Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Oct. 10, 1991, edition 1 / Page 1
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^ A. 75 cents i Conference setl & tSfUB tmem -???& wkm *i Dellabrook's 35th ^?Rev^mm?iDilliie Itretttitts i aro#rDu laM). for Sunday PAOEB9 mm&. ?m&> MeesmnE^MMsi sawwHwr w hiohttg^ National ^?wa0u.Con.er.n?Mw Uirdmcle "The Twin City's Award-Winning Weekly" VOL. XVIII, No.7 Paddling: Black students punished most Paddling for whites decreased by 35 . By SHERIDAN HILL Chronicb Staff Writer School figures for 1990-1991 show that black stu dents system-wide received 70% of paddlings, although they make up only 37% of all elementary students. Last year, corporal punishment (paddling) was used 846 times on elementary students. Of that number, 596 pad dlings were to black students, and 253 paddlings were to white students. Educators and black leaders both agree that any sericws examination of corporal punishment must take into account four factors: (1) the need for white educators to have a thorough understanding and appreciation of black culture; (2) the need for a relevant curriculum; (3) the need for more black educators; and (4) the need for alternatives to cor poral punishment. ./? . ? \j# ' . ? , ?/ 30% WHITE 70% MINORITIES BgegB! : " THtNUMilRS Total PaddBngt ? 846 "Ibtel White Paddlings ? 217 Total Black Paddlings -519 k MSBBS sn X'sXwIw?? y;v?.v.-. .w.,-.->-.-.:;-;-.-. .???.v, ?.?;?>?:?.. CULTURAL BIAS IN THE CLASSROOM especially African-Americans, and African-American ? ...... . . males," says the Reverend John Mendez. "There is a What those statistics highlight and evidence is . cuiluraj neglect and bias in the classroom and in the that the school system is failing our young people, school system in general that is cancelling these young people out." Compared to the year before, the incidence of pad dlings in Forsyth County schools decreased significant ly for white students but not for black students. White children received 35 fewer paddlings last year than the year before, but black children received only four fewer paddlings. "The NAACP has never opposed corporal punish* mem when it is used as a discipline tool, as opposed to abuse, H says Walter Marshall, former president and cur rent co-chair of the NAACP education committee. "Spanking was always prevalent in black schools, but integration created a real problem, because black par ents typically don't want their kids punished by whites." But the Rev. Mendez believes that students respond to the expectations of their teachers. "A young child knows whether a teacher likes him or not. Too many white teachers have made up their minds that these children cannot be taught. If the teacher approaches them with an attitude that they can't learn anyway, then die kids approach learning the same way. 'Since you think I'm dumb, I'll be dumb.'" Please see page A5 ON THE AVANT-GARDE Bv TANG NIVRI mPsSP trying Sfra^wfjnse out this qfll^&ffless. But tell me this: Why is It that when9|r ^ jooks like black folks are just about to make ajfttle progress, something ALWAYS happens? Why is that? I mean why is it that when it looks like we are about to take one siep forward instead we take two backwards and one sideways? There is something mighty strange going on here and I suspect it has something to do with a certain ivy league university ? Yale. "What is it flow?" I said to myself as I heard that there would be new allegations against Judge Thomas. Then I saw her. It w|s Anita Kill. Hilt, a former colleague of Thomjp and now a professor of law at the University of Oklahoma, was alleging that she had been the victim of sex ual harassment white working under Thomas. L^jfirat, while at the Department of Education Nvhcre he headed the civil rights division, then later at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission where Thomas served as agency head. And it wis s aber tool What in the world is going on? Why it's yet another Yal e graduate. I was very angry. Very angry, indeed. "Why wa s she doing this, I asked myself? Why was she coming forward almost a decade later? Could this be the very nasty and ugly side ofpolitics? It took me a while to work through my anger. But, I did. Afterall, I do have a dfe^itpr and I know that I want Her to grow up and be strong ? to be mentally strong enough a man or woman down, if need be. I want her to be able to behertelf without fear of intimidatioa and retribution. I want her to have the same opportunities as afiy other human who lives in this sbdsty. I want the same fttog for my boys. ^ I know that sexual harassment is real that it will continue to exist unless a company or agency puts its foot down. I also know that often it goes unreported ano 1MB mere are times wnen little if anything is ever-done iboat it. Bat, where do we draw the line? When do we draw the distinction between harassment and simply the basic disapeemei^^Bf^liBll tad forth ? that exists between individuals as to what behavior Is aaa^mtteiid titohsbavkirft' not? What about the gray areas of where my moad?mijM(say no bat my eyes say yes? it's aO Yale's ?/ ^ ^ . ?. ;;/ / '? Somebody speculated that this whole thing may be about two people who may very well have liked each other at one point and that one Pleas* iatptptAH _ ? ? 