"Why Don't We Have Any White Kids?"

4/30/2013

dwight noel

4/19/2013 11:27:58 am

There are a lot of topical issues mention in this article “Why we don’t have any white kids” the obvious is clear, the school is in a black neighborhood. More importantly, the other schools like yeshivas won’t accept student from other race plus most parents would rather their children to go to a school where they can fit in socially. Charter school, if they are to remain funded from public funds they have to have an allotment of space for other races. This in turn led white parents to remove their kid’s form they school and place them in private school. My daughter school, a chartered had mostly white kids when she started in 3rd grade. She coming from Coney Island to go to school in park slope, her mom thought that it would be better for her as her own experience in public school was not good. By the time she reach 5th grade the school population were mostly blacks, Hispanic, Chinese and a touch of white here and there. This school only goes to 8th grade so from there most students go to high school and maybe on to college. So it’s not just that there isn’t any white kids it’s just that the neighborhood have change so much that most are living in other parts of the district to be attending school there. Also, more white parents are finding schools that are either private or chartered that are well funded so that their kids can go to. We all know education is expensive and those that can afford go to private school and do who don’t have to settle for the public and chartered schools.
The point about teachers, are also valid, many are teaching a race they themselves may have discriminated against or their parents may have and for them the interaction are difficult. They carry different value system, cultural interest and social status. The effect of not being able to relate in schools to different race is also there in the work place. I remember working at an investment firm, one of the principal who is white made it point to say that “they are now in the minority” as if saying that would make me feel more comfortable working with the firm. This is just one of two times this has happen to me, this is the uncomfortable nature that the kids for these school will face. It’s a pattern that’s unlikely to change anytime soon as the school system in more focus on preparing the children to that a test than preparing them for the real world. It’s almost as if this area is left for the kids to learn on their own and no one is making any attempt to have this part of the kids experience change.

Alex Reid

4/21/2013 10:30:38 pm

Andres Garcia

4/22/2013 04:23:23 am

The article focused on New York City public schools and the diversity/lack of within schools. The Explore Charter School in Flatbush Brooklyn, NY is at the center of attention in this article. Majority of the students in attendance are African American, or are Hispanic. While majority of the teachers are white. The founder of the school, Mr. Ballen, a homosexual white male recognizes that his whiteness grants him power. Students are also aware that whiteness equates to power/superiority. It is quite disturbing, yet not surprising to read that students with “lighter” skin believe they are better/prettier than darker students. However, it seems that not every student feels that way. Some students said that they were not affected by color, and that it did not bother them. Some students thought that “segregation” was a good thing, while others thought that it was good thing. It seems to be split down the middle in the Explore Charter School. One thing that stands out is that all of the students seem to view race as an abstract concept. The students do not exactly comprehend what race is. This is very alarming, especially for a school in New York City. NYC is one of the most diversely populated cities in the world. Students in NYC should be integrated, if not they will be unable to interact with the real world. Students need to interact with different people, in order to grow. It is a little bit more understandable if this occurs in states like South Carolina, and perhaps Georgia, but New York City? I don’t think so.

