Thursday, November 19, 2009
Does your child go to one of these schools ?
Shake-Ups, Re-inventing and Closures coming to the following schools. . .
- William Blackstone Elementary School in the South End
- Paul Dever Elementary School in Dorchester
- Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School in Roxbury
- Elihu Greenwood Elementary School in Hyde Park
- Curtis Guild Elementary School in East Boston
- John P. Holland Elementary School in Dorchester
- John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Jamaica Plain
- William Monroe Trotter Elementary School in Dorchester
- Orchard Gardens K-8 School in Roxbury
- Maurice J. Tobin K-8 School in Roxbury
- Henry Dearborn Middle School in Roxbury
- Harbor Middle School in Dorchester
- The English High School in Jamaica Plain
- Odyssey High School in South Boston
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Baystate Banner letter to the editor 11/19/09
Please don't blame hip-hop. It's older than your children !
This week the Baystate Banner published:
What’s going wrong?
So I wanted to respond.
If rappers are our children's role models and more influential in their lives than the men and women in their family and community then it is us that is to blame not the less than 1% that have found fame and fortune through entertainment. There are men and women who demean and denigrate themselves on the corner of every urban area in america. The governor of California made his fortune by acting out violence. We need to take responsibility and stop asking everyone else to do it.
When is the last time you listened to rap, understood it and then had a critical conversation about it's content with young men and women who listen to it ?
ps. I grew up on Hip-Hop. I am 32, wear my pants around my waist, have no criminal record and speak slang and "good" english.
Respectfully,
Carlos "Tony" HenriquezReading, Writing & Arithmetics in Boston
The Globe Reports that there are 14 chronically under performing schools that house approx 6,000 students.
Today, Superintendent Carol Johnson announced that 14 schools are subject to;
shake-ups, closures or re-invention.
I'm sure there are more than 14 that need it but let's say that is a good start.
You need to understand that under performing is code for pretty bad if not terrible. They are not quite Joe Clark's East Side High from "Lean on Me". Students at these schools have poor test scores. This is code for; they can barely read and write at the level they should and their addition, subtraction, and timetables will not cut it. The fact that these schools are elementary and middle schools means that the foundation for learning is cracked and crumbling.
Now, I don't know what shake-up means to the Superintendent but I hope it means firing teachers and administrators who have allowed the culture of poor achievement to persist and failed our children, families, and communities. (I know, I know - parents and families are responsible too but many of these parents graduated from the same schools, so let's focus)
Re-invention, hmm. . .I'm going to need some clarification on that.
The Globe reports: Roughly two-thirds of the schools are located in a swath of Roxbury, Dorchester and a few adjacent neighborhoods, which suffer from high rates of poverty, crime, drug abuse, and teenage pregnancy.
Surprised ? I'm not. This is what keeps us locked in a vicious cycle, poor education, the easiest way to subjugate a population !
And closures: there are roughly 8,000 vacant seats in BPS so they can shuffle some students around and close some buildings. I hope these empty buildings can house some non-profits and some extended day learning and not just remain vacant shells. My question is why haven't we done this along time ago ?
Who has been piloting this vessel ? Stevie Wonder ?
Come on people let's start having some real conversations in the streets of our community and downtown too.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Ballots or Bullets
The last issue of the Baystate Banner reported that the Black and Latino vote were the key for the Mayor's and At-Large Council races. Since 2005, there have been increased talks about the power behind "minorities" becoming the majority.
It makes me think back to Malcolm X's speech.
For neighborhoods like Mattapan, Dorchester and Roxbury to be neighborhoods that are critical for politicians to win elections, what do these neighborhoods get in return ? Mind you these neighborhoods are not monolithic but the issues that these neighborhoods face are all too common.
Oh we get events, a few public appearances, some slick mail pieces. . .but right after the ballot, we get the bullets again. These 3 neighborhoods continue to have the highest poverty rate, health disparities, and crime rates. Isn't it only right that those we elect focus on economic development, better health resources and crime prevention ?
Or are we just political chumps ?
If you could ask Brother Malcolm, I think he would say yes. And I agree.
If we knew better, we would do better !
It makes me think back to Malcolm X's speech.
