tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post8698766787923109656..comments2016-09-16T10:49:01.115-04:00Comments on Changing the Narrative : Am I Radical Enough? Thoughts on Being a Black Education Activist Surrounded by White LiberalsDenisha Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-36854978693995704182016-09-16T10:49:01.115-04:002016-09-16T10:49:01.115-04:00They attack and smear organizations that are run b...They attack and smear organizations that are run by people of color. Or they leave such organizations when the people of color demand that their issues be addressed. Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-29989219316165063262016-08-22T08:22:51.067-04:002016-08-22T08:22:51.067-04:00So i am white and have been part of the Ed activis...So i am white and have been part of the Ed activist movement since 1970. I'm not sure what control means without naming names. I'm not even sure what control means. Do they intentionally keep non white people from engaging? Are there parts of the movement that are led by people of color? Is your crit directed at all white so-called leaders or just some? And if so what do you suggest? ed notes onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-342575177210699232016-08-22T08:06:33.558-04:002016-08-22T08:06:33.558-04:00Sometimes there are stings in the sense that when ...Sometimes there are stings in the sense that when Randi helps it becomes hard to be critical and thus a whole branch of the movement allows a fundamentally undemocratically run union to operate without being challenged and those challenging are isolated. The aft has been complicit and has taken money with strings. <br />Norm Scott ed notes onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-82222741781909712862016-08-22T07:30:28.028-04:002016-08-22T07:30:28.028-04:00Exactly with real enemies why go after each other?...Exactly with real enemies why go after each other? Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-9138955197915910132016-08-22T07:30:01.338-04:002016-08-22T07:30:01.338-04:00Agree! Agree! Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-81707150985341614392016-08-22T07:29:28.133-04:002016-08-22T07:29:28.133-04:00Thanks Morna!Thanks Morna!Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-35388414855336116772016-08-22T07:28:42.764-04:002016-08-22T07:28:42.764-04:00I recently learned white liberal was insulting to ...I recently learned white liberal was insulting to white activists or radicals however that wasn't point. You can replace liberal with activist and I would still be addressing those people. Whites who are part of the education activist movement who fail to see how they control the movement. Whether they are activist or liberals makes no difference to me. And I agree about taking money with no strings attacked which is exactly what we did. Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-74242722625617938112016-08-21T16:06:05.113-04:002016-08-21T16:06:05.113-04:00I am an Education Activist in Milwaukee. I share ...I am an Education Activist in Milwaukee. I share you sentiment, but I too refuse to give in. My experience is we don't see the issues with the same lenses. However, I fight for what I see as a black women to be the problems. Eventually, we work it out and get some of what we both want to be fixed. It has worked to a degree. However, even working together, we haven't been able to break thru the right-wing agenda that is defunding/destroying public education in the state of Wisconsin. The right-wing Republicans are in control in this state, but we will keep fighting.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15180443124143397584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-31354339788632966042016-08-20T15:00:52.115-04:002016-08-20T15:00:52.115-04:00In my opinion, and that's all it is, there are...In my opinion, and that's all it is, there are many prongs in the attempts to demolish Public Education. These include racism and it's long history in education, economic discrimination, xenophobia, discrimination against the disabled, and oppression against just about any vulnerable group possible. It is beyond evil, fueled by hate and greed, and this country has a uniquely racist history that is being re-exposed in the attacks. To not understand that history or not "get" that racism is the elephant in the room because of white privilege cannot be allowed. Just as racism is a thing, white privilege is a thing. I think we're going to face the many-headed ugly monster and fight together or lose together. And, in a sense, all of us and our ancestors are at fault. That is to say, who do we blame for not being eternally vigilant? Who do we blame for allowing immoral, cruel, racist profiteers to run wild again? We can turn on each other or we can learn, forgive, move forward, and FIGHT!! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10591921476028183314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-1020844322713677422016-08-20T12:00:02.222-04:002016-08-20T12:00:02.222-04:00this is Monra McDermott posting BTW..not trying to...this is Monra McDermott posting BTW..not trying to be anonymous..just cant get my Educationalchemy wordpress link to post! hate technologyDETOXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08917236502871237525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-61869094675546194562016-08-20T11:51:09.986-04:002016-08-20T11:51:09.986-04:00Every movement that lasts will experience fracture...Every movement that lasts will experience fractures, challenges, and changes (and so it seems we are such a moment)...this is because the fight shifts and changes beneath our feet as well leaving us not sure what right way is the way forward. but i know that without each other we have nothing ...so we must have one another's backs -the battle against privatization is huge and nearly insurmountable-misguided attacks on Denisha and others wastes energy, demoralizes, and distract us. <br /><br />The wayfarer,<br />Perceiving the pathway to truth,<br />Was struck with astonishment.<br />It was thickly grown with weeds.<br />"Ha," he said,<br />"I see that none has passed here<br />In a long time."<br />Later he saw that each weed<br />Was a singular knife.<br />"Well," he mumbled at last,<br />"Doubtless there are other roads."<br />Stephen Crane, "The Wayfarer" (1899).DETOXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08917236502871237525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-64227216152433343112016-08-20T11:05:04.531-04:002016-08-20T11:05:04.531-04:00You make such an important point when you say &quo...You make such an important point when you say "But United Opt Out is about more than just opting out of testing. It is about opting out of the entire corporate reform agenda. " One of the clearest points that drills down on what the movement is about.