Alex Reid

4/22/2013 04:31:57 am

"Why Aren't There Any White Kids?" is a somewhat unsettling account of the lack of diversity in some of New York's charter schools; specifically Explore Charter School in Flatbush, Brooklyn. I was shocked by a lot of the statistics, and also by the fact that there was so little that could be done to improve the situation. What bothered me most was the indifference that a lot of the parents had in regards to the segregation of the school - many of them were comfortable and even genuinely pleased that their black children were attending predominantly black schools. The biggest problem that this causes, which is mentioned in the piece, is that the students of schools like Explore Charter have no real perception of race and don't really have to think about that until college, which is by far way too late in their education for proper integration. I strongly agree with the notion that it is important for schools to be integrated because the real world is integrated... and students need to grow up being able to respond to other races besides their own. Because of educational standards, there is subsequently a division of students by race, which reflects the income of their homes as well as the performance of the students, and it seems that only an extremely low percentage of minority students end up in the elite private schools that a lot of the white students attend because of their exemplary grades and their parent's incomes. I can understand why a lot of the students would be uncomfortable being one of the only black, white, Hispanic or Asian students at their respective charter schools, but it generally shouldn't be that segregated in the first place. Mauricio Gardner, a teacher at explore brings up a great point. She says that no matter how much education these children get in these segregated charter schools they will not be able to function in a world that is not segregated. It seems that this problem isn't something that is entirely irremediable but it doesn't appear that much can be done about the lack of diversity among the charter schools and the best solution in bridging the gap is perhaps a dual-effort between parents and teachers at these schools to try their best to introduce racial tolerance into the lives of these children, as difficult as it may be whilst the students are surrounded by mostly or purely one race. The root of the problem begins with poverty - something outside of the control of any one person or group of people in particular, and it's kind of sad that because these charter school students can't afford to attend more racially diverse private schools they miss out on the many lessons of racial tolerance that those who can afford to get the privilege of having. As someone who found himself in a similar situation in early education, I noticed that the catholic school that I attended was mostly attended by black students, with a handful of other races. My high school experience was quite different; I became a part of the minority and it was quite unsettling and mostly a traumatic experience for me. It took a lot of getting used to, but of course it was something that I got used to after a few years of high school. If that had never happened for me - if I had stayed in Brooklyn - I couldn't imagine how I would have felt during my first year of college. These kids in segregated charter schools will have a rough transition into the real world if they find themselves getting introduced to new races and cultures so late in their school careers.

*NEW POST

Tamara Matatova

4/22/2013 06:12:19 am

This article from the New York Times talks about the problem of segregation in America today. Explore Charter School, like many other schools in America, have 90 percent of the same race in that school. I think the main point of this article is to figure out whether this is a problem or not. People tend to stick with their own kind. They feel comfortable with people who look and act like them. Therefore it is no mystery why people who live in the same district tend to be of the same race, and therefore end up going to a school where that particular race happens to be predominant. I don’t necessarily see this as an issue. However, I do agree that kids who are not exposed to different races at a young age, have a harder time adapting when they go off to college and later on in life. The reason for this is very simple; when you grow up with people who look like you and act the way you do, then when you are exposed to people who slightly differ from your “norms”, you will automatically associate them as being weird and absolutely absurd. Sometimes it could be very hard to leave your comfort zone and (put yourself or) your child in a position where they may be exposed to people who aren’t like them.

I found it very interesting that although Explore charter school was predominantly African American, while most of the teachers happen to be white. This can be a great thing because by having these white educators, it can show the kids that white people aren't that much different from them. It can show the children that the only thing that’s different is the pigment of their skin; which is obviously an infinitesimal difference. I also found it very interesting to see the students’ input and opinion on the subject of segregation; most of whom understand (even though they are only in eighth grade) that it will be difficult for them to go on to a high school or college which will not be predominantly one race. Tori Williams, an eighth grader actually says: “It doesn't prepare us for the real world. You see one race, and you’re going to be accustomed to one race.” Even at such a young age, these children understand the issue at hand.

Begum Ahmed (Rebeka)

4/22/2013 08:26:12 am

New York City is one of the country’s most ethnically diverse cities, made up of a mix of different cultures and people coming from different ethnic backgrounds. With such multitude of ethnicities being expressed in the city’s overall population, it is unsettling to find out that public schools are mostly comprised of one specific race or ethnicity. “Why Don’t We Have Any White Kids,” an article written by N.R. Kleinfield for the New York Times, hones in on this key issue and focuses primarily on Explore Charter School in Flatbush, Brooklyn where the student body is 92.7% black. A key point that is brought up early in the essay that I feel is important is when one of the school’s teachers, Ms. Augustin explains the notion of how segregation worked earlier on in history. From looking into a classroom in Explore Charter School, one may think that segregation still existed because of the absence of diversity. Although one student from the school, Shakeare Cobham, argues that a single majority race allows the students to “fit in more” and feel more comfortable with people of their own race, other students explain that such an environment does little to prepare them for the real world where they must mingle and interact with people of different races. A primary reason for the division of races in public schools can be attributed to poverty and income levels. Students that are able to afford tutors and live in positive environments at home where education is promoted, typically end up in the elite schools and private schools, leaving all other students in the public school system. Growing up, it is important to interact with different cultures and kinds of people because that’s what the environment is like in the real world. Mingling with people of different backgrounds early on, as early as in elementary school, prepares students for these real world environments later on, such as in college and in the work force where they will be forced to exist with people of other races. I agree with this notion and I personally, feel as though the parents and administrative body need to act on this segregation in the public school system of New York City and integrate students more. A healthy social environment will also help to promote a positive school environment for the students as well.

