re: "Stop blaming black parents for underachieving kids"

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Here's what kills me: Let's say it is unfair, and your kid's school isn't a good as it could be. What are going to do?

a.) Oh well. I guess my son isn't going to be educated because his school sucks

b.) "Son, we're going to work extra hard at school so you can do everything and have anything you want in life. Yes, it's a challenge, but you can do it"

Americans are born on a mountain of gold. It's true some start out with better shovels than others, but all you have to do is dig.

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You left out:

c.) I am going to use school vouchers to get you to a better school and thus refer back to point b.

But liberals like you traditionally oppose such vouchers as do not allow said choice in where a parent can send their child to get the best possible education.

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But liberals like you traditionally oppose such vouchers as do not allow said choice in where a parent can send their child to get the best possible education.

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I like the idea of vouchers. In fact, I would like to see a big change to a more market based educational system. I see the possibility of many, many private schools that cost maybe $3-$4k per year (as opposed to $10k like many are now - there are too few private schools)... Not super-fancy - no sports. Just following a college-prep curriculum. It would be great - all those parents are definitely invested in their children's education.

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Cass Sunstein thinks he/Obama/Progs can "nudge" folk into believing/doing the 'right thing'. And this would be against those folks own inclination toward their PREFERRED Ideology. For the slackers/Welfare Staters...dream on. Herding cats. For those who don't want THEIR earnings confiscated by the votes/mob-rule Democratic mandated Law of slackers...again...dream on. Herding cats.

Ideas are powerful. False ideas that seem to pay free dividends...are even more powerful; especially when championed by misguided, charismatic, demagogic and lying half-truthers. I.e., you know who. Especially re those with a limited ability to discern, and as such, finding themselves in desperate scenarios.

We will not vote or legislate our way out of this 'idea' conundrum. Vision - the ability to discern Truth - can't be taught. Mother Nature, and God...employ the 'stick and carrot' unmercifully. Idealist Progressivism (carrot) nws.

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Does anyone else understand this post?

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I'm glad we have a safety net. I think a person who works for 20 years, pays his taxes, contributes to the community deserves a little temporary help if he loses his job. We need to work to ensure it doesn't become a safety hammock though. That's the problem.

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I agree with this. The problem is we have WAY TOO MANY people who haven't worked and put money into the system who are pulling money out.

I like safety nets. I hate our current system which rewards laziness.

On the issue at hand, it's 100000000% parents fault. Sorry, it is.

My daughter just started high school this year. Coming from middle school where she earned all A's and B's, she brought home a C on her first report card this year. I asked why and she said it was harder. I . They have it SO easy now.

Luckily we have a system here in Florida that allows parents to check on grades and assignments. Guess what I found?

A bunch of missed assignments. It wasn't hard. She wasn't turning in her work.

After that first quarter, I checked every week. She had no excuse not to turn shite it but kept missing assignments here and there and I kept on her arse about it. By the 4th week in the second quarter SHE was telling ME that she missed an assignment but was turning in the work and that I could check. And she was right 95% of time. She tried to sneak one or two by me but luckily... I had her teachers email address. One email to the teacher solved ANY issues I had after that.

Long story short, she ended the year with a 3.7 GPA and only a few points shy of all A's.

Her friend who earned a BUNCH of awards for academics in middle school just failed 9th grade. Her mom didn't give a shite (she's white BTW) and is now wanting to drop out of school to party more.

It comes down to the parents involvement or lack thereof.

It took me a while to learn it, but there is nothing more true than that line: life is about choices. Bad choices lead to bad situations.


We tend to want to treat the symptoms, throwing money at schools, etc., while we continue to have policies that encourage poor lifestyle choices, so the problems themselves only get worse. Our nation has a cancer and we treat it with aspirins and band-aids, not wanting to truly discuss how we can fix this mess. I feel for the little kids who are left with no chances in life because their parents make terrible choices.

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False premise. I don't blame anyone other than maybe liberal progressives who have encouraged government dependency. But generally, life is about choices.

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Who was responsible for the huge gulf in educational attainment between blacks and whites in 1870? 1890? 1910? 1930? 1950? 1970? 1990? 2010?

At what point did "liberal progressives" shoulder the blame for this? Gimme a year.

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I like the idea of vouchers.

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Are you sure you are still a liberal?

These are the first steps you are taking to enlightenment, treasure them.

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I would understand your point if there weren't ANY black doctors, engineers, PHD's, etc.

It's the parents fault.

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There are low-cast doctors and engineers in India. Caste discrimination is outlawed by law in India, and has been since the 1940s. Ergo, it's solely the fault of parents that low-caste kids continue to underperform compared to other communities.

Of course, anyone who has traveled India could tell you the above is nonsense. Similarly, anyone who has traveled the Delta area of Mississippi or a Philly ghetto would say the same.

I definitely agree its the parents, but let's not pretend that these schools in urban areas are run well.

if you were a great teacher, would you want to teach at a school where there is a threat of physical violence each day? And since you probably don't want to live near that shitty area, you would have a long commute. Students who aren't engaged. And probably shitty administration.

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I definitely agree its the parents, but let's not pretend that these schools in urban areas are run well.

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thats, again, a reflection of the culture.