For neighborhoods like Mattapan, Dorchester and Roxbury to be neighborhoods that are critical for politicians to win elections, what do these neighborhoods get in return ? Mind you these neighborhoods are not monolithic but the issues that these neighborhoods face are all too common.
Oh we get events, a few public appearances, some slick mail pieces. . .but right after the ballot, we get the bullets again. These 3 neighborhoods continue to have the highest poverty rate, health disparities, and crime rates. Isn't it only right that those we elect focus on economic development, better health resources and crime prevention ?
Or are we just political chumps ?
If you could ask Brother Malcolm, I think he would say yes. And I agree.
If we knew better, we would do better !
Monday, November 16, 2009
Is anyone listening to residents in Roxbury ?
Sometimes I feel like no one is listening.
On Blue Hill Avenue two blocks from my home where I have lived for 29 years has become the "Combat Zone."
I have sent letters to the Mayor, the press and the police about the constant criminal conditions.
Crackheads, drug dealers, prostitution, loitering, broken glass, needles, public drinking,
gun violence and more.
Residents of all ages travel through this each day to school, work, and the corner store.
On September 10th, 2009, I organized and hosted a meeting outside of Packy's with community residents after lit-dropping 200 homes about these conditions. We specifically complained about the address of 69 Clifford Street due to it having an absentee landlord and the fact that each day open drug dealing, abuse and prostitution took place in and out of this house.
The police said they were aware. We are all aware ! So was I surprised to open the Herald last week to read that a man was found murdered with a gunshot to the head at 69 Clifford Street ?
Unfortunately not.
Occasionally, the major papers will cover a murder but what is missed is the effect this atmosphere has on the neighborhood. And the Herald and Globe don't cover when an older lady gets mugged on the way home, or when a car or home is broken into. They don't cover when children and staff at the Winthrop School find used condoms in their playground or residents come outside to see prostitutes turning tricks in front of their driveway.
Is anyone listening ?
On Blue Hill Avenue two blocks from my home where I have lived for 29 years has become the "Combat Zone."
I have sent letters to the Mayor, the press and the police about the constant criminal conditions.
Crackheads, drug dealers, prostitution, loitering, broken glass, needles, public drinking,
gun violence and more.
Residents of all ages travel through this each day to school, work, and the corner store.
On September 10th, 2009, I organized and hosted a meeting outside of Packy's with community residents after lit-dropping 200 homes about these conditions. We specifically complained about the address of 69 Clifford Street due to it having an absentee landlord and the fact that each day open drug dealing, abuse and prostitution took place in and out of this house.
The police said they were aware. We are all aware ! So was I surprised to open the Herald last week to read that a man was found murdered with a gunshot to the head at 69 Clifford Street ?
Unfortunately not.
Occasionally, the major papers will cover a murder but what is missed is the effect this atmosphere has on the neighborhood. And the Herald and Globe don't cover when an older lady gets mugged on the way home, or when a car or home is broken into. They don't cover when children and staff at the Winthrop School find used condoms in their playground or residents come outside to see prostitutes turning tricks in front of their driveway.
Is anyone listening ?
Campaign Promises
Promises, promises. . .got more nooks and crannies than an english thomas' (muffin)! As a two time candidate, I know the stigma that is attached to politicians both old and new. But the fact of the matter is that what they do is really up to you.
Stop, think and reflect on what was promised to you during campaigns. Mayor Menino promised to move the city forward.
So check the transmission fluid, kick the tires, and fix your mirrors so you can see where you came from. Make sure we are in the right gear. What is forward for you ? Did you get your new property tax assessment ? Is it higher ? Don't you worry, you have Councilors that promised to revamp the P.I.L.O.T. program so that million and billion dollar institutions in the City will pay their fair share, so expect them to fix that ASAP. All we need is 7 votes and the Mayor's signature. Are you a renter ? Think it doesn't concern you ? Wrong. A landlords costs are your costs !
Some other promises to remember;
At-Large Councilor John Connolly, promised to work for "One Boston". At-Large Councilor Steven Murphy, pitched his experienced leadership. At-Large Councilor elect Felix D. Arroyo, promised collaborative politics. At-Large Councilor elect Ayanna Pressley, promised 3 A's - Accountability, Advocacy & Accessibility
District Councilors is more personal to me, we can talk about that later.