Rachel Lyulkis

4/22/2013 08:26:53 am

‘Why Don’t We Have Any White Kids?’ discusses the segregation occurring in schools in New York. Although there is a public school system that allows integration, there is still segregation going on in many schools, such as Explore. This newspaper article focuses on how African Americans stick to their own kind, and if it impacts their social and educational skills. Many would argue that sticking to the same kind would result in bad social skills, and later on in life it can be difficult to speak to people who are not your kind, in this case African American. On the other hand, many would not see the harm in separating their kids from other ethnicities because it keeps their kids comfortable and safe. In the article, Tim Thomas asked white parents why they wouldn’t send their kids to public school, and they responded “I don’t want to be the only drop of cream in the coffee.” This shows people want to stick to their own kind because it’s more comfortable. However, I agree with integration within schools because sticking with your own kind will end up harming you later. Although you may think you can talk to anyone you wish, there will always be a distance between you and the other ethnic groups because you only allow yourself to get close with the kind you grow up with. Also, when you work, you will lack social skills because you were so detached from the rest of the world. It was disappointing to see Amiyah try to fit in by lowering herself around her peers. I don’t think it has anything to do with segregated schools because this can happen in any school. When someone is smart it usually causes people to dislike the person, and that is why she tried to act like all her friends. However, if you are constantly surrounded by students who are unmotivated and don’t aspire to do well- you can be influenced by them. That’s why parents try to send their children to schools with top students because they want their kids to be surrounded by smart, motivated children. Overall, this article was very interesting to read. It has opened my eyes about segregation and how it impacts the person’s future. I believe that there should be more integration to allow students to interact with people other than their own kind.

Elisabeth Langleben

4/22/2013 09:27:27 am

“Why don’t we have any White Kids” tells the real life account of children going to a ‘segregated’ school. The reason I place segregation in quote marks is because although there is integration legality and encouragement the school is mainly African-American dominated with white teachers because of those children living close to the school and having no other way to get to other more prominent schools.

The journalist talks with both the children that attend the school itself and the parents of the children in order to get both accounts and both sides of thoughts on the school and the education. There are many sides that are shown in the article however the two main ones are that either segregation doesn’t hurt the students as long as they are getting an education or that segregation isn’t preparing them for the real world.

The sides that say that segregation in the school doesn’t hurt them list one argument that they are with people like them and therefore they are more comfortable in being at the schools with other children that they have similar backgrounds, family traditions, etc. These people, both students and parents, believe that as long as they are getting a good education it shouldn’t matter whether or not that they are in an integrated or segregated environment.

The sides that say that segregation in the school does hurt the children however says that they aren’t being prepared for college and the real world. That they are unprepared for the sudden integration of multiple races and they in turn wouldn’t know how to deal with people that are different from them regardless of how well their education was.

Another problem that some people had was the fact that in a school of mostly African-American students the majority of teachers were white. Parents and students alike believed that the teachers wouldn’t be able to relate to the students and therefore leaving a gap between the connection and communication. Comments that might seem innocent to the teacher could in fact be considered racist and showing the students race directly at them by accident.

This article is definitely interesting because we get our sides in total. We get the statistical side, the student’s side, the parent’s side, and finally the teacher’s side. We see how schools in the ‘poor’ neighborhoods are compared to the more ‘privileged’ neighborhood and just how that might affect the student’s academic career. We see true segregation at its prime.

Nusrat Maisha

4/22/2013 10:51:34 am

“Why Don’t We Have Any White Kids?” puts forth two sides to this unsettled situation regarding children attending NYC schools and the lack of diversity they have to face every day while attending these schools. It is saddening that there isn’t much being done to settle these situations that children have to encounter throughout their adolescent years and younger. I personally agree that it is essential for a child to be exposed to integration, especially in the U.S because that’s one important factor the “real world” expects you to confront maturely. Hence, if a child is not learning the basics of integration during their youth it becomes difficult for them to grasp the importance of integration as they grow older. That leads to various disadvantages for that individual, for other individuals who will associate with them in the future, and society as a whole. I personally believe the mantra that knowledge is power and that power can and will lead an individual to go further than a narrow minded individual. To add on, I also believe that school should be one of the main places a child learns the basics about this world, how to adapt to this world, how to confront the obstacles they may face in this world, etc.

