Washington Informer
Archive (100)
No More Lucky Draw
The nail biting school choice program called the Out of Boundary lottery was aptly detailed in the controversial and eye-opening documentary, Waiting for Superman. In school districts across the country, students, along with their parents, vie for a coveted seat in schools with achievement rates that far exceed their neighborhood school or that have programs that meet their child’s special needs. It is an annual exercise that often times creates more stress for a parent and child than waiting for an acceptance letter to a college or university. And in the District, more than half of the students attend school outside of their neighborhood boundaries.
The nail biting school choice program called the Out of Boundary lottery was aptly detailed in the controversial and eye-opening documentary, Waiting for Superman. In school districts across the country, students, along with their parents, vie for a coveted seat in schools with achievement rates that far exceed their neighborhood school or that have programs that meet their child’s special needs. It is an annual exercise that often times creates more stress for a parent and child than waiting for an acceptance letter to a college or university. And in the District, more than half of the students attend school outside of their neighborhood boundaries.
If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.
African American history did not begin when the first enslaved African landed on the shore of America in Jamestown, Va. in 1619. It is far greater than just the story of 400 years of slavery and its impact on the lives of millions of enslaved people who suffered through the brutality and hardship that came along with it. African American history includes the vast cultural influences and countless contributions people of African descent have provided to the United States before, during and after slavery.
Thanks to Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950), the son of former slaves, the United States now recognizes the month of February as African American History Month. Woodson was disturbed by the fact that the achievements of Blacks “were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them,” he said. To highlight the contributions of Blacks was not only meant to help Black people strive to improve their condition, but to inform and educate white people, as well. To ignore the achievements of Black people, Woodson believed, encouraged “race prejudice,” which he defined as “merely the logical result of tradition, the inevitable outcome of thorough instruction to the effect that the Negro has never contributed anything to the progress of mankind."
-- Dr. Carter G. Woodson
African American history did not begin when the first enslaved African landed on the shore of America in Jamestown, Va. in 1619. It is far greater than just the story of 400 years of slavery and its impact on the lives of millions of enslaved people who suffered through the brutality and hardship that came along with it. African American history includes the vast cultural influences and countless contributions people of African descent have provided to the United States before, during and after slavery.
Thanks to Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950), the son of former slaves, the United States now recognizes the month of February as African American History Month. Woodson was disturbed by the fact that the achievements of Blacks “were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them,” he said. To highlight the contributions of Blacks was not only meant to help Black people strive to improve their condition, but to inform and educate white people, as well. To ignore the achievements of Black people, Woodson believed, encouraged “race prejudice,” which he defined as “merely the logical result of tradition, the inevitable outcome of thorough instruction to the effect that the Negro has never contributed anything to the progress of mankind."
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton wants District residents to know that the new Republican lead House of Representatives are beginning to chip away at the District’s Home Rule power. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) wants to revive school vouchers, which D.C. lawmakers oppose; and he wants to eliminate the District’s ability to spend its own money on legal abortions and a needle exchange program. Regardless of the issues,
Congress should not begin meddling again in District affairs. District residents should be prepared to let Rep. Boehner and his colleagues know that democratic society includes those who live in the nation’s capital.
Congress should not begin meddling again in District affairs. District residents should be prepared to let Rep. Boehner and his colleagues know that democratic society includes those who live in the nation’s capital.
Congressman James E. Clyburn
Poet and musician Gil Scott Heron recorded a song in the 1970s that predicted a revolution. He penned it during a period that followed the 1960s -- when massive civil rights and anti-war demonstrations -- marked a revolutionary change in America.
The poem was called, “The Revolution Will Not be Televised!” It was a statement denouncing Americans’ complacency. The poem was intended to shake America out of its indifference and apathy and to inform them that the struggle against the nation’s leadership and the rising abuse by law enforcement against its own people would take place in the streets and not in front of a television set.
The poem was called, “The Revolution Will Not be Televised!” It was a statement denouncing Americans’ complacency. The poem was intended to shake America out of its indifference and apathy and to inform them that the struggle against the nation’s leadership and the rising abuse by law enforcement against its own people would take place in the streets and not in front of a television set.
The recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization announcement of Borders Books, will force the closing of eight loca-tions in the D.C. metropolitan area, including L. Street Northwest, Friendship Heights, and Largo. The failure of Borders Books will continue to bring about the slow demise of bookstores as intellectual-social networking spaces for area read-ers.
Consider the Largo location and its partnership with national and local publishers, authors, and clubs to facilitate the annual Capital Book Fest. For six years, the Largo Borders has strengthened Black families through literature. In edi-tion to carrying a wide selection of works by new and independent authors, the Largo location also maintained a relaxed, “reader-friendly” atmosphere.
