Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 September 1995 — Page 3

*

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2,1995

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

By STEVE THOMAS

Opinions Those same destructive youths challenge teachers

The July so-called “riots” in

the 38th Street and College Avenue vicinity underscored a community problem which was not

evident in televised coverage. Many of those citizens — who

were hurling rocks at police officers, looting area stores and taunting motorists while damaging those drivers’ cars — were teen-

agers. That was obvious. There was one disturbing as-

pect of the lawlessness that may not have been so evident to those engaged in policy-making and policy advocacy. Many of those young people would return to the Indianapolis Public Schools class-

rooms in August.

And you have been wondering what has been wrong with IPS. You should have learned that, by

now.

Manipulating the flow charts of accountability, shuffling the personnel decks and developing instructional innovations would not work on those young people who were engaged in destructive acts. Those youngsters, quite frankly, have been suffering from an incredible lack of parental control, combined with the apparent absence of a sense of community ownership. If they were not afraid of the police presence in the area, what could a teacher do with them in a classroom setting? No teachers have been able to instill those qualities in teens, particularly in bloated classrooms numbering more than 35-40 students. Why blame educators for not being able to teach children who have no inclination to lead productive lives? Values always have been in a parental domain. Without the presence of values, attempts to instruct would be a waste of time. But, reporters who have never served a day in the classroom, and politicians with their own power-groping agendas, have ripped IPS for having bad test scores and high suspension rates. Those sorry indicators will have remained similarly discouraging after the 1995-96 school year, which recently has gotten underway, considering some of the children with whom IPS will have been working. Some of those same rock-throwing fools will have disrupted classes, cursed teachers, damaged school property, and brought weapons into the school environment, during this school year. Meanwhile, politicians and education writers will have blamed the system for its built-in destiny for failure, entirely too many young people who have been out of control for years. Some parents could not get their children off the streets. Now, honestly, do you expect those same children to sit still long enough to learn how to solve 5y+7=32? Parents who have been unable to control their children have cursed teachers and administrators who have refused to put up with their children’s nonsense. If only those parents had gotten tough with their children, instead of having insulted the teachers. They, perhaps, could have persuaded their children to adopt values associated with success in life. The next time you see a video clip of young looters, think about what those poor teachers have been facing. The next time you wonder why IPS’ suspension rates have been so high, remember who its teachers have been teaching. Let the record show that the overwhelming number of IPS parents have been good parents. They have busted their butts to push their children to accomplish something. They have done so while dealing with the economic stresses of our complicated time. I have applauded the supermajority of IPS teachers, parents and children. As soon as the system values the efforts of that supermajority, and decides not to be a daytime dumping ground for hoodlums, IPS will move forward with the children who are trying to get an education. These are the students whose parents are in charge. Suburban schools have not had as many of these kinds of students, hence, naturally, their scores have been better. Forget about all this bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo in IPS. When the disruptive children are flushed and the reasonably disciplined ones are left in the schools, the opportunity for real progress, environmentally speaking, is availed. Another problem is created when the bad students are let go, but an educational problem is thus solved. By the way, the ethnic origins of the disruptive students do not matter. The policy should be either straighten up or get out, not come back from suspension and start all over again: A few students disrupting the educations of many others shouldn’t be tolerated in any civilized society. The teachers unions should have made a bigger issue out of discipline — in essence, flushing out the very small yet influential percentage of bad apples — a long time ago. Let’s give our attention to the ones who want to learn.

WRITING TO THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

The Indianapolis Recorder encourages short, concise letters to the editor and opinion articles from the public. Letters and opinion articles will be used at the editor's discretion and are subject to editing. We will not guarantee publication of material received. We cannot guarantee dates of publication. Letters containing libelous or untrue statements will not be published. All letters and opinion articles must Include a verifiable full name, address and telephone number. This Information will not be published at the request of the writer. Letters and articles should be typed but will be accepted if handwriting Is legible. <

The Indianapolis Recorder P.0. Box 18499 Indianapolis, IN 46218'0499

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What are you trying to do, Mr. Mayor?