Ms. Gardiner the mixed race fifth grade math teacher at Explore Charter School in Flatbush, Brooklyn mentions, “You can get all the education in the world. But you have to function in the world” (Kleinfield). With that said, I believe that an individual should strive to be both book smart and street smart. One can be highly educated but if you don’t how to run the streets of New York City believe it or not you’re at a disadvantage. Jaime-Jin Lewis, the executive director of the organization Border Crossers states something awfully thought provoking, he says, “You don’t want kids learning about sex on the playground. You don’t want them to learn about race and class and power on the playground” (Kleinfield). I could have not said it better. It is the job of parents to make sure that they themselves and the people they choose to allow their children encounter everyday such as teachers and other faculty members at a child’s school teach that child the essentials and every other information possible regarding sex, race, class, and power. If they are not given the proper knowledge from their teachers or their parents, from school or from home then they will teach themselves what is given to them by other outsiders. Most of the time these “outside” people children face in other areas throughout life are not looking out for them; they’re not looking for that child’s best interest. Therefore, it is the job of New York’s educational system and the job of parents to make sure children are being taught properly.

Jason Hall

4/22/2013 11:12:13 am

"Why Don't we have any White Kids" speaks on the issue of the lack of diversity in public schools and in this articles case in a charter school in Brooklyn, NY named Explore Charter School. The article talks about a few things but the mean theme that comes up the most is integration of white kids in these predominantly black and hispanic schools. There are two sides within this argument, one side feels that the integration of white students will help black and hispanic kids relate to another race other then just there own and the other side is some black kids, parents, and teachers do not see the big deal if their child is in an all black or hispanic school as long as they are getting the same education and same opportunity.

Both sides made good cases and have valid points, growing up i went to public school from elementary school to jr high and when it came to high school i attended a catholic school. Come from jr high school where i was interacting with more kids of the same race to high school where there was more a diverse setting wasn't a smooth one at first because i didn't know how to relate to the white kids. Eventually i became more comfortable and it was an experience i'm happy i got before going out into the real world, i learned to relate to people that i normally would not have if i attended a public high school and i can say they were able to relate to me as well.

Alecia Ray

4/22/2013 11:23:50 am

This article by N.R. Kleinfield is very thought provoking and alarming at the same time. It takes a look at the Explore Charter School in Brooklyn and the racial issues they face. Kleinfield discusses how the New York public system is one of the most segregated. In addition, the students, parents, and teachers weigh in on the topic does a predominately black school put children at a disadvantage as opposed to attending a racially diverse school.
Explore Charter School in Flatbush, Brooklyn founded by Morty Ballen, a former teacher who wanted disadvantaged students to be able to get a good education. His school is made up of 92.7% black, 5.7% Hispanic, with no white or Asian students, and a few racially mixed students totaling 502. The zoning and lottery selection process has a lot to do with the diversity of this school. Children are chosen if they’re in the district or are picked from the lottery that is based on the surrounding residence. I don’t understand why children have to be told which school they can or can’t go to because of where they live. This is one way in which the diversity issue exsists. The system in which the public schools are structured is outdated and doesn’t help all of the students in New York.
A few of the students from the school discussed the lack of racial diversity and their responses varied. An 8th grader said “it doesn’t prepare you for the real world.” “You see one race, and you’re going to be accustomed to one race.” Another one said, “It’s more comfortable to be with people of your own race than to be with a lot different races.” These quotes are just an example of the preferences of the students at the school. The real issue is why aren’t all our schools equally equipped to teach our students. Why do some schools have after school athletics or tutoring and others don’t? Why is more funding given to excelling schools instead of the schools that are struggling. Some of that funding should go to struggling schools in areas that the students need it in.
I went to n predominately black school inBrownsville, Brooklyn but then transferred to a school in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn which was predominately white at the encouragement of my teachers because I was learning faster than the other students and needed to be challenged. I couldn’t understand why I had to leave in order to learn more or better. After transferring to P.S. 247, I went to more diverse schools but there were more white students than any other race. I do think that going to a diverse school gives a child different views and exposure to races and ethnicities that they will see in the real world.
To fix our school system, first means to restructure and redefine the goals of what we want our children to achieve. They shouldn’t have to think or focus on why they go to a school with all blacks or whites or Hispanics but learn that an education and not race is the way to succeeding in this world. Next we need to really discuss the race issue and the different issues that plaque the relationship of student teacher. Then our schools system can teach our children and each school gets the same priority and expectations.

