South Bend school field trip causes controversy among some parents

[Bill the Cat]

Source: http://www.abc57.com/story/28816153/school-field-trip-causes-controversy-among-some-parents

A South Bend school field trip turned into a conversation about race after students at local primary schools were offered a chance to visit three area colleges. The trips are only for African-American students.

Some parents have told ABC 57 they believe this is discrimination but the school corporation says this is all just a misunderstanding and it is not meant to be a discriminatory trip.

“We should be able to do everything together and not separate,” says parent Charles Yost.

“I feel like all kids should be going,” says Deirdra Mullings who has a son going on one of the field trips.

“It creates a double standard,” says parent Kelley Garing.

Dr. G. David Moss is the director for African-American student/parent services with the South Bend Community Schools Corporation. He says statistically black students are less likely to think of college as a real possibility.

“I want these third graders to have the opportunity to think of themselves as college students,” says Dr. Moss.

Dr. Moss says that's why he organized this initiative for those students to visit higher education institutions around South Bend.

“We take them to a college campus, have them meet African-American students, modeling the idea that as a black person, college is a great place,” says Dr. Moss.

But that didn't sit well with some South Bend parents who say, these trips should include everyone.

“I just think it breeds intolerance and creates misunderstandings,” says Garing.

On the flip side, one mother says she understands Dr. Moss' mission.

“I don't think it's a race issue, I think they're giving black children a chance,” says Erika Herron.

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[KingsGambit]

People get outraged over everything.

[Cow Poke]

I've been saying for quite some time that I wish some black leaders would stand up and be examples to young black people, encouraging them to excel, rather than using race as an excuse for failure.

Unless there's some hidden component here, it looks to me like that's what's happening in this situation.

[pancreasman]

I think the intention is a good one but it seems a dumb way to try to handle it.

[Epoetker]

There's a time to encourage people to think about themselves as college students. It's sometime after their SAT scores come in.

[Bill the Cat]

I've been saying for quite some time that I wish some black leaders would stand up and be examples to young black people, encouraging them to excel, rather than using race as an excuse for failure.

Unless there's some hidden component here, it looks to me like that's what's happening in this situation.

I found the last statement in the cite to be rather ironic.

[JimL]

It's well intentioned, but I see no reason that the program should not be offered to all students attending the same school. Its unfair.

[Cow Poke]

I found the last statement in the cite to be rather ironic.

Yeah, there's that.

[KingsGambit]

Are programs that try to put girls (and only girls) in touch with women in engineering and such a problem?

[Paprika]

It's well intentioned, but I see no reason that the program should not be offered to all students attending the same school. Its unfair.

Come on Jim, it's not that hard to say: it's racist.

[Psychic Missile]

For people who disapprove of this trip, I have two alternatives and would like to hear your thoughts.

What if they took everyone on these trips and then split them up based on their interest, like "the black college experience", "engineering for women", "pre-med", etc. in the same way students choose electives?

or

What if this trip was only for black students and later they have a trip for all students with a schedule of meetings and tours applicable to the general student population? In this case the black students would get a trip that caters to their needs but the other students don't miss out on tours exploring the college option.

[Cerebrum123]

For people who disapprove of this trip, I have two alternatives and would like to hear your thoughts.

What if they took everyone on these trips and then split them up based on their interest, like "the black college experience", "engineering for women", "pre-med", etc. in the same way students choose electives?

or

What if this trip was only for black students and later they have a trip for all students with a schedule of meetings and tours applicable to the general student population? In this case the black students would get a trip that caters to their needs but the other students don't miss out on tours exploring the college option.

Seems to be a more positive version of "separate but equal" to me.

[alaskazimm]

But why in the world are they taking 3rd graders to college campuses? Junior high seems to me the earliest that college would make any sense to students.

[JimL]

Come on Jim, it's not that hard to say: it's racist.

Its not racist unless the intent is racist, and I don't believe that to be the case here.

[Darth Executor]

Are programs that try to put girls (and only girls) in touch with women in engineering and such a problem?

Yes. Feminist social engineering has no business in education (or any other government institution for that matter).