<br />I'm new to this discussion so I am not sure which white liberals are being talked about. I am confused at times by the "liberal" term vs left or radical left because I see a lot of differences. I was at the 2011 SOS event, attended the NPE event in April in North Carolina and came down for the day at SOS this year on a UFT bus which we as the opposition caucus in the UFT pushed them to send - albeit with only 12 people. Which is sort of a point given that the UFT had little real interest in actually supporting the event. I am always very wary of union co-opting a movement because I have seen it happen so often over the past 20 years - where they take the teeth out and pretend to be supporting it. But I have no issues with using money from them as long as they are not attaching strings. We know that no matter what they say they really do oppose opt out - the dominant Unity Caucus in the UFT, of which Randi is a member, recently attacked our group and Jia Lee our presidential candidate for supporting opt out. We do get the racial implications of the mostly white opt out movement and are working inside NYC to reach into the neighborhoods to build coalitions. <br />Norm Scotted notes onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-4646309870743766822016-08-19T11:12:45.905-04:002016-08-19T11:12:45.905-04:00Thanks Sheila!Thanks Sheila!Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-59154022172395446752016-08-19T11:11:25.260-04:002016-08-19T11:11:25.260-04:00Thanks Jesse! Thanks Jesse! Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-25426537203843647872016-08-19T11:11:12.888-04:002016-08-19T11:11:12.888-04:00Why does there have to be a hierarchy of oppressio...Why does there have to be a hierarchy of oppression? Why does capitalism have to be worse than racism? Yes they are related but to demand that capitalism be the head villain serves to deny the serious effects racism has on people. Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-35076314648374200402016-08-19T11:09:34.144-04:002016-08-19T11:09:34.144-04:00Will doWill doDenisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-26284648535397057252016-08-19T11:09:22.441-04:002016-08-19T11:09:22.441-04:00I admit I have been guilty of it in the past but n...I admit I have been guilty of it in the past but never have I published lies about someone because they were working with national unions. Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-70980728155584235742016-08-19T10:38:41.244-04:002016-08-19T10:38:41.244-04:00Thank you Linda!Thank you Linda!Denisha Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543776198792619814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-29904268328683963392016-08-19T05:29:28.168-04:002016-08-19T05:29:28.168-04:00Yes. We need multiracial unity, not allies.
Yes. We need multiracial unity, not allies. <br />SunnyRoad 2009https://www.blogger.com/profile/07399956409945874523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-74276071467671443632016-08-19T05:27:40.180-04:002016-08-19T05:27:40.180-04:00I agree with you. AND - there must be multiracial ...I agree with you. AND - there must be multiracial unity AND an understanding that 'white privilege' is not the head villain - capitalism is. We all have to understand the roots of racism and attack it with that understanding. Supporters of identity politics ignore the fact that there are layers within all communities. Fight WITH and FOR the working class. SunnyRoad 2009https://www.blogger.com/profile/07399956409945874523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-36142372365197536332016-08-18T13:34:56.328-04:002016-08-18T13:34:56.328-04:00I am distraught and perplexed that this uncomforta...I am distraught and perplexed that this uncomfortable situation has come to be seen as a white/black issue. I think I understand completely what Denisha is saying. I attended the rally and workshops, and thought they were powerful and vital. I regret that some people have taken such a hard line on union involvement that our movement might be fractured. This is the worst thing that could happen. We need to work together because what we are up against is megalithic. I couldn't agree more with this statement: "Our plan is to bring together civil rights leaders and education activists to dialogue and engage about the effects of privatization on public education." This is definitely what we need to engage with. Thank you, DenishaSheila Ressegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03825902968436088673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-47865907473528890442016-08-18T12:11:01.993-04:002016-08-18T12:11:01.993-04:00Preach it Dr. Jones. movement building is not abou...Preach it Dr. Jones. movement building is not about cherry picking our causes. My grandfather took me to Dr. King's March in DC in 63. He went because Martin's movement was not only about racial justice, it was about economic justice. He took his namesake grandson along for the ride. He connected with the March for Jobs, and joined the march for racial justice. My grandfather was a labor activist who grew to understand, you can't have economic justice without racial justice. He did not try to tell Dr. King you need to stick to jobs and economic justice. He grew with Martin, and we marched with Martin. Movements are not about compromising they are about growing together. My grandfather is long dead, but I have no doubt that on July 8 he looked down proudly saying march little Jess march.<br />As for our march, well I wrote about in my blog about the march "I could have been anywhere today" http://childrenaremorethantestscores.blogspot.com/2016/07/i-could-have-been-anywhere-today_9.html<br />Bravo Denisha my activist sister,<br />Jesse The Walking Turner Jesse Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02556420250629971130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-14319362311408456562016-08-18T10:32:51.125-04:002016-08-18T10:32:51.125-04:00Have pity on tired old eyes and bifocal users add ...Have pity on tired old eyes and bifocal users add some subheads or extra spacing in the next post, please. Don't want to miss anything.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755549407562174447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-71173029756450644492016-08-18T10:31:12.767-04:002016-08-18T10:31:12.767-04:00Also want to add a plug for more careful research ...Also want to add a plug for more careful research BY EVERYONE when it comes to deciding that money or association means influence. We all do it too often, I think, when we label groups or individuals for accepting Walton or Gates donations or sitting on a committee or board that doesn't totally align with our ideas. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755549407562174447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307167502934743565.post-40702640864334630452016-08-18T10:27:59.814-04:002016-08-18T10:27:59.814-04:00we see this too often, as in many of the responses...we see this too often, as in many of the responses to the Vision for Black Lives, with all sorts of people -- mostly white but not all -- who not in the movement at all thinking they have something to say from outside about how people IN the movement define and undertake struggle. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755549407562174447noreply@blogger.com