 yrs old?) well, females ain't either. which leads me into #2...

2. honesty is overrated...that shit don't get you NO MOTHERFUCKING WHERE! "Lie to me dammit, lie to me!" (Chris Rock, anyone?) he hit the nail on the head; people WANT to be lied to. (except me, lol). :)seriously, i don't, which leads me to...

3. Acting Accordingly in '09. Okay, so for those of you who don't know, acting accordingly is my mantra for the year (or indefinitely...as long as it takes me to get it right) which equates to acting your damn age. this might include but in NO WAY is limited to: getting your funds right, being honest, getting a new (or first) job, going to (or back to) school, or not fucking every tom, dick and harry (or sally). i have a couple of these on my list...for me, being honest (not mean) with primarily myself and others is part of acting accordingly. however, in spite of recent shenanigans, i am seriously thinking of going back to circa '07/early '08 and just doing whatever makes me feel good. hell, in a lot of ways, life is MUCH easier when you act now and beg for forgiveness later. hmm...i'll keep you posted on this one...

anyways, just needed to vent.

damn, it's hard out here for a bad, black girl.

Well, Since No One Wants to Call and Tell Me About Inauguration Day

I'll let Jay Smoothie the Cutie tell it.



Preach on Jay.

(Correction: I exempt T, who might be the Common Room's #1 fan, from said subject line. Thanks for hollerin at urchgurl, T!)

Blog for Choice Day 2009

So Bad Black Girls....

What say you on the issue of reproductive choice?

I imagine there are a range of opinions here and I won't even assume what they are.

Kismet, if you don't know what they are, why in the world did you bring this ish in our direction?

Because, compañeras, for me, Choice is literally that. The right to choose to do. The right to choose not to. The right to choose to have the Sex ::big smile:: and the right to Abstain. And the right to do all of that sans judgement.

So in this safe space, I welcome comments, critique, frustration, stories, healthy disssent, etc.

Belated Response: Rick Warren

Sitting in the airport headed home. And this comment went on far too long on this post and this post. Toma:

1. Maven is right. As far as I have found, at least not from his own mouth, Rick Warren has not directly tied homosexuality or gay marriage to incest, pedophilia, polygamy, etc. Concession granted.

2. However, Maven is wrong that Warren doesn't do so implicitly! He pretty much ties all of those together into one big, fat knot of similar sin that real Christians (read: good, moral, etc. people) ought to best avoid. I do think the video does a much better job of providing context for what he says...and it also does a much better job of demonstrating his homophobia and a dangerous obfuscation of what is dangerous and violent with who/what a person is. And where this really becomes sticky is where gay marriage and Rick Warren becomes gay marriage and a general homophobia of a certain kind, in certain Christian communities. I beef with this big time, although I do it as someone who is outside of this community both as a Catholic (we got to hell for breathing the wrong way on the wrong day) and as a Catholic (damn molesting a$$ priests) and as a Latina Catholic (rampant, violent homophobia and machismo is in our water) and as a Puerto Rican Catholic (totally out the box all the time--who cares what you do in your bedroom? I'm having premarital sex anyway).

3. Not I did not use gay-bashing above. I will release Warren from my charge of gay-bashing because I don't think it is relevant here in this case. HOWEVER, I think the problem I have with Rick Warren as a leader is above and beyond homophobic Christian rhetoric precisely because the two lead into the other. And this is where I completely disagree with Maven's comment on the Rick Warren post:

@T so very true. it is interesting that as Warren points out in the video that everyone is so quick to point out the shortcomings of others instead of their own. gluttony, materialism, lying, gossip, unkindness--all of these get constantly overlooked in order to "address" beliefs on sex. Gotta love the puritan traditions in this country! ::eyes rolling:: so frustrating sometimes.

