Washington DC Schools Chief Purges Subpar Teachers - Union Strikes Back

Rhee dismisses 241 D.C. teachers; union vows to contest firings

Let me put forth a model:

1. An entity harms Black people's interests
2. Concerned Black people stand against the entity, demanding that they change
3. The news media provides coverage (and some times activism), shedding light on the issue
4. The governing authority implements the necessary changes and regulations to insure that the problem is fixed
5. The Black community monitors the situation, making sure that the changes stick

There are many important issues that this model has been applied to:

• Police assaults on Blacks
• Substandard Housing
• Unfair Banking Practices
• Failing Schools

When we talk about "failing schools" there is an exception - as seen in Washington DC.

When there is an external entity that is underfunding the schools where Blacks attend, when their policies track Black boys into a remedial track, when some believe that standardized testing are over-used - we see the expected push back from the Black educational activists.   They define who the ENEMY is that is resiting change and go after them.

Look at how the situation in Washington DC stands out from this.

With a reform school chancellor in power who is going after the UNIONS that are unwilling to change this time Michelle Rhee is often the one who is attacked.

These 241 teachers were judged to be below standard via what has been accepted as a fair process and were summarily dismissed.  As much as we have heard over the years that "Black school receive the worst teachers" one would think that the community would come out in full support of this action.

Instead there is relative silence.  

Ms Rhee is presently suffering from the force that many who dare to go against the grain suffer - "Standing Up Against An Element Of The Black Establishment" - this time the UNIONS.

Within the Black community there are long held assumptions about our list of Permanent Friends and Permanent Enemies.  When results from our friends don't actually match these assumptions, the legacy of favor affords an excuse to cover them.  When  results that  the popular enemies are able to render within the domain that they control is desirous to us - many Blacks claim that these results are rendered due to exclusion and they attack.

At some point the results must be judged at face value and not some "ideological profile".  You don't like profiling.  Right?

Listen to Black Establishment Leaders talk and they will make note of how EDUCATION is the cornerstone of Black development.  It is clear that as long as this struggle for education is an EXTERNAL one - all can march in unison without fearing having to step on anyone's toes.  Michele Rhee and her struggles with the unions force them to choose their Permanent Interests over their Permanent Friends. 

We see which is preferred.