Shterna Franklin

4/22/2013 11:27:51 am

As America advanced to the nineteenth century, society attempted to integrate cultural diversity into the educational sphere. However, minorities faced tremendous obstacles and tribulations integrating into the public school forum, thus, cultural diversity was scarce and non-existent. During the 1950’s, numerous educators encouraged and promoted diversity into school system. However, several national public schools are regressing and segregating due to lack of assimilation of minorities academically and socially. Parents yearn for the best education for their children thus sending them to the top private schools, resulting, in privatization of education system. If society enables the population to attend private school it leaves society with ill qualified teachers consequently, increasing the gap between classes. In the article, “Why we don’t have any white kids,” discusses an array of racial segregation issues in the educational forum. Multiracial children face numerous hindrances regarding their potential to succeed due to their education, whether; it is the school they attend or the unqualified teachers. Consequently, the children are not receiving the best education enabling them to succeed in the interracial world that waits for them. A child that feels misplaced or alone in the school system can adversely affect their growth academically and socially. Despite living in the most diverse city of America, the Explore Charter School in Brooklyn, NY mostly consist of Hispanics and African Americans. Most students associate ‘whiteness’ with being successful. As children they don’t fully grasp the concept of segregation and race, but they comprehend the concept of association. Even as 8th graders, they know segregating will not prepare them to associate and integrate to the various races and ethnicities in life. However, the white teachers in a mostly segregated school relay a very important message to the children. Regardless, of race or color, one can learn from anyone and in order to succeed it is essential to be self-motivated and driven. These children face an enormous impediment into fully succeeding at integrating. This article educates its reader in the broader effects of segregation and the adverse effects of segregation and not integrating with other cultures.

Jonathan Piedra

4/22/2013 12:04:31 pm

As someone who formerly studied, and is still vaguely interested in the discipline of sociology, the article "Why don't we have any white kids" resonated with me on a variety of levels. It's one thing to receive the opinion of teachers, staff, policy makers and others who are separated, in one way or another, from the students they teach - whether racially, geographically, or as a matter of simply not being those students. It's quite another perspective to hear the thoughts of many of the young minds, predominantly black, who populate the school and have important opinions and ideas about how their school works as well as how it should work. All of the former interviews in the article demonstrate clearly that, despite Explore's best efforts to place the education of its students above all else, they pick up on social ques regarding race and stratification quite keenly, despite being so young.
For the most part, that part didn't surprise me. For one, it's hard to avoid even the idea of race in a segregated environment, where the exclusion of other races can force one to reflect on the predominant presence of another. Discussing it, however, perhaps becomes more comfortable; it seems this sentiment surfaces often among students as well as their parents. It's also significant that, at certain passing moments in the article, the issue of resources surfaces. Resources, especially, bring to the fore the system of inequality that impedes charter schools such as Explore, not to mention the myriad public schools in urban neighborhoods across the country. When certain parents related how other schools, with more white students and in wealthier neighborhoods, simply have "more" in the way of equipment or academic spaces, it drove home a significant factor in the rigors of academic reform: schools in need of improved resources are often denied them on the basis of their failing grades, while those that consistently succeed continue to be prioritized for those resources. This, of course, lends itself to a perpetual cycle of failing schools; it lends itself to mass closures as well. One ultimately wonders why resources ought to be allocated anyway, if they aren't provided to those schools which needs them the most in order to stop producing failing grades.
But, I digress. The major take-away from this article, at least for me, is that even a comfortable environment can have its negative consequences. While the classrooms may be uni-racial, the rest of the world is not, and I genuinely am concerned for what sort of thoughts or experiences many of these students would have upon attending universities out of state. The issue of racial prejudice surfaces so often in higher education that its presence, by now, is expected to a certain degree depending on what states, schools or regions you fix your attention on. But I don't for a second blame the charter schools for the current state of things. I couldn't begin to think of how schools would, or should, tackle such issues. And, by most standards, the snapshot of the school this article provides is an overwhelmingly positive one at that, when we consider public schools filled with apathetic teachers, or school districts in other states who have taken to incarcerating minors for offenses which often have more positive remedies (like the demerits system mentioned in this article, or the rewards and incentives too).

