Ok, so no disrespect to Reggie Bush because I'm sure you read this title and said, "Jarrett is so disrespectful!" I just tried to make a play on words with that song whose hook goes, "Do the heisman on that hoe!" (No I don't know the correct title or who sings it, but neither do you!!!)
Every since this morning I have been itching to respond to the question that Russ Parr placed on the people poll (Should Reggie Busg be stripped of his Heisman?). Listening to the show, the overwhelming senitment by most callers was that since he hadn't taken steroids or done anything to to enhance his play on the field, he should not be stripped of the heisman trophy. I can understand why most people would make that assessment in lieu of the recent transgressions of baseball players, but my problem with this issue stems more from an overall mindset and disconnect.
If you know me, then you know that I was a collegiate athlete. Even if you don't know me I'm sure you could tell by looking. (as i get stopped and asked, "who do you play for?" regularly) Now, I didn't play any place as fancy as USC, but I am happy with my overall experience at Howard University. Since football is on a larger scale at a place like USC, I didn't have to worry about boosters slipping me envelopes full of cash, or someone paying my rent every month. My scholarship, Pell grants, and loans were all I had to rely on. With all that being said, I can't say for sure if I would have indulged in the lavish perks that comes with playing for a perinnial power like USC. What I can say, is that I believe that you make every choice consciously. With those choices come consequences. One of the consequences of taking money as a student athlete, is that you forfeit your amatuer status. Professional athletes are the only athletes that can be paid for sport. Once Reggie decided to indulge, he was no longer a college athlete. Yes, he did amazing (no skittles) things on the field, but he did those things as a professional athlete. I'm sure that someone will make the argument that Reggie isn't the only amatuer athlete to take money, and we can assume that some probably have, but there is no definitive evidence out there agaisnt anyone else. Another argument that I'm sure some of you will make, is that colleges receive millions, if not billions of dollars off of the sweat and pain of these college athletes, so they should get paid. I do agree that it is totally unfair for colleges to make all of this money and not be able to give athletes a penny, but if I remember correctly scholarships pay at least 30k a year. Ask they person working 3 jobs and taking out loans, what's fair? I may be biased because I didn't have to deal with issues like that, but I just feel like todays athletes are way too pampered. Reggie was a year from getting millions in the league, so why couldn't he just wait?
So, if you ask me, yes he should be stripped of his heisman. I'm sure that was apparent by the tone of the text, but there are a bunch of messages that must be sent. 1) You must be responsible for you actions. If Reggie took money, he should just own up to it. I've seen him dodge those questions like he was running back a punt. 2) Rather good or bad, your choices have consequences. Let's think of the message we send other athletes if we allow Reggie to keep his trophy. You can be immoral and unethical with no real consequences. The ramifications would be paramount.
I think one of the bigger problems that I have with this whole issue, is the response from the majority. Everyone was so caught on what he didn't do and what every one else was doing that he was basically being exonerated for his actions. I understand that he could have done something worse, but he broke the rules. I think the response to this issue speaks more to the moral code (or lack thereof) of our society today. If we teach our kids that he or she only have to assume responsibility and accept consequences for his or her actions, only if there was no one that has done something worse, then our society is going to hell in a handbasket. Sport is all about teaching discipline and teamwork, and "I'm Just Sayin'" if we're going to do it right, let's not let the athletes off the hook when they don't display these attributes.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Oh Thee Insanity!
About 5 months ago I vonluntarily checked myself into the Insane Asylum. I did about a 9-week bid and it changed me a little bit. But after suffering a recent setback, I realize that I didn't follow the program correctly so I am admitting myself back in. But before I do, take a look at my before and after pics.
Before
After
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
'Key--ing' in on the 'Beats'
Love is a funny thing. I think we all experience it in life, but some of us may not know exactly what love is. I wouldn't even pretend to act like I know what love is, but I believe it goes deeper then just "feelings", because as we know, feelings are fleeting. Some people equate love to a "sickness" that you have when you have strong feelings for someone. With a lot of the definitions that I hear men and women use for love, I take them to be more of a definition of the word infatuation.
