black…MYstory

You know, sometimes people let a knee-jerk reaction or a visceral response determine their whole outlook on an issue. We all do it. But, sometimes, we just have to step back and look at reality in order to get a clearer perspective on what we’re seeing.

I would call the response to what’s going on in Omaha, Nebraska one of these knee-jerk reactions. Longtime state senator Ernie Chambers, the body’s only black member, has succeeded in pushing through a measure that will divided the Omaha school system into three separate districts. Because of the makeup of these areas, they will result in districts where one is predominately white, another one predominately black and the third, heavily Hispanic. However, the districts are divided based on high school attendance, not race.

Here’s where the whole common sense thing begins to kick in for me. Critics decry this measure as state sanctioned segregation. But, if you ask, you might find out that students are attending “segregated” schools, right now. You see, there is no busing done to integrate schools. In fact, students are required to attend their neighborhood schools. Therefore, you end up with schools that are predominately white, predominately black and heavily Hispanic based on people of similar racial/ethnic groups living in close proximity to one another.

Supporters of this bill (myself included) say that this will actually empower these districts by giving each district control over how it will be run and provide each district with adequate funding (the model is not based on property taxes) so that children get a quality education regardless of their current financial situation.

Honestly, the only thing that I see this measure changing is who’s in control. With or without this measure, I would think that you will still end up with schools being predominated by particular racial/ethnic groups based on residence. But, what would happen is that each particular area is empowered in seeking out quality educators and having the resources it needs to do its job effectively. Honestly, I think the idea of black and Latino folks in charge of a school board is more than some there can handle.

But, I’m not mad at ya, Ernie. It’s about time somebody starting cutting through the B.S.

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