'jg^E ? ? ' ? They are the world' Best Choice children have a future In a converted church on Highland Avenue* ten small children fasten their -^attention on Arlease Smith, who sounds out a rhythm using her voice like a snare drum: "Boom chuck-a, boom chuck-a, bop-bop-bop." They clap and step and sway to the beat. 'They do it better with music/ says Arlease, a woman with a warm smile and the face of an angel. But no apology is needed: it is abundantly clear that these children are in the right place, doing just what they ought to be doing. "I am going to be somebody," they sing. Their voices arc clear and strong. "I am going to be something." Then each child finishes the sentence, "I am going to be a ..." One girl answers "a nurse," a 1 boy answers "a policeman." A frail-boned five-year-old girl in a red sweater wears seven braids held in place with red, white, and green berets. Michelle Wolf is the smallest child in the room. When it's her turn, she says, "I am going to be a lawyer." We see the hope in her face, her the conviction in her voice, and believe her. "If you've got another rhythm, use it," coaxes Smith. "Don't worry about using mine." Indeed, the philosophy at this super enrichment program is excep tionally supportive of each individual child. The attitude of the whole place seems to say: We will support you in developing your own style, help you find the best way for you. At Smith's request, the children sit K Thomas quietly so the repo^er can ask them what they like mom about coming to Best Choice. It seems puzzling that more than half of them answer: "Doing my home work." ^ y . Dorothy Graham-Wheeler, Best Choice director, is not surprised. "Many of them don't have anyone at home to help them with their homework." At Best Choice, staff and volunteers work with students every afternoon on every subject, from homework assignments to large projects. The center uses two paid professional staff, ten unpaid volun teers, six education al assistance staff, and three certified teachers. Graham Wheeler's husband, who taught music in public schools for 30 years and trained several jazz bands, is forming the Best Choice ^Center Band. When asked what they would be doing if they weren't at Best Choice, some of the children confess that they'd be doing dreaded chores. Two little girls men tion drugs. "If I wasn't here, I might be doing drugs, because they're all around," answers one girl, "and people try to give iiindcrwa^clije. Best CtoiOB Owner. v a0?ltoitth>W>eelf^^^ft^^^HP The amount whS^p^is 10 be raised Reginald G, Hanes and Ernest H. is $145,000. lb dale, ihe largest donors Pitt are the campaign chairs. Dorothy are the city of Winston-Salem, which Graham- Wheeler: asks that every single gave $50,000. and the Crosby Founda- person in the community get involved, lion, which gave $40,000. Several oiga- "We are appealing to those who nizatkms gave $25 .000, including RJ.R. believe in helping at-risk children in this Tobacco, the Kate B. Reynolds trust, the community," says Graham-Wheeler. James G. Hanes Foundation* and the "No gift is too small nor too large." ?? ?? Pictured (left to right) are Chris Cannon, Denesha Moore, Latoya Byrd and Janlca Oliver. jhem to me." ^ busses begin dropping them off at 2:30, Children are referred to Best Choice and some arrive and leave on foot, by teachers, ministers, parents, and other accompanied by parents or relatives, members of the community. School Please see page A6 Thomas' fate hangs on hearings WASHINGTON (AP) ? Clarence Thomas will "look the American people in the eye" and deny sexual harassment alle gations that suddenly threaten his Supreme Court nomination, his chief backer said Wednesday. The woman accusing Thomas pledged cooperation with a new Senate investigation. "This is not going to be an easy hearing," Judiciary Com mittee Chairman Joseph Biden said Tuesday after a day of drama in which Thomas "totally and unequivocally" denied the allegations, Democratic support for the nomination eroded and the Senate agreed to a one- week delay of its confirmation yote. With the vote put off until next Tuesday, Biden, D-Del., said the FBI would be called to investigate, and witnesses would be subpoenaed if necessary for a hearing. "It is uncom fortable for everyone, but it must be done because we cannot fail to take seriously such a charge," he said. President Bush and Senate Republicans rallied around Thomas, a conservative federal appeals judge ? and sought to FOR HOME DEI IVERY CALL ? 722-8624 ? limit the scope of the renewed confirmation proceedings. "This is a test for Clarence Thomas," Senate GOP leader Bob Dole of Kansas said. "It's a test of his character, and I believe he's up to the test" Danforth, R-Mo., Thomas' chief advocate in the Senate, said he hoped there would be no "fishing expedition" or chance for "people to come forward with whatever they want to dump on Clarence Thomas." ^ / Interviewed Wednesday 6a A3C-TV's "Good Morning America," Danforth, still angry at the sudden turn of events, said Thomas wished the "torture" of the delay was over but wanted a chance to rebut the allegations. As his Judiciary Committee began its new review, Biden said "any questions about his (Thomas') conduct in terms of whether or not he harassed this individual or any other indi Please see page A9
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