Politics and Madison Prep

The fate of the Madison Preparatory Academy will be decided when the Madison Metropolitan School District School Board votes in December. Over the last several months, there has been much debate about whether or not Madison Prep can serve as one of the ways to address decades old issues of low graduation rates for African American and Latino students and a widening achievement gap between African American students and their White counterparts in the MMSD. So far, the discussions have been mostly healthy between supporters and non-supporters, but as we get closer to December's vote, I expect that the debate will heat up.

I have made no secret that I have been a supporter of the idea of Madison Prep. I think that there has to be more ways to address the achievement gap and dropout issue in addition to what the MMSD is currently doing. I don't believe that Madison Prep is the sole answer or solution, rather a starting point from which both the MMSD, Madison Prep and others can work together, learn from and take best practices from each other.

I have had a number of discussions with those who oppose Madison Prep via callers on my radio show, emails, tweets and Facebook. While I agree that there are still some legitimate questions that need to be answered about Madison Prep (financial, governance, structure to name a few), a lot of the questions seems to be centered around Kaleem Caire (CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison), about his motives and his associations when it comes to education. Some see him as a part of a larger effort by right wing organizations such as the Bradley Foundation to destroy the public school system. I'm not going to speak for Caire, because he is more than capable of answering those questions himself. But allow me to say a few words about some of the other issues, because I think that it's worthy of discussion. I have already written some of what I'm about to write here to a few people already because we were discussing Madison Prep, but I thought that I would repeat some of it in this blog, because I feel that it needs to be said:

First of all, fair or not, right or wrong, there are folks in this community, both of color and some whites, that feel that the white liberal establishment in Madison believes that they and they alone should decide how education is taught to students of color, regardless of the 48% graduation rate for African American students, the achievement gap, and the incarceration rates (because it's all connected). So Caire and the Urban League step forward and present an idea to help address these issues. And while it's met with caution and skepticism by some who also have legitimate questions about cost and how it would work, unfortunately it's felt that others have the attitude of "who does this black man think he is, telling US how we should educate students or how our way isn't the only way or best way? I've been teaching kids for 25 years! He's not a teacher!" In addition, they also feel that it isn't just a Kaleem Caire issue; it's ANY black man or woman in Madison that would have presented this idea. But if it were the Goodman Foundation or any other organization or person(s) that this community cherishes, it would have been seen much differently. Whether you agree with that or not, it's unfortunate that some feel this way, but this is what happens when you don't have open and honest discussions about race and ethnicity.

Second, folks who question Kaleem Caire's beliefs and associations have sent me various links to right wing organizations that have contributed greatly to the charter school system, including some folks that Caire has worked with in the past. They feel that these organizations have played a major role in the permanent underclass status of many Americans of color. They also feel that even though Caire may not share these organizations opinions or beliefs in most issues, he still sleeping with the enemy, so to speak. Again, those questions are for Caire to answer, which I'm certain that he's capable of. But let me also say the following:  There's been a lot of talk about Gov. Scott Walker, the Koch Brothers, The Walton Family Foundation, The Bradley Foundation and other Republican/Tea Party/right wing organizations destroying public education, disenfranchising voters, etc....  I'm certainly not fond of any group or person(s) who contribute to the permanent underclass in this country. But the fact of the matter is, the left in this community doesn't have a whole lot of leg to stand on either. Take a look around this community: high incarceration rates, low graduation rates and high unemployment for African Americans, especially males. A dearth of minority owned businesses and people of color in management and executive positions in area businesses. Very few minority representation in local print, radio and television media. Very few in high ranking public sector positions. Can't keep black owned nightclubs open because the city allows knuckleheads and thugs who don't even patronize the establishments hang around outside and cause havoc and then turn around and blame it on the owners. That's just to name a few. All of this has gone on in "liberal, inclusive, diverse, progressive" Madison for years, with virtually no Republican in sight.  The Mayor's office, Common Council, County Board (mostly), County Executive - all Democrats. You may not like Caire's "associations," but let's not pretend that the liberals in this city haven't been part of the problem either.

