Other thoughts...

You can't even begin to compare Senator Meeks and Dr. King. Dr. King
would never use the N word in the way your "pastor" did. Remember, he
believed in non-violent approaches.

I understand you don't know me, but I must inform you I am not a
"nay-sayer" when it comes to fighting racism, standing up for what you
believe in, etc. I just know how to show respect, be mature and be
productive. I understand though, how you might just to that
conclusion. Since you are in the middle of it all, you would tend to
be emotional.

On 7/31/08, Annie wrote:
> Tony,
>
> First, thank you for your response. You know more of the situation
> than I do since you are in the thick of it. I gained more knowledge
> from your post.
>
> Second, please know that I do not discount the positive things
> Senator Meeks has done.
>
> I believe you missed my point. I am a teacher and realize how
> important the support of your community is. It is not the teachers'
> fault that the situation is the way it is. Nor is it the school
> buildings. My point is that adults should NEVER use kids to fight
> their battles. Shame on Senator Meeks for doing this. It is
> sending the wrong message to kids and you are harming their
> education. Does the situation need improved--absolutely. You and I
> are on the same page as that. But, you're going about it the wrong
> way. You see, it is your state Department of Education and your
> state politicians that decide funding. That is who Mr. Meeks should
> be fighting.
>
> I must admit that when I said it was unfortunate Senator Meeks is
> going down in our history it was mostly because of his speech where
> he called people the N word and slave masters. Shame on his, as a
> pastor particularly, in saying this. He proves he is not a true man
> of God. God would never approve of that hatred and disrespect. I've
> heard speeches from Senator Meeks that perpetuates hate and even
> racism, the very thing he fights against. I imagine Bill Cosby, a
> true positive and PRODUCTIVE role model of the black community would
> tend to agree with me. The hate and anger and misguided direction
> Senator Meeks speaks of in his hate speeches produces kids like the
> one that came to my door the other day. My husband was called the N
> word by a misguided young African-American because he wouldn't buy
> his magazines and asked him to get off our property ONLY for the
> reason that soliciting is illegal. I was very offended by this
> young man, but also realized it wasn't his fault. It was the ADULTS
> in his community that failed to teach him positive, productive and
> mature ways to handle the true problems that exist today (one of
> which, I agree, is racism). But not all white people are racist,
> and many of our young black youth grow up being taught this.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 7/29/08, Tony wrote:
>> Well Annie, while you are welcomed to your opinion, I feel the
>> need to express mine. Let me first state that I am a certified
>> CPS teacher as well as a member of Salem Baptist Church where
>> Meeks is pastor.
>> The plain truth is that Meeks is right. Why should we rush to
>> send our children to a district that is failing. If you are
>> indeed a cps teacher, you certainly are aware of the lie we
>> publish each year concern test score increases while we
>> consistently lower the pass rate. How dare we celebrate our
>> children pasing with 26%
>> Another plain truth. Our schools in Chicago with very few
>> exceptions, are seperate and unequal. You may assign any number
>> of reasons for this, but the truth is evident.
>> Finally, While Pastor Meeks admitted that money is certainly
>> not the only issue and stated that parents, teachers, and the
>> community at large must be accountable, he did make the point
>> that money (equitable funding) shouldn't be one of the problems
>> in the equation.
>> So while I respect your position, it does remind me of the
>> naysayers that voiced similar sentiments when Dr. King was
>> marching and protesting what many called "silly battles."
>> Pastor Meeks is definitely a great role model. Ask the citizens
>> in Roseland who don't have liquor stores on every corner
>> anymore. Ask the people in zip code 60628 who are provided with
>> food, clothing, household neccessities, immunizations and other
>> things each week during the summer Vision projects. Ask the
>> folks at Willow Creek Church in Barrigton who have partnered
>> with us to deal with racial reconciliation. Ask the cps
>> children on the far south side who receive mentoring and
>> academic tutoring from Salem. Ask the 25,000 of us at Salem
>> Baptist who call Rev. Meeks pastor. And finally, ask yourself
>> what significantly are you doing to address the problem.
>> On 7/29/08, Annie wrote:
>>> I made a typo in the following sentence:
>>> "Senator Meeks call for kids to skip the
>>> first day is not what is best for school." I meant to say
>>> that is not what is best for KIDS.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 7/29/08, Annie wrote:
>>>> I read this morning that Illinois Senator James Meeks is
>>>> organizing a protest that calls for children to skip the
>>>> first day of school. This is very sad and unfortunate for
>>>> those kids. When thinking about issues that involve kids
>>>> and as leaders in our nation, we should always ask "what is
>>>> best for kids?" Senator Meeks call for kids to skip the
>>>> first day is not what is best for school. If he disagrees
>>>> with the inequality in school funding (which is the reason
>>>> he is protesting it), he needs to call on the adults of
>>>> Illinois to take action, not the youth. Unfortunately,
>>>> Senator Meeks is not a good role model for the black
>>>> community and find it unfortunate that he will go down in
>>>> our history as being a Senator.

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