2008 State of Black Asheville

During last year’s debacle, Sir Mullen and his merry band of campus crusaders, waving a half-completed report called The State of Black Asheville, threw stones from the Ivory Tower of UNCA at the folks on the front line of poverty.

To be fair, much of the statistic data was true, but to present an incomplete picture of the truth to the public is to present a half-truth, which often does more harm than good; and the reaction was one of head-shaking and rage.

Where we recognize the activist spirit of Dr. Mullen and his political science class, we hope that this year’s State of Black Asheville contains a clearer picture of the problems, what is already being done to address the problems, as well as an opportunity to brainstorm with community leaders.

This year does look to be different…

Alumni Hall: Topic Presentation10:00 Education
10:40 Employment
11:15 Law Enforcement
12:05 Health Care

Alumni Hall: Breakout Groups

12:45 with working lunch

The event started with a welcome by Anne Ponder, Chancellor, UNC Asheville

She explained the History of Black Asheville, then recognized Mr. Jesse Ray Jr, the moderator; Dr. Dwight Mullen, Professor of Political Science, and his students who put together this 2nd State of Black Asheville report. She also recognized city council members and ACS board of education members.

I tried to get a UNCA student to give me username and password for the free university WIFI linksys; however, he – more than rightly refused – so though this is live blogged, it won’t be unloaded until later.

People still coming in…room getting full finally….Dr. Mullen took the podium at 9:40…he talked the UNCA students being nervous about presenting…students not receiving grades for what they have complied…speaking of gatherings in Asheville…personal level of speaking…”one community” “I welcome you…”

Brought up last year, “criticism is hard to take… we could talk about the state of Asheville not just the state of black Asheville. I welcome you…because we look at you harshly, doesn’t mean you are any less of a neighbor to us…we changed the format from last year… we would talk…get it out there…then have table discussion…what can we do?”

He spoke about Black history month and the state of Black Asheville conference…”what is missing is the recitation of Harlem poets from the early 20th century…what makes this special for Asheville is that many communities look at the stars of Black History…this is a time to look at ourselves….to look at ourselves…

There is a American Sign language translator to the left of stage…

“We are trying to understand…we need to understand…we must change things institutionally…”

“Let us take charge of the goodness in our lives…so I propose 3 purposes (1) I propose the SOBA conference commit itself to bringing the community together to discuss, (2) we need to dialogue on the problems and the “progress” we have made…lets dialogue cross class, race, and gender lines, (3) let’s assess research, lets base the discussion on the facts.”

I wonder how UNCA would respond if we did the State of Black UNCA? Perhaps the Scrutiny Hooligans could generate a report for 2009?

Let me warn you on one more point, BH month has taught us these problems did not occur overnight, and I do not expect you to solve them quickly…how arrogant of you, how arrogant of you, how arrogant of you…”

He quotes Obama “The audacity of hope…”

He introduces Jesse Ray in an African sense, the child is no greater than his parents, Mr. Ray’s father welcomed Dr. Mullen and his wife into their homes. The Ray’s made it easier for us. His mother 1st African American on the Board of Trustees, patrons of cultures centers in Asheville, quiet supporters of ACS schools and individual students in college, sending money in small increments. This is the child….Jesse Ray Jr.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen…lets give Dr. Mullen a round of applause for setting the tone clapping I want to briefly go over with you the agenda.”

He does…

More on the Education Forum after the jump

Education Forum

Jason Tuell and Zofia Wlekinski (tutor leader), UNC Students, Political Science majors

Tuell is pronounced tool, appropriate? He starts off… Technology problems can’t get power point presentation to come online. Tuell decides to start without it. He starts by going over last year’s results for the State of Black Asheville.

“the gap has decreased, and the scores have increased with the exception of Algebra II, still a 30 point gap…” the discrepancy is exaggerated…73 black students enrolled in remedial math in 8th grade, 9 white students…1 black student enrolled in Geometry, 17 white students in Geometry in 8th grade math at the AHS Middle School…all students are required to be in a tracked program, 38% were enrolled in college prep, 60% white students, we can see where they are being “placed”…a hidden tracking system…AHS history blacks are enrolling in standard classes more than white students”

Power point still down…laughter.. .more numbers and statistics…talking about class ranks overwhelming white at the top and overwhelming black at the bottom…

“School service workers are most black but teachers are predominantly white, consistent over the last few years…the referrals are particularly troubling…1129 black 195 white students suspended, largest gap was last year.

What were they suspended for? Were those ISS or OSS?

“Referral rates are high, drop out rates about even for last year…I’m gonna wrap this up (he has repeatedly said this)…if you have any questions run me down or punch me in the face or whatever…I’d be glad to talk with you…”

Were all those numbers from last year? Why not numbers this year? Is the next student going to talk about this year’s numbers?

Zofia Wlekinski begins her talk about AVID. She start with an explanation of the AVID program….

“AVID redefines role of teacher as that of student advocate….it provides information to students about the “hidden curriculum” in the school system. Predominantly black enrollment in ACS schools…all the AVID students come from UNCA campus…ACS students come to UNCA and go to classes with tutors several times a year…more tutors in ACS than other AVID program in North Carolina…tutors are getting math training in algebra…referrals for AVID students are less than regularly enrolled students…African American achievement in AVID as opposed to AHS regular students…Geometry performance indicates graduation possibilities for college…AP students enrolled are now coming from the AVID program…100% AVID students taking the SAT…since 1998, 581 students = 100 graduated from high school…100% have been accepted into college…the end

Wonder if these power points will be made available online? Be nice to be able to link to them. Alan Johnson is next up…I’ll blog it as it comes…

Alan Johnson, Superintendent, of ACS

He recognizes the ACS school employees present, and he asked them to stand, some 30 people stand…

“Our enrollment is down because of the expense to come and live in Asheville is decreasing…this handout will be available in the break out session.”

He goes over all the positive and negative data and gives much information about how things operate at a district level concerning NCLB and NC ABC’s.

“We closed the achievement gap to the state average…we are consistently above the state average in multi areas…thank you for having us here and being part of the solutions.”

I’ll update this post with some of the positive and negative data to which he is referring after the breakout session or if I can find it online

Gene Bell, Chairperson, ACS Board of Education

“I just want to close with a few words…I wanted to recognize the Council members who are here…this is not political…since the 1900’s the school board thing wasn’t an issue until we had 4 African-Americans and then the process wasn’t working…

Clapping and laughter…

“We are looking at problems and addressing those, I think we need to extremely careful with that…this is my 61st year of gracing this society with my presence…I feel asleep at the switch…I didn’t do enough to help…where we are with so of our youth today, came from them seeing us, watching us, and us ignoring them…we got more poor black people and more black people doing well, we need to move into the direction of embracing people instead of alienating them…”

Clapping…

“What I want to ask you to commit to mentor or tutor some of our children, I beg you to get involved with our youth…we have national emergency…we have lots of programs at the school…the vast majority of teachers are doing the best they can…not all…we need each one of you to individually get involved and make a difference in a child’s life…thank you…”

Presentation Summary – Dr. Dolly Mullen

“I will take just a few moments to respond to the presenters…we have to roll up our sleeves, Jason has the evidence that we have some work to do”, talking about violence in the schools, recent events, “this is just the forum to solicit assistance…this afternoon your name needs to be on a list to see “it” happen, thank you…”