TheFrederick Douglass Foundation
of New York
“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” Frederick Douglass
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2012
Media Contact: Tracy Fickess
(585) 576-9435 or tfickess@fdfny.org
(585) 576-9435 or tfickess@fdfny.org
In Case You Missed It
13 Year Old Jada Williams Persecuted by the Rochester City School District Over her essay on Frederick Douglass.
On Saturday, February 18, 2012, the Frederick Douglass Foundation of New York presented the first Spirit of Freedom award to Jada Williams, a 13-year old city of Rochester student. Miss Williams wrote an essay on her impressions of Frederick Douglass’ first autobiography the Narrative of the Life. This was part of an essay contest, but her essay was never entered. It offended her teachers so much that, after harassment from teachers and school administrators at School #3, Miss Williams was forced to leave the school.
We at the Frederick Douglass Foundation honored her because her essay actually demonstrates that she understood the autobiography, even though it might seem a bit esoteric to most 13-year olds. In her essay, she quotes part of the scene where Douglass’ slave master catches his wife teaching then slave Frederick to read. During a speech about how he would be useless as a slave if he were able to read, Mr. Auld, the slave master, castigated his wife.
Miss Williams quoted Douglass quoting Mr. Auld: “If you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there will be no keeping him. It will forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master.”
Miss Williams personalized this to her own situation. She reflected on how the “white teachers” do not have enough control of the classroom to successfully teach the minority students in Rochester. While she herself is more literate than most, due to her own perseverance and diligence, she sees the fact that so many of the other “so-called ‘unteachable’” students aren’t learning to read as a form of modern-day slavery. Their illiteracy holds them back in society.
Her call to action was then in her summary: “A grand price was paid in order for us to be where we are today; but in my mind we should be a lot further, so again I encourage the white teachers to instruct and I encourage my people to not just be a student, but become a learner.”
This offended her English teacher so much that the teacher copied the essay for other teachers and for the Principal. After that, Miss Williams’ mother and father started receiving phone calls from numerous teachers, all claiming that their daughter is “angry.” Miss Williams, mostly a straight-A student, started receiving very low grades, and she was kicked out of class for laughing and threatened with in-school suspension.
There were several meetings with teachers and administrators, but all failed to answer Miss Williams’ mother’s questions. The teachers refused to show her the tests and work that she had supposedly performed so poorly on. Instead, the teachers and administrators branded her a problem.
Unable to take anymore of the persecution, they pulled her from School #3. Wanting to try another school, they were quickly informed that that school was filled and told to try “this school.” During her first day at this new school, she witnessed four fights, and other students asked her if she was put here because she fights too much.
Long story short, they took an exceptional student, with the radical idea that kids should learn to read, and put her in a school of throwaway students who are even more unmanageable than the average student in her previous school. To protect their daughter, her parents have had to remove her from school, and her mother has had to quit her job so she can take care of Miss Williams.
To date, the administrators of School #3 have refused to release her records, even though she no longer attends the school, and they have repeatedly given her mother the run around. We at the Frederick Douglass Foundation have contacted school administrators in regards to this situation and have also been told to hit the pavement.
That’s what we intend to do. If this school will sacrifice the welfare of an above-average student whose essay, that they asked her to write, they find offensive, we intend to make everyone aware of this monstrous injustice. The school has a job, and it is not doing it. We would like as many folks as possible to call the Principal of School #3 and complain about this injustice. Her name is Miss Connie Wehner, and she can be reached at (585) 454-3525. This treatment of Jada Williams cannot stand.
See Video of Jada reading her Essay Here
Read Related Blog posts Here, Here and Here
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March 15-17, 2012
4th ANNUAL FREDERICK
DOUGLASS FOUNDATION
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Washington Marriott Hotel at the Metro Center
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4th ANNUAL FREDERICK
DOUGLASS FOUNDATION
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Washington Marriott Hotel at the Metro Center
GET TICKETS HERE
Frederick Douglass
I have one great political idea. . . . That idea is an old one…..The best expression of it, I have found in the Bible. It is in substance, “Righteousness exalteth a nation; sin is a reproach to any people” [Proverbs 14:34]. This constitutes my politics – the negative and positive of my politics, and the whole of my politics. . . . I feel it my duty to do all in my power to infuse this idea into the public mind, that it may speedily be recognized and practiced upon by our people.
I have one great political idea. . . . That idea is an old one…..The best expression of it, I have found in the Bible. It is in substance, “Righteousness exalteth a nation; sin is a reproach to any people” [Proverbs 14:34]. This constitutes my politics – the negative and positive of my politics, and the whole of my politics. . . . I feel it my duty to do all in my power to infuse this idea into the public mind, that it may speedily be recognized and practiced upon by our people.
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That girl’s a political animal and she struck a nerve. A very asperger thing she did attacking the entire school district and all the teachers in her school.
Typical Ignorance. You throw out a girl for expressing her feeling’s of history through writing and speaking. You all are simply Sickening. All I have to say is THE 1st AMENDMENT. What is your problem?
I am applaud and upset. She was speaking the truth. I’m sad because I am a product of RCSD. That is why I wanted to go into education. We were always taught to have pride in ourselves and our minds. I can’t believe they are treating that young girl like that.
In the spirit of Frederick Douglass, this young woman’s courage and insight is absolutely refreshing!
my children are going through much similar things. we live in a small town in Texas and I teach them more at home than they learn in school. I am an educated man and also single parent. My boys are harassed, bullied, belittled, and picked on in school on a constant basis and the school staff turns a blind eye to it. I am at my wits end but I can not remove them from the school due to the fact that if I do then I would have to quit my job. If I were to do that then I would not be able to provide for them. So I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I would love nothing more than to home-school my children but in the real world for some of us that is not a possibility. It has even come to the point of the teachers telling my sons that it is not their problem, when they try to confide in them. The school is corrupt and full of lazy administrators. The only kids that get any recognition in this school are the children of the staff and their friends, unfortunately for my boys, unless you are a friend of one of those children then you will never get an award, scholarship, or any type of recognition. my oldest son asked the guidance counselor today if he could clep a credit because I have already taught him the subject at home, she would not even talk to him about it. This was after the principal had told him that he could just take the test if he wanted. She turned him down flat, which as you can imagine crushed his self confidence. These things make me wander what kind of world we are living in.
You know what just kills me?
Suppose Williams finds her way back to a reputable school. What are the odds that this disproportionate and ridiculous punishment for daring to criticise authority figures will have convinced her not to stand out like that ever again? What are the odds that this is going to genuinely stunt her as a thinker?
Very disturbing and and typical too be on the defensive. When we speak up, we are labeled radical and angry. Better to stand for something in the face of injustice than to do nothing at all. Sometimes you have to do what is consciously right. She spoke her mind and they saw her insightfulness. However, they refused to expect it because it was constructive criticism from a child and about them, who I might add, in their eyes, should not have such profound observations and opinions. There is a greater plan for this young lady. Stay strong Miss Jada Williams and don’t allow anyone to steal your joy nor your motivation.
Yes, slavery is alive and well — IF we allow it… At every chance, each of us should call attention to such blatant acts of bias and ignorance, and END it. Ms. Williams’ parents should SUE the school — the entire board if necessary — and the principal/teachers responsible should LOSE THEIR JOBS! They don’t deserve to be in positions where they have the power to subjugate the mind and destroy the learning potential of ANY student!
They should not get away with this. The truth hurts especially out of the mouths of babes.
I had similar experiences with my teachers – they however, repeatedly tried to accuse me of plagiarism, to no avail of course – so I can definitely understand her pain. It’s a wonder to see young leaders as talented as her being critical and insightful at a time where reading comprehension is sorely lacking, even at collegiate levels.
Thia is what we should rally around! How many other children go through this same type of treatment …
A young queen
No one likes to know about their own short comings. That being said is this a surprise?
This long term problem is actually conceivably resolved. Get the two parties out of the school business. Every concerned community should run their own, dependable candidates for school board in order to erase the dumbing-down group that is clearly a conspiracy, corrupt and immoral!
Disgusted with our choices for POTUS? Watch these presidential candidates duke it out at the nonpartisan debates: http://youtu.be/KfrU0LbYm3E. Hurry and post your platform to run for office on http://writeindependent.org/candidateform.php and fix Washington with newly elected officials!
TYPICAL RESPONSE!
It seems to me that desire for slavery is indeed a warrented notion at this obviously caucasion school. I am appalled and outraged that racism is still allowed in the public school system in the year 2012. I urge that the parents hire an attorney with high standards and burn their asses up. I pray for that family, but i pray harder for the ignorance of the so called instructors.
We need OUR OWN schools. period..
Teachers tread a fine line always. I know I was one of those unteachable kids. What I was really… was a victim of teachers who play psychological games to oust one kid and make them an example. A scapegoat so they can better control the other kids. To form a bond with the rest of the class they will sacrifice one child and taint their records forever. I am happy her parents cared enough to fight for her.. so many times these so called teachers pick and bully on those who have parents who are too busy or dysfunctional to care.
Friend me
The phone number to the principal has been disconnected. Bummer! I tried to let her know what I think about this disgusting situation. Keep up the good , Jada!
Crazy! A school acting so childlishly to a girl’s essay. I do think there are more prejudices than just white teachers, the race issue with teachers spreads through many cultures. It is a shame they would treat a child with such good intent in that manner.
How you gonna knock the young lady for her interpretation of the book and how she relates to it?
I can’t believe the media is not aware of this yet. This is very sad
the principal should be fire!
Im calling those no good racist mfs tomoro
This is happening than never….they all need to be fired and castigated…CALLL,CALL,CALL,….STAND UP!!!!
This should be on the national news…I am sure the RCSD is not the only one failing our children.
I emphasize INTENTIONALLY!! Jury is actually still out if her mother wasn’t actually the author of this essay!
Mia, I read that article. It’s highly inflammatory and peppered with inaccuracies! Her essay DID NOT say it was the unruly students….her essay DID say WHITE TEACHERS INTENTIONALLY MAKE SURE BLACK KIDS DON’T LEARN!!! Notice how the source of the article is the Fredrick Douglas Foundation??? Yet they DID NOT print her ENTIRE essay!!
Exactly!! And only white teachers deliberately keeping just the black folk down. Ridiculous. How dare she figure out that white people become teachers to make sure we keep blacks illiterate. Smh.
Unfortunetly, she made it a racial issue…which I believe it is NOT.
Jada is right, and exposes one of the problems of compulsory schooling. Students no longer own their own consciences as they must give the answers that tickle the ears of their “masters” in the classroom. Independent thought becomes an unthinkable crime. She’s absolutely right; our modern system of education IS a form of slavery.
This is absolutely outrageous. Here is an african american young woman, who by all accounts lately are not exceeding, intelligent, smart, dilligent, clearly working hard, being made to feel bad for such an outstanding job. She should be praised, encouraged and instead, once again the teacher’s win out. I hate the teacher’s union with a passion. If I don’t do a good job, I get fired. If a teacher doesn’t do a good job……they teach!
That teacher and school should be held accountable for what they did and we should hear about it….
What bull crap. Straight-A student essentally gets kicked out of school because she read + understood a book, applied it to a real-life situation in an essay, gave her personal opinion on it (specifically stating which part was “her view”), and suggested a positive, helpful, non-judgemental way to change it. WTH?
Now, the real-life situation MAY be a race issue (her view), or it may be a class issue, or it may just be that regardless of race or class, in general it’s hard to motivate people to do more than the minimum, be they teachers OR students, but it’s certainly understandable how one could view the situation she saw as a race issue in light of the book the essay was on.
(The only reason I can see that the teachers and administration might play politics like that is that maybe they’re scared that it might incite some kind of violence, but if you think about it, that doesn’t seem to make sense. A straight-A student who doesn’t get in trouble is suddenly going to go out and start a violent group action like a riot? Seriously? Granted I don’t know her personally, but common sense tells me that if she was that kind of person, it would have already happened — she wouldn’t be writing essays about it.)
I hope the girl uses this to get free tuition to a REAL school. You don’t have to graduate high school to get accepted at college, even at 13.
This is ashame that they treat an intelligent child this way. The school should be ashamed of themselves. Its true.. The teachers dont put their all into teaching as they should..minority or not we are ALL created the same, period. That is why I would never send my children to those city schools.. Check the statistics for yourself.. See how the city schools rate.. You wont be surprised. Good job to the young lady for standing her ground and being her own advocate.
Whts the since n a school assignment to write a subjective essay if u cnt.write.ur.own opinion?
I cnt believe it took da lil girl to speak on it..
This is absolutely ridiculous , and shows that racism is still alive in America. Very sad that such a thing could go on, and so many people be okay with it
This is beyond words. I went NRCS#3 and I never went through anything like this. I am proud of this young lady for speaking her mind. I also agree with everything she says…the way that we are taught is so that we will never know more than “them”. I have sat in class rooms and even leacture halls were you are frowned apon if you correct a teacher or a professor. As a unit the black community has to stop allowing things from stopping us from getting the education we deserve and stop allowing “them” to hold us back. It is time that we become more than a sterotype and become people.
This is why so many of our children hate school, because they are not being taught. They want our children to fail, we as parents must keep our children going. We must be their eyes, ears and feet. we must stay and find out why our children are getting the grades they are. Keep tests and papers that children writes and knwwp up with their home work. I say good job to these parents. God bless you.
Impressive story of a student who truly understood who Fredrick Douglass was, made an award-winning essay about him, and had a teacher who didn’t recognize the creative twist in the essay & instead punished her for it. Jada Williams is a brave and VERY talented girl, Fredrick Douglass would be proud!
Sorry u had to go thru tht Ms. Williams. I am hoping everything works out for you. Keep your head high!
