shooting in perrine

I rarely watch the local news anymore but I just caught something slightly disturbing. A few miles south of my house and a few blocks south of the neighborhood many of my students come from was the site of a shooting.

Why mention this at all? A guy got shot at a discount auto parts store? So what?

The reaction from the newscasters was typical: maudlin concern followed by restrained smiles to watch the next newscast. No one I knew was in it (that I know) and I’m not devastated. But there’s something that bothers me.

Why are the newscasters so quick to go from concern to comedy? Maybe they are just so gosh darn happy to be white and good looking and on tv away from the news they report. Maybe they just want you to watch just one more newscast. I don’t know. But their children may be in the Advanced Placement classes at my high school (I know one is for sure).

But am I moving into the ghetto or leaving the mild school I’m at for an F school? No.

I do have some issues with my school and society in general however. At the career fair there wasn’t a SINGLE African-American family asking about the advanced classes. This is shameful. This is not right. I’m not going to sit quietly about it. Well my keys will be clacking away as I write this indignant liberal tirade that four whole people will read!

First of all, there is a cultural gulf when it comes to education that needs to be the first thing reported tomorrow night. This needs to be addressed NOW NOT IGNORED until the neglect and hopelessness reaches for a gun. Those who report the news send their children to the same school in some cases as the parents of those who are being reported on. But that’s the point I’m trying to make. Even in the same school the difference between AP and remedial classes it is obvious from the second you walk in the room.

It begins on the first night when you visit the school to see what they offer. A change might start with something as simple and profound as getting in the car and taking a little ride with your children. It might turn into a college education and a better life for your children.

Otherwise the walls will get ever higher for those left at home. I’m doing my best each day but a little support at a parent-teacher night would go a long way toward making a change.