It is early Saturday morning. We have just returned from an early morning walk in our neighborhood. We live in Merid-ian-Kessler in a home near 42nd Street. Our street, which intersects 42nd, is the western most boundary of what citizens around the world now know as the “troubled area,” the area so inaccurately described by you, Mr. Mayor, as the site of a “mini riot.” After all of the media attention, street barricading, police in riot gear, swirling helicopters and all, we were completely surprised to find on our walk, which took us east on 42nd Street to College Avenue, then south to 38th Street, that there were no bombed out, abandoned or smoldering buildings, mass destruction, chaos or other signs of a “mini riot,” whatever that is. There were, in fact, broken windows in three businesses, a fast-food restaurant, a pawn shop and a drugstore. All were, in fact, either open for business or preparing to open. We learned of the “mini riot” while watching TV. A news flash appeared describing violent activity in the vicinity of 42nd Street on College. We went to the porch and listened. All was quiet, except for the presence of 3 helicopters orbiting overhead. From media reports, I fully expected to see uncontrollable mobs of angry people (probably black, of course) rushing through the neighborhood with torches, clubs and guns; raping, burning, killing and destroying everything in sight. After all, this was a riot, wasn’t it? All police were ordered back to duty. We were at war! We’ve known uprisings, insurrections, civil disturbances, demonstrations, and gatherings. We’ve known skirmishes, wars, police actions and riots. This was certainly not a riot, not even a “mini riot.” Since we are on the subject of community activity, maybe you can help us know how the community policing that you’ve been touting is working? I haven’t seen a policeman/woman on bicycle or on foot anywhere in this neighborhood. And, I don’t know of a single case where a resident in this entire neighborhood, including the “troubled area,” has had a police officer knock on his or her door, introduce him or herself and ask for help in cleaning up drug activity in the neighborhood. We find it preposterous that we frequently see officers in squad cars speeding, running stop signs and stoplights without emergency lights on or, if they were on, turn them off after running a red light at an intersection. Is that community policing? Or is this a very visible and blatant abuse of authority? Do such acts demand respect from ordinary citizens? Don’t get us wrong. Mayor, you’ve done a lot for our city. We have you to thank for privatizing the golf courses and , they’re all better run. You’ve also done a decent job of directing efforts toward inner-city revitalization, with new housing, sidewalks etc. However, underemployed, under compensated, under educated, disenfranchised young African-American men and boys must be very creative to find outlets for pent up energy and frustration on paved streets and sidewalks. Where are the all night basketball courts and other activities to help dissuade them for idleness? It’s obvious that pawn shop, drug store and fried chicken joint aren’t getting the job done. Why hasn’t there been any j^port from you and other city leaders” in closing the liquor

store on 40th and College where there have been repeated felonious incidents over the years? Can merchants who want to start and operate businesses in “troubled areas” get the same relative incentive and tax breaks that big businesses such as United Airlines and America Trans Air do? And speaking of business, who are the really big players in the dope business? Who are the manufacturers, financiers, wholesalers, importers? I suppose that we, the residents of your old neighborhood, should be grateful to you for saving us, but many of us think you did the neighborhood, the city and certainly yourself a great disservice by over reacting with help,, of course, from the media, by all of the extreme

response to this unfortunate and completely avoidable situation. Of course, no sensible, responsible citizen wants crack cocaine or other illicit drugs in our neighborhood. But if this was triggered by a drug crackdown, why didn’t those good folks who own property in the neighborhood know it? Perhaps you have given a new and different meaning to the term “community policing.” Maybe it means ordering and pushing citizens and families back into their homes when they question the manner in which police conduct their activities in the neighborhood. The frequent complaints of lack of respect by some members of the police force toward some Indianapolis citizens appear to fall on deaf ears. Police harassment and over reaction is becom-

ing an issue of regular concern. Is it too much to expect that each citizen be treated respectfully even if they must be taken into custody? Could there be any correlation, Mr. Goldsmith, between the rhetoric of your party leadership ... Newt Gingrich, Bob Dole and other good ole boys who advocate abolishment of all programs designed to level the playing field and the frustration, anger and hopelessness that give rise to « incidents such as your illdescribed “mini-riot”? Why do we continue to | marshal awesome, powerful J forces in reaction to the symptom J rather than focus our resources j on the causes? J

K.G. Holmes

ANP THAT WHITE PEOPLE Commit die majority of WHITE COLLAR. CRIMES ETC ETC ETC

ARE You BEGINNING Tt> GET THE PICTURE-'?

•* \

HAERl’S''*S> 1994 *

How to get free checking, buy really neat stuff, pay a mere 9% APR,

Amazing, but true! Open an Equity Reserve home equity line of credit and you'll be your own boss, lending yourself the money you need to buy the stuff you need whenever you need it— right there in the comfort ■■■■■■■■■■■pBiaHliaB of your own home. You’ll pay no closing costs or first So J ! years fee. You’ll pay only 9T APR when you borrow. And you'll get a Green Check checking account with Check Safekeeping for absolutely zip. zero, zilch. It’s a very responsible way to use your homes equity. Visit any of our banking offices or call telephone banking at 1-800-774-2424 to apply for your Equity Reserve home equity line of credit today.

NationalCityBank.

Other important information you should know Consult your tax advisor Property insurance is required This offer is available at all National City Bank Indiana offices Variable rate is subject

to change monthly but cannot exc< credit is discontinued in less than

21°o APR There is a $50 annual fee If this line of year $250 in estimated closing costs must be repaid

Member FDIC

Ol995 National City Bank, todUwi

.•••