The Buffalo News_ A Case of Biased and Stereotypical Journalism

Just when you think the Buffalo News can’t sink any lower in diminishing its credibility as a reputable, unbiased news organization, they print something that confirms for most of us that not only are they disreputable but that they are racist and sexist.  On Friday, May 9^th, the News’ editorial page contained an editorial cartoon as well as an article that confirms the foregoing statement.  A part of the cartoon featured me, highlighting my support for the Superintendent and playing a word game with my name by separating it into two words, NEVER and GOLD (standard), to punctuate their disdain and disrespect for me.  Now, I will not further address this part of the cartoon in this article, because as a public official I understand that criticism is a given, whether it is fair or unfair.

 

However, my concern and displeasure with this cartoon is in response to the second panel of the cartoon that features a child seated at a desk, holding a report card with a D+ grade and a caption that notes “our standards for Buffalo Public Schools”.  The caricature of the child is that of a stereotypical Black male, bordering on a third-world, big eyed, obviously perplexed and failing elementary student as underscored by the D+ grade on the report card.  The insinuation is that this child represents all the children in the so called “failing schools”.  Even though the ethnic breakdown of the School District’s population is 50% African American, 21.5% Caucasian, 17.4% Hispanic and 7.2% Asian/Pacific Islander this child is portrayed as representing all the “failing children” in the District.

This is insulting!  This is biased!  This is an unfair slap in the face to all of our children. I ask members of this City, not just African American residents, but everyone who is offended by this type of racial profiling by a newspaper that has for over a year created, distorted and slanted the news regarding the Buffalo Schools, to contact the Editor and share your displeasure with this type of character assassination disguised as reporting. 

It is only when people remain silent that this type of yellow journalism will continue unchallenged.

Buffalo's Board of Education Elections: It's Decision Time!

The Buffalo (New York) Board of Education election for three at-large members is fast approaching.  In fact, it's tomorrow, May 6^th!  And this election will determine the future of the public school system in Buffalo as we have known it.  If the Carl Paladino slate of Larry Quinn and Patti Pierce, with the tag-along of BernieTolbert are elected, we will see a dismantling of the school district through privatizing of the district with the creation of new charter schools; outsourcing of students to BOCES and parochial/private schools; a vacuum of leadership as the current Superintendent is discharged in favor of another supposed distinguished educator; and the creation of a Board that is focused on creating opportunities for development and other businesses rather than opportunities for student growth and learning.  And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Does race matter in this race???  The Buffalo News acknowledged that it does.  But in the same paragraph of its editorial endorsing three white candidates, two of whom have no experience or documented history of interest or contribution to public school education or an urban community, the News stated that race was an issue.  Furthermore, they knew that their support for these three would contribute to the racial divide on the Board and in the District.  Others have taken the News to task for this deliberate support of a racial/racist agenda.  Yet a major question still remains that should be asked of the News.  Were there no African American or Hispanic candidates out of the 8 running that they could support?  And if not, why not?  An examination of the credentials of these candidates would reveal that some of us possessed not only the experience but a record of contribution and achievement, not just in the minority communities we are members of but in the community at large.  

So, what message has the News sent not only to the citizens of Buffalo, New York State and the nation for that matter, but most importantly to our children?  It's the age old message that if you're a person of color you can never measure up to White people, regardless of your credentials!  The News is not alone in sending that message.  They are joined by the business community spearheaded by the Niagara Partnership; by the charter school advocates including Michelle Rhee’s Students First and Buffalo’s ReformEd; and by others who contribute to the polarization of this community. 

Will the African American and Latino communities accept this attempt to take over our school district by moneyed and racist proponents of school privatization and the dismissal of a competent minority majority?  Stay tuned, May 7^th!

The Campaign Enters the Next Phase

Today I submitted the signatures of nearly 5,000 registered voters who signed my petition as a candidate for the position of school board member on the Buffalo School Board.

Now that my petitions have been submitted, the next phase of the campaign to retain  my seat as an At-Large Member of the Buffalo School Board begins.  Once the Board of Elections certifies that I have the required number of signatures (1000 are needed), I'll secure a place on the ballot.  But even now, I am proceeding on to the next phase of the campaign and that is to let the community know that this is the most IMPORTANT election of this year!

The outcome of this election may change the structure of Public Education in the City of Buffalo as we know it.  I need your support if we are to prevent the systematic dismantling of the Buffalo Public Schools from within!  Help me to get out the vote for people who care about our children, who are prepared to work hard to improve the educational achievement of our children and who will not create chaos in the District.

I'll be talking about the issues in this space coming up, so stay tuned and learn about the critical issues
that we are facing in the District and what we can do to resolve them.

Why I'm Running for Buffalo Board of Education_Part 2

Please view this video, which will give you a better understanding of the reasons that I've decided to seek election to the Board of Education.  Please respond to this video with your thoughts and observations.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV960_tYNQM

Why I'm Running 2

The Candidate Speaks

Why I'm Running

I believe that every child has a right to an education that prepares them to reach their potential.

I was appointed to the Board of Education in January 2012.  In the last two years I have had the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the extraordinarily complex challenges that the District needs to address to improve the educational outcomes of our children.  

As a sitting Board member I also have gained, from my experience, an understanding of the strategies that the Board should support through policy and advocacy that will strengthen our District’s capacity to provide a quality education to the children.  The problems that the District has are not new and did not materialize overnight, nor will they be eradicated quickly.  It will take sustained and consistent leadership to achieve sustained and consistent change.  

In the last two years, we have seen incremental progress in several areas that are indicators of positive change; an increase in graduation rates, decrease in suspensions and in absenteeism.   Are these numbers where they need to be? Absolutely not but they are moving in the right direction and I would like to ensure that we stay the course as I believe that continued change in the positive direction is possible and I believe that I can contribute to that change.

The Sisterhood: Setting the Record Straight

Welcome to the inaugural post on my new blog:  “Board Matters:  the Politics of Education”, a commentary on the issues of the Buffalo Board of Education that matter.  The campaign season leading up to the election to fill three seats on the Board this May has just begun and it appears that there will be a crowded field of candidates (11 at last count) and a plethora of issues to discuss/debate.

If you notice the Blog owner’s profile, it references the GTM Sisterhood.  I decided to keep that profile, with a few modifications because it is a fitting representation of the true definition of a “sisterhood”.  It contradicts the meaning that one Buffalo Board member wants to ascribe to African American women on the Board and staff.  He uses the term to convey his contempt for this group of Black women, and to label us as incompetent, seeking undeserved status, negative, destructive, clandestine and irresponsible.  He tries to mask his use of “the sisterhood” by claiming that this is the reference we make to ourselves.   However, he means the term to be demeaning and derogatory. 

Historically and presently, the “sisterhood” describes the tradition of black women banding together, formally or informally, to create agency (self-help), advocacy and service to members of the community (theirs as well as the community in general).  Members of the “sisterhood” are leaders but also understand the power of “strength in numbers”, so they collaborate and coalesce. 

So, when you understand the true meaning of the “sisterhood”, you understand why we embrace that descriptor, celebrate it and proudly call ourselves, members!