Smh. Sad
Ruining a girls life over a damn essay. That school needs new staff who are mature enough to teach.
I’m bout to call the principle… that’s not right.
Amazing, show your contempt in writing for the system and the system turns on you, but be merely incompetent, venal, violent, etc. and the system will let you stay.
Instead of branding this insightful girl a ‘problem’, the teachers and administration would have done well to take a serious, inside look at themselves amd made an effort to ADDRESS AND FIX the issues that Miss Williams so aptly described. This was an opportunity to actually DO SOMETHING about the issues she speaks of and instead, they punish her.
I commend this girl. Bravo.
Being an intelligent woman in this society is threatening enough. But being an intelligent Black woman….??????? They will lose their minds (some of them, anyway). It’s so sad. How much stronger a nation would we be if we could have even more educated, ambitious, and motivated individuals in our communities?
I can belive it. We have NEVER addressed racism, stereotypes, or the hatred in peoples heart. We just changed the laws and even with that the Republican party’s agenda for the last 30 years is to erode those laws, make them impossible to enforce, and stack the judiciary with neoconservatives.
Wow…unbelievable. Often people are threatened by the truth…
The sad thing about this is that this is not something I believe is exclusive to that school or school system. It might play out somewhat differently here in Louisville KY but there would still be issues. …and people wonder why I’m homeschooling.
If everyone would share the tragedies that our children have endured there wouldn’t be enough airtime to show the world but there is power in numbers for this kind of unethical behavior to stop…I commend you Miss Williams and I thank you with all my heart! Stay blessed young lady!
While I disagree with the way the school dealt with the situation, I do not think it is the white teachers fault for not knowing how to manage a classroom. It is the fault of students for acting like monkeys at every opportunity they get. At what point do we address student behavior and start holding students and parents accountable. Everything can’t be the teacher’s fault. Should white teachers receive “special training” on how to deal with black students? Ridiculous!
WYS!!!!
Jada keep up the great work and God will reward your efforts. Since we are all his children like you pointed out we all bleed the same color blood. If teachers refuse to teach you then you can learn it on your own in many ways.
If one door closes keep trying until you find the door that is open for you to get through to complete your task.
I teach school and wish my students would realize the gift that has been given to them. Slavery is alive and well in these United States.
Thank you very much miss williams and I agree with you…
Most of this article is not accurate. Everyone should not jump to believe the media hype. And all school employees are forbidden from discussing this matter due to student privacy laws.
wtf where is the a c l u?
Looks like the little girl has run away from the plantation. But I’m curious as to why in her essay she speaks of “white teachers.” Are there no black teachers there, or do the black teachers not share the bad practices of the white teachers? What are the colors of the teachers who went on this crusade against her?
What happen to freedom speech???? Obviously they wasnt doing what they was supposed to be doing
This is a shame. The school system should all be held wrong for doing a child this way
I am outraged! Call Connie! Some of these white folks still hopes we fail
They just proved her to be correct and added to her argument…smh can’t wait to tell everyone & call #3 on their behalf
Completely disgusting! If all our youth was as educated as this young lady, the future of our country would stand a chance!
I also believe the same people here who so vehemently protest her punishment would also protest against a white student who makes a blanket statement about African-Americans.
Stay Strong Young Sister! This form of subtle racism shall also pass away as we struggle and expose it in all its forms.
So NOT cool! I’d sue…seriously…that’s why they won’t release her records…they know what would happen if they did…. They are an embarassment to the education system!
The phrase “white teachers” rubs me the wrong way and actually I’m a pretty strong liberal. Is that all this child thinks of when she sees her teachers? I don’t agree with the way the school handled this. It was vindictive and they made themselves look like racists. They made this much larger than it had to be. But I think this little girl should not be praised necessarily for bringing up race. She makes a statement that suggests all “white teachers” are not doing enough and to people who work hard in the schools every day, yes, this is offensive. This would not be tolerated from a student of any other race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr0SLv9WFr4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I do agree the school should not be allowed to get away with this. Regardless of the popularity of a child’s opinion, teachers should not be allowed to punish with grades. If she followed the assignment, she should get full credit for it.
And the government wonders why we parents prefer to home school our children. It’s because they can finally get a real education!
FOX NEWS IS PROFILING THIS STORY TONIGHT. TUNE IN NOW!!
Did you guys know that Glenn Beck had Jada Williams and her mother on his show today? It may surprise some that he is a huge fan of Fredrick Douglas and frees speech. He even has the books Giants: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln on his recommended reading. I haven’t read the book yet myself but I did study Fredrick Douglas in High School over 30 years ago. This issue has re-stirred my interest in reading this book that Glenn recommends so highly. Many teachers in many places start out wanting too teach. You can’t say you do it for the money. It’s not an easy job when you do it right. And for good teachers that do still care the rewards are great. The biggest problem with our education system today is the NEA which is the biggest union out there who’s most important job is to protect bad teachers. These teachers at Jada’s school are mad because she has struck a cored they know is true and they can not admit to themselves they are no longer doing their job. If you doubt me watch the documentary ‘Waiting for Superman’. If you don’t want or can not buy the documentary you can find it in 11 parts on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtMiPcl1lmk. I hope Jada Williams gets her justice and this issue isn’t swept under the rug. But remember the union has a lot of power. They give generously to politicians that see things their way and they are not on the side of the students. They pay no dues nor run for public office. And Jada is very correct that this is another form of slavery and it effects all of us.
A letter I wrote to Ms. Wehner:
Dear Ms. Wehner,
I recently read an article about a former student of school Number 3. It was about Jada Williams, a straight A student, who was removed from your school due to an essay. I will spare you the details as I am certain you know intimately about it. The fact that she was thrown away because of a unique perspective about the link between literacy and the trajectory of a persons life is reprehensible. If your teachers found it offensive, they fraudulently arrived at this notion. The realization that they might not be doing their jobs perhaps was unsettling. What was it they found offensive? Did they decide it was a personal affront?
As teachers, if they are not able to see the value in their student, it is not the fault of the child. If they are offended by the insightful essay of a child, how did any of you make it through college? Nietzsche? Marquis De Sad? I wonder if anyone ever found Samuel Clemens offensive in his oft condescending views of America? Not to mention Frederick Douglas himself. After all, the seed of her essay was based upon his material.
Let’s not pretend that you or any of your teachers were offended by a well thought out essay from a very bright 13 year old girl, okay? I will tell you what is offensive though. Throwing away an intelligent child for challenging your “teachers” who are clearly not up to the task of dealing with a child who is actually thinking!
I am a former student of NRCS. I am offended by YOUR actions and subsequent cold shouldering of the public and family who demand answers. You are remiss in your duties as an educator. If you are so burned out and turned off, you should look for another line of work. Quit your job, stand down before you turn off even one more child by expecting them to be as tedious and dull as you and your staff. Despicable.
Tera Drew
I can’t “like” this enough. I read the D&C article this morning and was appalled that the teachers were “offended” that a student should, perish the thought, WANT TO BE TAUGHT!! How dare she?!
They might be. But they expelled her for being smart. too high?
Your expectations for education in the public sector are too high.
If you are a teacher and do not have blinders of privilege on, you know this child is speaking the truth. The fact that a 13 year old mind found a very true parallel between our time and FD in regards to educating black people is mind-blowing. She should be commended for her social commentary on the sad state of affairs that is to be a person of color in today’s education system. Instead she is threatened and cast out.
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
— Isaac Asimov.
Maybe so, but I have a corollary:
“There is a cult of ego in the Ivory Tower of Academia, and there has always been. This strain of anti-reality and analytical bigotry has been a constant thread winding its way through the halls of political and cultural élites. It has been nurtured by the false notion that reality means that “only an interpretation that conforms to our mindset is acceptable, and any other interpretations, no matter how insightful, no matter how backed up by facts, is unacceptable and must be punished.”
— Me
How true man!
sounds to me like Jada is a racist for singleing out her white teachers that way. When I was a student I never saw a white teacher make any less effort to teach black students. Black students, like white students excelled based on their own effort to learn. Students who made less effort tended to recieved less effort. That is life. What I have seen and heard of is black teachers making belittleing remarks about white kids and no one cares. Clearly the teachers had every right to be offended by the bigoted accusation and only the weakest of minds cannot see how this story is being totally spun to incite racial indignation. Typical leftist Democrat exploitation of minorities.
That this should happen in Rochester in 2012 is shameful.
Has anyone started a fund for Mrs. Williams and her daughter? If so, please let me know so that I may donate to it. For her to have quit her job over this is, in and of itself, sickening. The circumstance surrounding this is just plain disgusting.
the offense came because the truth hurts and she is right not being able to read is the biggest problem in our schools you cant pass a test if you can’t read it.and not just calling out words you recognize reading with comprehension.
So since when do we punish children for their interpretations and opinions. Good for Jada. I also had a Jada Williams a couple of years ago for third grade. if this is the same Jada she was extremely intelligent.
Did u sign the online petition?
I think her essay is profound. She is light years ahead. However, as with most media, I’m sure there is missing pertinent information.
This makes me feel ill. This is a perfect example of why our school systems suck – God forbid you be more intelligent than your teachers. The moment you are the knowledgeable one – especially if you are a minority – they try to get rid of you. It’s like, “How dare she question our authority?” Some teachers need to be put in their places and realize that they are not there just to shove thoughts and information down their students throats but to help foster learning and radical thoughts JUST like this little girl did. I am amazed that I did not hear about this story until now – how is this not a massive issue? I have to say that if this was a white girl she’d be praised for her anti-racism way of thinking. But a black girl? No, she’s just crazy.
I am absolutely furious on behalf of Miss Williams! She is obviously a sensitive, very intelligent, mature young lady of 13 who made an observation on a problem indigent to her community and what happens? Teachers and administrators crucify and harass the poor girl! I cannot continue because I will them resort to foul language and name calling which is beneath me. But, oh, am I mad!
Wow. Unfrigginbelievable. People suck.
And, that was a very well written essay as well!! I would bet her teacher hasn’t read the autobiography she based her essay on!
WE NEED TO RAISE MONEY FOR THIS CHILD TO RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP…SHE IS BRILLIANT.
The Principal’s e-mail is: connie.wehner@rcsdk12.org.
I am proud of Jada for writing what she believe. Its a shame how she is being treated by the RCSD… Not only did she write the assignment that was given to her, but she exceeded their expectations. For her to get kicked out of school is a disgrace to RCSD. SHAME ON THEM
Why aren’t the principal and teachers being prosecuted for bullying?
This young lady sees the struggle. The school district should be ashamed for letting this go on. For this young God is going to turn her setback into a comeback.
wow, REALLY?
THE DEVIL IS A LIE!!
And people wonder why young people don’t want to learn nowadays! All i can say is Wow…
As a future educator, this makes me want to cry. The way that some teachers act toward a student’s intelligent refutation gives a bad name to teachers everywhere. I’m hardly qualified to give advice on such seemingly delicate matters, but I think that what the administration should have done is had a meeting with this student and her parents, discuss why she feels the way she does, and find ways that this problem can be fixed. I think what infuriates me the most is that ALL of the teachers, upon reading her paper, immediately began giving her poor grades simply because they didn’t like what she said. Grow up; this young lady is more mature that the entire administration at this school.
This is “Shameful”, plus morally reprehensible and illegal. Playfully, her p parents are preparing to sue, that’s the only way to undue this injustice, to begin to make her whole, where are the champions of civil rights now,don’t let this young scholar get pushed thru the cracks., personally will be calling school #3.
That’s disgusting. Shame on that school. What a load of bullshit. Those teachers should be fucking ashamed of themselves. Good GOD.
*playfully should be Prayerfully, dawg gone auto-correct. CALL, 585-454-3525, and let Connie Weiner know they are wrong and need to be replaced.
What happened to our right of freedom of speech? This effects all of us and we must unite otherwise they will keep us in bondage. My question to all of you “HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A (POSITIVE) CHANGE IN YOUR HOME,COMMUNITY,CITY,STATE,AND/OR WORLD??? One person can make a difference and this young lady has showed us how to be a living testimony.
Okay, sorry to throw a wrench in all of this… but has anyone checked the rest of this site and the AUTHORS and TOPICS. It’s a Tea Party site that supports the ideologies of the Tea Party… so now I’m a bit confused why this article would be published. Especially since Santorum doesn’t seem to want to promote public education.
If the allegations are true, shouldn’t we should be outraged by the way this 13yo girl was treated? Regardless of, where this was posted. There are plenty of groups/people that I don’t agree with. I still interact and socialize with many of them, and I’ll support them, if I believe they are treated unfairly.
I hadn’t even heard of this.
It is a shame, but I don’t beleve for a minute that this is an isolated incident. I think it’s not a willfull or criminal act, but was done out of ignorance. While many teachers are there, because they love teaching children, there are still teachers who are only there because they can’t make it in the real world. I hope it can be corrected and hope it encourages more to come forward, so that others can get a better education too.
Despicable!!!!!!!!!
This can be seen as a reflection of our whole society, the government says its working for us, yet our economy and the value of the dollar continue to spiral down, and those who speak up are criticized, ignored or called terrorist, un-american and shut up or shut out. Please call, I am.
Smh…this young lady has took a stand n though times are challenging SHE IS STILL STANDING. She is very courageous,intelligent,outspoken,and TRULY BLESSED!!! I would like to know
The whole school needs to be shut down smfh.
I would love to read her essay.
