Perhaps I did misinterpret that no one but blacks would be allowed in the school. I apologize for that. I, however, am still glad that you seem to agree it will segregate the black community even further.

Something obviously needs to be done about teaching history in schools. But, this is Canada’s fault. Since coming out of highschool, I have just realized how much useless Canadian crap we learned at school. And what’s more, it’s ALL we learned while going to school.

The real problem with this whole situation is that people of African or African-American descent feel the need to introduce an alternative to a mainstream educational system that is culturally insensitive, where none is currently available. The supporters of this school feel that they are not being represented in our current system and have propsed the only solution that they know will work. This also ties into the reason that “black history” month is deemed important in America. It is because “white history” is the only subject being taught in the social science curriculum. You could say the same for Canada. I don’t think i’ve ever been taught about the political history of African nations in the public school system. These subjects are available only to those students who go to college or post-secondary as objective history courses, diplomatically enough. Call me cynical, but the only thing I remember being taught about “black history” in the public education system is the American civil war, and if what they say is true and history is written by the victors, you can only get a narrow scope of the black slavery issue from a “white” perspective… not to mention that those textbooks were endorsed by the executive white middle-class elite.

It is a special interest imperative that can, I agree, cause a slippery slope into racial segregation. However, since the school will be allowing any student, regardless of race, to apply, it can be argued that his could be called a form of cultural protectionism instead of racism.

I agree that the underlying purpose of this school is, as you adequately put it, “it’s an attempt to deal mainly with the violence and unruliness within the inner-city”. But having this school isn’t the best way to go about it. And I’m glad to see that you agree. And in my opinion, it’s the worst way to go about it because it segregates the black community even more. Many of my other black friends seem to agree with this as well.

I know it doesn’t have anything to do with the black people being oppressed. But by having this school, not only are we reminded of that, but like you said, it indeed puts a colour on crime, and that isn’t very fair to the black community, or anyone for that matter.

And Yousra, I don’t quite know what you mean by bias in history. History has recorded the atrocities committed against blacks. In terms of historic significance, however, Africa didn’t give much to the world when compared to Asia or Europe. So I really know where you’re getting at. And in Canada, we don’t learn about anything other than Canada! Which makes me really mad, lol. Only once you leave high school can you truly study history outside of what we were taught in high school. I blame the curriculum for that one, though. The same can be said about geography.

i believe it’s an attempt to deal mainly with the violence and unruliness within the inner-city

The issue with the approval of the black schools, is an attempt to deal mainly with the violence and unruliness within the black community. I don’t think it has ANYthing to do with separating black because the were once oppressed. Forgive me if I’m misinterpreting you post. However, with that being said, I hadn’t really formed an opinion on the issue until very recently. I personally don’t agree with it either. My main reason being, it puts a colour on irresponsibility and city-wide violence. Now though it’s true that the stats show that certain crimes are committed disproportionately by blacks, the truth is other types of crimes are also disproportionately commited by other races. An All Race “at-risk” school , dedicated to properly integrating at-risk youth into society, would do more good than setting black individuals as the bench mark for irresponsible behavior. My opinion.

That’s because you live in Brampton.

I can see where you’re coming from, but I can also see why the Toronto board would approve this. I don’t think it’s a solution to the problem either, but what do you suggest that they do instead? One of the problems is something you mentioned, the history. In history class, we learn about the Americans, the Europeans, but not the Africans. It’s as if they were erased from history and made no contribution to the world. Perhaps if we were to re-write the history books and not show as much bias, we could moving a step forward rather than back.

Good read, keep it up!