diversity in montgomery county maryland elementary schools (Gaithersburg, Potomac: apartment, townhouses)

[kinkytoes]

Originally Posted by Meepers

What does a teacher's ethnic background have to do with educating children? I think them understanding cultural differences is more imporant overall.
...

Well, I have some friends who went to schools with teachers who treated them badly. One was a toney private school which shall remain nameless. Anyway, there are racist people will not call on your child in school, and may ignore your kid's needs (bathroom, questions, ailments). That’s why parents are concerned.

If there were no discrimination against blacks in Maryland, then the color of the teachers wouldn't be an issue. I just talked to a colleague about a similar topic. He's from NY, and he's white and he says he can really tell the difference in the way whites treat blacks here. Unf I have to say I have also been on the receiving end of racism. And boy am I scarred, but at least I’m an adult.

Sadly, parents have to be careful. If I had a child, it would break my heart to have my little angel traumatized by a teacher who had preconceived notions about blacks, ignored my darling in class or let other kids pick on him/her. I also think "diversity" is overrated. I went to schools with mostly black people, and I'm fine.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by kinkytoes

Well, I have some friends who went to schools with teachers who treated them badly. One was a toney private school which shall remain nameless. Anyway, there are racist people will not call on your child in school, and may ignore your kid's needs (bathroom, questions, ailments). That’s why parents are concerned.

If there were no discrimination against blacks in Maryland, then the color of the teachers wouldn't be an issue. I just talked to a colleague about a similar topic. He's from NY, and he's white and he says he can really tell the difference in the way whites treat blacks here. Unf I have to say I have also been on the receiving end of racism. And boy am I scarred, but at least I’m an adult.

Sadly, parents have to be careful. If I had a child, it would break my heart to have my little angel traumatized by a teacher who had preconceived notions about blacks, ignored my darling in class or let other kids pick on him/her. I also think "diversity" is overrated. I went to schools with mostly black people, and I'm fine.

"the way whites treat blacks here"

It would seem that we elect them to high office and entrust them with great responsibilities:

Office of the County Executive: Isiah Leggett

[j_cat]

The DC area is about equally black and white. Constant interaction between the two groups. Where else is that true? The Deep South. So I think we do pretty well, considering.

Montgomery County is a relative haven for middle- and upper-income whites, driven here more by crime concerns and quality of life concerns, than by racial homogeneity. Because it's far from homogeneous. As someone mentioned, the county executive is a black man, and racial diversity is downright enforced at every level of society, to the extent that they purposely place diverse public housing right in the middle of high-income areas, a social experiment that actually works fairly well. More than ever in the age of Obama, the DC area has a central place in its heart devoted to continuous racial integration.

[tercel95]

Originally Posted by j_cat

The DC area is about equally black and white. Constant interaction between the two groups. Where else is that true? The Deep South. So I think we do pretty well, considering.

Montgomery County is a relative haven for middle- and upper-income whites, driven here more by crime concerns and quality of life concerns, than by racial homogeneity. Because it's far from homogeneous. As someone mentioned, the county executive is a black man, and racial diversity is downright enforced at every level of society, to the extent that they purposely place diverse public housing right in the middle of high-income areas, a social experiment that actually works fairly well. More than ever in the age of Obama, the DC area has a central place in its heart devoted to continuous racial integration.

I disagree, I grew up in Olney and putting in the low income housing ruined the town...

[firefightermom]

Originally Posted by j_cat

and racial diversity is downright enforced at every level of society, to the extent that they purposely place diverse public housing right in the middle of high-income areas, a social experiment that actually works fairly well. More than ever in the age of Obama, the DC area has a central place in its heart devoted to continuous racial integration.

I disagree completely also...the towns of Gaithersburg and Germantown have both gone severely downhill with the addition of low income housing.

[bowian]

Originally Posted by firefightermom

I disagree completely also...the towns of Gaithersburg and Germantown have both gone severely downhill with the addition of low income housing.

True, and I used to live in Germantown. The low income housing is concentrated there, not dispersed. Such housing is pushed into certain parts of MoCo. You'll notice it's not in Potomac -- those folks are about to have a breakdown as it is with their notions about the Scotland area.

Side note: I think it's great that President Obama is in office. But a black president is not a panacea for the racial strike that still exhists in this country. His presence does not mean the racism is all gone.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by bowian

True, and I used to live in Germantown. The low income housing is concentrated there, not dispersed. Such housing is pushed into certain parts of MoCo. You'll notice it's not in Potomac -- those folks are about to have a breakdown as it is with their notions about the Scotland area.

Side note: I think it's great that President Obama is in office. But a black president is not a panacea for the racial strike that still exhists in this country. His presence does not mean the racism is all gone.

Actually that is incorrect. I know someone who resides in a townhome development in Potomac and there are Section 8 units. Of course, as most of Potomac is composed of larger single-family homes, you are not going to get as much Section 8 as other locations.

With regards to President Obama, the American President is the most powerful individual in the known universe. There is no greater accomplishment, no higher pinnacle or apex than to be in the White House. And the majority of whites put a black man there. While that does not completely dissapate racism (what ever will?), it does relegate it to the category of hackneyed issues.

[bowian]

Originally Posted by Moth

Actually that is incorrect. I know someone who resides in a townhome development in Potomac and there are Section 8 units. Of course, as most of Potomac is composed of larger single-family homes, you are not going to get as much Section 8 as other locations.

With regards to President Obama, the American President is the most powerful individual in the known universe. There is no greater accomplishment, no higher pinnacle or apex than to be in the White House. And the majority of whites put a black man there. While that does not completely dissapate racism (what ever will?), it does relegate it to the category of hackneyed issues.

Feh. Is the townhouse development in Scotland? Given what you've said, I think my point is still a valid one. Section 8 in one part of Potomac versus goo gobs elsewhere?

Re President Obama -- there may be a basic racial divide where whites may consider racism "hackneyed" and blacks may not. It will never be hackneyed in my opinion, simply because it still exists and unfortunately always will.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by bowian

Feh. Is the townhouse development in Scotland? Given what you've said, I think my point is still a valid one. Section 8 in one part of Potomac versus goo gobs elsewhere?

Re President Obama -- there may be a basic racial divide where whites may consider racism "hackneyed" and blacks may not. It will never be hackneyed in my opinion, simply because it still exists and unfortunately always will.

and you have to still deal with the aspect of disparities that exist on the everyday person level.

[kinkytoes]

Hmm... OP, I would just visit the schools and talk to each of the teachers. Geez, having children really is hard work. Maybe you can find out who your kid's prospective teachers will be and meet with them one-on-one to get to know them and try to suss out any "issues." Then keep an eye on your children's grades and behavior so that you can address any problems. Good luck, I don't have any children, but I understand your fears. It may not be so bad. My friend was traumatized, but she's a Dr. so at least she managed to get a good education.