I think that the teacher’s reaction to the student’s essay only proves the point the student was trying to make in the first place. People fear what they cannot control. So they try to keep the control to prevent whatever it is they fear. In this case, the teacher seemed to fear a lot; looking like a bad teach (nice job changing our minds about that one…), more students agreeing that she was not doing her job effectively as a teacher, perhaps getting fired unless she proved the student wrong about her teaching, etc. So, she fought for the control and tried to turn everyone else against the student to maintain control – because that way she (the teacher) is “safe”. The worst part is that somewhere deep inside, the teacher is probably aware of the wrongness in what she has done, but her skills in justification are most likely overriding that natural sense of right and wrong. This article reminds me of the Brown eyes Blue eyes experiment in the 1970′s. Jane Elliott needs to get a hold of Rochester schools it seems: http://youtu.be/8bWlTZZN3DY.
I live in Rochester and I’ve been saying the same thing for years. I hope this brings the attention the the city school district that it needs! These children are our future and for them to get less of an education or less of a chance at life because they live in the city is horrible. If I was this girls teacher I would be proud! Her parents should be proud!
To be fair, her paper did sound pretty racist. If I was a teacher and a student blatantly said that because I’m white I’m ill-equipped to teach my students I would be livid too. And if thats one segment there is a decent chance the whole thing was like that. Now I wouldn’t go out of my way to make her life miserable, but I would make sure she was taught that racisim in ALL forms is unacceptable. Now shes going to hate white people even more and nothing has been accomplished.
WoW, I’m at a lost of words…
Continue to educate yoursel wisely & don’t let them damn fools stop you!!! Much <3
Fascist left at its finest. At least they haven’t yet drugged this girl for speaking out.
I JUST CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE WITH THE PRINCIPALS SECRETARY! this is a travesty!
Made the call.
How about we not refer to students at her new school as “throwaway”?
I get the point but we shouldn’t perpetuate such language.
I only hope Jada uses this experience as a springboard for future inspiration. Let not her energy and ours be crushed or wasted but rather Let it join together to rally behind her and support her. With her bright and perceptive mind, just imagine what else she can accomplish!
I am horrified. I am working right now to become a teacher, and if a student told me I wasn’t managing the classroom well, I’d want to find out more about her perspective, and put together a plan with the students to hold all of us better accountable for make a good learning environment.
This girl’s teacher is an idiot who felt her job being threatened by a smart little girl. That teacher and all who fell for her crap should be fired and completely torn down. What a bunch of prats. However, if I were that girl’s parents, I would be happy. I would rather my child go to a school where she can be treated right and taught properly, so they can look at this as an opportunity to find somewhere better for their girl. Always a bright side
when this girl makes it to university, her insight and writing ability will put her at the top of her class.
also i’m pretty sure that she has a strong First Amendment case here…
They need to sue, take it, to the news, protest, call Jesse Jackson,rainbow Coalition something because this is so illegal and outright ridiculous!!!
Is there a Congressman or -woman who can make inquiries on Jada’s behalf?
I have read part of the young woman’s essay. If she was earning A’s for work such as that, then her teachers are indeed to be castigated. It’s not the ideas (which I understood… but then I had 40 years of reading student essays to learn that skill) but the inadequacy of her basic expressive skills. Her essential point is excellent. But finding it in the essay is not that easy.
I suspect that there are some pieces missing in this story, and I’d love to know what they are.
I’m especially concerned when I read in a linked blog post on the same site that the failure of the Rochester schools can be laid at the feet of the “Democrat Party” (that’s presumably the “DemocratIC Party”?) who traded handouts for votes.
Have you seen any more objective reporting on this story? For that matter, has the school district offered any comment on it?
Mona Albano A little disheartening to think that as a society we can both be closed minded and judgmental of a child wise beyond her years,, now with that being said and seeing first hand the public school system in mil. It is on the same note that in hurts me to think of the caregivers and teachers out there that have dedicated there lives and giving there all to students that are almost unreachable do to the lack of respect and the absolute disregard for any type of authority. And before anybody get’s on there soap box I am not talking just about bad kids, i’m talking about bad parents because this problem, and the solution starts at home. I don’t believe in the “modern slavery” idea that some have, and pointing the finger at the educator is a very easy out for some. This 1 example is both shameful and wrong but try to keep in mind the bigger problem. As far as her being a child of color yes that is an issue, but lets just take that out of the story for a moment, I feel that if this country as a whole would stop the black and white thing than a lot more could be accomplished if it was a individual person issue not an entire race. Accountability for ones actions must be put into the equasion, in this case the educators must be held responsible for there actions if they have been deemed that they did something wrong, on the same note can you hold the teachers accountable that have 30 unruly young men and women in there class with 2 or 3 that actually want to learn and the rest spend there day being a problem? I speak from personal experience because I was that unruly child, And I know first hand the hell I put teachers thru and to this day have no idea why.
Maybe we’re just old. I’ve seen some pretty sketchy stuff by young people that were confident their work was just great.
So this young lady’s essay hit a nerve or two. Hey school #3… sometimes the truth hurts doesn’t it! I pray this young lady’s parents find an attorney with enough nerve to take on this school & school district with the best outcome being that she is awarded more than enough in damages to go on & receive the best private education money can provide!
that is riDAMNdiculous yo.
I attended martin luther king school#9 and fredrick douglass middle school and I’m glad I did learn alot of beautiful black history and it was eye opening as far as treatment of others/races then I grew up as an adult teaching my kids to be color blind and treat people indiffrent now what happend to all the adults that teach childern and mix their own personnal views and hates? grow up 2012 and still hating and spewing jelousy twards smart kids a book does not know if your black or white you still learn so get over it.
Crazy something needs to get done about this!!! Smh……..
And people still wonder why I homeschool. Too many school structures are about forcing kids to follow, not to think. This young lady is impressive already at age 13, and I hope that she stands her ground because she is a great example of the kind of thinking and backbone we need from our kids to meet the demands of the 21st century.
I just heard the essay!!! Rochester this is shameful and I
that the true activist in the community will handle the principal…she don’t want any of that flack…but I know it’s coming! Holla!!! Baby girl called out mediocrity from white teachers and ignorant behavior from her black peers so why are the Nathaniel Rochester teaching crew in such a tissy? The truth from one of your customers stings
a little bit huh…get it together!!!
Wow that is real foul, and best believe they will be dealt with…They do not like the fact the she is well educated and parents and people that will stand by Jada side. it was a good essay to me. Calls need to be made.
This is CRAZY! Well you know what they say THE TRUTH HURTS! thoses teachers couldn’t handle it, when she put them on blast!
Wow that is horrible
Horrible story, God Bless that 13 year old. This country is seriously going to hell. You got kids being treated poorly like Jada, teachers raping children, police offering free legal advice in return for sex, preachers molesting kids and killing, teachers killing, mothers killing, fathers killing, students shooting other students, where can kids go where they for sure can be treated wonderful and be safe!!! My heart goes out to all kids dealing with such ignorance . May God Bless them ALL.
This story horrifies me on so many levels. The student’s essay is insightful and the school’s reaction can in no way be justified. However, as a future teacher and having worked in Wilson for the past month, I think that many of the comments being made about white people and teachers are just as much of an injustice. The RCSD does need vast improvements but that can not and will not happen if everyone is just pointing their finger at someone else to place the blame. There are some great students, great parents, great teachers, and great community members but unfortunately they are being overshadowed by the bad attitudes, indifference and ignorance of people from all sides of the issue. I think Jada did well at trying to get the point across that we all need to take responsibility for our own roles and do whatever we can to lift each other up rather than trying to tear everyone else apart.
Sad but believable these days.
As a teacher for 19 years, I actually do not believe this is 100% true. Are there bad apples? Sure. But there is no teach conspiracy against kids. And while I’m not in the city schools, there is absolutely no way the entire district has rallied against one kid on a statement that I–and a lot of people–would applaud her for. Not necessarily for content, but for her thoughts.
Again, pleading ignorance, I suspect there’s much more to this story…
fighting for her right to be heard by adults should not be a problem facing a 13 year old child…she did the assignments and then the teacher changed the rules…may God Bless this little one and encourage and protect her heart.
what they did to her was totally unfair .i love radical thinkers because alot of people are unable to think for themselves.but how do you teach the so called unteachable .in my opinion 1 on 1 instruction is needed for these kids who dont know how to read and write .there should be a program for teachers to be, to teach these kids who need more help
I will be.talking to the principal may even take.a trip up there
wow this is crazy
I know this principal well and I am not surprised. Some places never change. What is the school board doing about this? Come on Rochester don’t let them bully this family. Damn mess!!!!
I literally almost cried.
That is terrible to do such unconstitutional things.
The lesson here is simple, this goes way beyond what is right and wrong– it’s Jada right to exercise free speech and expression. Her essay could potential speak to all her peers, to the oppressed, to everyone who understand what it means to be in the minority…she poses a question for all of us. And how do her teachers respond to a student who just wants some answers? Let’s label her ANGRY kid. Let’s toss this kid radical out of school…etc. etc. WTF?
Wow ……. This is sick….
Personally, I think Jada’s essay would’ve been a great example of a teaching moment. She is someone who took a piece of writing and gave it a deep and profound analysis based on a new millennium point of view– how many 13 year olds can do something like that?
Why don;t the parents take teachers and the entire school district to court.
Sad….smh
Are you joking? Idk about anyone else, but I called that number. That is so wrong.
This is horrible…..The sad part is its not just the RCSD that does this to our children, thats how many of our youth are treated in EVERY school. If they ‘excel’ above a certain ‘standard’, it can’t be ‘right’ in a system that was never designed for our children to truly excel. SMDH
Absolutely, just as slavery is world wide, this discouraging school systems is world wide. I live in Alabama, my children attend Tarrant School Systems. They were passed along thoruhg out thier highschool career as if they were on target. Then six weeks prior to gaduation, I was called to a meeting. They made me aware that my children lacked some credits required for a High School diploma. they developed an online way to get this work done that had several glitches still. Of course they did not finish in time and like seventy three other minority students, did not recieve a diploma! Now they are having to settle for a GED. We will perservere on , just another example of ……
at this rate,will the child be held back another year? They had besmerched her character, and forced her grade average down, wil she be able to transfer to any Rochester school safely
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This is nothing new… We reform our school systems by changing the requirements to graduate. How about we stop changing things and hold students and parents responsible to current standards.
As well as the teachers, they have to be held to a standard and it is all the parents jobs to keep the education system in line.
This is bullying, in any form it’s sickening. The school is bullying an outspoken young lady, for having the courage to bluntly speak her mind.
unless of course it is Obama being the bully and trampling all over the constitution….Then you love it.
Slavery is over! when will these people learn to deal with the African American situation in america that they created. They are offended please…that’s reverse psychology African Americans should be offended for life because of past and present treatment this is an example of that. I believe African American parents have a huge responsibility to teach and educate their children but I truly believe it is also the responsibility of the former slave masters offsprings to help educate offsprings of former slaves! it is the least they can do for the set back. And for those who do not want too just don’t get in the way and come to terms with what is real about present day society.
Sharing with everyone I know. The injustice that has been shown to this student is horrible.
This makes me sick. That school staff and the school board that is letting this happen BOTH need serious restructuring. I am white and found NOTHING offensive about what she wrote. She is not just saying teachers should be held accountable for a child’s education, but the students themselves should be too! What this young lady wrote is UNIVERSAL; it applies to ALL COLORS/RACES!
Ignorance, jealousy and lack of integrity was demonstrated by all the “educators”
Unbelievable
I agree with you, Rhoda! I think Jada’s essay response is a great example of a teaching moment. She is someone who took a piece of writing and gave it a deep and profound analysis based on a new millennium point of view– how many 13 year olds can do something like that?
Is there a way to get a scholarship for this bright young woman to go to a school where learning is honored, where opinions and thinking are encouraged. No child should be a “throw away” because a teacher doesn’t agree with a well thought out assignment.
Hard to believe this kind of thing is still going on in this country. Lets face it, folks, slavery DID exist. Anyone who tries to say it didn’t is trying to hide their anger at it having been abolished. That’s just my take on it. Seriously?!?!?!
I am proud of this young lady. She is our future. For the most part, teachers are there just to collect a pay check. Some teachers do care. I believe that Miss. Williams will be someone great in the future and achieve many things as well. She has enlightened me to become more involved with my daughters education. I thank this young lady for standing up, when others did not.
As a teacher, I would have loved to have students like her, and I think the administration should be ashamed of themselves, at the very least. As a teacher, I would take exception to a student telling me I wasn’t doing my job and how to do it, but I wouldn’t retaliate–I would however, ask for her help in reaching her illiterate classmates.
Shame on those educational administrators for this.
Those teachers must of been guilty of not attempting to properly teach their students if they took offense to that essay…Disgusting how the adults in the world would rather condemn a child instead of encouraging a child. My opinion is that no matter what a child can do or can’t do they deserve someone to encourage them and mentor them.
To the parents of Jada Williams…contact CHANNEL 8 NEWS..in regards to this matter..this issue should be addressed pronto..this school should be held acccountible..and exposed for all to see..what has happened to freedom of speech..this is ludicrous.
It is unfortunate how one person who lacks the integrity to research and find out the truth can ignite such a hailstorm from others who believe everything they read. The lesson here, always question first what you read. Shame on you Tracy for such poor judgement.
Hmmm, sounds like there is more to this story, like the other side to it.
Lack of critical analysis for oneself is alive and well in America and most other places. . . oh our world it is what we make.
This is why we need to be teaching our own children!
The tactic which this school used is common. MCC is down with it too. Seems to be an unwritten code on how to handle Blacks who dare to express themselves, expose racism and wrongdoing or go against the grain. And so what if she is angry….there is no penal code for arrest due to anger. Anger is a human emotion. But we are expected to act like all is well when it’s not.
I am sure she is accused of having a “bad attitude” as well.
I applaud the student for being honest as well as capturing an understanding of what she read, while applying it to her own experiences. What I do not agree with is “punishment” for what she perceives and believes. This is truly a cause where we should all be behind.
