Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 March 2001 — Page 8

PAGE A8

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2001

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Are Black children academically capable of learning? Or are public schools failing to educate them?

We often complain about the unfair treatment of our young people in the public school system. We gripe about the quality of education, or lack thereof, that many of our students are receiving. How many of the complainers are taking some positive action to correct all the things that they view as problems? The parents, teachers, students, and community leaders in Denver, Colo., are doing just that. They are taking action against their public school system. These individuals are pursuing a civil rights investigation into why Black students in the Denver Public School system do not perform as well as their fellow white students. They are seeking answers from the school system as to why Black students are not exceeding in greater numbers. This scenario is played out all across the cpuntry. White students consistently outperform Black students at every level on the educational pyramid. “There is no difference between racial profiling in law enforcement and racial profiling in education,” said Denver lawyer Dale Sadler, who filed the lawsuit last fall. “There’s no difference between the way an officer reacts to people on

Education Does

Matter

By Leroy Robinson

the streets and how teachers react to people in the classroom," Sadler said. This lawsuit in Denver is attracting some of the historic civil rights groups from the 1960s such as the NAACP and the Urban League. The Black Chamber of Commerce, 100 Black Men, and the Million Man Committee are also participating in the investigation. The investigation will begin with public testimonies, questionnaires, and focus groups that include parents, teachers, ’ and administrators. It is difficult to say what will come out of this investigation, but you have to admire their drive and willingness to take action on a cause that they feel is critical to the future of African Americans. In one of Sadler's petitions to the Colorado Civil Rights Com-

mission, he states, “Either Black children are not academically capable of learning, or public high schools are failing to effectively educate Black children.” There are a few areas that remain constant in about every public school across the country where there is a significant number of Black and white students: (1) There is a large gap between Black and white students in academic performance. (2) There is a very disproportionate low number of Black students in Advance Placement (AP) or Talent Development (TD) classes. (3) The numbers are also disproportionate when it comes to the discipline of Black students that result in suspensions, expulsions, and other negative consequences. This type of information about a school is not too difficult to gather. Each school and their officials are fully aware of the numbers in each of the categories mentioned above. They may not readily make them available for you the "activist,” but they have each of these categories statistically, noted. It is often a topic of discussion, but the solutions vary greatly on what the best approach is.

The numbers do not lie. There is a huge gap in performance between the two groups of students. We are under populated in one area, and over populated in another area. An investigation or a lawsuit may be needed in some cases, but this should not be the rule across the

board.

There are some schools, principals, teaches, parents, and community leaders who are working together in order to increase some of these numbers, and reduce some of the others. This is an effort that will need the support of the entire community. To continue to pour salt in the wounds will never bring a cure to this rising epidemic. Education researchers say that, with the current trends that are shaping up, these numbers appear to becoming more and more disproportionate. Referring back to the comment made by Sadler, “Either Black children are not academically capable of learning, or public high schools are failing to effectively educate Black children.” I open it up as a question to you. Send comments tb: [email protected] or mail 9701 E. 63rd St., Indianapolis, IN. 46236. 317-393-2188. ■ ■. . i

Grants available from Student Fellowship for Blacks

By OSEYE T. BOYD business administration. Holifield believes this Blacks has plans to start a credit union for the Staff Writer is backwards thinking, instead students should African-American community. , major in business to start their own company to To commemorate the 25th anniversary, sevStudent Fellowship for Blacks is celebrating do work in their field of interest. The way eral fund raisers are planned. The first Women/ 25 years ofhelping Black students attend Black Holifield sees it, whatever products African Men Nine Hole Scramble golf tournament will colleges. Americans use they can manufacture and start startat7:30a.m. May 4 at the Frederick Douglass President Carl Holifield began the organiza- a business. Golf Course, 2801 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave. tion in 1976, and it has raised $116,000 since “Wedon’tproduceproducts,”Holifieldsaid. The fee is $50 per person. 1978. “How many people use toilet paper?” The Second Annual Casino Night will be The fellowship was designed to economi- A college student can research how to make from 9 p.m. to midnight at the Madam C.J. cally empower African Americans. Students toilet paper and then sell it by undercutting the Walker Casino Ballroom. 617 Indiana Ave. must major in accounting, biology, business competition, he said. Instead of taking his ad- Tickets for the night are $5 a piece with a buy administration, chemistry, communications, vice, students laugh at the idea of owning their one ticket get one free. There will be free food economics, engineering, mathematics, physics own business. and dancing. -> or political science. The lack of believing it’s possible is why no Bowling for Scholars will take place frohi “Those fields were selected to tell students recipient ofthe fellowship has started their own noon to 8 p.m. May 19 at Jubilee Bowl, 7420 N. to be self-employed instead of looking for a business, Holifield said. Michigan Rd. job. It’s the only way they can help the Black “We have no bargaining power,” he said. The application deadline for scholarships is community,” Holifield said. “We re the workers; the employer makes all June 3j<Students must be of African descent, Holifield uses the example of a student want- the money. If you went to college and knowi vattendor planito attend a Historically Black ing to be a teacher instead of starting a school that, why are you on the job?” • College or University, and major in previously system. African Americans usually go to col- Holifield, who is self-employed, practices mentioned categories. Undergraduate orgradulege to major in their interests and minor in what he preaches. The Student Fellowship for ate students me eligible. Call 549-3166 for more information.

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lUPUl BookMarks Program Needs Your Vote

The BookMarks selection committee would like the public to help us choose the books for the 2001-2002 BookMarks Program at IUPUI.

Simply go to our website (http://bookmarks.uc.iupui.edu) and vote on line or pick up a ballot at the IUPUI University Library, 755 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis. To find out more about the BookMarks Program, visit the website listed

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Vote between March 26 - Apr

BookMark ProLiiam

Future newsman Arsenal Technical High School student George R. Lyle is among the country’s top high school seniors, according to Ebony Magazine. Ebony will feature Lyle and other national Black scholars In an upcoming edition. Lyle plans to pursue e career In broadcast journalism snd Is currently mulling over college picks that Include an academic scholarship to Syracuse University In New York, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and several other prestigious colleges. (Photo/Anar* Holmes)