The first sign. Every year the City Council elects their President for a one year term. The max you can serve is two consecutive after Michael Flaherty and the late James "Jimmy" Kelly dominated it before and after the millenium for close to 6 years each a new rule was passed. In return for their vote, each Councilor earns favor and is named to chair or serve on a committee that is near and dear to their hearts. Who they choose as president and what committees they serve on will be the first showing of their priorities to keep the promises they made on the campaign trail. You can influence this process too by calling the most likely President (Micheal Ross - D8) for his second term and lobby on their behalf if you know what your candidate/councilor wants.
ps. There is a special election on December 8th 2009 for US Senate.
pps. click for a little bit of history about the Boston City Council
Stop, think and reflect on what was promised to you during campaigns. Mayor Menino promised to move the city forward.
So check the transmission fluid, kick the tires, and fix your mirrors so you can see where you came from. Make sure we are in the right gear. What is forward for you ? Did you get your new property tax assessment ? Is it higher ? Don't you worry, you have Councilors that promised to revamp the P.I.L.O.T. program so that million and billion dollar institutions in the City will pay their fair share, so expect them to fix that ASAP. All we need is 7 votes and the Mayor's signature. Are you a renter ? Think it doesn't concern you ? Wrong. A landlords costs are your costs !
Some other promises to remember;
At-Large Councilor John Connolly, promised to work for "One Boston". At-Large Councilor Steven Murphy, pitched his experienced leadership. At-Large Councilor elect Felix D. Arroyo, promised collaborative politics. At-Large Councilor elect Ayanna Pressley, promised 3 A's - Accountability, Advocacy & Accessibility
District Councilors is more personal to me, we can talk about that later.
The first sign. Every year the City Council elects their President for a one year term. The max you can serve is two consecutive after Michael Flaherty and the late James "Jimmy" Kelly dominated it before and after the millenium for close to 6 years each a new rule was passed. In return for their vote, each Councilor earns favor and is named to chair or serve on a committee that is near and dear to their hearts. Who they choose as president and what committees they serve on will be the first showing of their priorities to keep the promises they made on the campaign trail. You can influence this process too by calling the most likely President (Micheal Ross - D8) for his second term and lobby on their behalf if you know what your candidate/councilor wants.
ps. There is a special election on December 8th 2009 for US Senate.
pps. click for a little bit of history about the Boston City Council
shooting statistics
The Boston Police Department releases a comparisons on shootings between '08 and '09
http://www.bpdnews.com/Shootings-11-16-09.pdf
There is a slight difference in numbers. While it is important to celebrate progress it is important to see these numbers as real people. It is also important to note how many of these homicides and shooting happen in the same neighborhood especially if it is your neighborhood.
http://www.bpdnews.com/FARR-11-16-09.pdf
The Boston Police Department also releases numbers about firearm arrests over the last two years. The BPD has gone from 505 arrests in 2008 to 520 in 2009. Again while this appears as an improvement, the real question is why are there so many people carrying guns ? What are the ages of these offenders ? What are the reasons ?
Arrests don't stop people from selling, buying, and carrying guns. What is the City of Boston doing to prevent the flow of guns ? What are judges doing about sentencing ? What are state law makers doing around legislation ? What are we doing as a community ?
http://www.bpdnews.com/Shootings-11-16-09.pdf
There is a slight difference in numbers. While it is important to celebrate progress it is important to see these numbers as real people. It is also important to note how many of these homicides and shooting happen in the same neighborhood especially if it is your neighborhood.
http://www.bpdnews.com/FARR-11-16-09.pdf
The Boston Police Department also releases numbers about firearm arrests over the last two years. The BPD has gone from 505 arrests in 2008 to 520 in 2009. Again while this appears as an improvement, the real question is why are there so many people carrying guns ? What are the ages of these offenders ? What are the reasons ?
Arrests don't stop people from selling, buying, and carrying guns. What is the City of Boston doing to prevent the flow of guns ? What are judges doing about sentencing ? What are state law makers doing around legislation ? What are we doing as a community ?
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