Consider the Largo location and its partnership with national and local publishers, authors, and clubs to facilitate the annual Capital Book Fest. For six years, the Largo Borders has strengthened Black families through literature. In edi-tion to carrying a wide selection of works by new and independent authors, the Largo location also maintained a relaxed, “reader-friendly” atmosphere.
Just in time for the close of Black History Month, performer Beyonce Knowles decided to pose for the French fashion magazine L’Officiel – Paris in blackface. Outfitted in skin paint reminiscent of black cork and an animal print creation of her mother’s Miss Tina line, Knowles’ outlandish behavior is second to the ridiculous support she has received from among the ranks of the tragically Black and ill-informed.
L’Officiel – Paris said that the photo shoot was a salute to legendary African performer Fela Kuti, though it is unclear how blackface fits the celebration. As increased numbers of Americans debate the need and validity of Black History Month, particularly among a generation of African Americans, whose race consciousness is disjointed from reality, Knowles ignorance is appalling.
L’Officiel – Paris said that the photo shoot was a salute to legendary African performer Fela Kuti, though it is unclear how blackface fits the celebration. As increased numbers of Americans debate the need and validity of Black History Month, particularly among a generation of African Americans, whose race consciousness is disjointed from reality, Knowles ignorance is appalling.
Your article on the adult illiteracy rate in the District of Columbia, “Illiteracy Prevails in District,” by Dorothy Rowley, published in the Feb. 24 edition of The Washington Informer, was right on time; it was essential.
Illiteracy in our community is a subject that should be on the lips of every politician, in the sermons of every preacher, and continually written about in every publication in the District of Columbia.
We cannot allow the continuation of this “dumbing-down” of the African-American community. If high blood pressure is the silent killer of African Americans, illiteracy is the equivalent of the Plague. It spreads from one generation to the next.
If a parent doesn’t value reading, more than likely their children won’t either. We need to pull our heads out of the sand and face this issue head on. We should encourage those in need to get help. We need to pressure our local government officials and schools to ensure that there are programs available for individuals who cannot read. We can no longer be silent or ashamed of this escalating problem.
I hope that The Washington Informer continues to report on this critical issue because we need illiteracy to be at the forefront of all of our minds. There needs to be a war on illiteracy, like the war on poverty, because we will never win a war on poverty if we don’t win the war against illiteracy.
Adrenne Foster
Washington, D.C.
Illiteracy in our community is a subject that should be on the lips of every politician, in the sermons of every preacher, and continually written about in every publication in the District of Columbia.
We cannot allow the continuation of this “dumbing-down” of the African-American community. If high blood pressure is the silent killer of African Americans, illiteracy is the equivalent of the Plague. It spreads from one generation to the next.
If a parent doesn’t value reading, more than likely their children won’t either. We need to pull our heads out of the sand and face this issue head on. We should encourage those in need to get help. We need to pressure our local government officials and schools to ensure that there are programs available for individuals who cannot read. We can no longer be silent or ashamed of this escalating problem.
I hope that The Washington Informer continues to report on this critical issue because we need illiteracy to be at the forefront of all of our minds. There needs to be a war on illiteracy, like the war on poverty, because we will never win a war on poverty if we don’t win the war against illiteracy.
Adrenne Foster
Washington, D.C.
The article on Clarksdale (Jaunts: Mississippi Delta, Feb. 24) is outstanding! I often tell my Blues-loving friends to go to Clarksdale and stop at Ground Zero. In fact, just last week I encouraged a professional photographer and friend of mine to take a trip to Clarksdale and he is going to this spring.
Now, I don’t have to try to explain to others what a great experience it is because I can just send them a link to the arti-cle. Writer Shantella Sherman described it far better than I ever could. Great stuff!
Tom Johnston
Warrenville, Ill.
Now, I don’t have to try to explain to others what a great experience it is because I can just send them a link to the arti-cle. Writer Shantella Sherman described it far better than I ever could. Great stuff!
Tom Johnston
Warrenville, Ill.
Congratulations to your writers Shantella Sherman (Best Feature Writing) and Norma Porter (Best Local News) for their D.C. Ethnic Media Awards as reported in “Informer Writers Among Journalism Honorees.” The article appeared in the Feb. 24 edition.
I have always enjoyed reading articles by both writers in your paper. Finally, others are starting to see the value that The Washington Informer and its writers bring to our community. I can only imagine how it must feel to be acknowledged for all your hard work by others, especially those who work in your field. I pray for the continued success of your paper and its writers. Keep up the good work, we need you!
Lawrence Watkins
Washington, D.C.
I have always enjoyed reading articles by both writers in your paper. Finally, others are starting to see the value that The Washington Informer and its writers bring to our community. I can only imagine how it must feel to be acknowledged for all your hard work by others, especially those who work in your field. I pray for the continued success of your paper and its writers. Keep up the good work, we need you!
Lawrence Watkins
Washington, D.C.
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