I don't know exactly why I started off this particular post about love, but I guess it fits in somewhere. We as humans use love for a lot of our stupid decisions as if it's enough of a justification for no one to call us out. Wrong! There are a few celebrities lately, that have made some decisions, that make me question if love is more harmful than good for us. Actually, one couple in particular made a few decisions that have been somewhat celebrated by the media, while being as unethical as you can get.
Whenever a marriage ends, there should be some sort of a grieving period for the two involved parties. If the couple was really in love, it shouldn't be easy to just transition to the next relationship or marriage, because it takes time to let go. So when I heard that shortly after music producer Swizz Beats divorced his ex-wife and married singer/actor/song writer Alicia Keys I raised an eyebrow. Now, I heard rumors that they were dating, which in my opinion was still out of line, but it hadn't been confirmed. So, when I heard that they finally started owning up to their relationship, I was totally disgusted. Not to mention Keys' was already pregnant before the divorce had become final.
Initially, my main purpose for writing this post was to express my displeasure with Beats and Keys for their lack of respect for the sanctity of marriage, but as I think back, I'm more disgusted that not many other people share my sentiment. Where is Oprah when you need her? I haven't heard anyone come out and speak about how bad this situation looks. Which leads me to believe that everyone is okay with it. Maybe I'm being too old fashioned, but should you be pursuing a relationship with a married man? As a man, should you be courting a woman while you're still married? This shit just doesn't make sense to me. We are celebrating the love of Swizz and Alicia, when we should be empathizing with the misfourtune of Mashonda (sp?). Now, I'm not saying that Swizz wasn't justified in his divorce. I don't know how his marriage ended so I can't speculate. I do know that for the last couple of years he's been married to his now ex-wife, while courting Alicia Keys. Am I the only person that sees something wrong with this? And where is the respect between black women? I know that as a society, we are mostly out for self now, but come on now. I have lost a lot of respect for the both of these artist. I have also lost respect for our overly critical leaders, who have come out to speak against Fantasia and her relationship with a married man (all reports have said that he never mentioned a wife) but celebrate the union of Swizz Beats and Keys.
I don't know when it became cool to date while you're married, or date a married man, then wait on a divorce to make your union official, but I ain't down with it. The fact that so many people are, doesn't bode well for my confidence in the morals of todays society. So you guys can continue to celebrate them and talk about how cute they are together, but 'I'm Just Sayin'...I ain't wit that shit!
I don't know exactly why I started off this particular post about love, but I guess it fits in somewhere. We as humans use love for a lot of our stupid decisions as if it's enough of a justification for no one to call us out. Wrong! There are a few celebrities lately, that have made some decisions, that make me question if love is more harmful than good for us. Actually, one couple in particular made a few decisions that have been somewhat celebrated by the media, while being as unethical as you can get.
Whenever a marriage ends, there should be some sort of a grieving period for the two involved parties. If the couple was really in love, it shouldn't be easy to just transition to the next relationship or marriage, because it takes time to let go. So when I heard that shortly after music producer Swizz Beats divorced his ex-wife and married singer/actor/song writer Alicia Keys I raised an eyebrow. Now, I heard rumors that they were dating, which in my opinion was still out of line, but it hadn't been confirmed. So, when I heard that they finally started owning up to their relationship, I was totally disgusted. Not to mention Keys' was already pregnant before the divorce had become final.
Initially, my main purpose for writing this post was to express my displeasure with Beats and Keys for their lack of respect for the sanctity of marriage, but as I think back, I'm more disgusted that not many other people share my sentiment. Where is Oprah when you need her? I haven't heard anyone come out and speak about how bad this situation looks. Which leads me to believe that everyone is okay with it. Maybe I'm being too old fashioned, but should you be pursuing a relationship with a married man? As a man, should you be courting a woman while you're still married? This shit just doesn't make sense to me. We are celebrating the love of Swizz and Alicia, when we should be empathizing with the misfourtune of Mashonda (sp?). Now, I'm not saying that Swizz wasn't justified in his divorce. I don't know how his marriage ended so I can't speculate. I do know that for the last couple of years he's been married to his now ex-wife, while courting Alicia Keys. Am I the only person that sees something wrong with this? And where is the respect between black women? I know that as a society, we are mostly out for self now, but come on now. I have lost a lot of respect for the both of these artist. I have also lost respect for our overly critical leaders, who have come out to speak against Fantasia and her relationship with a married man (all reports have said that he never mentioned a wife) but celebrate the union of Swizz Beats and Keys.
