MoFo - I need your counsel.

[Sir Toose]

Yesterday, my son came home and told me that they had a black history month assembly at school with poems, songs, speeches etc.

He then told me that one of the songs was "My President is Black (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffh9xDf2S9c)" which is mostly a posturing piece by Young Jeezy with some insinuation against Bush in these lines:

Bush robbed all of us, would that make him a criminal?
And then he cheated in Florida, would that make him a Seminole?

It's not a particularly persuasive or imaginitive insult but where is its place in Black history?

After this song a kid stood up and basically said that America is going to be a better place with Obama as president because up until now the black population has had their voices supressed. He and a few others made many references to 'our people' and in one poem reading three girls who were reading the poem, at the end of each sentence, pumped their fists in the air and shouted 'black power'.

The assembly was closed by a collective reading of The Black National Anthem (http://www.black-network.com/anthem.htm).

My son told me that most of his friends were uncomfortable with the material because it spoke very little to black history and spoke very loudly about current black culture.

To me, black history month has always been about the celebration of individual achievement. It's never been about the celebration of a particular race simply because it exists.

In my house, I teach my kids that they have to look at everyone as an individual and that they should never lump people together as a race nor should they ever pass judgement on an individual because of their race.

When I heard about this assembly and its content my reaction to it was that I will now have to guard against racism coming from the school.

How can I tell my kids not to judge on race when they are forced into a school sanctioned assembly to listen to "My President is Black", chants of 'black power', a 'my people', 'your people' mindset and a completely different national anthem that is based on race?

Am I wrong in thinking this whole thing is going in reverse or is racism truly just a fact of life for most people in the population (whatever their race happens to be)?

[mark f]

You have the right to be concerned, but if it deeply troubles you, I'd try to get a copy of a video of the assembly to see exactly what was said and how it was said. Sometimes things get lost in translation. If the assembly was exactly what you say it was and nothing more, then I'm sure that you won't be the only parent who complains about it. It sounds like there may have been some poor choices. I'm assuming that the poem itself contains the lines "Black Power" in it. They obviously had to play an edited or cover version of that song because the lyrics wouldn't fly at any school I know of, short of a college. I'm also not sure how the whole school could do the Black National Anthem unless every class learned it in advance, so that sounds like a small group read/sang it.

Anyway, I would be interested in knowing what the ages and racial makeup of your son's school are. I'd also be interested in your giving us more details if you get to see that Assembly video. You have every right to feel uncomfortable about it, but I'm not sure what other counsel I can give without more hard info, and I'm certainly not suggesting that your son misunderstood what was in the Assembly but context and intent are important.

[spudracer]

Well it's truly sad that this is where America is going now. Go back and look who voted for Obama...if you some of them, they'll say they voted for him, not because of his policies or what he's planning on doing, they voted for him simply because he was black.

Now, everyone is running around praising him for being elected, which is a historical moment I don't deny that. However, having kids singing "My President is Black" and chants of "Black Power" aren't called for, especially in school. Talk about the great influences of Black History and why it's significant. Talk about the Tuskegee Airmen, talk about the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., talk about Rosa Parks.

The only thing Obama has done, so far, is get elected.

There is a reason why it's called Black History. Not Present. Toose, no matter what, never change your stance on what you tell your kids.

[Sir Toose]

I'm assuming that the poem itself contains the lines "Black Power" in it.
This isn't the impression I get.

They obviously had to play an edited or cover version of that song because the lyrics wouldn't fly at any school I know of, short of a college.
Correct, however they did use the word "*****".

I'm also not sure how the whole school could do the Black National Anthem unless every class learned it in advance, so that sounds like a small group read/sang it.
Not the whole school, just those who put on the assembly.

Anyway, I would be interested in knowing what the ages and racial makeup of your son's school are. I'd also be interested in your giving us more details if you get to see that Assembly video. You have every right to feel uncomfortable about it, but I'm not sure what other counsel I can give without more hard info, and I'm certainly not suggesting that your son misunderstood what was in the Assembly but context and intent are important.

As for complaining, I'm not sure I'm going to. I came here first for a head check because I felt that it's entirely possible that I'm over-reacting to what I heard.

What I'm taking from you is that I need to clear my head and get more detail which now seems the obvious thing to do but somehow didn't a while ago.

Thanks for your response!

[Sir Toose]

Toose, no matter what, never change your stance on what you tell your kids.

Thanks Spuds, good points. As for changing what I tell my kids, I can't anyways... it's what I believe and I never lie to them.

EDIT:
Actually, I disagree a little with the idea that Obama hasn't accomplished anything. He has overcome the stigma of being a child of mixed race. He did excel in school and did earn his way into Harvard and did become an attorney and a law professor. I can't say I've done anything that impressive.

[Sexy Celebrity]

All I know is... if we had just elected a gay president, and I saw some kind of gay pride assembly at my high school (when I was actually "out" as a gay person - not the case in elementary and middle school, although everyone else already knew!)...

So, anyway, if I heard "My President Is Gay" and all of the other "out" Miss Prisses that I remember had made fun of Bush for being straight, or they did something else obnoxious, I would have been embarrassed.

Not that I don't mind Bush jokes if I'm like... out with gay friends or watching a Margaret Cho/Kathy Griffin comedy show... but I just feel that in a school, it's inappropriate. It is a representation that doesn't need to be demonstrated.