Gluttony, materialism, lying, gossip, unkindness all stem from an intolerance, closed-mindedness, and violence that occurs from racist, sexist, and homophobic stances such as these. I've had many a Christian friend, who I love and who I know means well, in the context of discussing gay marriage, or same sex behavior, or either of those and the Bible, segue very smoothly into general gay-bashing: Those people molest children, those people are running the black family, those men aren't real men, those men are endangering us black women because they spread AIDS, those women aren't real women, that's gay (as a term, it seems like "gay" is to black folks what "ghetto" is to white girls), how gross, ew, yuck, etc. These are not bad people. These are people I truly care about. They are not evil. No more than the queer folks they are referring to. But the reality is when this language, sentiment, and un-Christian rhetoric is in the water, it doesn't stop just at, "Oh, you can't join my church but I'll give you funding for your AIDS projects." It doesn't stop at, "Well, do what you want but you're going to hell. But we can agree to disagree because that is tolerance." It stops at insults and sometimes, all too often, it stops at real violence.

Also interesting that Puritan got thrown in there too because a hyper-heterosexual stance is pretty, damn Puritan. Contesting that is actually part of our other tradition. You know, the radical, anti-hierarchical tradition of dissent, resistance and revolt for human rights. The same one that sent slaves scampering across the Ohio River and even as far as Canada. And that is just one example. Those human rights weren't always clear for everyone--most of the founders who signed the Dec were also slaveowners--but part of our tradition of dissent comes from the (very Christian, at least in the U.S.) understanding that human kindness and morality do not stand outside of larger issues because the two (larger issues, inherent morality) are intricately connected. Social movements throughout U.S. history have used the perceived connection between the two to mobilize since our slaveowners started grumbling in 1776 about their damn tea. Suffrage, Great Awakenings, Civil War, Progressivism, Civil Rights Movement and all attending movements....the list goes on and on.

4. Rick Warren did support Prop 8. Even if he was one of the least inflammatory about it. But this was interesting:

"His social consciousness is somewhat left of center, but his theological, ethical stance is right of center," said the Rev. William Leonard, a critic of the Southern Baptist Convention and dean of Wake Forest Divinity School in North Carolina. "That's the thing that makes him potentially a bridge person."

5. The inauguration does not belong to Obama the POTUS. Not Obama the man (he belongs to Michelle, dammit) but Obama the President of the United States. Obama the POTUS does not belong to Obama. Obama the POTUS is my duly elected President. I helped put his ass there with my vote and my money, as small as it was. And this entire election he's been aware of that, always claiming that this wasn't about him, his personality, charisma, or speeches. It was about us being active, being vocal and visible. The inauguration--and there will be other times in the next four years--is the moment when the vision of his presidency will become true. I am not comfortable with that vision including such conservative rhetoric, and again, I say that while being decently comfortable with that vision including HRC, Summers, and other sundry throwbacks of past administrations.

6. Witch hunts suck. But I don't think the media blitz has been a witch hunt (I don't mean blogs...bloggers live to witch hunt). Rachel Maddow has done great, balanced pieces on the situation, Warren sat down with Ann Curry in another interview. I just think the facts speak for themselves and this is an issue that is hotter than maybe the Obama team expected it to be. And I hope it stays that way! We keep sleeping on it! From what little I was asked to research, courtesy of Maven!, I am willing to consider this in the context of Obama reaching across the aisle. But that doesn't make me like it. Again, for some people it is HRC as Secretary of State. For me it is this ever more ambiguous hand that gets extended to the U.S. gay community (white, mainstream in particular). I'd feel better if he was reaching and already had a solid and well publicized stance on civil unions and how to secure them as a civil right (he's always kind of slid around that one). And I think that he is going to get pressed on this by people more qualified than me to do so (as an ally I can only say so much).

7. I've stayed away from the "Bible says gay is bad" stance. I don't know the Bible well enough to fight back. Even if I did, my worldview on the Bible is so un-Christian, that I probably wouldn't help anyone. For people like me, who live within and internalize all the contradictions of being human and following a faith (see the end of #2), this argument is not impressive and patently unconvincing. I therefore can't be an ally in that kind of conversation, but I hope that there are people who are those kinds of allies and can have those conversations.

That's all I've got for now. And I'm pretty darn happy. We don't talk about this enough, although I wish I had more of #7 in me. So if there is anything good the Rick Warren pick does for the country, it is this--conversation.

Rick Warren

Hmm.

My assessment of Warren does not mean I think he should be silenced, which is how many on the Right treated Reverend Jeremiah Wright. I believe Rick Warren has a right to speak publicly and to shepherd his own church and followers as he sees fit. I believe in religious diversity and religious dissent. I believe in these things for both sacred and secular reasons.

