Colorado Youth for a Change’s Post

50 Years since the Boston Desegregation Order Issued; Clear Legal Violation found but revolt at the controversial remedy of forced busing to integrate Boston city schools. It is now more than 50 years since June 21, 1974 when Federal judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found clear legal violations lasting for many years involving official governmental actions to maintain segregated public schools in the city of Boston. There can be no quarrel on that point. By contrast, the remedy ordered by Garrity to have students of color bussed to predominantly white schools and white students bussed to predominantly black schools, with the exception of East Boston not being involved in the plan, led to a revolt by white parents in Boston. Ultimately, white and black parents were dissatisfied with the school busing plan that lasted until 1985 under court order which in addition to the busing monitoring also involved judicial micromanagement review of school policies by Judge Garrity including, for example, principal personnel evaluations, student transfer policies, but also minutia such as the number of basketballs ordered by one school and, in another, the height of urinals in the school bathroom when it became a middle school. This was an era of social engineering with the prominence of lawyers and the courts to establish broad, wide sweeping remedies for various social harms. However, the remedy often was imposed without consultation with the affected communities and was implemented following academic or theoretical constructs of social conditions without advance notice. In the busing case in Boston that led to violence, revolution by white parents and black parents abandoning the public school system, families moving out of the city to suburbs or outer rings ex-urban areas closer to Cape Cod and community unrest. The impact of Judge Garrity--an unelected public official and an able Harvard law school graduate and former U.S. attorney--on Boston's land use policies, its housing market, the Boston built environment and the performance of the city public school system reverberates to this day. Larry DiCara was a city councilmember in Boston during this time. His book- "Turmoil and Transition in Boston, A Political Memoir from the Busing Era," formed the framework for a documentary film that Larry and I have written, filmed and produced on his life and career, including this important time during the history of Boston. The Harvard Law School and Kennedy school alumni chapters in Washington, D.C. graciously co-sponsored a private screening of the movie last month in D.C. Our movie title paraphrases a later Boston newspaper headline that Larry was the Best Mayor that We Never Elected. If interested in hosting a private screening of this movie along with a panel discussion of the related issues, please private message me or otherwise contact me. Boston is a world-class, prosperous city today but it had to bounce back from a low point. #Bos politics

Brown’s Promise is building tools to help advocates use litigation to desegregate schools as a strategy for achieving school resource equity - that’s why we’ve got our eyes on New Jersey. After waiting years for a ruling, NJ courts have finally ruled that the state is responsible for addressing school segregation. The trial court said no one wins or loses just yet, but the acknowledgement of the state's responsibility is a positive result.  Important lines from the opinion we want to highlight: ⚫ "Neither municipal nor school district boundaries are impermeable in the fight against segregation."  ⚫“[plaintiffs]....have demonstrated marked and persistent racial imbalance in numerous school districts across the State that Defendants...have failed to remedy."  ⚫"[H]ome rule and neighborhood schools are not set in stone. They remain viable as long as they serve public policy; to the extent that they protect and prolong racial segregation, they are anathema to public policy." Good to see the problem acknowledged in such clear terms. Onward - the fight continues! https://lnkd.in/dGY5uKNH

Today we want to highlight the commendable work of Executive Director Tim Saintsing, who led a collaborative effort to analyze the correlation between academic achievement and the death penalty. The research conducted underscores the disparities within our justice system, revealing a higher likelihood for Black and brown defendants to receive the death penalty compared to their white counterparts. #CriminalJustice #SocialJustice #EducationImpact #KIPP https://lnkd.in/eKdfKgVw

A recent lawsuit in Arkansas references Brown v. Board of Education and makes wildly inaccurate and inappropriate claims that undermine the educational pursuits of thousands of students. Learn more in my article below which is just out. #education #schoolchoice #constitution

This week, Denver Public Schools announced its new Strategic Plan. Unfortunately, it’s riddled with confessions that it has engaged in unconstitutional and illegal conduct in the past, by treating parents’ and students’ opinions differently, based on race. And worse, it announces that the future is filled with even more unconstitutional conduct. Some students will be prioritized based on race and placed on “specialized learning plans for students of color.” “Marginalized students”—a phrase defined by race, among other characteristics—will be “prioritized” in DPS’s “culture and decision-making.” And DPS’s “resources and opportunities” will be shifted to “accelerate the trajectory” of students, based on their race. That’s why MSLF filed a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on September 22. OCR has jurisdiction over Denver Public Schools, under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It’s important that the Strategic Plan be stopped before DPS can even begin to implement it. #civilrights #discrimination #publicschool

