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The goal of the trip, Madison said, was to close test score gaps and inspire the students to consider careers in the sciences. But parents of students who were excluded protested, and the children who went on the trip were booed by their classmates when they returned to school.
Earlier this week, Madison tried to quash the controversy by sending a letter home to parents, in which he wrote:
“In hindsight, this field trip could have been approached and arranged in a better way.
"But as I reflect upon the look of excitement, enthusiasm and energy that I saw in these children’s eyes as they stood in the presence of a renowned African American rocket scientist in a very successful position, it gave the kids an opportunity to see this type of achievement is possible for even them.
“It was not a wasted venture," he continued, "for I know one day they might want to aspire to be the first astronaut or scientist standing on the Planet Mars....
“The intent of our field trip was not to segregate or exclude students, as has been reported, but rather to address the societal issues, roadblocks and challenges that our African-American children will face as they pursue a successful academic education here in our community.”
Wow. So many things are so wrong with this it's difficult to know where to begin.
I guess for all he knows he may have killed the aspirations of the kids left behind that day to be the first astronaut or scientist standing on the Planet Mars...
This is just not right. The spokesperson said there was "no ill-intent or malice" intended. Well, guess what? That never has cut it in racial discrimination cases and doesn't cut it now. Wouldn't or shouldn't work the other way and shouldn't and hopefully won't work in this case. Did someone call the ACLU? Time to really SPEAK UP people! Get to the town hall meetings, school board meetings, voting booths; write your congress, newspapers...These are YOUR tax dollars! These people are working for YOU!
His motives were noble, but he should have offered the opportunity to all students. There is nothing that would benefit black and nonblack students more than to see an African American rocket scientist.
His motives were noble, but he should have offered the opportunity to all students. There is nothing that would benefit black and nonblack students more than to see an African American rocket scientist.
Precisely - and how about doing a little something to alter the formation of stereotypes while the children are young? Might be useful to have lot's of kids of all races and backgrounds attend a talk by a distinguished African American rocket scientist. Unfortunately now everyone just has a real bad taste about the whole thing.
The intent of our field trip was not to segregate or exclude students, as has been reported, but rather to address the societal issues, roadblocks and challenges that our African-American children will face as they pursue a successful academic education here in our community.
To keep this CD compatable I tone it down to bravo fox sierra
Precisely - and how about doing a little something to alter the formation of stereotypes while the children are young? Might be useful to have lot's of kids of all races and backgrounds attend a talk by a distinguished African American rocket scientist. Unfortunately now everyone just has a real bad taste about the whole thing.
Hell, he should have invited the guy to speak to all of the kids at his school.
Wow. So many things are so wrong with this it's difficult to know where to begin.
I guess for all he knows he may have killed the aspirations of the kids left behind that day to be the first astronaut or scientist standing on the Planet Mars...
I'm very offended by this. What were they thinking? It was stupid, ignorant and those responsible should be repremanded.
His motives were noble, but he should have offered the opportunity to all students. There is nothing that would benefit black and nonblack students more than to see an African American rocket scientist.
Lucario, i'm sorry there was nothing noble about this. Nobility went out the window when they decided to exclude base on race.
If you want racisim to stop, then stop the nonsense period. This was not the right kind of action, regardless of what you think, you don't do this to kids period. Trip should of been for all. Stop racisim by having other races there also, when doing things such as this, this is what sets the tone, for racisim. Stop and nip it in the bud. Small minds our impressioned by actions such as this.
If you want racisim to stop, then stop the nonsense period. This was not the right kind of action, regardless of what you think, you don't do this to kids period. Trip should of been for all. Stop racisim by having other races there also, when doing things such as this, this is what sets the tone, for racisim. Stop and nip it in the bud. Small minds our impressioned by actions such as this.
Yes. This just enrages and sets people against one another. It is not helping things one bit. Very sad; it has probably set race relations at this school back quite a ways.
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