Clergy Holds Fair
the issue wasn't race, it was a school culture that allowed adults to make fun of kids, dismiss them when they complained of being beaten, and otherwise didn't do their jobs in the area of keeping them safe. Some saw the Asian stu-
dents as being far too sensitive, while Asian community members felt the School District wasn't being sensitive enough. They felt bullied when School District officials called the homes of the boycotting students and even more so when Mayor
Michael Nutter gave his support to Ackerman and the District. In the middle were groups of students who just wanted to be united with their peers so they could solve parts of the problem without being painted as a violent, insensi-
tive bunch that was incapable of handling its own business. Like I said, the students are back in class now. But I can't help but think they would have been back sooner if the adults helping them could have found the same page a lot sooner.
The Public Record • December 17, 2009
(Cont. From Page 11) skin. In a press conference at South Philadelphia and again at the School Reform Commission meeting last Wednesday, she came off as defensive. We eat defensive people for breakfast here in Philadelphia, Ms. Ackerman. I mean heck, the Governor of Pennsylvania was among the crew that liked to throw snow and ice balls at opposing football teams at Veterans Stadium back in the day. 3) Since the adults in-
volved were insisting on getting involved in this bit of “kid's business”, it would have helped a whole lot if they could at least agree on what the issues are. What stood out most throughout this whole incident was the fact both groups of adults -- the School District and Asian Americans United -- were talking past each other instead of with each other. While the School District was focused on the racial issues that came to a head in this situations, Asian Americans United was saying that
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Out & About
SUCCESSFUL community-resource fair was staged at Deliverance Evangelistic Church by Black Clergy of Phila. & Environs. Organizing affair were, from left, BC Treasurer Rev. Toni Johnson, Chairman Rev. Essie Boatwright, VP Rev. Robert Collier and Co-Chair Rev. Maxine Collier.
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