Interesting story over on TheRoot.com. Contributor Meera Bowman-Johnson writes about the Obamas’ decision to choose schools for their children.
Bowman-Johnson says it’s always tough to search for the best school for your children””but it can be even more agonizing when you’re African-American. For black parents, there are worries about low expectations from teachers; inevitable accusations of “acting white”; the extra pressure to ensure that your children continue to carry your family forward, rather than erase the gains of the past; plus the ever-present, if often unreasonable, expectation to lift your whole community along with your nuclear family as you climb.
Now I’ve heard some people make the argument that the Obama girls should go to public school as some sort of symbolic show of faith in the system but err….. I’m not sure about that one. Check out the article then let us know what you think.
Should Sasha and Malia attend the troubled DC Public school system or since their parents can have them attend the best school money can buy should they be placed in private school?
i cannot say from the outside looking in and no one else should either
rawdawgs last blog post..Serfs, fools, and slaves
@The Dad,
I read the article on another website where one woman was making a case for the Obamas to send their daughters to DC public schools. Granted I have never been to DC. I am not familiar with their system and any problems they may have. However, this is a private decision for a mother and father to make.
The idea that President Obama should use his children’s education as some kind of tool to make a point is crazy. While he is our president there are still areas of his life that do not belong to us. This is one of those areas, and folks need to ease back.
It’s the parents’ decision, but I would send them to a private school or even have them home schooled.
I’m over here visiting from averagebro.com. You have a great blog here!
As a graduate and long-time attendant of one of the three schools being considered for the girls, I am elated and certainly hope they choose my alma mater. Especially since my child may be matriculating next year- we hope!
I grew up in the DC area and only attended private schools so i can’t say much about the public school system except that my parents weren’t too fond of them 20+ years ago and at least in DC, things have only gotten worse. But I’m a firm beleiever in the fact that it’s not the school’s administration’s fault entirely. There is extreme poverty in the District. I know of countless children who are hungry, and fending for themselves at home. Their lives are pure drama having to deal with absent or drug addicted fathers- and more increasingly mothers. Without a sound and stable home life, a kid is not going to care too much about school. That is the crux of the problem in D.C.
As far as criticizing the Obamas and others for choosing private over public, folks should really ease up. Advocating for public schools is extremely difficult because it’s your child, NOT you who has to prove the point. It’s much harder to sacrifice your children for a cause…
Sorry for the typos- I’m not representing my school with that poor writing! But in my defense, I am at work and rushed to post the comment 🙂 Peace.
Puhleeze!! There is no case for sending those children to public school. Why should they be sacrificed for the sake of appearances? Also, the Obama girls have special security needs that the DC public schools aren’t equipped to deal with.
For security purposes it makes more sense to let them attend a private school. Also they have already been going to a prviate school. No need to try to make a political statement by purposely letting them attend a public school.
Why is this a discussion? Name one President or Vice President that have sent their kids to a DC public school. Those kids have never gone to a public school. Why should they now? The only reason I can think of…Pure economics! The kids in the private schools are waiting for the girls to come so they can beat them up because their daddy is getting ready to tax the parents of the other kids 🙂
As far security, which ever school is decided, secret service will have that school wrapped up tighter thatn fort knox. Public or private.