NEWS & LETTERS, June - July 2008
Protest firing 'Charcoal Alley' teacher
After promising us bridges, tunnels, roads and a high speed train connecting all the big cities of California plus a glorious and prosperous future, our munificent Governor slashed the budget to the Los Angeles Unified School District by some 340 million dollars.
On June 6, teachers, joined by students and parents, walked out for half an hour before school began in protest against funds cut for the district. Another march of teachers, students and parents took place at Jordan High School, on the so-called "Charcoal Alley," in the middle of Watts. The marchers were protesting the firing of an outstanding teacher accused of being too Afro-centric in her teaching!
What comes to my mind, as a former teacher at Jordan High School, is that it is just another subordination and insult to the students themselves, as if they aren't able to make up their own minds as to what direction to take when hearing many sides of social issues. Students should be presented with many sides of issues! They are capable of, and should be given the privilege of, making up their own minds.
Karen Salazar, a second year teacher at Jordan High School, should not be fired. Her students are motivated learners and are able to enter into discussions enthusiastically since the issues are relevant and alive for them. The California Standards accepts teaching of The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and the poetry of Langston Hughes. Salazar admits to "sprinkling" in lyrics of slain rapper Tupac Shakur. This only adds another flavor to the spread of ideas from which students can choose.
Her mentor teacher, who is a veteran teacher with Jordan High School, said, "I saw a new, young teacher teaching her lesson according to the objectives she stated on the board. I saw her engage with her students and interact with them in a very positive way."
Karen Salazar needs help. Letters of support can be written to Principal Strachan at: Mr. Stephan G. Strachan, Principal, Jordan High School, 2265 E.103rd St., Los Angeles, Ca. Phone # 323-568-4100.
A school district that is the second largest in the nation, graduates not even half of its high school seniors. The lack of regard and apathy toward the ghetto schools is untoward as well as unpardonable.
The Watts Rebellion of South Central and the blowouts of the eastside of the sixties were primarily motivated by a deplorable lack of attention to schools. Both events were explosions of pent-up cries of pain for help for the most elemental needs, mainly of a lack of recognition as being part of the community.
--Retired School Teacher
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