I don't know when it became cool to date while you're married, or date a married man, then wait on a divorce to make your union official, but I ain't down with it. The fact that so many people are, doesn't bode well for my confidence in the morals of todays society. So you guys can continue to celebrate them and talk about how cute they are together, but 'I'm Just Sayin'...I ain't wit that shit!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
So, What's Objective?
If you read my last post you would know that I am in the process of addressing the elephant in the room. We all have our own opinions that we attempt to share because we want to receive feedback. I have yet to receive feedback on my last post which makes the subsequent posts pointless to write.
So, basically this is my appeal to everyone who reads my blog regularly, and even those of you that don't, to leave comments with your thoughts and feelings of the subject matter. If you haven't read the first post, please go back and read that one before you answer this next question. I want you to understand, or at least attempt to, my perspective of objectivity and exactly what it is that I am addressing.
What exactly does it mean to objectify a woman, or a person for that matter? What form does objectivity come in?
I appreciate you all in advance for your help and cooperation. Thank you!
So, basically this is my appeal to everyone who reads my blog regularly, and even those of you that don't, to leave comments with your thoughts and feelings of the subject matter. If you haven't read the first post, please go back and read that one before you answer this next question. I want you to understand, or at least attempt to, my perspective of objectivity and exactly what it is that I am addressing.
What exactly does it mean to objectify a woman, or a person for that matter? What form does objectivity come in?
I appreciate you all in advance for your help and cooperation. Thank you!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Is Objectivity Subjective?
First, I want to start off this post by thanking Rhonda "Roxanne" Richardson and Aminata "Nu Nu" Steele for providing the mental stimulation, to sit in front of my Hewlett-Packard for more than just facebook and classwork. I appreciate the motivation from both of you.
A few days ago I put a status on facebook that went something like this: "...you can't be objectified, if you don't lend yourself to objectivity." The status wasn't really meant to ruffle any feathers, but of course it did. It was actually reminiscent of a post that I wrote almost a year and a half ago entitled,"Ladies, Don't You Feel Disrespected?" That post received the most feedback that I have received since I started the blog close to 2 years ago.
The post was basically me trying to appeal to women readers who may be supporting artist that objectify them in their songs and videos. There were a few things I could've addressed in a post of this nature, but I chose to take the angle of women who subconsciously or unknowingly support this behavior with their actions. Instead of feedback about what I wrote, most people told me what I should've written. Nothing really wrong with that because I love all types of feedback. However, I do have a problem with being verbally attacked because not everyone shares my opinion.
So, back to my facebook status. After the status I immediately got a response from "Nu Nu" basically saying that regardless of what women do, no one should be objectified. This I totally agree with. We went back and forth for awhile unwilling to relent our own point-of-view and then it dawned on me, she was the person who anonymously ripped me in the first post I wrote. This caused me to go back and read all that I had written in that post to help me accuately write this one without being misconstrued.
I do not agree with how women are objectified today. I rarely watch music videos, but I do listen to some songs that may be offensive, or more appropriately, should be offensive to all women. Thus I will say, in that right, I am a part of the problem.
Now that I got that out of the way, I write this post to be part of the solution. While I do agree with "Nu Nu" that nobody should be objectified, people are objectified. Standing around saying something is wrong without any proposition of making it right is sleeping in idealism and is probably why our society is the way it is today. Yes, looking at a woman in a music video as an object is wrong, but allowing yourself to be looked upon as an object, and then being angered by being objectified is a bit hypocritical. How can you get mad at the cycle that we are all perpetuating? My status was an attempt, after my reflection, to try to get others to relect on their actions. Needless to say, it turned into a finger pointing session. There is no such thing as more wrong. Wrong is wrong, and if we look at it like one party is more wrong that the other, someone is going to assume that they are a little right.