That’s just crazy and if I was that childs parent the news stations would here this and I would call the city school district and I would protest it I also would call maggie brooks hou name it they would hear about it.
Sorry I ment you name it.
This is ridiculous. We are told we have the freedom of speech but I guess that’s really not true. We have the rights as beings to voice our opinions and yes sometimes others may get offended but the truth is the truth and my personally opinion is my opinion. Schools alll over the world are reacting in this such manner all the time it seems. I cant pray in schools in the country that says “IN GOD WE TRUST”, other religions are accepted before Christianity. Teachers no longer have control of their classes and their classrooms are steadily growing because of the loss of teachers and closings of schools. Kids are unjustifiably being removed from schools for reasons that do not include committing a crime. Really what will become of the schools? What are the leaders who serve these districts trying to accomplish? Reall sad situation but I know GOD is in control and I pray for our babies and the sad world we live in.
Hw can I get in contact with Fred.
Yo, first that little girl is something special. Also for these teachersto want to mistreat her for this essay. I believe that her parents should take a mother step further in this case
NAACP…Al Sharpton…Roland Martin I guess you get my point.
I thank Shelley Lucas for posting this on Facebook and I hope we can find a way to take this anger and outrage to another level. I did call the school and left a very strong message. Ifs anyone is planning to show a stronger stand of support please let everyone know on Facebook or Twitter. The only way to change how our students area taught in the RSCD is to remove Adam Ubanski as head of the RTA. He wields his power over how our children are taught from theories used in the 60′s. African American history is so watered down and this was done for a reason. It was thought that we were such savages that by teaching the realities of the horrors of slavery and the effects of years of racism and injustice we would rebel and begin taking revenge. This is one of the reasons our kids and white children think that slavery ended with Lincoln. So the ignorance and insult continues today and here we have the proof. The fact that the administration does not feel the need to respond is the ultimate insult to the all the students, the parents, and the public. How dare they do this and not feel that they are above accountability.
OMFG! THIS IS TERRIBLE! AND THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT KEEPS ON PUSHING THAT “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” BULLSHIT AND LOOK AT WHAT THEY DO! THIS IS SOME STRAIGHT UP BULLSHIT! IT MAKES ME UPSET AND I WORK WITH KIDS ON A DAILY BASIS (RECREATION) AND THIS IS SO NOT RIGHT! IM PISSED JUST FROM READING THE ARTICLE >:( THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! AND APOLOGIZE TO JADA WILLIAMS FOR HOW THEY TREATED HER, THEN BE FIRED!
This story reflects the undermining premise of hipocrisy! On the outside, the stage is set to encourage & inspire but on the inner man, they harbor one-way thinking and dare you not to acknowledge another thought process! It’s OUR responsibility to see things for they are!
Why aren’t RCSD teachers and school administrators acclaiming Jada and condemning the injustice? Are they feeling intimidated, guilty, helpless, or what? Jada seems to be just the kind of student I would have relished in my class and school. I’m a School Without Walls founding faculty member and RCSD retiree.
I feel so bad for this family it’s not fair that after so many years that we as blacks have fought to be treated fairly in our school systems, criminal justice system, and in our communities it seems as if we will
never be seen as the beautiful intelligent people that we really are… Situations like this makes us very angry…
Wow, she obviously hit the nail on the head for them to show their racist teeth right out, wow!
Integration made Black people guests in America. Integration has been used to justify closing Black schools, firing Black teachers & administrators, busing Black children, assigning massive numbers of Black children to special education classes & depriving Black children of the advantage of being a majority population.
Public & private schools based on the Powernomics plan must teach children to work & learn cooperatively as members of a team. White society credits Anglo Saxon rugged individualism with development of this nation. Accordingly , they place great importance on education programs that teach children to compete against each other. Individualism in schools is a form of educational Darwinism, or survival of the fittest & brightest . It is a form of selfishness that encourages a child to be self centered, to out do & profit at the expense of another child. This is the same ideology that drives this nations political & economic systems from which Black people have systematically been excluded. If Black children are going to successfully compete, they will have to experience countervailing education practices that play to the strengths of Black people as a community. One of the biggest weakness in the race is based on the Willie Lynch theory of divide & conquer . Teamwork is left largely to sports . We need less individualism & more togetherness & group cooperation . Instilling the values & advantages of group cohesiveness in most cultures fall upon the shoulders of basic institutions : the family , school & church. But since so many Black families are broken & dysfunctional , our schools & churches will have to pick up the slack. To reverse some of the inappropriate behavior patterns in our race, it is important that the Black child’s early school years be devoted primarily to instilling a strong communal spirit & developing effective cooperative skills.
The nation was found on the affirmation of individual liberties & rights while it was holding nearly five million Black slaves hostage as a group. Beyond the rhetoric & myths that admonished Blacks to behave as individuals they treated as a group in practice. Pursuing the individualism myth, left Blacks bereft of group self interest & group based support structures. Teaching children to live as individuals is a philosophical design that works best for white children. They can afford to be individuals because they are the majority & everything in the society is designed to support & accommodate white majority.
(Powernomics by Dr. Claude Anderson)
Blacks are the only group of people who take their most precious possessions their children & ask their oppressors to educate them & to mold & shape their Minds( Mis Education of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson)
Black America must educate its children through community based partnerships between students,teachers, parents, churches & businesses. Empowering Black children is more than teaching them math & reading skills. It is more than preparing them for the public sector jobs or high ranking positions in other peoples businesses in other peoples communities. They must know how to compete for wealth & power rather than poverty & acceptance to produce rather than consume & to be job producers rather than job seekers.For schools preparing Black America to compete means removing the chains of inappropriate behavior & teaching them to see, think & behave a new. The classroom education must be relevant to the “real” world outside of the school & Black children should learn more in classrooms than they do on the streets. Black children need schools to teach them how to live a life & earn a living in an increasing pluralistic & competitive world. Only when schools are able to perform these functions will they be able to close the learning gap between Blacks & whites & other ethnic groups .If our problem is that adults in our race feel successful only when they work in white corporations,then our schools must devise a solution & instill new values in the children.
( Please grab a copy of Powernomics,,Black Labor White Wealth, Dirty Little Secrets by Dr. Claude Anderson)
Wow…fuk it fight for wat u believe..wow and shes only 13
just plain rediculous……at a loss for words
Wow she is an exceptional child, african american, & calls it how she sees it as it is today, her veiws of what happened to our ancestors is her veiws of what’s still happening today…I thought this was America where freedom of speech was ok, or is it that they are mad cause a 13yr old GOT IT, & SPOKE IT..Now they wanna persecute her for sayin what others are scared to say!….smh in disgust…just remember they cant hold a strong black young determined person from prevailing she will end up on top…GOD bless her & family as they try & tare them down….
I was absolutely outraged! I am a person who does not like to blame a whole race of people for the actions of others. I am just disgusted that this behavior is being allowed! It’s appalling to me.
God will grant her justices.
See for me this is when all that talk goes out the door and more radical action is definitely needed. I can only tolerate white ppl dictating and regulating rules for a quick moment and then the REBEL GOD wanted me to be comes out. I know others may not agree with my methods, but be thankful that they still have radical thinkers with a radical movement still existing in this WHITE MAN WORLD. This is why they never wanted the “slave” to read and learn cause creations like my self are born.
They made because she told the truth! And its true some white teacher can’t control their classroom because they are too lenient
Wow. I almost cried
According to the The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) the school must release the child records within 45 days of the parents request. This looks like a law suit to me!
Way to go Jada. I am sorry that the information was uncomfortable for the teachers and staff. We white folks need to me reminded of how it is out there. We need to not accept anything but the very best for all students. As an added message for your fellow students you deserve kudos. Keep up the brillinat thinking.
Wtf. Anybody have the foundation number send it to me.I know this shit ain’t happening in my city and I don’t know about it.where the hell is dkx coverage on this? Y’all better rally around this child if you’re in rochester! This is why our kids need to get the hell out of these killing fields.
This is why we need to support Sis. @[1451839146:2048:AsafOhemma Tuntum] with her education initiative and any other PROGRESSIVE New Afrikan
I am NOT sure what it will take for us to get angry enough to REMOVE ourselves completely from their society. Like I said a people who allow their children to be sacrificial lambs are not worthy of the air they breath!
Contact the NAACP
This neeeeeeeeeds to go to the media…. smh at rcsd, this girl superceeded the average comprehention of the theme, yet she’s angry and teachers were offended….why teach if you can’t accept that reality, and you damn sure don’t need to be teaching if you “gag” your students because of personal bias…..
This is ridiculous. Unfortunately, their persecution of this little girl is proving she is correct. God forbid someone hold a city school to high standards
Truly heartbreaking I pray for the family to keep the strength to fight for their baby’s right! Very brave and POWERFUL young lady they were threatened by her intelligence!
I was just talking about this and it’s really sad.They were intimidated by this girl’s essay and knowledge and she became a target
This is the government plantation at its finest. It was Pres. Wilson whom officially segregated schools, the government, and the military in the early 1900′s. Progressive branch of the Dem. party. This party also included Margaret Sanger who started planned parenthood for the cause of eliminating the “negro race”. Is it a coincidence that most planned parenthood abortion clinics are located in black communities? Wilson started the education system as we know it today. The government and progressives continue to tell black folk in this country how mistreated and downtrodden they are. Partly true. What they don’t tell is that the same party that keeps telling them how bad they have it, are the ones inflicting the rascism. It’s been coined as “the soft bigotry of low expectations”. No wonder the late great MLK was a registered republican. Wake up black america, escape the government plantation.
So are we supposed to encourage our children not to speak their minds?
This sum bull..they all need to be fired…I’m glad u decided not to send my kids there smh
I won’t lie. Usually I will just let injustices not get my blood boiling because if you open your eyes and read between the lines there are numerous to say the least when regarding my people. Injustice is even more so regarding the school system but this right here is some BULLSH** When and where is the March? This should be a national wake up call!
Interesting…….
Omg that’s crazy!
SMH this just crazy never putting my child in a Rochester city
*school
this is horrible. a young female makes a stance on her beliefs and they only see her pointing out the failure of her teachers when she’s also pointing out a failure from her fellow students…and think back when obama was campaigning the kkk got to protest in public, they didn’t get silenced. this girl only wrote a paper and she’s being completely shut down…shows the true nature of society.
Wow this still goes on smh
So upset about this!!
SERIOUS LOST FOR WORDS…….I COMMEND THIS YOUNG LADY FOR SEEING MODERN DAY SLAVERY FOR WHAT IT TRULY IS AND SPEAKING UP ABOUT IT, IM SORRY She has been subjected to such an extensive Cruel and unjust punishment ,THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE HELP HER WHAT CAN WE DO LET’S NOT JUST SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT IT LET’S GET A PETITION GOING A MARCH A PROTEST OR SOMETHING IM ALL FOR IT …DONT LET THIS BE YOUR CHILD NEXT …..
I agree! We need to do something!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/RochesterParentsUnion/posts/281549231918219 Join us for a Rally, Rochester Parents United, Frederick Douglass Foundation of NY
I will sign it!
I all in…
Surprisingly, after reading this, I didn’t get mad at all. Immediately after reading this, God put in my spirit that she is going to be something else lol. This right here is just preparing her to be something great. She’s gonna be “that woman” when she grows up. I gotta remember her name, so I can look out for her on television. I wanna meet her now, before she gets super famous.
You just gave me chills cause I sure thought the very same thing. I hope she goes farther than ever before!
Wow! This is really sad. I’m so lost for words!
That is awful
We must make a stand, that is just wrong and sad.. It’s a shame that racism is alive and well still.. Fight for what’s right no matter the persecution..
It’s sad because it seems a 13 year old has more sense than many adults. From what I see there is so much more energy put into posting hourly and daily foolishness on facebook using profane language and making nasty and negative comments about one another and the children see these things and get caught up in it too. Education and everything else starts at home. If your child isn’t learning it’s because the parents or primary care givers aren’t making sure the school is doing what is needed and just sending their kids to school because it’s the law. The Rochester city school district has been a problem for many years and there are many school districts all over the country that have the same problems and it won’t get better if parents won’t stop just getting upset when such a travesty happens but get involved, read to and teach their kids at home and also fight for our children’s rights to learn and get the same education as the other non minority students get in the suburbs. You shouldn’t have to lie about your address or have to live in a certain area for your child to get a quality education it should be readily available to them right where they live. But the only way things will change is if we as minority parents change and get our priorities straight. Get back the fight that the greats in the past had to be over achievers and over comers not just satisfied with just getting by. That essay that young lady wrote was outstanding and should have opened alot of people’s eyes let’s use this incident as an avenue for change and to do better and not brush this under the rug after the smoke fades out. Our children are the future if the world is in such a disaray now just imagine what it’s going to be like when our youth grow up with such little tools they will have to work with. I chose to give God my life and asked for Him to show me the way to do the job He gave me to raise His children and to do everything else and He has answered my prayers. I by no means want to come off as self righteous or proclaim to have all of the answers because before I found Jesus I was just as stuck but now I am able to identify with the error of my ways and am willing to make a change and keep striving to do better. To God be the glory! Lets get along and do better together for our children’s sake. This message was not meant to offend anyone if I did I sincerely apologize.
Pure unadulterated racism at its worse! People we better start praying!
They have a lot of our children held up like this, they still want us to be illiterate because we’re still no good to them educated! Wake up and are what the devil is doing!
This is just crazy! This is so sad. I’m in tears reading this…. The teachers and administrators would go to such lengths to make this CHILD look like shes not a good student and have her expelled from school. They need to be fired! IM ANGRY! This is not right!
Totally disgraceful on behalf of the school district!!!
She should skip grade school and go to college.
Just when you thought freedom of speech was safe…..smh
This is a must read!!