YAN RU CHEN

4/22/2013 01:24:42 pm

“Why Don’t We Have Any White Kids?” reminds me that most students and teachers are Chinese at a school in Sunset Park area. When I was told about that, I just thought it was because Chinese liked to gather to live together. “About 650 of the nearly 1,700 schools in the system have populations that are 70 percent a single race” really shocks me. I just can’t believe that happens in this multicultural and multiracial place.

Like Tori Williams says, “It (one race) doesn’t really prepare [them] for the real world.” Though some kids may feel more comfortable to stay with the same race people because they can understand each other more easily and have better communication with each other, the kids can’t limit their social activities in their own race when they grow up and work. They have to work with people of different races. So more diverse can help children prepare themselves for future. They learn to communicate more efficiently and respect the differences.

As a mother, what I care most about my son’s school is the race proportion. I really don’t want him to go to a school with many Chinese there because I hope my son will see the difference from other people. I believe every culture and every race have their own advantages can be absorb by others. On the other hand, each culture or race has their disadvantages need to be improved. Diverse in schools can help children see more, think more and learn more.

The author tries to find out different minds to do with race by researching the students, teachers and parents from a school which names Explore. He finds that some students like single race but some not. Most teachers worry about the single race but some like single race better. Even a couple will hold different opinion towards single race. What we can see is that, whether the students like the schools or not, how the teachers prepare the students, or which schools the parents choose for their kids, will impact the students’ future. Where the kids are and who they are with end up with different views of the world and their society which will lead the kids to different places.

Morris Hedaya

4/22/2013 02:52:31 pm

The significance of the New York Times article “Why Don’t We Have Any White Kids?” is (at least for me) difficult to grasp. The article, written by N.R. Kleinfield, concerns itself with the racial demographics of the Explore Charter School in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Using mostly quotes from the staff and student body at Explore, Kleinfield paints a picture of a school that is made up entirely of minorities, sans Asians. The premise of the article, which aside from being incredibly racist is also incredibly faulty, is that the students of Explore Charter School, which does not have a strong educational history, are suffering academically due to a lack of diversity. Simply put, the article is claiming that a lack of white kids is negatively affecting the test grades of the many African-American students at Explore.
The actual problem appears to be something other than the accidental racial segregation occurring at Explore. Aside from the obvious lack of resources that necessitates operating the school from the windowless bulk of a former bakery factory, the underlying issue is summed up by the words of Yata Pierre, an eight grade student at Explore, who says, “It doesn’t really matter as long as your teachers are good teachers.” Perhaps if Explore decided to hire quality teachers instead of the bumbling group of oversensitive creeps they currently have, their students’ grades might just improve. Their staff at the time of the article consists, in part, of the following misfits: A creepy librarian who calls all his students either “brother” or “sister,” a sixth-grade social studies teacher who creates “MeMaps diversity flowers” with her probably unconscious pupils, a 25-year old white guy from Salt Lake City (that’s in Utah) teaching inner-city children math and English basics, a principal with one foot out the door and a math teacher who would never have voluntarily sent her own child to Explore. The only question left to ask is, “Why are these people there?” Just to pile on to the agony of the student body, in addition to having terrible teachers they are called “scholars” at all times (which sounds pretty idiotic), they are forced to wear uniforms, there are no sports teams or extracurriculars and they get detention when they frown. In my own humble opinion, it seems as if there are some serious issues at the Explore Charter School that are certainly more pressing than the lack of white “scholars.”

"Why Don't We Have Any White Kids?"

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