Ingraham High Native American/Latino Student Protest

I attended this protest rally in front of Ingraham High today at noon.  There were about 40 students and community members.  Sponsored by the Native/Latino club at Ingraham High, it was organized to call attention to issues around cultural competency, equity and student learning.  One student read Ingraham's mission statement which says, in part, "to empower multi-ethnic urban youth.."



They would like an assembly every year for Indigieous People's Day.  They would like a Native American focus at Ingraham with teaching by Native American elders.  (This is interesting because it echoes what the members of Africatown wanted and the district is working with Africatown on their program.)  

Comments

Po3 said…
A comprehensive Race and Gender class would provide the the context needed to discuss all race and gender related topics.
10/27/14, 3:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Wish I'd been there today. This is past due.

Westside
10/27/14, 3:27 PM
Carol Simmons said…
It was a great gathering. There was Native support from several tribes. Former Senator Claudia Kauffman spoke applauding the efforts of the students. The students from the Ingraham Native/Latino club organized the Rally and participated very effectively. It was disrespectful that Principal Flo did not appear to say anything about anything. Yes, Westside this is "past due." I would hope that a "Race and Gender Class" as suggested here would discuss the reasons for the resistance to providing equity at Ingraham International High School
10/27/14, 4:06 PM
Anonymous said…
P03,

Do you mean all "minority" and women's issues? I'd say that should be taught for the majority of the year - given that we are the majority...

half the sky
10/27/14, 4:59 PM
Po3 said…
No I meant race and gender.
10/27/14, 5:16 PM
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
10/27/14, 6:20 PM
Melissa Westbrook said…
FYI, I took those photos. There were at least 15 students there.
10/27/14, 7:03 PM
Beth said…
It was disappointing to hear that the principal told kids that the reason they couldn't have an assembly is because "every ethnic group will ask for one." As if having students organized and motivated and proud of their heritage is a bad thing. Here is a group of kids who are at high risk to drop out, asking for something that will help them stay engaged with their school, and you say no because other kids might be inspired by them? What???

Kudos to these students who organized this event. What you are doing is important, and we are proud of you. Reach out for help if you need it--we are here to support you.
10/28/14, 6:05 AM
Anonymous said…
We have to (should) support these kids in their endeavor to be heard. I understand the logistics around scheduling an annual assembly might be problematic.

However, the fact that they feel marginalized enough to take this step should, in my opinion, trigger a response from the administration that offers other options and validates their concerns.

Principal Floe has been a strong leader at IHS in so many ways, demonstrated by the passion that was invoked when he was threatened with being fired from the district.

His school has changed a lot since then, and there are many moving pieces that, I'm sure, are difficult to manage. However, I'm still a little confused about the response to the Native students' requests.

I don't have any answers. I just want to show support for these kids (and their community leaders).

-GHS Parent
10/28/14, 8:45 AM
Anonymous said…
Did you ask if there are any community celebrations or opportunities on the calendar this year if not specifically Indigenous Peoples? There used to be. Ihope Mr. Flow will encourage these students to have a strong voice in society, which all students hopefully will learn as they are our country's future and future voters. One way would be for the school to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.
10/30/14, 8:25 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday Open Thread

The speaker list is up for the Board meeting tomorrow; not as packed as I thought with just four people on the waitlist. The majority of the speakers are speaking on high school boundaries (with several wanting to talk about Ballard High). There are only three of us speaking about the Green Dot resolution asking the City to not grant the zoning departures that Green Dot has requested.  It's me, long-time watchdog, Chris Jackins, and the head of the Washington State Charter Schools Association, Patrick D'Amelio.  (I knew Mr. D'Amelio when he headed the Alliance for Education and Big Brothers and Big Sisters; he's a stand-up guy.)
Read more

Breaking It Down: Where the District Might Close Schools

Update 2: an absolutely fabulous interactive map made by parent Beth Day (@thebethocracy on Twitter - she covers Board meetings and is fun to read).   end of update    Update 1: Mea culpa, I did indeed get Decatur and Thornton Creek mixed up. Thanks to all for the correction. end of update   I suspect some who read this post will be irate. Why do this? Because the district seems very hellbent on this effort with no oversight skid marks from the Board.    To clearly state - I do not believe that closing 20 schools is a good idea. I think they hit on 20 because they thought it might bring in the most savings. But the jury is still out on the savings because the district has not shown its work nor its data. I suspect closing schools and THEN leasing/renting them is the big plan but that means the district really has to keep the buildings up.   But this district, with its happy talk about "well-resourced schools" is NOT acknowledging the pain and yes, gr...
Read more

Education News Roundup

From the ever-amusing Washington Policy Center : Vouchers are Pell Grants for students under 18.  Vouchers are no different than Pell Grants or GI benefits, except the money goes to the families of students younger than age 18.  Except they are. Pell Grants were created to help needy students and that's not really the goal of the voucher program.  The Pell grant website does have a couple of great studies on why low-income students drop out before finishing their higher ed and what makes a difference.
Read more