More Problems Without Solutions
Your article on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools race demographics (“Watch Out For That Cliff!” Oct. 18) states the stats and the problem well, but not a hint of a solution … because at this point, I don’t think anybody can suggest one. That is, one that is “politically correct” and/or won’t stir up the African contingent to rise up in rage, screaming racist, as so often is the response, but one that still might have positive merit. In other words, something like Moses would submit.
Competent teachers, dedicated to teach and instill in youth the mental disciplines essential for success in this fast-moving world, are increasingly opting out rather than face day after day the sullen, abusive human junk increasingly filling the CMS classrooms. Higher pay is a poor incentive; assigning (forcing) good teachers into such classrooms is gulag stuff.
Since there are a few schools in the United States that have at least some success — and some show outstanding success — with this problem and operate in worse demographics, it would make sense to study their MOs in detail for application appropriate to the CMS crisis. (No surprises on hearing that none of that would apply to Mecklenburg — we are SO unique.)
Of course, a large problem with CMS is the board itself, and you can best characterize that bunch of …
— Jack O’Leery, Charlotte
.com-ments
Online responses to the “Boy Meets Girl” cover story by Tara Servatius, published Oct. 18, 2006. .Com-ments are edited for space, not content, punctuation or grammar.
DO CL readers care aboout Muslims finding love?? I’d wager a big “Hell No!!! What useless piece of crap of an article for CL…
— Wondering who gives a rats ass
Thanks for diverse views of Charlotte Unlike the pissed off drunk who wrote the first comment in this string (see above), I found this story very interesting. I have a problem with Muslims’ attitudes toward women, and still do after reading the article. But I like finding out more about the various types of people living here, and I appreciate CL’s openness. Thanks for not pandering to ignorant jerks like the first commenter.
— Jerry Patrick
Two thumbs up! As an opened minded, average, college age girl, I found this article extremely interesting and informative. I did feel a bit of negative bias in the text but my eyes were glued to the page until the very end! I’m surprised the writer of the first comment could even read the cover. We, as Americans, need to learn to be more accepting of others’ religions, whether we agree with them or not. Disliking them will not make them go away. Keep up the good work.
— Angela
Not surprising As usual Tara Servatius, Charlotte’s greatest journalist, hit a home run in opening our eyes to a very alien culture amoung us. What impressed me was not how strange Islamic culture is in courting and marriage, rather how very (very) traditional it is. Our great-great-grandparents’ for the most part no doubt followed the same sorts of customs (less the polygammy option…) but we’ve changed a bit from when women were legally counted as property. If nothing else, Tara’s writing convinces me that Islam is at least a couple hundred years behind Western culture… and lagging back there.
— Ralph Davis
Corrections
Because of incorrect information from a draft report, the news story “Gimme Shelter” (Oct. 18) about a plan to end homelessness incorrectly reported what percentage of Charlotte Emergency Housing residents work. Ninety-four percent of residents have jobs.
This article appears in Nov 1-7, 2006.
