Listen Live
WERE AM Mobile App 2020

LISTEN LIVE. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

News Talk Cleveland Featured Video
CLOSE

If this is not some form of racism than what is it. In a Seattle high school only black students were forced to sign a pledge stating that they would be better students.

“Every student counts in the school, I feel like if you gave it to one culture, you should have given it to the others as well,” said junior Niya Thomas.

“We were upset because the whole 12th grade class got the paper but it was supposed to be for us,” said seniorBazia Potts. “I know I felt embarrassed as an African American student and most of my peers felt embarrassed as well.”

Potts said she was so offended she and others threw it away.

Seattle Public Schools issued a statement saying it is committed to eliminating opportunity gaps but says the covenant has been discontinued after it proved to be “a distraction” from the original intent to support African American students.

Below is the school district’s full statement:

Seattle Public Schools is committed to eliminating opportunity gaps and accelerating learning for each and every student.

A student covenant was recently created by staff at Franklin High School. After meeting with senior students, Franklin staff discontinued the covenant as it proved to be a distraction from their original intent which is to increase efforts and support for African American students and ensure college readiness.

In addition, a parent/community advisory group is under development to increase the school’s collective wisdom, inform their practices and build capacity to reach the goal of 100% of African American students college ready.

Parents said they appreciate the effort, but believe there’s a better way.

“It felt like these African American students weren’t good enough, that they didn’t somehow make the mark, that part was hurtful because we all want to send a positive message to our students,” said Niya’s mom, Neffertiti Thomas.

Members of the Black Student Union at Franklin High are scheduled to meet with the principal after school on Thursday to discuss the issues.

Seattle Public Schools also says it will put together a parent/community advisory group to try to find a better way to bridge the opportunity gap.

Read More

Black Students sign Pledge to Better Students  was originally published on wzakcleveland.com