How rediculous!!! to punish the child for doing what she was asked to do. It’s amazing how some teachers are truly offended and even intimidated when a student show more intellect and intelligence than them. Instead praising an encouraging the student they lie on test scores throw the student out of school and they call themselves teachers how sad.
Networking late night, trying to get this to CNN ASAP…..I am not shocked either, but it is SO SAD to have to see this….what is worse THE CHILD…I pray she isn’t being disrupted in spirit…FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT JADA!
This bothers me so much! That young lady did nothin but told the truth…I guess da truth hurts smh…I tip ma hat off to her
Smh is all I can do
Thats a damn shame
Omg speechless!!
cont
..BELIEVED WHAT THEY TOLD US..
SHE IS THE FOUNDATION OF CHANGE THE FACE OF WHAT THE “LET’S GROW” MOVEMENT STANDS FOR….GOOD JOB JADA I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST! GREAT JOB PARENTS! !
This is where the parents holla at a top notch lawyer. Its a cut clear case.
I WANT …NO I NEED TO MEET THIS YOUNG LADY! ! SHE SPEAKS THE TRUTH & IT IS SO SAD, SO DISTURBING THAT A CHILD WHOSE INTELLECT & OUTLOOK FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE IS BEING STAGNATED BY THE VERY INSTITUTION THAT WAS BUILT TO TEACH HER
I HOPE EVERYONE STANDS BEHIND HER TO FIGHT THIS…THINK ABOUT THE REAL ISSUE GUYS …THEY SEE A SMART YOUNG MINORITY CHILD WHO IN ADULT HOOD WOULD BE AN ACTIVIST FOR CHANGE FOR HER PEOPLE TO LIVE BEYOND THE WALLS WE HAVE FOR SO LPNG BECAUSE WE
When a little girl is ostracized for doing wht was asked of her as a student and forced to leave school an injustice has occured. There are many links attached to this video to learn more abt this child’s ordeal with the Rochester City School District. I will post another link tht will help contact the princpal of her former school, #3, in which she was kicked of after writing this essay.
That’s horrible…what a way to discourage this young women who was simply exercising her fredom of speech! I will be calling wehner in the morning!
My kids are out of school and didn’t even attend rcsd but I am fuming right now after reading this…. all I can say is we gotta without a doubt fight for this one… I’m definately making that phone call fa sho! please believe its done! imma talk like it was my daughter..a mind is a terrible thing to waste but it would b tragic to let them throw one away! I’m all in! thanks 4 posting it tee! I’m 4 kinda mads right now…real talk.
The child should harken 2 the words of Dr.Maya Angelo, “Still I Rise” Ms.Williams this is just a test…pass it please.
Its so true most recently I had to shadow some one at a RCSD HIGH SCHOOL and I was disgusted by the class managment skills. Students were running wild in the halls, and almost EVERY student had their cell phome out during class instructio. Its crazy more than half the teachers were no older than 28 and only three of them were black. if each one dont teach one we’ll all be subject to pay the price! If we can’t be in the classrooms with OUR kids the least we can do is mentor them soo many kids out here need positive role model to look
up to. I work with teens very day. And I hear the stories its real out here their educational future is in grave danger Unless we step in!
Why to we try to snuff out our brightest stars?
Wow, that’s really all I can say for RCSD. It is really ashame that 2012 has come upon us in this type of stuff still goes on. The ignorance of our so called educators smfh..
http://www.change.org/petitions/13-year-old-jada-williams-persecuted-by-the-rochester-city-school-district-call-the-rochester-city-school-district-complain-about-this-injustice
I’m not surprised. I had avery similar experience at MCC/downtown. As a human services major, I was required to write a report exposing any discreptencies at an organization where I was an intern. Not only did I expose the racism at the agency, but my essay exposed the inadequacy of MCC. It was extremely well-written! The administrator were outraged. I was lied on and ultimately dismissed from the Human serivices program. While the white girl who did no work went on to graduate. ManyWhite folks gets angry when you expose them for who and what they truly are and their inadequacies.
And just so you know….I filed a complaint with the Division of Human Rights here in Rochester. This organization blatantly ignored this act of racism and covered it up. Many seemed to be outraged, but no one stood with me to shed light on it. Atleast this is getting some attention. This happened to me in 2007. and I’m an adult with grown children. MCC ya’ll !!!
Wow this is bananas….
We ca get lawyers to volunteer to represent molesters and drunk drivers, but not 1 will step up to help this family?
This is intolerable! This really goes to show that racism is alive, and just as active. I will be doing my part in the fight and will be calling this school in the morning!
this is a phenomenal young lady and she should keep her head in the books and keep speaking up young children don’t hear or believe their elders so maybe they will hear her! you keep that flame fanned! and to her parents stand behind her and be her adult voice! don’t allow her to be railroaded!
She should be rewarded not escorted!!!
Crazy…that skool been had problems ,my son wit there but we removed in the beginin of skool yr
That is crazy…her parents need to contact the NAACP and let them know the deal…them ppl mad cuz that child is telling the truth in her essay…
The School is violating the Students and Parents rights to have access to the students records. The parents need to file a law suit and have the staff of that school fired.
I’m sorry but I am not surprised. Yes we are in the year 2012, our ancestors have made great strides for us but look how “they” (Teachers & Principal) reacted when the truth was spoken. I pray her parents do not let up on this issue. I bet if she had given a dumb-down essay sugar coating what she really meant, they would have given her praises.
This is crazy!!!
This is a smart educated young girl and she doesnt deserve this !!! God has a plan for this girl!!!
That’s fucked up
Wow is all I can say. Obviously there is a problem within out school district and this problem has existed for a very long time. Diverstiy is necessary amongst teachers and faculty in the district. I would be impressed by a student who can write openly about what she sees and give great comparison with her thoughts and Fredrick Douglass. Because she used the N word she is being labeled as being angry and if she was angry how does that effect her as a students. To be honest she should be angry at the lack of attention with her classmates and towards the teachers who lack motivation and no patience for inspring their students to be great thinkers. I’m appauled by this and what has been done to this student. If they found that her language was to vulgar why couldn’t educated teachers sit down with her and explain and teach her how to write her point of views in a more constructive and less offending way!
This almost brought a tear to my eye because I’ve seen stuff like this happen before! School always tells us to think outside the box yet the minute a student steps over that line they are labeled a problem! I really commend this young woman for being 1. Educated enough to write such a thoughtful essay. And 2. For being brave enough to share it knowing there would probably be a back lash. Her parents need to fight and do all they can to fight this injustice and if I was her mom I would be suing the school board and several teachers! I don’t know If this has made national news yet but I bet it will!! Shame in the Rochester city school board… You should be ashamed to call yourself educators and role models!!! #madwhitewoman
EVERYONE PLEASE READ THIS!
@Lindsay this made me livid as well and is very dissapointing. @Dwight this story is very true and situations like this does not push young students to be creative thinkers. This situation gave the student a realistic understanding oh what speaking your mind of the hidden truths will get you, and that is whats really sad to me!
Sad that we feel proud of our city today. Kodak and now this. If this story is true then you wonder how some of us even make it. I attended #3 school and this doesn’t make me feel proud about that.
WOW, this is horrific! I recently removed my daughter from #3 school due to relocation and not a moment to soon. Smh wow..I’m lost for words, I would be infuriated if was the parent! Even more then I am now..my daughter says she knows her personally, and she is a straight A student that keeps to herself.
Wow!
Yeah it’s crazy! Something as to be done about it!
I can’t read the article. What happened?
@[97700895:2048:Chelsi CDiddy Davis] Basically a little girl was forced to leave her school bcuz she wrote an essay abt modern day slavery…she says the white teachers in her school don’t teach the students anything bcuz they can’t control them and basically don’t try.
Had let him & his mom read the page tink i mite jus
I would make my child aware and ask the teacher whassup w the story? Apply pressure…
The teacher was outraged,he made copies of the essay for other teachers including the principal, and they basically all ganged up and gave the young lady a hard time…until her mom eventually removed her.
Wow cant believe this i helped my son w his essay he n dat class & she dont try 2 teach da bad 1s but the kids n da class dont know why she gone I want 2 say sumting bout dis
Wow (tear drops) so it sounds like my daughter been telling the truth about some of these teachers at 3 school. Just to let you know this principal isn’t going to return any phone calls you better off going into the school but even than they might say she’s in a meeting today trust me. smh
N TEARS TEE WAS SO TOUCHED BY THIS I’M LOST FOR WORDS I JUST WNT TO MEET HER PARENT’S N GIVE THEM A BIG HUG N I WON’T STOP UNTIL I REACHED THAT GOAL THIS HURTS ME FOR I KNOW I WAS’NT IGNORANT I WAS TO HIGHLY EDUCATED WHEN I SAT N A OFFICE N TOLD TEACHERS JUST THIS SAME THING GLORY BE TO R FATHER ABOVE HE WORKS N HIS OWN WAY N HIS WAY I GENUINELY ENJOY FOR THE OUTCOME IS SO OVER WHELMING ALL I COULD DO IS CRY TEARS OF JOY WHT A WONDERFUL GOD WE SERVE MY HEART LOVES U JADA MY SOUL IS FILLED WITH HAPPINESS ALL I CAN DO IS REJOICE
That’s crazy
This is sad, and by me being an outspoken, former student of the school, its even sader, the school was basically sayin the same thing as the slave master, and were ok with that. Smfh!!
Things like this bother me alot. We should praise this you lady because as a 13 yr old she understood the concept of the assignment and did exactly what she was told and did it bette then most adults prolly would. I feel offend seeing that I attended #3 school. I feel sorry for our future when we’re older because if you punish the kids for doin a great job on a assignment, then we are lost as a society…
DAMN SHAME
That’s that shit that keep ppl seperated !
Knit shit crazy that she was punished for doin what she was asked. They don’t wanna see us make it so they do this to the ones wit sense
The limitations placed on african americans in the RCSD is ridiculous !!!!
Why not call the school board and complain
This brilliant young lady should have placed that little © at the bottom of her work!
this needs to be public knowledge — sharing
I applaud Ms Williams’ intestinal fortitude and ability to tell it as she sees it. More importantly, you European-Americans outraged, as many of us are, need to help dismantle every facet of this racist/capitalist society. As we all know, education is important for this nation, let alone race.
Now you see racism manifest itself blatantly. Stop this!
This is what her essay was speaking Of…..keep the nigger slave uneducated!!
Very shameful, this district really needs to be improved on the basis of education practices and etiquette.
Pure Sickening….you throw a smart, intelligent young lady out of school for giving her interpretations of history……BUT YET…A TEACHER WHO HAS SEXUAL DESIRES FOR HER GIRLS IN THE GYM CLASS….GETS TO KEEP WORKING IN ROCH CITY SCHL DITRICT….WOW.
WTF, are you talking about Katisha?
smh.
Corey Reichle This story:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20120225/NEWS/302250030?odyssey=mod%7Cmostcom
Michelle Petit Right, the student thinks the white teachers need to have better control over the proverbial “darkies”.
So, what does the other story have to do with this story?
Corey Reichle Uhh… Apparently you’re not looking at this story (the one about the student kicked out) the same way the rest of us are. She’s talking about EVERYONE cooperating better: students being actual learners, and teachers not giving passes to the lazy students. A teacher’s job does include control of the class. I’m gathering the minority students *are* the problem in her class, along with teachers who let them get away with it.
What story were you reading?
Corey Reichle WOW! That is *so* not what she said. She recounts history, and sees parallels between the present and the past, yes, but you have to remember she is also talking about a specific subject, Frederick Douglass, a man whose master refused to see him educated because then he wouldn’t want to be a slave anymore.
Fast forward to now, and Ms. William sees the same mentality, this time coming from her fellow students, who disrupt the class and hold themselves back from participatory learning. She encourages the teachers, HER teachers, whom we can assume are white, to keep better control of the students, but balances that by asking her fellow students, particularly the minority students (presumably mostly black students) to stand up for themselves, to work at furthering themselves so that the struggle of people such as Mr. Douglass would not have been in vain.
Assuming that you are not deliberately trolling this site and you *really* understood her essay the way you have described here, I wonder if the teachers and administration at the school didn’t do the same?
Even if they had, however, they have no business deliberately harassing her. Their job is to teach, no to bully. Besides, according to Ms Williams, if they’re going to be harassing anyone it should be a positive harassment (pushing, prodding, more or less forceful encouragement) directed at the slackers in the class.
I think their actions actually prove her point.
Michelle Petit Not to mention, she is implying that only black teachers can teach black students; since the “white teachers” don’t have enough control over the minority students.
Michelle Petit The story linked above. She likens the white slave master stating that once you teach a slave to read, they’re now uncontrollable; and that teacher need to take a lesson from this on how to handle black students.
Miss Williams quoted Douglass quoting Mr. Auld: “If you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there will be no keeping him. It will forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master.”
Miss Williams personalized this to her own situation. She reflected on how the “white teachers” do not have enough control of the classroom to successfully teach the minority students in Rochester.
So, should the teacher stop teaching them to read? And, since the Fredrick Douglas Foundation here seems to only read parts of FD’s writings, it’s not surprising that they side with the student.
Michelle Petit I think this group’s bias is not allowing the apt analysis of the student’s writing, who is desiring teachers to teach less, in order to make the students “More controllable”; like slaves. Mainly, because of what the student wrote above, quoted from the article here.
And we wonder why some of the Rochester schools are in trouble. Since when do educators discourage free thinkers and toss freedom of speech to the wind. Shame on them!
That’s crazy
Pretty interesting. I can’t even imagine what I would be doing if this was my daughter. I hope and pray that this does not cause her any long term set backs.
That’s a cool article! Brave young lady!
Bob Woods Yes, very brave.
