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The Allied revitalization project is in full swing. After
receiving the long anticipated 7.5 million dollar low income
tax credit from WHEDA, the project can now move forward. The
major concern at this point is how will Allied residents be
given the first opportunities to work on this project? The CDA
is the agency given the authority to oversee this massive
project, however the city is signaling the Allied community
that requiring contractors to employ residents and seek MBE'S
and WBE'S may not happen according to the city attorney's
office.
It seems that when ever there are attempts to help those
living in poverty, local government can't find ways to help.
It's funny how people of all color including the
underemployed, can pay taxes but when the big bucks are doled
out, the money goes to only one color. The city of Madison has
the Office of Civil Rights that includes affirmative action
and contract compliance. Their charge is to ensure and enforce
regulations governing disparities, equality and diversity
where city funds are being used. The residents of allied have
the right to demand representations on any project or business
coming into their neighborhood especially when the community
is being disrupted. The Allied community, along with
association president, Alice Howard and Alder Brian Solomon
should continue to hold the city of Madison accountable for
the integration of this project.
Mayor Dave and the Common Council requested and received full
support from the allied association and residents, as
evidenced by their participation in the revitalization process
from day one. The city of Madison is now saying their hands
are tied when in comes to ensuring diversity on all levels of
this development. It would be unconscionable and degrading to
the residents to leave the community out of the economic
equation.
We, the Allied community, will not stand by idle and allow
economic prosperity to exist and not be allowed to share in
the economic wealth of our community. We will continue to Move
Forward, and Not Out. |
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Fill
in the Blanks
By Jeanne F. Erickson,
reprinted from The Madison Times, with
additions
When asked the question, "What is the achievement gap?" the
majority of students in the Dane County area would quite
possibly answer they don't know. Many adults would give the
same response. However, the harsh reality for students of
color in Dane County, is that they experience the Achievement
Gap throughout their academic career.
On Friday May 16, the Dane County Youth Board, opened a well
needed and frank dialogue to answer that very question, by
hosting the 2nd Annual Teem Summit, "Fill in the Blank" A
community forum and panel discussion on Dane County's
Achievement Gap and Post-secondary Options for youth.
Facilitated by Arthur Richardson, Streets of Gold Productions,
the Dane County Youth Board welcomed middle and high school
students and adults community members to the Lussier Teen
Center.
Panel members included Past MMSD School Board President,
Johnny Winston, Jr., Cindy Shepp Memorial High School CRIS (
Credit Recovery and Increasing Skills) Program, Julie Koehnke,
MSCR and a teacher representative from East High School.
A facilitated discussion broached difficult issues such as
students of color who achieve good grades being accused of
"acting white;" or white students stating they are stopped in
hallways and asked for passes at a lesser rate than the
students of color, they may be actually walking with.
An impassioned college age woman of color talked about how
she would drop her grades in high school to fit in, only to
find that when she entered collage, there were students of
color who did not do that. Her question was simple. “Where
were they when I was in school?”
There was the SE Asian student who explained that when she
approached her teacher for assistance in the subject area she
was told she did not need it. The subject was math. The
Madison Metropolitan School District statistics on retention,
graduation, and average grade point for the four high schools,
also provided fodder for in-depth discussion between the
panelists and the participants.
When asked by past School Board President, Johnny Winston, Jr.
if it would make a difference if there were more teachers of
color, the answer was consistent from all who answered, What
was needed is more teachers who are " willing to take the time
to understand and show they really care WHO we are, NOT what
color we are."
It is never to early NOR TO LATE to become active in efforts
to not just lower but ELIMINATE the achievement gap. But the
time is now to begin! Efforts must begin with early education
and care, those formidable years of growth and development and
CONTINUE through the life of that child.
It was announced this week, that Madison again made the No
Child Left Behind List of under achieving schools. I am in no
way a proponent for the “No Child Left Behind Act” or its
governing principles and regulations.
Having said that, we must look at the statistics, (broken
down by school and by race) that were presented at the Youth
Summit, esp in the areas of Grade Point Averages, Retention
rates, and Graduation rates and ask ourselves, how and why are
we allowing these patterns to continue? These tables can be
found on the VOICES website, in the Our Viewpoints Section)
There is much conversation these days about our incarceration
rates being higher than our graduation rates, for students of
color. Wisconsin is ranked number 1, no not for football or
any other sport this time, but for the having the highest
disproportionate minority confinement percentages. It is not
enough to have conversations about this issue. It is time to
put our “resources where our mouths are.”
Funding resources need to be allocated for programs that
provide mentoring, and support the students. Many students can
tell us what they are needing and missing to help them succeed
academically.
Are we ready to listen and
actively work to
“Fill in the Blanks?”
2006 – 2007 High School Graduation Rates.
Percentages indicate the number of students held back in a
grade and are broken down by race and compared to district and
state averages. Downloadable, printable .pdf file.
Student Performance. November 2006 Grade 10 WKCE
Reading & Mathematics Tests. Downloadable, printable .pdf
file. |
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I recently learned of the City’s
intent to rename some of the streets of the Allied
neighborhood when the Revitalization is completed. We often
hear “what’s in a name?” I think for this and any community a
name is extremely important. It gives identity and place of
belonging.
I hope as the City moves forward with this project, they will
keep in mind, that the community today and those that will
live there in the future, would benefit from street names that
call to mind, recognizable leaders who understood and worked
for community.
Thank-you.
Allied resident (name withheld by request)
Hats off to the Allied Festival
Organizers and Participants
I want to publicly applaud the leaders and festival attendees
for the organized and quick response to the storm warnings!
All worked as a collective group to
keep the neighborhood and its guests safe. Although many got
wet, everyone remained safe. I tip my Allied baseball hat
(thanks Freddie!) to you all!
Jeanne Erickson |