As most of the formats of my posts, this post is meant to provoke thought. I try not to staddle the fence with an issue, but this particular subject is a lot more broad than one post can report. After reading the rest of "Nu Nu's" comments and comments from the post I wrote initially, I have continue to write on this issue. Thanks again for the motivation "Roxanne" and "Nu Nu"
A few days ago I put a status on facebook that went something like this: "...you can't be objectified, if you don't lend yourself to objectivity." The status wasn't really meant to ruffle any feathers, but of course it did. It was actually reminiscent of a post that I wrote almost a year and a half ago entitled,"Ladies, Don't You Feel Disrespected?" That post received the most feedback that I have received since I started the blog close to 2 years ago.
The post was basically me trying to appeal to women readers who may be supporting artist that objectify them in their songs and videos. There were a few things I could've addressed in a post of this nature, but I chose to take the angle of women who subconsciously or unknowingly support this behavior with their actions. Instead of feedback about what I wrote, most people told me what I should've written. Nothing really wrong with that because I love all types of feedback. However, I do have a problem with being verbally attacked because not everyone shares my opinion.
So, back to my facebook status. After the status I immediately got a response from "Nu Nu" basically saying that regardless of what women do, no one should be objectified. This I totally agree with. We went back and forth for awhile unwilling to relent our own point-of-view and then it dawned on me, she was the person who anonymously ripped me in the first post I wrote. This caused me to go back and read all that I had written in that post to help me accuately write this one without being misconstrued.
I do not agree with how women are objectified today. I rarely watch music videos, but I do listen to some songs that may be offensive, or more appropriately, should be offensive to all women. Thus I will say, in that right, I am a part of the problem.
Now that I got that out of the way, I write this post to be part of the solution. While I do agree with "Nu Nu" that nobody should be objectified, people are objectified. Standing around saying something is wrong without any proposition of making it right is sleeping in idealism and is probably why our society is the way it is today. Yes, looking at a woman in a music video as an object is wrong, but allowing yourself to be looked upon as an object, and then being angered by being objectified is a bit hypocritical. How can you get mad at the cycle that we are all perpetuating? My status was an attempt, after my reflection, to try to get others to relect on their actions. Needless to say, it turned into a finger pointing session. There is no such thing as more wrong. Wrong is wrong, and if we look at it like one party is more wrong that the other, someone is going to assume that they are a little right.
As most of the formats of my posts, this post is meant to provoke thought. I try not to staddle the fence with an issue, but this particular subject is a lot more broad than one post can report. After reading the rest of "Nu Nu's" comments and comments from the post I wrote initially, I have continue to write on this issue. Thanks again for the motivation "Roxanne" and "Nu Nu"
Friday, May 14, 2010
Long Live The King...
I wouldn't say that I was the biggest NBA fan that there is. I mean, I definitely know my players and situations, but I don't really bother with watching games during the regular season. I'm more of a playoff watcher, which really isn't that bad considering the players don't start taking basketball serious until the first round.
If you've been keeping up with the playoffs like myself, then you may notice that Lebron James isn't going to win a championship this year. Which is kind of sad when you think about it, because with all the hype that was surrounding the Cavaliers, after they finished the season with the best record in the NBA, you would expect them to at least make it to the championship. Instead they fall in 6 games, in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, to the 'geriatric' Celtics. Whose roster looks more like the roll call at a nursing home them an actual basketball team. But I digress.
Basically, my reasoning behind writing today has more to do with the Lebron James sweepstakes that is set to take place on June 30, then who will actually when the title this year. Where team execs will be standing by the phone like Ed McMahon is calling to tell them that Publisher's Clearing House doesn't think that they should have to go to work anymore.
Obviously, since King James is in Cleveland already, and there are the only team that can sign him to a 6 year deal for max money, they are at the top of the list. But hold fast!
On Monday, the fans and media of Cleveland, after a blowout loss to the Celtics, took it upon themselves to pack James' bags. After all that this young man as done for that city, he was labeled as a choke artist and a trader. To add insult to injury, a columnist even as far to say that James was throwing the series on purpose.