Calling and maybe I will even create a Change.org page for this. This severely disappoints, hurts and disturbs me
https://www.change.org/petitions/miss-connie-wehner-school-principal-release-records-and-acknowledge-that-the-actions-were-unacceptable
Petition is up. Please sign and share!
I was once a student of number 3 school. never in my life did I imagine there would be a situation were we as young black americans would have to fight for our freedom of speech. I applaud miss jada williams, she stood up for her own beliefs. this one young lady has definetly changed the world.
Are you f-n kidding me? ISNT this the same school where the Teachers are doing coke on Breaks? CNN NEEDS TO HEAR ABOUT THIS!!!
yes yes Please Call (585) 454-3525 and tell them what you think and to reconcile this situation thank you. and YES help us get this to CNN too
They racist
That is wrong they shouldn’t do that to any child! Everyone is supposed to be treated equally well they aren’t and this proves it! The parents have every right to bring this to court!!!
yes yes Please Call (585) 454-3525 and tell them what you think and to reconcile this situation thank you.
This has been the case for nearly 20 years in the RCSD. And people wondered why I preferred to keep my children in parochial schools.
And we wonder how people like Newt became what they are!
I agree with my cousin Edwin. This is rediculous and how dare our school system persecute and turn away a child for freely expressing her point of view, and basically denying her the free right to do so. If are not able to accept and understand people then how will things ever truly.change . The teacher ought to be fired for her ignorance and lack of appreciation of a dedicated and educated young woman .
Wow. It is unbelievable that this student is asked to demonstrate her knowledge and is punished for doing so. She fangs even practice her first ammendent right in a public school? Wow…
I am speechless, I can not believe the gall of some people!!!
yes yes Please Call (585) 454-3525 and tell them what you think and to reconcile this situation thank you.
This is sad for our children.. And as adults we should all be ashamed…
yes yes Please Call (585) 454-3525 and tell them what you think and to reconcile this situation thank you.
It is very sad even today, for one to explain themselves is wrong is still in the class room, I think if you don’t want to raise an issue you should not set such topic to be ridicule over and I really see the as a point that she was talking the truth and they feel that bad their only result was to get back at her, real shame at the school board and anyone who have their hand in this decision.
SMH….all day, please someone bring attention to this matter, tired of teach coming in from the burbs, half performing in inner city schools. Just like we hold our students accountable we should also do the same for teachers, someone please run this by the district. so so sadden by this.http://www.fdfny.org/blog/2012/02/27/breaking-news-13-year-old-jada-williams-persecuted-by-the-rochester-city-school-district/?fb_comment_id=f#f3cf85d4.
Although it really shouldn’t surprise me, I find it very ironic that those supposedly fostering higher education cannot recognize the blatant talent and insightful nature of their student, turning it even against themselves and making the essay into an attack against themselves when it was merely in recognition and encouragement of their efforts. What idiots.
Every single person who reads this should be infuriated!!! This is illegal, immoral, and down right disgusting. This story should go straight to Albany and the President!
That’s foul
i left two messages one for the principle and one for the liason. the voicemail is in full effect,i dont think they’re talking.ayesha let me know what i can do to help. is there a petition calling for the dismissal of every person involved in bullying a child by coward adults?
Chaplain Ayesha Kreutz I called left a message. Didn’t get Connie Wehner
yes please call the school and send off to others… and the media thanks
I honestly cant believe this is real. How could something like this happen in our generation?! That principle should be put out on her ass period!
FOX NEWS IS PROFILING THIS STORY TONIGHT!!! TUNE IN IF U CAN!
She’s right about everything. When i was in school, I was in the county district in southern va, and no matter your race or creed, if your teachers noticed any students having issues they phoned the parents and tried to figure out ways to help that student excel.
But in the city school about 25 minutes from us, if you were a low-income student and had trouble with your grades, they left you to fend for yourself. Here we are 10 and 15 years after this example, and the majority of the “problem” students from my school are in college and trying to be better, whereas those city students that had trouble are on drugs, knocked up with their 4th and 5th kid, unemployed, high school drop outs that are blaming society for their problems, instead of looking at themselves. I understand that those teachers set an example for what would be expected of certain students but there comes a point where you have to do for yourself and stop listening to what society expects.
Sounds like the teachers and others took it personal and they shouldn’t of. The teachers need to do their part and the students need to do their part. What’s that saying? You can bring a camel to water but you can’t make him/her drink.
Rachel Barnhart this is a great news story for you to look into! Very sad that this happened to this child in our very own school district.. I am sure that this happens more and more every where else.
Here is a video to Jada speaking about this issue. She is a very smart young lady! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-lG1Wb2AfM&feature=youtu.be
Now we all know why Thomas Sowell has expressed the belief that the entire public school system should be burned to the ground. Personally, I should like to sow that ground with salt so that nothing grows there again. You go, Jada! Give ‘em hell.
This is a shame.
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great eassy
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There ar some good teachers, but this clearly is a situation where they are more about themselves and idiotic ideaology than the education and growth of the students. Unfortunately there is so much crap surrounding schools today that education is beginning to take a back seat. Kudos to the young girl who took the time to research and write an outstanding paper.
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I just read about the incident about 13 year old Jada Williams. I would like to say this is surprising but— it is not. It is so appalling that things like this still occur today. I am truly hurt. This situation just demonstrates and proves to me the closed-mindedness of many Americans. I have been met with similar responses at my university (Seton Hill University). In these situations the administrators have accused me of being “angry.” This accusation stems from nothing more than me having an opinion and a voice. During each incident I have been the one to reach out to the administrators and in return I have been prosecuted rather than heard. They claim that there is a wall between us and that they need to find someone who I can talk with. There is no wall. The problem is that I refuse to accept their unprofessionalism and lack of solutions. They scrutinize our every move we make as criminal, because they’ve already made up their minds we are criminals. When will there come a day when incidents like this will be a faded memory? It is sickening that there is no hope for humanity at this current time
The problem is these kids do not respect the white teachers the way they respect the black teachers. Teachers are forced to go full retard and suspend these children when all other punishments fail to effect change in their behaviour.
The problem sits squarely on the atrocious parents.
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Is this a Rosa Parks moment? I hope so. Young Jada has drawn a very compelling parallel between the 19th century and today. Many public schools are a disgrace and insidiously racist. Tell ‘em Jada, and keep reading and writing.
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Another example of UNIONS not giving a crap of our children but only to protect their overpaid salaries. Condemn Honestly and Brilliance but praise those who hate….. This whole story makes me sick. Im calling this B_tch Principal everyday and letting her know that doorknobs have more intelligence than her and her entire staff…
Michael/JeffT. This has nothing to do with being in a union. To make such an ignorant assumption shows a lack of sensibility. To use a story like this to attack unions, shows poor intelligence. IMHO.
Is there any legal recourse that could be taken? If not for discrimination, then for harassment or for negligence or unprofessional conduct of the teachers and administration.
We shall see.
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I won’t say “disgisting” or any other cliche.. I’ll only say that I think it’s really cool that someone is prepared to stand beside this kid. Well done.
Thank you for writing about this incident. I applaud the family for fighting back and being willing to talk with the media.
It is absolutely disgusting what the so-called teachers, including administration, have done to this little girl. As a RCSD teacher I am so embarrassed that I have to call these people my colleagues. Ms. Williams should be proud of herself! We constantly tell kids how important education is. Why is it then, that they get torn down when they exhibit what was asked for in the first place. ALL of the staff members at #3 should be ashamed of themselves, those that berated Ms. Williams and those who did nothing about it.. This is nothing more than a case of adults bullying a child, which by the way, we teach kids not to do. I hope that Bolgen Vargas is dealing with this in a way that supports Jada Williams.
Thank you for speaking the truth. I live in VA. Racism is alive and well here. Black athletes are treated well because of the worship of sports. The unfairness has to stop. If whites lived through the events that enslaved the blacks they would have revolted long ago. God did create man. It does not even say what color skin they had at that time. At least that is what I read in the Bible.
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The irony is dripping. Schools that are jamming bullying dictates down our throats are BULLYING this girl. I’m sure we dcan find a teachers’ union behind this effort to humiliate this child.
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Much love & respect to Miss Jada Williams. Keep your head up seeking truth and knowledge. Dont allow other’s to tell you your history;continue to read & comprehend what you read. You have a bright future ahead of you if you keep doing what you are doing. Dont be discourage by the action taken by RCSD…it’s just another tactic to silence the truth of injustice & inequality in our education system.
Its time for parents to stand up for our children and give them the recognition that they truly deserve….where is the news media now?
This is crazyy
it’s what education should be , this young woman isn’t allowing herself the opportunity to be miseducated or the chance of being un-educated . She’s right on point and the fact that rcd chose to suppress her records show motive to trying to rail road a young brilliant mind . Where are the activist there? Why haven’t they had the guts to step into this situation ? With all of the very things going on there seems to show practice of things systematical and damaging towards people of color yet no on speaks up early , what happened to freedom of speech , yet also this was result of an essay? Get real .
People should learn from their mistakes, for a society to grow and progress it needs to do the same, learn from its past and not make the same mistakes over and over. That a 13 year old has not only understood that book, but related it to her society in a completely relevant way is remarkable. Her teachers should be praising her insight, not casting her aside because she makes them uncomfortable. People who cast a new light onto a truth, and make others see it, can frequently be unpopular. I hope this girl gets justice, she is obviously very intelligent and it would be a crime if she does not get the chance to live up to her potential because she made her teachers look at something they didn’t want to face.
I am not sure if this is a case of racism or not, I do know that this child made an observation based on what she is seeing in her own school. It may not make a difference if the teacher is white, african american, hispanic, asian…if the system is broken teachers are going to have a hard time with discipline. If there is a lack of respect and structure in a school teaching becomes extremely difficult. I truly believe that the RCSD has been avoiding the fact their system is fundamentaly broken. The district is way too top heavy with administrators and non classroom workers. The fact that they needed to take a union teacher to court to have her removed from their payroll even though everyone agreed she should not be in a classroom is a horrendus waste of district assets that could be better used to help the students. I appluad this young lady for speaking her mind and feel truly saddened that this was not handled as a tool for learning by both the teacher and the student.
You can’t possibly be serious. This is definitely a case of racism. If it didn’t matter why was she kicked out of school, not accepted in another school and then results to a school that doesn’t care if your child learns or not. My heart goes out to this extraordinary young girl, whose education is diminished for foolishness. She expressed her opinion and was shot down because of it. Freedom of speech is in the constitution however practice of it hurts black, african american’s everyday.
All the outrage is great, but beyond posts, what do we intend to DO?
As a former student of RCSD, it is apparent racism is still alive and kicking. Our collective outrage should( and in my case) will go well beyond RCSD. The school officials has the unwritten license to behave this way and are protected against local upheaval. I ask you parents, when will you all be sick and tired of being sick and tired. How much of yourselves will you sacrifice for your children?
Exactly!!! Rochester is notorious for being mad for ten minutes and then going on to the next thing. I used to live there and work in the system. There are amazing teachers and administrators in Rochester however this is a mess. Foul play from one or two negates the hard work of thousands. The administrative team should be ashamed of themselves. If the story is wrong…the districts communications department needs to come out with a statement ASAP!!!!!
This story reflects the undermining premise of hipocrisy! On the outside, the stage is set to encourage & inspire but on the inner man, they harbor one-way thinking and dare you not to acknowledge another thought process! It’s OUR responsibility to see things for they are!
this should be brought to national attention it is a disgraceful situation
Why aren’t RCSD teachers and school administrators acclaiming Jada and condemning the injustice? Are they feeling intimidated, guilty, helpless, or what? Jada seems to be just the kind of student I would have relished in my class and school. I’m a School Without Walls founding faculty member and RCSD retiree.
I feel so bad for this family it’s not fair that after so many years that we as blacks have fought to be treated fairly in our school systems, criminal justice system, and in our communities it seems as if we will
never be seen as the beautiful intelligent people that we really are… Situations like this makes us very angry…
Wow, she obviously hit the nail on the head for them to show their racist teeth right out, wow!
Blacks are the only group of people who take their most precious possessions their children & ask their oppressors to educate them & to mold & shape their Minds( Mis Education of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson)
Black America must educate its children through community based partnerships between students,teachers, parents, churches & businesses. Empowering Black children is more than teaching them math & reading skills. It is more than preparing them for the public sector jobs or high ranking positions in other peoples businesses in other peoples communities. They must know how to compete for wealth & power rather than poverty & acceptance to produce rather than consume & to be job producers rather than job seekers.For schools preparing Black America to compete means removing the chains of inappropriate behavior & teaching them to see, think & behave a new. The classroom education must be relevant to the “real” world outside of the school & Black children should learn more in classrooms than they do on the streets. Black children need schools to teach them how to live a life & earn a living in an increasing pluralistic & competitive world. Only when schools are able to perform these functions will they be able to close the learning gap between Blacks & whites & other ethnic groups .If our problem is that adults in our race feel successful only when they work in white corporations,then our schools must devise a solution & instill new values in the children.
( Please grab a copy of Powernomics,,Black Labor White Wealth, Dirty Little Secrets by Dr. Claude Anderson)
Integration made Black people guests in America. Integration has been used to justify closing Black schools, firing Black teachers & administrators, busing Black children, assigning massive numbers of Black children to special education classes & depriving Black children of the advantage of being a majority population.