I believe God is ineffable, unknowable, and universal, so no one person, church, or faith tradition has monopoly on understanding the divine. Our inter-religious dialogue is part of how we grapple with the Mystery. I welcome Rick Warren to sit at any table where people of various faiths and beliefs can exchange ideas. Active dissent in religious communities is part of a vibrant civil society that generates a healthy democracy.

My opposition to Warren is specific. I believe a man who opposed same-sex marriage with the vehemence and public organizing of Warren should not offer the prayer at the inauguration. The inauguration belongs to all Americans. It is a moment of national unity. It is a symbolic rendering of our peaceful, democratic transitions of leadership. It is an assertion of our collective identity rising above our partisan disagreements. It is not a time for division.

I'm a pragmatist most days. And I love me some O. So I can see the arguments behind Summers and Clinton as part of the Cabinet. I can even admit that I kinda feel good about Hill being around the hill as an attack dog for her former opponent. At least she isn't sowing dissent somewhere in the background.

But I've got to agree with the Kitchen Table.

What's the deal with Obama choosing gay-bashing homophobe Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation?

in response to Duncan, NCLB and Public Schools

so, this began as a "comment" and got waaay too out of control and long, waaay too quick. most definitely file this one under "fire it up."

first, let me start by saying that decisions in regards to educational policy are some of the most important AND difficult ones executives are forced to make. that said, rarely do they come out "right." as we know, it is nearly impossible to make a decision that benefits all. it is ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to make decisions which make everyone happy.

second, i don't know much about the chicago public school system, but i do know the issues facing public schools and urban school districts. the bigger the district, the bigger the problems (cue Notorious B.I.G's "mo' money, mo' problems). i just read the article on mr. duncan, and from what i read in about 1,000 words, he seems like a good choice.

they mentioned he won't get rid of NCLB. Duh, no one will. in total, it doesn't need to go anywhere. there are definitely portions of NCLB which are inherently flawed and are of NO benefit for students or staff...i could go on. on the converse, we NEED accountability in the public education sector and there need to be standards (they should be realistic, but that is a different blog).

third, my soap box. it goes right along with realistic standards, but get ready...
the government via NCLB says we need to work to make ALL students proficient (on grade level) by 2013. cool. show me the money. the feds created standards for teaching and learning that require major reform. reform costs money. we can't drastically change the system without training, support, improved technology, more staff, well-prepared staff, motivated staff, parent education and support, early intervening services, etc.
there was (and has been) all this talk of what teachers do wrong, how parents don't give a damn and kids are ill-prepared. there has been LITTLE to NO talk about how the government will help struggling districts. there is however, TONS of talk about how struggling districts will be sanctioned. give me a damn break. now, i ain't saying there aren't under qualified, unmotivated, trifling, need-to-retire, can't-relate-to-the-population-they-teach, collecting-a-pay-check-until-the-law-school-of-their-choice-accepts-me teachers out there. i don't know about you all, but i know some FIYAH teachers (in public schools)...which leads me to the next point...

i too, went to public schools until WU and like Kis, didn't know there was a stigma associated with going to public school. (kis, imagine the stigma when i had to answer "no" when people asked about the magnet or special program @ my school...we didn't have one, ha!) damn, everyone i knew from home went to public school. kids that went to private schools had parents who were frontin' and thought they were better than the rest of our parents. it was all good, b/c we got just as good (if not better) educations than their kids, got in waaaay less trouble and were better socialized.

i heart public ed..FOR LIFE. i am an avid supporter of pubic education, always will be. allow me to let you kids in on a little secret...Title I status, high percentages of minorities, low test scores, etc DON'T MEAN SHIT when it comes to YOUR child's achievement. here's why...the most valuable, meaningful and prosperous education comes from the home. second to that, there are PLENTY of "low-achieving" schools with phenomenal teachers. i see it EVERYDAY. third, if you are not happy with the public education system, your child's schools, or the schools in your neighborhood, don't waste your money on fleeing the scene of the crime...get of your ass and do something to change the situation. write a letter to the school board, principal, local rep; go to PTA meetings, go to school board meetings, show up in your kid's class, have lunch with a child who doesn't have that luxury, tutor at the school, i could go on...

so fuck yea, i'm sending my kids to public schools. p.s., i can always petition to send my kids to a "better" free school out of my residential zone. i pay good tax dollars for schools, so the isht ain't really free no-way.

one.