What?!?!? What the hell are you people smoking? This kid (yes I can say kid because he's a year younger than me) has done everything that you can ask out of one player for that city and that franchise! He's brought big business and jobs to the city of Cleveland. He's brought legitimacy to a franchise that everyone forgot existed before his arrival. And you arrogant, snotty nosed bitches are angry, because after all the shit you talked this year, he wasn't able to deliver you a championship?
The problem is, we as fans (and the media) right checks that we expect our athletes to cash. Then when they are unable to back up all the trash that we talk, we want to rip them for not living up to the expectations that we created. It's not right! To question a man, who has done more than what's required of him as a professional athlete, borderlines on jealousy. It's not enough for him to do everything that you asked, (well other than win a championship) he also has to carry a franchise on his back to meet your approval.
I think the more I write, the angrier I get. I have never seen people turn on a professional athlete so fast. Then to have the fans just turn their backs on him a one of the most trying times for and athlete is just criminal. So you know what Cleveland, you don't deserve him! Let him go to a team who's going to be more supportive during trying times. I understand you're waiting on a championship, but with how you reacted on Monday, you'll be waiting a lot longer now. Wave goodbye to Mr. James, Cleveland.
If you've been keeping up with the playoffs like myself, then you may notice that Lebron James isn't going to win a championship this year. Which is kind of sad when you think about it, because with all the hype that was surrounding the Cavaliers, after they finished the season with the best record in the NBA, you would expect them to at least make it to the championship. Instead they fall in 6 games, in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, to the 'geriatric' Celtics. Whose roster looks more like the roll call at a nursing home them an actual basketball team. But I digress.
Basically, my reasoning behind writing today has more to do with the Lebron James sweepstakes that is set to take place on June 30, then who will actually when the title this year. Where team execs will be standing by the phone like Ed McMahon is calling to tell them that Publisher's Clearing House doesn't think that they should have to go to work anymore.
Obviously, since King James is in Cleveland already, and there are the only team that can sign him to a 6 year deal for max money, they are at the top of the list. But hold fast!
On Monday, the fans and media of Cleveland, after a blowout loss to the Celtics, took it upon themselves to pack James' bags. After all that this young man as done for that city, he was labeled as a choke artist and a trader. To add insult to injury, a columnist even as far to say that James was throwing the series on purpose.
What?!?!? What the hell are you people smoking? This kid (yes I can say kid because he's a year younger than me) has done everything that you can ask out of one player for that city and that franchise! He's brought big business and jobs to the city of Cleveland. He's brought legitimacy to a franchise that everyone forgot existed before his arrival. And you arrogant, snotty nosed bitches are angry, because after all the shit you talked this year, he wasn't able to deliver you a championship?
The problem is, we as fans (and the media) right checks that we expect our athletes to cash. Then when they are unable to back up all the trash that we talk, we want to rip them for not living up to the expectations that we created. It's not right! To question a man, who has done more than what's required of him as a professional athlete, borderlines on jealousy. It's not enough for him to do everything that you asked, (well other than win a championship) he also has to carry a franchise on his back to meet your approval.
I think the more I write, the angrier I get. I have never seen people turn on a professional athlete so fast. Then to have the fans just turn their backs on him a one of the most trying times for and athlete is just criminal. So you know what Cleveland, you don't deserve him! Let him go to a team who's going to be more supportive during trying times. I understand you're waiting on a championship, but with how you reacted on Monday, you'll be waiting a lot longer now. Wave goodbye to Mr. James, Cleveland.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Bullsh*t...At It's Finest
I had this idea that I wanted to start every post off with a hip hop lyric that would correspond with the topic that I would be addressing. I thought this idea fit me perfectly since I'm the self proclaimed "Hip Hop Head" (No, I still haven't gotten clean). But, I realized after Reading "Cerebral Gumbo" the other day, that I had in fact, stole this concept from Rhonda Richardson (Her blog is actually pretty good, check it out if you can). So, at the expense of being labeled a "biter", I'm gonna switch it up and use quotes from movies and television shows. Then I'll allow you all the chance to guess where it's from in the comment box. Alright. You ready?