Public & private schools based on the Powernomics plan must teach children to work & learn cooperatively as members of a team. White society credits Anglo Saxon rugged individualism with development of this nation. Accordingly , they place great importance on education programs that teach children to compete against each other. Individualism in schools is a form of educational Darwinism, or survival of the fittest & brightest . It is a form of selfishness that encourages a child to be self centered, to out do & profit at the expense of another child. This is the same ideology that drives this nations political & economic systems from which Black people have systematically been excluded. If Black children are going to successfully compete, they will have to experience countervailing education practices that play to the strengths of Black people as a community. One of the biggest weakness in the race is based on the Willie Lynch theory of divide & conquer . Teamwork is left largely to sports . We need less individualism & more togetherness & group cooperation . Instilling the values & advantages of group cohesiveness in most cultures fall upon the shoulders of basic institutions : the family , school & church. But since so many Black families are broken & dysfunctional , our schools & churches will have to pick up the slack. To reverse some of the inappropriate behavior patterns in our race, it is important that the Black child’s early school years be devoted primarily to instilling a strong communal spirit & developing effective cooperative skills.
The nation was found on the affirmation of individual liberties & rights while it was holding nearly five million Black slaves hostage as a group. Beyond the rhetoric & myths that admonished Blacks to behave as individuals they treated as a group in practice. Pursuing the individualism myth, left Blacks bereft of group self interest & group based support structures. Teaching children to live as individuals is a philosophical design that works best for white children. They can afford to be individuals because they are the majority & everything in the society is designed to support & accommodate white majority.
(Powernomics by Dr. Claude Anderson)
just plain rediculous……at a loss for words
Wow she is an exceptional child, african american, & calls it how she sees it as it is today, her veiws of what happened to our ancestors is her veiws of what’s still happening today…I thought this was America where freedom of speech was ok, or is it that they are mad cause a 13yr old GOT IT, & SPOKE IT..Now they wanna persecute her for sayin what others are scared to say!….smh in disgust…just remember they cant hold a strong black young determined person from prevailing she will end up on top…GOD bless her & family as they try & tare them down….
Wow…fuk it fight for wat u believe..wow and shes only 13
I was absolutely outraged! I am a person who does not like to blame a whole race of people for the actions of others. I am just disgusted that this behavior is being allowed! It’s appalling to me.
See for me this is when all that talk goes out the door and more radical action is definitely needed. I can only tolerate white ppl dictating and regulating rules for a quick moment and then the REBEL GOD wanted me to be comes out. I know others may not agree with my methods, but be thankful that they still have radical thinkers with a radical movement still existing in this WHITE MAN WORLD. This is why they never wanted the “slave” to read and learn cause creations like my self are born.
They made because she told the truth! And its true some white teacher can’t control their classroom because they are too lenient
God will grant her justices.
Wtf. Anybody have the foundation number send it to me.I know this shit ain’t happening in my city and I don’t know about it.where the hell is dkx coverage on this? Y’all better rally around this child if you’re in rochester! This is why our kids need to get the hell out of these killing fields.
I am NOT sure what it will take for us to get angry enough to REMOVE ourselves completely from their society. Like I said a people who allow their children to be sacrificial lambs are not worthy of the air they breath!
This is why we need to support Sis. @[1451839146:2048:AsafOhemma Tuntum] with her education initiative and any other PROGRESSIVE New Afrikan
Way to go Jada. I am sorry that the information was uncomfortable for the teachers and staff. We white folks need to me reminded of how it is out there. We need to not accept anything but the very best for all students. As an added message for your fellow students you deserve kudos. Keep up the brillinat thinking.
According to the The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) the school must release the child records within 45 days of the parents request. This looks like a law suit to me!
Contact the NAACP
This neeeeeeeeeds to go to the media…. smh at rcsd, this girl superceeded the average comprehention of the theme, yet she’s angry and teachers were offended….why teach if you can’t accept that reality, and you damn sure don’t need to be teaching if you “gag” your students because of personal bias…..
Truly heartbreaking I pray for the family to keep the strength to fight for their baby’s right! Very brave and POWERFUL young lady they were threatened by her intelligence!
I was just talking about this and it’s really sad.They were intimidated by this girl’s essay and knowledge and she became a target
This is ridiculous. Unfortunately, their persecution of this little girl is proving she is correct. God forbid someone hold a city school to high standards
This is the government plantation at its finest. It was Pres. Wilson whom officially segregated schools, the government, and the military in the early 1900′s. Progressive branch of the Dem. party. This party also included Margaret Sanger who started planned parenthood for the cause of eliminating the “negro race”. Is it a coincidence that most planned parenthood abortion clinics are located in black communities? Wilson started the education system as we know it today. The government and progressives continue to tell black folk in this country how mistreated and downtrodden they are. Partly true. What they don’t tell is that the same party that keeps telling them how bad they have it, are the ones inflicting the rascism. It’s been coined as “the soft bigotry of low expectations”. No wonder the late great MLK was a registered republican. Wake up black america, escape the government plantation.
This sum bull..they all need to be fired…I’m glad u decided not to send my kids there smh
So are we supposed to encourage our children not to speak their minds?
I won’t lie. Usually I will just let injustices not get my blood boiling because if you open your eyes and read between the lines there are numerous to say the least when regarding my people. Injustice is even more so regarding the school system but this right here is some BULLSH** When and where is the March? This should be a national wake up call!
Interesting…….
Omg that’s crazy!
SMH this just crazy never putting my child in a Rochester city
*school
this is horrible. a young female makes a stance on her beliefs and they only see her pointing out the failure of her teachers when she’s also pointing out a failure from her fellow students…and think back when obama was campaigning the kkk got to protest in public, they didn’t get silenced. this girl only wrote a paper and she’s being completely shut down…shows the true nature of society.
Wow this still goes on smh
This is horrible…..The sad part is its not just the RCSD that does this to our children, thats how many of our youth are treated in EVERY school. If they ‘excel’ above a certain ‘standard’, it can’t be ‘right’ in a system that was never designed for our children to truly excel. SMDH
at this rate,will the child be held back another year? They had besmerched her character, and forced her grade average down, wil she be able to transfer to any Rochester school safely
Absolutely, just as slavery is world wide, this discouraging school systems is world wide. I live in Alabama, my children attend Tarrant School Systems. They were passed along thoruhg out thier highschool career as if they were on target. Then six weeks prior to gaduation, I was called to a meeting. They made me aware that my children lacked some credits required for a High School diploma. they developed an online way to get this work done that had several glitches still. Of course they did not finish in time and like seventy three other minority students, did not recieve a diploma! Now they are having to settle for a GED. We will perservere on , just another example of ……
So upset about this!!
SERIOUS LOST FOR WORDS…….I COMMEND THIS YOUNG LADY FOR SEEING MODERN DAY SLAVERY FOR WHAT IT TRULY IS AND SPEAKING UP ABOUT IT, IM SORRY She has been subjected to such an extensive Cruel and unjust punishment ,THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE HELP HER WHAT CAN WE DO LET’S NOT JUST SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT IT LET’S GET A PETITION GOING A MARCH A PROTEST OR SOMETHING IM ALL FOR IT …DONT LET THIS BE YOUR CHILD NEXT …..
I agree! We need to do something!
I all in…
I will sign it!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/RochesterParentsUnion/posts/281549231918219 Join us for a Rally, Rochester Parents United, Frederick Douglass Foundation of NY
Surprisingly, after reading this, I didn’t get mad at all. Immediately after reading this, God put in my spirit that she is going to be something else lol. This right here is just preparing her to be something great. She’s gonna be “that woman” when she grows up. I gotta remember her name, so I can look out for her on television. I wanna meet her now, before she gets super famous.
You just gave me chills cause I sure thought the very same thing. I hope she goes farther than ever before!
Wow! This is really sad. I’m so lost for words!
We must make a stand, that is just wrong and sad.. It’s a shame that racism is alive and well still.. Fight for what’s right no matter the persecution..
That is awful
Pure unadulterated racism at its worse! People we better start praying!
They have a lot of our children held up like this, they still want us to be illiterate because we’re still no good to them educated! Wake up and are what the devil is doing!
It’s sad because it seems a 13 year old has more sense than many adults. From what I see there is so much more energy put into posting hourly and daily foolishness on facebook using profane language and making nasty and negative comments about one another and the children see these things and get caught up in it too. Education and everything else starts at home. If your child isn’t learning it’s because the parents or primary care givers aren’t making sure the school is doing what is needed and just sending their kids to school because it’s the law. The Rochester city school district has been a problem for many years and there are many school districts all over the country that have the same problems and it won’t get better if parents won’t stop just getting upset when such a travesty happens but get involved, read to and teach their kids at home and also fight for our children’s rights to learn and get the same education as the other non minority students get in the suburbs. You shouldn’t have to lie about your address or have to live in a certain area for your child to get a quality education it should be readily available to them right where they live. But the only way things will change is if we as minority parents change and get our priorities straight. Get back the fight that the greats in the past had to be over achievers and over comers not just satisfied with just getting by. That essay that young lady wrote was outstanding and should have opened alot of people’s eyes let’s use this incident as an avenue for change and to do better and not brush this under the rug after the smoke fades out. Our children are the future if the world is in such a disaray now just imagine what it’s going to be like when our youth grow up with such little tools they will have to work with. I chose to give God my life and asked for Him to show me the way to do the job He gave me to raise His children and to do everything else and He has answered my prayers. I by no means want to come off as self righteous or proclaim to have all of the answers because before I found Jesus I was just as stuck but now I am able to identify with the error of my ways and am willing to make a change and keep striving to do better. To God be the glory! Lets get along and do better together for our children’s sake. This message was not meant to offend anyone if I did I sincerely apologize.
This is just crazy! This is so sad. I’m in tears reading this…. The teachers and administrators would go to such lengths to make this CHILD look like shes not a good student and have her expelled from school. They need to be fired! IM ANGRY! This is not right!
Totally disgraceful on behalf of the school district!!!
The illuminati will try any & everything to deny intelligent people to have knowledge of self. They know that knowledge is power thats why they want our people to remain igorant, so that it will be easy to control us, we must remain vigilant & educated.
You speak the truth my friend.
How rediculous!!! to punish the child for doing what she was asked to do. It’s amazing how some teachers are truly offended and even intimidated when a student show more intellect and intelligence than them. Instead praising an encouraging the student they lie on test scores throw the student out of school and they call themselves teachers how sad.
This is a must read!!
Just when you thought freedom of speech was safe…..smh
She should skip grade school and go to college.
Networking late night, trying to get this to CNN ASAP…..I am not shocked either, but it is SO SAD to have to see this….what is worse THE CHILD…I pray she isn’t being disrupted in spirit…FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT JADA!
Omg speechless!!
Smh is all I can do
Thats a damn shame
This bothers me so much! That young lady did nothin but told the truth…I guess da truth hurts smh…I tip ma hat off to her
cont
..BELIEVED WHAT THEY TOLD US..
SHE IS THE FOUNDATION OF CHANGE THE FACE OF WHAT THE “LET’S GROW” MOVEMENT STANDS FOR….GOOD JOB JADA I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST! GREAT JOB PARENTS! !
I WANT …NO I NEED TO MEET THIS YOUNG LADY! ! SHE SPEAKS THE TRUTH & IT IS SO SAD, SO DISTURBING THAT A CHILD WHOSE INTELLECT & OUTLOOK FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE IS BEING STAGNATED BY THE VERY INSTITUTION THAT WAS BUILT TO TEACH HER
I HOPE EVERYONE STANDS BEHIND HER TO FIGHT THIS…THINK ABOUT THE REAL ISSUE GUYS …THEY SEE A SMART YOUNG MINORITY CHILD WHO IN ADULT HOOD WOULD BE AN ACTIVIST FOR CHANGE FOR HER PEOPLE TO LIVE BEYOND THE WALLS WE HAVE FOR SO LPNG BECAUSE WE
This is where the parents holla at a top notch lawyer. Its a cut clear case.
The child should harken 2 the words of Dr.Maya Angelo, “Still I Rise” Ms.Williams this is just a test…pass it please.
My kids are out of school and didn’t even attend rcsd but I am fuming right now after reading this…. all I can say is we gotta without a doubt fight for this one… I’m definately making that phone call fa sho! please believe its done! imma talk like it was my daughter..a mind is a terrible thing to waste but it would b tragic to let them throw one away! I’m all in! thanks 4 posting it tee! I’m 4 kinda mads right now…real talk.
Wow, that’s really all I can say for RCSD. It is really ashame that 2012 has come upon us in this type of stuff still goes on. The ignorance of our so called educators smfh..
Why to we try to snuff out our brightest stars?
http://www.change.org/petitions/13-year-old-jada-williams-persecuted-by-the-rochester-city-school-district-call-the-rochester-city-school-district-complain-about-this-injustice
I’m not surprised. I had avery similar experience at MCC/downtown. As a human services major, I was required to write a report exposing any discreptencies at an organization where I was an intern. Not only did I expose the racism at the agency, but my essay exposed the inadequacy of MCC. It was extremely well-written! The administrator were outraged. I was lied on and ultimately dismissed from the Human serivices program. While the white girl who did no work went on to graduate. ManyWhite folks gets angry when you expose them for who and what they truly are and their inadequacies.
And just so you know….I filed a complaint with the Division of Human Rights here in Rochester. This organization blatantly ignored this act of racism and covered it up. Many seemed to be outraged, but no one stood with me to shed light on it. Atleast this is getting some attention. This happened to me in 2007. and I’m an adult with grown children. MCC ya’ll !!!
We ca get lawyers to volunteer to represent molesters and drunk drivers, but not 1 will step up to help this family?
This is intolerable! This really goes to show that racism is alive, and just as active. I will be doing my part in the fight and will be calling this school in the morning!
Wow this is bananas….
this is a phenomenal young lady and she should keep her head in the books and keep speaking up young children don’t hear or believe their elders so maybe they will hear her! you keep that flame fanned! and to her parents stand behind her and be her adult voice! don’t allow her to be railroaded!
She should be rewarded not escorted!!!
