Black-Focused Schools: Article Analysis

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BLACK FOCUSED SCHOOLS In the November 8, 2007 issue of the Caribbean Camera an article was written by Jasminee Sahoye in regards to the idea by the Toronto Board of Education to establish black-focused schools. There have been mixed reaction to this proposal and this article outlines some of the comments. Community activist and lawyer, Mark Persaud states that the Toronto School Board is not meeting the needs of the many at-risk black students and supports the idea of a black-focused school. Second vice-president of the Black Business Professional Association, Pauline Christian does not believe in the labeling of a black-focused school, because it could lead to segregation. The Toronto District School Board is exploring the idea…show more content…
This type of system may work but at what cost. Will the teachers be more lenient on the students because of the potential pressure of success? The teachers may mark the students easier because of not wanting to fail them. This may not occur but the world will be looking at them for their rate of success. In Canada everyone is suppose to be treated equally and have the same opportunities. Opening up the doors to a black-focused school will encourage others who will perhaps want the same type of school for their culture. There have been many successful African youth, and once again, it will take the responsibility of both parents and teachers to successfully teach African youth to achieve. There is no reason why the educational system cannot incorporate more programs and courses for African youth. Theses courses can enrich the curriculum and everyone can learn from these programs. More mentors should be hired into the schools where perhaps the majority of students are Africans. It is easy to say what should be done when one is standing on the outside looking in. The youth will be effected regardless of the decision made. The impact of how these youth will learn is still to be determined. However, regardless of the decision made by the school board everyone has to hear from the students because it is about them. There is no mistake in saying the system has failed but…show more content…
When we all work together and understand the differences we are able to celebrate the achievements and success made. We can all learn from each other and that seems to be the lesson that has to be taught before we can make changes to a system already put into place. In summary, a black-focused school is a good idea as an extra-curricular pursuit, i.e. Saturday mornings served by good role models (like many other ethnic and cultural groups have had for years). I think a mainstream black-focused school is a bad idea. The bottom line is that we all need to find a way to integrate (but not "assimilate") with each other. Experiences of diversity can help to teach us how to do this; separatism does not.

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