To the Editor:
In a letter to the editor on August 31, I read Gene Woods’s commentary on the proposed fair funding program. I took immediate notice of the fact that the letter held no substance as to his opposition to the proposal. What is quite noticeable is the rhetoric and lies that he has written in his letter.
I find it interesting that a few months ago Mr. Woods said that freedom of speech only applies if you tell the truth in this very same paper. I guess freedom of speech only applies to others who must tell the truth and not you. Here is the problem, Mr. Woods. You offer no proof or substantiated evidence that this plan would be detrimental to urban school districts. You are arguing that students should not be treated equally? I thought the primary purpose of our society was to treat everyone equally, equal rights and equal fairness under the law?
I am a little confused here because are you saying that urban kids are not as intelligent or capable of learning compared to children in the suburbs? It sure seems like this is what you are implying by your letter. I mean we are talking about education yes? What is even worse is that you bring race into this equation. You stated that this proposed funding plan is institutional racism. Do you have proof that this plan is purposefully created so that a specific race does not have an opportunity similar to other races? You brought race into your argument so where is your proof, your smoking gun because you know this would be illegal. So unless you have proof you may want to recant your rhetoric.
You further stated that “Urban Districts need different services and resources than those students in more wealthy, white, suburban districts.” This I must say is pretty impressive that you blanket all suburban kids as white and wealthy. Your statement is inherently racist and I would like to know where you get your statistics from because I guess there are no wealthy black families in the suburbs. I am pretty sure there are poor people in the suburbs. Maybe you would like to enlighten us with your worldly knowledge because I am definitely not buying it.
To be honest with you I am quite concerned to know that you are an educator of our youth. Do you tell your students that institutional racism is alive and well and that they are being kept down by the man? It would seem every time you speak you serve only to show your lack of depth for facts and your way can only be the correct way. You may want to ask yourself why you had to bring race into the equation and why you only referenced white wealthy kids in the suburbs because there are many races that live in the suburb is.
It seems to me you may have a severe case of white guilt or maybe just maybe you use the race card to get people wound up hoping they support your cause. Either way it is absolutely disgusting that an educator of children uses race to bait people into supporting his view.
SHAWN JARYNO