Crazy…that skool been had problems ,my son wit there but we removed in the beginin of skool yr
That is crazy…her parents need to contact the NAACP and let them know the deal…them ppl mad cuz that child is telling the truth in her essay…
The School is violating the Students and Parents rights to have access to the students records. The parents need to file a law suit and have the staff of that school fired.
This is a smart educated young girl and she doesnt deserve this !!! God has a plan for this girl!!!
I’m sorry but I am not surprised. Yes we are in the year 2012, our ancestors have made great strides for us but look how “they” (Teachers & Principal) reacted when the truth was spoken. I pray her parents do not let up on this issue. I bet if she had given a dumb-down essay sugar coating what she really meant, they would have given her praises.
This is crazy!!!
That’s fucked up
Wow is all I can say. Obviously there is a problem within out school district and this problem has existed for a very long time. Diverstiy is necessary amongst teachers and faculty in the district. I would be impressed by a student who can write openly about what she sees and give great comparison with her thoughts and Fredrick Douglass. Because she used the N word she is being labeled as being angry and if she was angry how does that effect her as a students. To be honest she should be angry at the lack of attention with her classmates and towards the teachers who lack motivation and no patience for inspring their students to be great thinkers. I’m appauled by this and what has been done to this student. If they found that her language was to vulgar why couldn’t educated teachers sit down with her and explain and teach her how to write her point of views in a more constructive and less offending way!
EVERYONE PLEASE READ THIS!
This almost brought a tear to my eye because I’ve seen stuff like this happen before! School always tells us to think outside the box yet the minute a student steps over that line they are labeled a problem! I really commend this young woman for being 1. Educated enough to write such a thoughtful essay. And 2. For being brave enough to share it knowing there would probably be a back lash. Her parents need to fight and do all they can to fight this injustice and if I was her mom I would be suing the school board and several teachers! I don’t know If this has made national news yet but I bet it will!! Shame in the Rochester city school board… You should be ashamed to call yourself educators and role models!!! #madwhitewoman
Sad that we feel proud of our city today. Kodak and now this. If this story is true then you wonder how some of us even make it. I attended #3 school and this doesn’t make me feel proud about that.
@Lindsay this made me livid as well and is very dissapointing. @Dwight this story is very true and situations like this does not push young students to be creative thinkers. This situation gave the student a realistic understanding oh what speaking your mind of the hidden truths will get you, and that is whats really sad to me!
WOW, this is horrific! I recently removed my daughter from #3 school due to relocation and not a moment to soon. Smh wow..I’m lost for words, I would be infuriated if was the parent! Even more then I am now..my daughter says she knows her personally, and she is a straight A student that keeps to herself.
Wow!
Yeah it’s crazy! Something as to be done about it!
I can’t read the article. What happened?
@[97700895:2048:Chelsi CDiddy Davis] Basically a little girl was forced to leave her school bcuz she wrote an essay abt modern day slavery…she says the white teachers in her school don’t teach the students anything bcuz they can’t control them and basically don’t try.
The teacher was outraged,he made copies of the essay for other teachers including the principal, and they basically all ganged up and gave the young lady a hard time…until her mom eventually removed her.
Wow cant believe this i helped my son w his essay he n dat class & she dont try 2 teach da bad 1s but the kids n da class dont know why she gone I want 2 say sumting bout dis
I would make my child aware and ask the teacher whassup w the story? Apply pressure…
Had let him & his mom read the page tink i mite jus
N TEARS TEE WAS SO TOUCHED BY THIS I’M LOST FOR WORDS I JUST WNT TO MEET HER PARENT’S N GIVE THEM A BIG HUG N I WON’T STOP UNTIL I REACHED THAT GOAL THIS HURTS ME FOR I KNOW I WAS’NT IGNORANT I WAS TO HIGHLY EDUCATED WHEN I SAT N A OFFICE N TOLD TEACHERS JUST THIS SAME THING GLORY BE TO R FATHER ABOVE HE WORKS N HIS OWN WAY N HIS WAY I GENUINELY ENJOY FOR THE OUTCOME IS SO OVER WHELMING ALL I COULD DO IS CRY TEARS OF JOY WHT A WONDERFUL GOD WE SERVE MY HEART LOVES U JADA MY SOUL IS FILLED WITH HAPPINESS ALL I CAN DO IS REJOICE
Wow (tear drops) so it sounds like my daughter been telling the truth about some of these teachers at 3 school. Just to let you know this principal isn’t going to return any phone calls you better off going into the school but even than they might say she’s in a meeting today trust me. smh
This is sad, and by me being an outspoken, former student of the school, its even sader, the school was basically sayin the same thing as the slave master, and were ok with that. Smfh!!
That’s crazy
Things like this bother me alot. We should praise this you lady because as a 13 yr old she understood the concept of the assignment and did exactly what she was told and did it bette then most adults prolly would. I feel offend seeing that I attended #3 school. I feel sorry for our future when we’re older because if you punish the kids for doin a great job on a assignment, then we are lost as a society…
That’s that shit that keep ppl seperated !
The limitations placed on african americans in the RCSD is ridiculous !!!!
Knit shit crazy that she was punished for doin what she was asked. They don’t wanna see us make it so they do this to the ones wit sense
DAMN SHAME
Why not call the school board and complain
This brilliant young lady should have placed that little © at the bottom of her work!
this needs to be public knowledge — sharing
This is what her essay was speaking Of…..keep the nigger slave uneducated!!
I applaud Ms Williams’ intestinal fortitude and ability to tell it as she sees it. More importantly, you European-Americans outraged, as many of us are, need to help dismantle every facet of this racist/capitalist society. As we all know, education is important for this nation, let alone race.
Now you see racism manifest itself blatantly. Stop this!
Pure Sickening….you throw a smart, intelligent young lady out of school for giving her interpretations of history……BUT YET…A TEACHER WHO HAS SEXUAL DESIRES FOR HER GIRLS IN THE GYM CLASS….GETS TO KEEP WORKING IN ROCH CITY SCHL DITRICT….WOW.
smh.
Ridiculous I read that shit in the sunday paper. That is crazy. SMH
WTF, are you talking about Katisha?
Corey Reichle This story:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20120225/NEWS/302250030?odyssey=mod%7Cmostcom
Michelle Petit Right, the student thinks the white teachers need to have better control over the proverbial “darkies”.
So, what does the other story have to do with this story?
Corey Reichle Uhh… Apparently you’re not looking at this story (the one about the student kicked out) the same way the rest of us are. She’s talking about EVERYONE cooperating better: students being actual learners, and teachers not giving passes to the lazy students. A teacher’s job does include control of the class. I’m gathering the minority students *are* the problem in her class, along with teachers who let them get away with it.
What story were you reading?
Michelle Petit The story linked above. She likens the white slave master stating that once you teach a slave to read, they’re now uncontrollable; and that teacher need to take a lesson from this on how to handle black students.
Miss Williams quoted Douglass quoting Mr. Auld: “If you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there will be no keeping him. It will forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master.”
Miss Williams personalized this to her own situation. She reflected on how the “white teachers” do not have enough control of the classroom to successfully teach the minority students in Rochester.
So, should the teacher stop teaching them to read? And, since the Fredrick Douglas Foundation here seems to only read parts of FD’s writings, it’s not surprising that they side with the student.
Michelle Petit Not to mention, she is implying that only black teachers can teach black students; since the “white teachers” don’t have enough control over the minority students.
Corey Reichle WOW! That is *so* not what she said. She recounts history, and sees parallels between the present and the past, yes, but you have to remember she is also talking about a specific subject, Frederick Douglass, a man whose master refused to see him educated because then he wouldn’t want to be a slave anymore.
Fast forward to now, and Ms. William sees the same mentality, this time coming from her fellow students, who disrupt the class and hold themselves back from participatory learning. She encourages the teachers, HER teachers, whom we can assume are white, to keep better control of the students, but balances that by asking her fellow students, particularly the minority students (presumably mostly black students) to stand up for themselves, to work at furthering themselves so that the struggle of people such as Mr. Douglass would not have been in vain.
Assuming that you are not deliberately trolling this site and you *really* understood her essay the way you have described here, I wonder if the teachers and administration at the school didn’t do the same?
Even if they had, however, they have no business deliberately harassing her. Their job is to teach, no to bully. Besides, according to Ms Williams, if they’re going to be harassing anyone it should be a positive harassment (pushing, prodding, more or less forceful encouragement) directed at the slackers in the class.
I think their actions actually prove her point.
Michelle Petit I think this group’s bias is not allowing the apt analysis of the student’s writing, who is desiring teachers to teach less, in order to make the students “More controllable”; like slaves. Mainly, because of what the student wrote above, quoted from the article here.
Very shameful, this district really needs to be improved on the basis of education practices and etiquette.
That’s crazy
And we wonder why some of the Rochester schools are in trouble. Since when do educators discourage free thinkers and toss freedom of speech to the wind. Shame on them!
Pretty interesting. I can’t even imagine what I would be doing if this was my daughter. I hope and pray that this does not cause her any long term set backs.
That’s a cool article! Brave young lady!
Bob Woods Yes, very brave.
Calling and maybe I will even create a Change.org page for this. This severely disappoints, hurts and disturbs me
https://www.change.org/petitions/miss-connie-wehner-school-principal-release-records-and-acknowledge-that-the-actions-were-unacceptable
Petition is up. Please sign and share!
I was once a student of number 3 school. never in my life did I imagine there would be a situation were we as young black americans would have to fight for our freedom of speech. I applaud miss jada williams, she stood up for her own beliefs. this one young lady has definetly changed the world.
Are you f-n kidding me? ISNT this the same school where the Teachers are doing coke on Breaks? CNN NEEDS TO HEAR ABOUT THIS!!!
yes yes Please Call (585) 454-3525 and tell them what you think and to reconcile this situation thank you. and YES help us get this to CNN too
They racist
That is wrong they shouldn’t do that to any child! Everyone is supposed to be treated equally well they aren’t and this proves it! The parents have every right to bring this to court!!!
yes yes Please Call (585) 454-3525 and tell them what you think and to reconcile this situation thank you.
And we wonder how people like Newt became what they are!
I am speechless, I can not believe the gall of some people!!!
yes yes Please Call (585) 454-3525 and tell them what you think and to reconcile this situation thank you.
Wow. It is unbelievable that this student is asked to demonstrate her knowledge and is punished for doing so. She fangs even practice her first ammendent right in a public school? Wow…
I agree with my cousin Edwin. This is rediculous and how dare our school system persecute and turn away a child for freely expressing her point of view, and basically denying her the free right to do so. If are not able to accept and understand people then how will things ever truly.change . The teacher ought to be fired for her ignorance and lack of appreciation of a dedicated and educated young woman .
This is sad for our children.. And as adults we should all be ashamed…
yes yes Please Call (585) 454-3525 and tell them what you think and to reconcile this situation thank you.
SMH….all day, please someone bring attention to this matter, tired of teach coming in from the burbs, half performing in inner city schools. Just like we hold our students accountable we should also do the same for teachers, someone please run this by the district. so so sadden by this.http://www.fdfny.org/blog/2012/02/27/breaking-news-13-year-old-jada-williams-persecuted-by-the-rochester-city-school-district/?fb_comment_id=f#f3cf85d4.
Although it really shouldn’t surprise me, I find it very ironic that those supposedly fostering higher education cannot recognize the blatant talent and insightful nature of their student, turning it even against themselves and making the essay into an attack against themselves when it was merely in recognition and encouragement of their efforts. What idiots.
It is very sad even today, for one to explain themselves is wrong is still in the class room, I think if you don’t want to raise an issue you should not set such topic to be ridicule over and I really see the as a point that she was talking the truth and they feel that bad their only result was to get back at her, real shame at the school board and anyone who have their hand in this decision.
Every single person who reads this should be infuriated!!! This is illegal, immoral, and down right disgusting. This story should go straight to Albany and the President!
That’s foul
yes please call the school and send off to others… and the media thanks
Chaplain Ayesha Kreutz I called left a message. Didn’t get Connie Wehner
i left two messages one for the principle and one for the liason. the voicemail is in full effect,i dont think they’re talking.ayesha let me know what i can do to help. is there a petition calling for the dismissal of every person involved in bullying a child by coward adults?
I honestly cant believe this is real. How could something like this happen in our generation?! That principle should be put out on her ass period!
FOX NEWS IS PROFILING THIS STORY TONIGHT!!! TUNE IN IF U CAN!
She’s right about everything. When i was in school, I was in the county district in southern va, and no matter your race or creed, if your teachers noticed any students having issues they phoned the parents and tried to figure out ways to help that student excel.
But in the city school about 25 minutes from us, if you were a low-income student and had trouble with your grades, they left you to fend for yourself. Here we are 10 and 15 years after this example, and the majority of the “problem” students from my school are in college and trying to be better, whereas those city students that had trouble are on drugs, knocked up with their 4th and 5th kid, unemployed, high school drop outs that are blaming society for their problems, instead of looking at themselves. I understand that those teachers set an example for what would be expected of certain students but there comes a point where you have to do for yourself and stop listening to what society expects.
Sounds like the teachers and others took it personal and they shouldn’t of. The teachers need to do their part and the students need to do their part. What’s that saying? You can bring a camel to water but you can’t make him/her drink.
Rachel Barnhart this is a great news story for you to look into! Very sad that this happened to this child in our very own school district.. I am sure that this happens more and more every where else.
Here is a video to Jada speaking about this issue. She is a very smart young lady! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-lG1Wb2AfM&feature=youtu.be
Now we all know why Thomas Sowell has expressed the belief that the entire public school system should be burned to the ground. Personally, I should like to sow that ground with salt so that nothing grows there again. You go, Jada! Give ‘em hell.
This is a shame.