Not if a group of black parents have their way. They are calling for the establishment of black-focused schools. There are some with even more radical views calling for black-only schools where all teachers, students, and staff would have to be black.

Isn’t “black-focused” or “black-only” just a pretty package for segregation? Why would we want to promote a return to segregation which as we all know was the rallying cry for racism? Whether you call the school black-focused, Africentric, or Afrocentric, the result is the same – the separation of black students from the rest of the student body. I can’t think of anything positive that can come of that. The parents who are spearheading this movement are promoting black-focused schools as a way to reach at-risk students and stem the tide of violence and criminality before it begins. It is estimated that the dropout rate for black students is approximately 40% and this is just NOT acceptable. And once these youths are no longer in school, it is all too easy for them to become part of the gang culture. No one is denying that there is a huge problem here. But is the problem really a result of black students being taught by non-black teachers?

It seems to me that families are relinquishing their parenting responsibilities and are demanding that schools play the role of parents and family. That is just not fair. Why is it the role of the school to teach black students about their heritage? Isn’t that the role of the family? Why is it the job of a black teacher to be a role model? Shouldn’t our role models be our fathers, mothers, and other family members? The schools should provide good education and prepare students to take their places as productive, contributing members of society. The fact that the schools – class size, special education, after school programming, and a host of other issues – need to be dealt with and improved is an entirely other matter.

I won’t accept that creating ghettos is the answer to deal with at-risk black students? How do you feel about this issue?