"The bigger the lie, the more they'll believe"
I'm just gonna start off this post saying that I love kids. I love interacting with kids. Some day I wish to have my own, but that day is a long ways away. It seems that there is something that is in the works that will jeopardize if i continue to work with kids. Not following? Keep reading!
Last year, a certain school system in which I am an employee, decided to hire 900 new teachers. A little bit of a surprise seeing as how in years prior the number of hasn't been close to 600, but not really shocking news. If there are 900 positions that needed to be filled, and you have the money to do it, then who are we as taxpayers to stop you? The problem is, in September we were told that somebody screwed up their math and we had a budget deficit. Which means someone has to lose their job.
I know what you're thinking..."Why wouldn't they make sure that there was enough money before they started their summer hiring spree?" Just keep reading and you can make your own assessment.
So, October comes and about 266 (approximately) teachers lose their job. Not only the teachers that were just hired, but all types of teachers. Older teachers, teachers with years of experience, and a portion of the aforementioned 900 teachers all received letters saying that they would no longer be employed by the school system. A devastation in an already troubled economy.
Then around February, the chancellor of this great school system received word that yet again someones math had been screwed up; And instead of a 34 million dollar deficit, the school system actually has a 43 million dollar surplus (I guess someone has dyslexia?) Which means that there was a gap of about 77 million dollars that wasn't accounted for.
At the time that this news was received by our great leader, the school system and the teachers union were also working on a contract. Those contract talks could've stalled if the chancellor had decided to admit that someone mad a mistake. So that information wasn't given out until word that the school system and teachers union had reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. This happened around mid April. This new contract has called for all teachers to get raises across the board, along with incentive based pay for high achieving teachers. Since the city that this school system resides can't possibly pay for all of these raises, the money will have to come from "outside sources", along with the money that was saved from the mix-up that caused almost 300 teachers to lose their jobs.
After the report of the "surplus" was released, the city officials started back peddling and reporting that the extra money was a myth. Which means that somebody's math was off yet again.
I'm sure this question has to come to mind after reading that, "Where will they get the money to fund those raises if there isn't really a surplus?"
Well it seems that the chancellor was able to round up some more money to pay for that.
If your antenna's have gone up by reading that story, then here are some more facts that will send them through the roof. The mayor of the city in which this has taken place is up for re-election. If he isn't re-elected, then 9 times out of 10 the chancellor will lose her jobs. The "outside funds" that will fuel the teacher contract is tied to the chancellor remaining the chancellor of this school system. Even though it was never confirmed, the chancellor has eluded to wanting the older teachers in the school system, that won't conform to her agenda, to be pushed out. Okay, here's what I think!
The chancellor came in wanting complete control over who to hire and fire. She can't do that with a teachers union. So she proposes a raise a few years back that will give every teacher the chance to be fired by giving up their union rights. Nobody went for that, so she had to go back to the drawing board. She hires 900 new teachers, then conveniently has to have a rift, where she places all teachers on a level playing field, regardless of experience or tenure, because of a budget shortfall. Then in an election year where her job security is on the line, she finds 77 million and other funds to give teachers a raise (who hadn't had a raise in about 9 years) and incentive based pay. Then after it was reported that there was no extra money, she found some...
I know that this may not anger some of you because it doesn't really affect you, but I'm hot over here. Even if all of these things are one giant coincidence, why isn't her incompetence put into question? And if she was able to find money to give teachers a raise, then why couldn't she find money to help those teachers, or at least some, keep their jobs?
I smell so much bullshit that I feel like I'm on a farm. If something isn't done about this then I don't know how I could continue to be apart of this particular school system. I'm not proposing that Rhee, oops my bad, I mean the chancellor of this school system is fired, I think she needs a good, old fashioned, Joe Jackson ass whoopin'! The fact that she is able to do what she wants without consequence is a bad example to the very children that we are attempting to educate. And if this is how it's gonna be then I want no parts of it. Please know that all of this is my opinion and none of it is confirmed, but "I'm Just Sayin"...