What happened at your kid's school with this pumping fists, "Black Power!" thing sounds positively scary.

[theringmaster]

oh God...why did Kathy Griffin have to be brought in to this?
America is too black and white.

[KasperKristensen]

No matter what you do, I think that you must watch your words very carefully, if you intend to complain. I have no doubts that you do not resent your children learning about black history, and I see your points. But if you heard that someone was complaining about their children learning black history what would your immeadiate thought be?
All I'm saying is that I think it's important to define exactly what you think the issues are, but at the same time make it very clear that you do not resent that the schools teach about black history, just as a precaution.

[Sir Toose]

Thanks all for your replies.

I didn't end up complaining after all. My son and about 30 of his friends banded together yesterday and decided to each write a letter of complaint. I read my son's before he sent it and I was proud of him.

He said essentially that he was looking forward to learning things to do with black history and of the contributions that black people have made to society. He said that he felt that this opportunity was largely wasted as the presentation came off as an attempt to elevate one race over another versus honoring important historical contributions to society.

I was correct in waiting it seems. I think it will be much better received coming directly from those who were there versus parental intervention.

[KasperKristensen]

Send your son my respect :). He sounds like a smart guy.

[Ðèstîñy]

EDIT:
Actually, I disagree a little with the idea that Obama hasn't accomplished anything. He has overcome the stigma of being a child of mixed race. He did excel in school and did earn his way into Harvard and did become an attorney and a law professor. I can't say I've done anything that impressive.

I may be wrong, but I thought Spud was just referring to his time as President. Not everything in his life. Again, I may be wrong, but that's how I took what he said, when I read it yesterday.

Also, I'm very impressed with how your son is handling this. I'll be interested in how they respond to these letters.

[Sir Toose]

I may be wrong, but I thought Spud was just referring to his time as President. Not everything in his life. Again, I may be wrong, but that's how I took what he said, when I read it yesterday.
If that's what he meant then I'd agree except for the fact that he signed the largest single spending bill in history in the least amount of time with the fewest sets of eyes on it. What an accomplishment!

Also, I'm very impressed with how your son is handling this. I'll be interested in how they respond to these letters.
Thanks! Kids can surprise you huh? He's usually pretty passive about things so no one is more surprised than me. I'll keep you all posted.

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Thanks all for your replies.

I didn't end up complaining after all. My son and about 30 of his friends banded together yesterday and decided to each write a letter of complaint. I read my son's before he sent it and I was proud of him.

He said essentially that he was looking forward to learning things to do with black history and of the contributions that black people have made to society. He said that he felt that this opportunity was largely wasted as the presentation came off as an attempt to elevate one race over another versus honoring important historical contributions to society.

I was correct in waiting it seems. I think it will be much better received coming directly from those who were there versus parental intervention.

That's so awesome! Is there some way I can rep your kid? :D

I think markf's point about finding out exactly what was said is a good one, but at the same time, if your son's impression of the message was the widely held impression, then it's worth noting that the message came across like that. It's a serious breach of parental trust, public funding (if he's in public school) and their responsibility as teachers to use Black History Month as a platform to promote racism, even just the "us vs them" kind. It's appalling that they did that. I'd have torn off heads, and admire your restraint.

[KasperKristensen]

"even just us vs them kind"?

[Sir Toose]

Okay, so his principal emailed him and said that he was correct, the program should have been more historical and educational and that they are addressing many concerns over the content.

I don't know if it'll ever come to anything but at least he spoke with own voice and stood up for what he believed in and got a response from the administration about it.

It started out bad but ended up being a pretty good learning experience.

As always, MoFo, thank you for your wise counsel.

Oh, Sam, you could rep him (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=47106) if he'd ever post :D

[7thson]

Kudos to you and your son Toose - for all of the reasons already mentioned.:)

[spudracer]

Threw some rep at you Toose, sounds like your son has a pretty good head on his shoulders and he, no doubt, got that from his father. So, congratulations on being one of the few parents that gives a crap about their kids. :D :up: :up:

[Sexy Celebrity]

Okay, so his principal emailed him

Oh my god. Your son gets e-mails from his principal??? Times have changed... what next? Sharing iPod song lists? Netflix friends?

"Jason,

I noticed that you didn't have National Geographic's Whales In Crisis in your queue. You need that for oceanography class. Remove Party Monster - The Shockumentary and add it for next time!

Sincerely, Principal Victoria"

[SamsoniteDelilah]

"even just us vs them kind"?Meaning they really made a big point about being a separate group. That's a degree less horrifying than if they were giving speeches about vengeance on The White Devils.

[Yoda]

Sorry I didn't respond to this sooner. I wrote something up but it's a delicate topic and I didn't have the time over the last few days to do it justice. Suffice to say I, like everyone else here, really admire the way you and your son handled this. I think he was right to be upset, and I eagerly (and impatiently) look forward to the day where equality means the mutual celebration of differences, rather than any declaration of superiority, or settling of old scores.

[king_of_movies_316]

If every thing you said happend in the assembly was replaced with the word "white" insted of "black", every news paper in the country would be reporting it and calling the school racist, but because it was refrencing black people, it is OK.

Doesn't make sense does it.