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Wednesday, September 1, 2010


Asian students and activists held a press conference in Chinatown today to discuss their reaction to the reported findings by the U.S. Department of Justice that their claims of systemic racial injustice at South Philadelphia High School had merit.

They also used the opportunity to talk about aspirations and concerns for the coming year at SPHS, after last year's episodes of racial violence directed mainly at Asian immigrant students, who make up about 17% of the school.

"What we don't want to see is a lot of broad proclamations," said Helen Gym, a board member of Asian Americans United and (among other things) a member of South Philadelphai High School Asian Student Advocates (SASA).

In particular, Gym mentioned Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's recent announcement of a "zero tolerance" policy toward violence at SPHS.

Such a policy, Gym argues – "Simply to expel [students] if they break the rules," doesn't make up for what the group really wants: ongoing dialogue between District and school officials and community members (Ackerman initially refused to meet with students or their advocates following last December's attacks, and former principal LeGretta Brown failed to appear at meetings before the incident to discuss racial violence).

And one wonders: is a "zero tolerance" policy really the best tool for a District that handled the last outbreak of violence by punishing a student who was himself the victim of an attack?

Meanwhile, SASA is helping make sure incoming freshmen students feel supported: students Wei Chen, Bach Tong, and Duong-Nghe Ly (right to left above) said today that the group is holding self-styled orientations for incoming Asian immigrant students.



‘A brand new day Notes from the news, Sept. 2 | Philadelphia Public School Notebook « Parents 4 democratic Schools
Posted 2010-09-02 10:06:07
[...] a new year WHYY U.S.: S. Philly High didn’t protect Asian students from harassment Daily News Asian students, advocates getting ready for another year at S. Philly High The Clog District to work on fixing inaction Philadelphia Tribune The School District Needs the [...] 
Posted by Isaiah Thompson @ 8:55 PM  Permalink | File Under: News | | Schools | Post a comment
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