"The bigger the lie, the more they'll believe"
I'm just gonna start off this post saying that I love kids. I love interacting with kids. Some day I wish to have my own, but that day is a long ways away. It seems that there is something that is in the works that will jeopardize if i continue to work with kids. Not following? Keep reading!
Last year, a certain school system in which I am an employee, decided to hire 900 new teachers. A little bit of a surprise seeing as how in years prior the number of hasn't been close to 600, but not really shocking news. If there are 900 positions that needed to be filled, and you have the money to do it, then who are we as taxpayers to stop you? The problem is, in September we were told that somebody screwed up their math and we had a budget deficit. Which means someone has to lose their job.
I know what you're thinking..."Why wouldn't they make sure that there was enough money before they started their summer hiring spree?" Just keep reading and you can make your own assessment.
So, October comes and about 266 (approximately) teachers lose their job. Not only the teachers that were just hired, but all types of teachers. Older teachers, teachers with years of experience, and a portion of the aforementioned 900 teachers all received letters saying that they would no longer be employed by the school system. A devastation in an already troubled economy.
Then around February, the chancellor of this great school system received word that yet again someones math had been screwed up; And instead of a 34 million dollar deficit, the school system actually has a 43 million dollar surplus (I guess someone has dyslexia?) Which means that there was a gap of about 77 million dollars that wasn't accounted for.
At the time that this news was received by our great leader, the school system and the teachers union were also working on a contract. Those contract talks could've stalled if the chancellor had decided to admit that someone mad a mistake. So that information wasn't given out until word that the school system and teachers union had reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. This happened around mid April. This new contract has called for all teachers to get raises across the board, along with incentive based pay for high achieving teachers. Since the city that this school system resides can't possibly pay for all of these raises, the money will have to come from "outside sources", along with the money that was saved from the mix-up that caused almost 300 teachers to lose their jobs.
After the report of the "surplus" was released, the city officials started back peddling and reporting that the extra money was a myth. Which means that somebody's math was off yet again.
I'm sure this question has to come to mind after reading that, "Where will they get the money to fund those raises if there isn't really a surplus?"
Well it seems that the chancellor was able to round up some more money to pay for that.
If your antenna's have gone up by reading that story, then here are some more facts that will send them through the roof. The mayor of the city in which this has taken place is up for re-election. If he isn't re-elected, then 9 times out of 10 the chancellor will lose her jobs. The "outside funds" that will fuel the teacher contract is tied to the chancellor remaining the chancellor of this school system. Even though it was never confirmed, the chancellor has eluded to wanting the older teachers in the school system, that won't conform to her agenda, to be pushed out. Okay, here's what I think!
The chancellor came in wanting complete control over who to hire and fire. She can't do that with a teachers union. So she proposes a raise a few years back that will give every teacher the chance to be fired by giving up their union rights. Nobody went for that, so she had to go back to the drawing board. She hires 900 new teachers, then conveniently has to have a rift, where she places all teachers on a level playing field, regardless of experience or tenure, because of a budget shortfall. Then in an election year where her job security is on the line, she finds 77 million and other funds to give teachers a raise (who hadn't had a raise in about 9 years) and incentive based pay. Then after it was reported that there was no extra money, she found some...
I know that this may not anger some of you because it doesn't really affect you, but I'm hot over here. Even if all of these things are one giant coincidence, why isn't her incompetence put into question? And if she was able to find money to give teachers a raise, then why couldn't she find money to help those teachers, or at least some, keep their jobs?
I smell so much bullshit that I feel like I'm on a farm. If something isn't done about this then I don't know how I could continue to be apart of this particular school system. I'm not proposing that Rhee, oops my bad, I mean the chancellor of this school system is fired, I think she needs a good, old fashioned, Joe Jackson ass whoopin'! The fact that she is able to do what she wants without consequence is a bad example to the very children that we are attempting to educate. And if this is how it's gonna be then I want no parts of it. Please know that all of this is my opinion and none of it is confirmed, but "I'm Just Sayin"...
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