Another voice against Africentric school
Here is yet another voice against the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) decision to approve an Africentric or black-focused school in September 2009. Read Michele Mandel’s Toronto Sun column, dated February 25th, about a very successful black woman by the name of Ms. Brenya Griffin Vinson. She is against the decision because it is an artificial setting that, while comfortable, is not real.
Griffin Vinson’s story is important for several reasons. First, she grew up in the Jane Finch area of Toronto and knows first-hand what it is like to experience poverty, racism and discrimination. Second, she attended a black-focused or Africentric school early in her life and completely understands the comfort and unreality of such an environment. Third, a middle school guidance counsellor (who happened to be Jewish and white) taught her that what really counted in her life was not necessarily an Africentric curriculum or all-black teachers. Rather, “what matters is if they [the teachers] show compassion and understanding.” And fourth, she completely disagrees with the current plan to open an Africentric high school in the city where she grew up.
In her own words, here is why Griffin Vinson disagrees:
“I don’t think it’s a good idea because they haven’t tried everything else yet.”
“Afrocentric studies are not going to help us in our multicultural society. What happens after? In the real world, are you allowed to choose who your co-workers are and who your boss is? Are we setting up a false illusion of comfort?”
“Without compassion, understanding and patience — these youth will not be reached. These traits are not Afrocentric. I think we can empower our kids from within.”
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