I never heard any of the critics say as Jim Boyd does that the candidate needed to be a person of color because the majority of students are of color. I heard that people were upset that David Jennings had historically taken political positions antagonistic or contrary to the views of the vast majority of residents of Minneapolis on questions related to race(i.e. divestiture in South Africa to end apartheid). These historic positions I believe rightly cause one to question whether David Jennings would be the best qualified individual to head the Minneapolis Public School System.
I have been further unimpressed by his reaction to the controversy. Rather than explaining his past positions and how or whether his views have changed or expressing a willingness to discuss his past views and current views to answer community members questions and concerns he appeared to immediately become defensive and dismissive of the concerns. I also find it remarkable that people don't understand that "equal opportunity" does not exist when only one internal candidate is interviewed for the position. I believe that the school board needs the community's support behind a superintedent and this is even more important when the internal candidate being considered is not traditionally credentialed. I don't understand why David Jennings could not have continued to benefit the district as a lobbyist, consultant or in some other capacity if his presumed political connections or influence or experience are what the school district found so desireable. I find it sickening when someone calls rascism in a situation when it is their views that are in question and not their race. I believe it was David Jennings' views and sensitivity to questions of race that were of concern and not the color of his skin. The views of concern were expressed as a matter of public record when he was a state legislator and I believe it to be perfectly valid for community members to want answers to their questions about these past votes and positions even if they were taken 20 years ago. It's a shame he did not take the opportunity to respond in a constructive manner by respectfully offerring to meet with the questioners and attempt to address the concerns. I believe his reaction to the questions confirmed his discomfort with the questions and in my mind supports the verisimilitude of those community activists who question his sensitivity and understanding of questions of racial and cultural diversity. The reaction of the broader community (including on this list) has been very disappointing. Personally, I am gravely disappointed that the community seemed unable to engage in a conversation about this without making broad accusations of those with whom they disagreed. Whatever happened to there being no stupid questions? Since when did it become inappropriate to raise questions about a school board decision simply because they are elected? David Strand Loring Park --- Chris Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Shawn Lewis wrote: > > >Jim Boyd: Jennings deserved a chance to try > > > >Jim Boyd > > > >Published October 12, 2003 > > > >David Jennings and the Minneapolis school district > >got the shaft. It was administered by perennially > >angry rabble-rousers who can't see beyond their own > > >narrow agenda. They were aided by a school board > that > >didn't lay the proper groundwork for naming > Jennings, > >but for this crowd that probably wouldn't have made > > >any difference. > >http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4147542.html > > > > > I think Jim Boyd's Sunday editorial gave the > clearest and most accurate > view of the situation I've seen yet. It should be > required reading for > anyone wanting to comment on the topic of David > Jennings as MPS > superintendent for, if no other reason, it clears up > just what the laws > say and do not say about what requirements a school > district > superintendent must meet and what obligations the > school board has with > respect to choosing a superintendent. > > I happen to agree with Boyd's position as well. > > Chris Johnson > Fulton > > > REMINDERS: > 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the > list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing > it on the list. > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > ________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic > Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