Frankly, I'm tired of watching young people of color going in and out of the criminal justice system. I'm tired of watching students of color fall further and further behind when it comes to education, only to be constantly told that the blame lies solely on the parents. There's enough blame to go around. But unfortunately, most of the so called liberals and progressives in Madison who criticize Madison Prep don't want to talk about any of that. They'd rather talk about the Koch Brothers or who Kaleem Caire was in an organization with, while ignoring the elephant in the room. and it's a crying shame.

I'm Back

It's been a while since I blogged here. It has been my intention ever since I started writing a blog that I would do so on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it's been a crazy summer. Coaching, working, taking kids to their many activities, plus writing my columns and doing radio has taken up a lot of my extra time. Now that little league baseball is over, and other activities have slowed down, I can focus more on this blog. That will be the longest hiatus I will ever take from here. I enjoy writing, and a blog gives me an opportunity to say what's on my mind as frequently as possible. That being said:

You would have to be living under a rock to not at least have some idea about what's been going on in Washington with the whole debt ceiling debacle. I'm sick of this era of politics where the desire for power and winning at any cost is more important than doing what's right for the American people. It inspired me to write my latest column where I compared both political parties to gangs. You can check it out here:

http://www.channel3000.com/news/28744535/detail.html

Let me know what you think,

Derrell

The "Liberal" Media

A few days ago, I got into a discussion with someone who claimed that the media is being too soft on President Obama when it comes to the rise in gas prices. He said that former President George W. Bush was treated much harshly by the media when gas prices soared a few years ago, with some even blaming him for the crisis. But when it comes to President Obama, they treat him with kid gloves. He also said that there had been no news stories about rising gas prices, or any stories blaming President Obama for the increase on any of the three major neworks, ABC NBC and CBS. When I explained to him that I had personally watched news stories dealing with this topic on a daily basis, and even a few discussing whether Obama is at fault, he dismissed it as the media trying to protect President Obama, and just another example of how the liberal media works.

Here's the deal: While I would agree that the mainstream press has approached this latest gas crisis a bit differently than they did a few years ago, it has nothing to do with protecting anyone. It has to do with perception. Former Pres. George W. Bush and  former VP Dick Cheney were perceived as "oil men" who were in the pockets of oil companies. Fair or not, that was the perception. As for me, I don't care who the President is, I want him to do something about these gas prices.

As for the so-called "liberal media," they care about three things: ratings, revenue and getting the story first. Nothing else. Whatever topic or issue that generate ratings and money, that's what they'll run with. Has nothing to do with being "liberal." If the mainstream media could make money and generate huge ratings painting President Obama as the devil, that's what they'll do. They don't care. Example, the tornados that ripped through the south this past week. Hundreds dead, hundreds missing, homes and communities destroyed. But what dominated the news this past week? The royal wedding. And that will dominate the news cycle until the next thing comes along, like Lindsay Lohan back in rehab or something.

But seriously, if you're still looking to get your news from the mainstream media, or expect them to be fair or balanced, you're waisting your time for the most part. They are what they are, and they're not going to change. Besides, there's so many other ways to access news and information today that worrying about whether the media is "liberal" or not is a complete waste of time. And that's real.

Greetings

Welcome to my blog!

 I had been on the fence for a long time about doing this. I used to think that it was difficult to start up a blog, and it would take a lot of effort and work to keep one going. After all, what else could I possibly say in addition to what I already talk about on the radio and write in my columns?  I know that there seems to be no shortage of topics out there to write about, and I do find myself ranting about them. But there's a difference between ranting in your head, and writing in down for the world to see. But my biggest concern was, will people actually read my blogs and find it interesting?  I guess there's only one way to find out. So after giving it much thought, I decided to start blogging some of my random thoughts and opinions. I hope it doesn't bore you to tears, but instead makes you laugh and think at the same time.

 What you will read in my blog will be nothing but the truth, as I see it. Real opinions, real thoughts, real takes. No frauds, no phonies, no hating, no games, no BS. Life stories, sports, entertainment, business, politics, it will be discussed here. Real talk.

So I hope you find the time to read this blog on a regular basis. I welcome your comments, questions, compliments and complaints.

Peace,

Derrell