Alternative Africentric School

A school in general is a place. It is a place where students from all ethnic group comes together to gain education. Moreover, a school is a place of social interaction where you are constantly interacting and learning.
In The Star, the article “Board okays black-focused school” by Louise Brown and Brett Popplewell dated on January 30, 2008; discusses about the “Africentric alternative school.” The Toronto School District Board had come to a conclusion of implementing this school. The votes were 11 to 9 and the school is suppose to be open on September 2009. This article also demonstrated what black parents thought of having such a school in Canada. For example, Donna Harrow and Angela Wilson were excited when this was announced. Donna Harrow had stated that: "I'm ecstatic, but the struggle continues and we want this school to open in 2008, not 2009." The positive thing about implementing this school is teaching students about Africentric Heritage. Many students say that they would love to do so. I personally think it is always good to learn about your heritage and about others to. Therefore, this shows that this school is a place where students will come to learn. Moreover, it is also a place where it will leave memories for the students. The things that they will learn, the students that they will interact with and the teachers that made a difference in their lives. Also the school will create experience for the students.
However, Loreen Small, the mother of Jordan Manners who had passed away in C.W.Jefferys of last year indicates that is not a good idea. She had said, "Don't propose it – Martin Luther King thought we could sit at the front of the bus together. If black kids need to graduate, let's get teachers in there and learn how to interact with black kids," I kind of have to agree with Loreen Small. To me, the thought of this school being implemented only leaves me with the image of segregation rather than integration. More on the line of Small, it is teachers that we really need. They are the ones who should help these students get further in life and help them improve in the things they need to. If teachers played a huge role in the students’ life than maybe the drop rate wouldn’t be that high. Although teachers are important role models, parents also have to get involved in their children’s academic. They should also help them get further in life. Also a negative aspect of implementing this school is that some people think it is “dangerous” just because it can lead to racial segregation. Most of the students would be black leaving the rest to be the minority. Implementing this school shows a place of segregation. The students will not be expose to various ethnic groups. They may not get a better understanding of different holidays that are celebrated by different religion.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/298714

January 30. 2008