The Disrespect Of Black Historical Greats By Those Living Today Who Spit Upon Their Portrait - Dunbar High School

Blogger's note:

This is a new series that I am christening as I escalate my battle to purge the Onchocerciasis larvae out of our community's consciousness blood stream, triggering our "consciousness river blindness".

As I witnessed what was purported to be a "real" tribute to the great Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr hosted at the venerable "Dunbar High School" in Washington DC I decided to inspect the current state of the school. This school which had been known as the "best of the best" educational facility for Black Americans, which prepared the minds of many of our historical greats has fallen on hard times, mostly because of the parasite that now infects the community.

At this purported tribute to Dr King nothing was mentioned about the condition of the facility where the event was hosted. Whereas Dr King had vision forward his lieutenants of today that purport to carry forth his torch are perfect reference models in the statement "river-blinded leading the blind".

Despite having the city of Washington DC fully controlled by a legislative body and executive of their choosing the free people of this great city are unable to manage this facility that prepares their children for the future with the educational foundation that is needed - unlike their predecessors who faced great adversity and racism that incontrovertibly limited their outcomes - despite the high educational quality of Dunbar.

In 2010 the pride at looking at the portrait upon the wall of Paul Lawrence Dunbar is not enough to trigger the pride that is hoped to cause these young beacons of light to receive a high quality education.

It is time for our community to put aside "Portrait Worship". In some cases our DIGNITY should have us to REMOVE the name from those facilities that so violate the honor of the historical great in question. Give them standards and a pathway by which they can earn the title back.

Some people in our community crave power and control over the people - keeping us struggling OUTWARD for our solution while showing incompetence about managing our human resources WITHIN.

Until the masses place a check on these people and push them aside - expect nothing more than the hollowed out facade of leadership that we have today.

Historical Figure - Paul Lawrence Dunbar

Portrait Upon The Wall - Paul Lawrence Dunbar - Washington DC
Originally opened in 1870 as "Prepatory High School For Colored Youth"

Originally named Preparatory High School for Colored Youth and later known as M Street High School, the name was changed in honor of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. Dunbar was D.C.'s first high school for black students. It was later the academic high school, with other schools related to vocational or technical training goals. It was known for its excellent academics, enough so that some black parents moved to Washington specifically so their children could attend it. Its faculty was paid well by the standards of the time, earning parity pay to Washington's white school teachers because they were federal employees. It also boasted a remarkably high number of graduates who went on to higher education, and a generally successful student body.

"We're known for our history of excellence." 

As The People Gained Their Freedom But Lost Their Consciousness And Human Resource Management Acumen

Dunbar High School - Washington DC - 2010     Parent Feedback from "Great Schools.net"

1. Dunbar has potential to be a good school. Despite popular belief, most the students are eager and ready to learn, and most the teachers are amazing. Yes, there are a few students who are impossible to control, and yes there are a handful of teachers who need to be let go. But I reiterate . . . Dunbar could be a great school.
2. Now that the school has new teacher and under new mangement I think the school is going just great. It wasn't just the student out control the teacher were too! So give a little to get a little. Keep up the good work new staff 
3. While I attended, security, teachers, and staff showed the love they had for each student individually. Entering, I was considered what you reviewers would call an 'out of control teen' but leaving I was a educated, young, black, teen parent with a vision of what I wanted in the future. 
4. Horrible school. Like most DC public schools, it is full of out-of-control teens, bad teachers, and a failing infrastructure. I don't understand how the nation's capital can have such a bad educational system.
5. I attended and grduated from Dunbar in 2001. I also agree that the school may not be the best academically, but it really helps you find yourself. It teaches how to deal with peer pressure, who you are and how to make wise decisions. You have to find a place for yourself at Dunbar.
6. Although the school has Security Officers present there is still a lack of control with the entry process. This can be fixed by adding another guard. This is an excellent school with excellent environment for young adults to develope a sense of themselves and prepare them for the future. 

The Correction - Harlem Children's Zone

Harlem Children's Zone Founder Visits Cleveland, Finds And Audience Eager To Copy His Success

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Low-income urban children are ignored and discarded, and the nation is in peril unless someone does something about it, educator Geoffrey Canada said Monday during a speech in Cleveland.