Zero-Tolerance
12 April 2007, late morning
Over at the Hogtown Front, I learned that the ‘Liberals plan to abolish zero-tolerance policy. Too many black students being expelled.’ There are two reasons the Liberals may have wanted to scrap the policy: the first, Michael points out; the second, and the more obvious one, is that it’s a stupid idea. People need to ask themselves, “How does removing problem children from the school system help them?” Oh wait, it doesn’t. (I suppose that very well might be the point.) Zero-tolerance was a bad idea when it was proposed, and i’m glad to see it gone now.
It is clear Jared Taylor and his fan boys will hold this up as an example of black inferiority, and attempt to use this as another means of stigmatizing blacks. (In fact, if you read Michael’s article, Taylor already has done this; he moves fast.) I was going to respond at length, but he isn’t worth my time.
All over Harlem, Negro boys and girls are growing into stunted maturity, trying desperately to find a place to stand; and the wonder is not that so many are ruined but that so many survive.
— James Baldwin
I don’t think zero tolerance was meant to help those children.
At the time it was a cry to allow those in class with those children to be allowed to learn without being bullied and intimidated.
What I find interesting is that I’m watching teachers complain that it’s not working now…meanwhile, when it was being legislated, it was being legislated at their bidding.
Oh, how things come full circle.
by radmila on April 12 2007, 1:21 pm #
When I was in school, the teachers really meant business with the policy.
But at the time, it was seen as a “scare tactic” get to students to smarten up. Though perhaps Radmila was right in that it was more to help conduct class in a way that does not interrupt studies for those who actually want to learn.
I’d like to really read up on the actual intentions of zero tolerance.
by matt on April 13 2007, 1:32 am #