Mike Madison, the principal of Dicken Elementary School in Ann Arbor, Mich., is under fire for a field trip to visit a rocket scientist that was limited to black students. He insisted that he was just trying to improve the lower performance of black students through the special race-based program.
In a letter to parents, Madison wrote “In hindsight, this field trip could have been approached and arranged in a better way.” However, he insisted that “[i]t was not a wasted venture for I know one day they might want to aspire to be the first astronaut or scientist standing on the Planet Mars.” It could also inspire some less admirable interests like racial segregation and discrimination. Of course, he could go with the Louisiana’s approach and just eliminate Fs generally, here.
Not one is questioning the good intentions of Madison but the road to segregation can be paved with good intentions. There is a trend toward segregation in our schools, for prior columns click here and here.
For the story, click here.
Buddha, AY, Eniobob, et. al. thank you,
This experience has once again taught me that the presuppositions I’ve held about myself are sometimes just bravado. In the last month or so I’ve felt elated, depressed, invincible and frightened. No matter how many personality kinks we think we work out, or how old we get, there is always more to learn about who we are and the need to really be honest with oneself in the process. The odds for me based on physical factors are much better than for many others, some of whom I’ve met. While all life is a crap-shoot it’s nice to have the statistical edge. While it is easy to get caught up in a “poor me” or “why me” attitude, that is purely self centered BS. My life has given me so many good things compared to most people on this planet that I can accept the wheel of chance spinning. Nevertheless, I am putting much effort into hanging around for a while to see more of how the story unfolds.
Mike,
If I had an extra heart, it’d be in the mail. It is a blessing that you have married an angel to be your rock when you need strength and your blanket when you need comfort. This cannot be easy for you. I’m glad that our genuine but remote encouragement from your friends in this salon provide you comfort as well, but not as glad as I am that that you have someone good “on the ground” there with you as you negotiate this difficult path.
Mike S,
Good to see you back. Your presence has been missed as Buddha the all knowing has said.
Buddha,
Thank you for the kind words. I’m involved in a long process, that may or may not work out. I need a heart transplant and the process of getting on the list itself brings many highs and lows.
The bitch of it is that everyone who knows me, or who I divulge it too tells me how good I look. The fact is that when I first went to the transplant team for evaluation there was a big part of my psyche that expected them to laugh at me and tell me I wasn’t sick enough. Their tests show that apparently I am. Both good and bad news rolled into one.
I’m sorry for diverting the thread with my own problems, but I felt an explanation of my infrequency was due. Since it is Mother’s Day I would like to say regarding my wife that until you’re really up against it, you never can fully understand the love someone has for you. She has more than shown it and in truth is the main force keeping me alive, absorbing the knowledge needed for me to move forward and filling in the blanks as I space out listening to the Doctors.
Mike,
It’s been really great having you back the last couple of days. I do so hope this means you are on the mend.