When students have access to less educational opportunity based on their race, does it matter if that discrimination was intentional or not? According to a recent ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court, intention does not matter, but impact does. As long as students can show that school-based segregation (whether intentional or not) damaged their educational prospects, they will be entitled to protection under the state constitution. Why does this matter so much? In the past, Courts have protected students from intentional educational segregation (think Brown v. Board), but not unintentional educational segregation (fueled by redlining and other such systems), so this ruling represents a major step forward toward eradicating all forms of segregation in our schools. #educationpolicy #civilrights #minnesota

Last Week's Hayti Reborn Justice Movement's Bridge Graduation shed light on a facet of our justice system that has long been overlooked – the power of education in transforming the lives of those who have been involved in the criminal justice system. We've always believed in the principle of "justice for all." Yet, it's essential to ask ourselves: What does justice truly entail? Is it merely punitive, or is it rehabilitative and restorative? The difference lies in whether we choose to shut the door on an individual forever or offer them a second chance to reintegrate into society with dignity. Imagine for a moment the life of a young individual who, having made a wrong choice, ends up incarcerated. Without proper intervention, they're trapped in a vicious cycle. They're released, but with limited opportunities, they're pushed towards old habits and, eventually, back into the system. But what if we introduce education into this equation? Educational opportunities for justice-involved individuals are a beacon of hope. They provide several tangible benefits. To truly leverage these benefits, we need a holistic approach. It's not just about providing books behind bars. It's about creating a supportive ecosystem – from in-prison educational programs to post-release mentorship and assistance in job placement. Some may argue, "Why should we invest in those who have done wrong?" To them, I say, justice is not just about punishment. True justice seeks to restore, to heal, and to prevent future harm. When we offer education to justice-involved individuals, we're investing in safer communities, healthier families, and a stronger nation. In closing, I urge policymakers, educators, community leaders, and each one of you to champion the cause of educational opportunities for justice-involved individuals. Let's rewrite their narratives from one of despair to one of hope. Let's believe in the power of second chances. Let's truly live up to our creed of "justice for all." Abraham Dones [A-Bruh-Ham Dough-nez] EdD Kara Battle JB Buxton Dionne "DG" McGee - R.O.A.R CEO-Speaker-Author Project and Program Management Firm https://lnkd.in/gaH3Mkv6

Today we celebrate Brown v Board of Education, but our schools are approaching segregation rates we haven’t seen since 1968. This is why new schools, like Madison’s South Elementary— that EQT is proud to have taken part in creating— are vital. It is the same with addressing the history of redlining in Wisconsin. EQT knows we can’t return to the days before Civil Rights, so lets stand tall in defending diversity and investment in our students. https://lnkd.in/gYDh3UTS #EducationEquity

https://lnkd.in/gDpRwXhM Happy Monday everyone. This is a compelling read providing several chilling instances of the Kafkaesque perversion of our judiciary and administrative law. Jordan Peterson, I have no doubt, will be ultimately successful as the decision is not only rotten. the authors of it represent the clearest cut case of “reasonable apprehension of bias” that we have seen in a long while. . Let’s hope that the stern reprimand coming from the Ontario Court of Appeal results in justice for Dr Peterson, reaffirmation of the cornerstone of liberty for the country, and the timely retirement of these Liberal apparatchiks. The fact that the Kitchener Board is defending the concept that the Ontario Human Rights Code can be used by an employer to muzzle and punish an employee is another affront to common sense, not to mention liberty. Their counsel I hope has advised them of this. It should be a summary judgement matter. Elected officials need to step up. Premier Ford needs to immediately fire several, if not all, of the school boards and run things from the Ministry. The longer term solution to our educational morass is charter schools buts that’s for another day’s note. The names of judges who have donated to any party needs to be prominently displayed (it’s public information now but you have to search it). Attorney General Downey needs to dispatch a letter to all professional governors g bodies stating unequivocally that free speech is a cornerstone of our history and culture and shall not be infringed. Such infringement should lead to dissolution of said bodies by Ministerial fiat.