Arne Duncan, NCLB & Public Schools?

So...more O news:

Chicago Public Schools chief Arne Duncan, who over seven years maintained a positive story line for the troubled district, will join longtime basketball buddy Barack Obama's Cabinet as secretary of education, a transition source said.

Aside from my total amusement that Duncan is Obama's basketball buddy (My President is black) I wonder what Duncan's appointment means for education policy. Especially in regards to public schools and No Child Left Behind. And since I don't do education policy as much as I do education, and higher education at that, I turn to the Common Room for insight.

Drop it on me.

The BBGs know that I went to all public schools until college, that my public school education was the sh*t, and it was chock full of privilege (1 language and 1 magnet school). Recognizing the latter, it was still public ed, which brought with it a certain lack of resources in comparison to private, suburban and Catholic schools. Not to mention the public school stigma (that I discovered when I hit the college scene).

But I love me some public education. And I want to see public ed prosper.

That said.....on a related note....this line in the article gave me some serious food for thought.

The selection of Duncan almost certainly will renew debates about Obama's commitment to public schools, as the president-elect has opted not to send his daughters to the district that Duncan oversees. The Obama girls attend the prestigious University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where Duncan also attended and his wife once worked as the athletic director.

Obama has defended his decision to send the girls to private school, saying it was the best choice for his family.

"I taught there, and it was five minutes from our house. So it was the best option for our kids," Obama said in 2007.

Hmm.

I know the BBGs have had this conversation before....

But while the ed-heads are dropping policy knowledge in the comments, let's throw it out there again.

In the privileged-yet-conscious, blessed-but-fired up land of Bad Black Girl BAP life...is there a place for public school...for OUR kids?

reason number 18,745, 231 why i need to live in a major (diverse) city

Now those of you who know me well know i am a southern girl at heart or a "g.r.i.t s." (GirlRaisedInTheSouth) and have even poked fun of my southern ways from time to time. However, it is due time i take a bow and depart from the region below the Mason Dixon. I have spoken to some of you about feeling stifled in spirit, intellect, etc.

So today, not unlike most days, i received other reminders of why it's time to "throw 2" and be out.

#1 white, female middle-aged elementary school teacher of mostly minority students (you can feel the entitlement, right?) says to me, "ya know, i just LOVE your hair! i just wish mine would do that!" obviously, i have the "bitch please" look on my face. how could i NOT?! so she sees the look on my face and an in an attempt to soften the blow, starts talking about a friend (i use the term VERY loosely) of hers who has "dreads" (locs) and the friend's sister who has hair more like mine (described by the teacher as "wild" and "free-flowing")...blah, blah...
...then she realizes i still ain't going and says, "well, i guess it's like what Oprah says, 'if you don't have black hair, then you really have nothing to say about it.' "
my response, "exactly." as i walked away...

HAD ENOUGH? no? okay good, there is one more...

#2 white, female borderline elderly (see a trend?) parent advocate who likes to see me in the hallways at various schools and grin excessively from ear to ear and come running to me every time she sees me. (we are not friends. at all.) IF/WHEN she is with someone else, she makes it a point to introduce me as "the articulate, well-spoken, helpful, knowledgeable, poised, etc, etc, etc (fill in yor share of words she would never take the time to use if i were a white woman).

it's just getting old. sorry ya'll.

be on the look-out for #18,745,232...i'm sure i could make this a daily post.

A Nerd We Can Believe In

More economy hilarity. This is from pre-election, I assume, but it is still funny and applicable now.

Happy Thanksgiving... HATERS....

**I apologize in advance for the pixel-ation in some places.
The FlipCam does not have adjustable focus or contrast settings!

Lurker Monday: Staceyann Chin, "A Question of Impeacment"

Video speaks for itself. What say you on the matter of Prop 8? (And I want to hear from some of the lurkers. Maybe this can be Lurker Monday. In fact, make it so! Lurker Monday, here we go!)



H/T: Diary of an Anxious Black Woman