Chat Transcript from November 27, 2001

BR Mom to ALL - Do you think a resolution will happen soon?
Bob C to ALL - Hey John! Are you there?
HvacK to ALL - I think that the producers did an excellent job of telling this saga.
Tammy to HvacK - Welcome. Do you have any questions about the Deseg case?
Tired Mom to ALL - Really good program.
HvacK to ALL - Do they plan on doing a followup to this first program?
Dot to ALL - Loved the show.
Bob C to ALL - To BR Mom The case may be near some sort of solution perhpas sometime next year the Judge might give Br unitary status.
Dot to MODERATORS - I was a student at IHS in 1964 when the first Af. American student was enrolled. She was in my Geom. class and I liked her. She continued on and graduated with me in 1966. Actually it may have been 1964 when she first enrolled. I have oftened wondered where the problem was. In my innocence I saw everyone as being equal..
Tammy to All Users - We're talking to National PBS about doing an expansion perhaps with Bill Moyers
Dot to ALL - I was a student at IHS in 1964 when the first Af. American student was enrolled. She was in my Geom. class and I liked her. She continued on and graduated with me in 1966. Actually it may have been 1964 when she first enrolled. I have oftened wondered where the problem was. In my innocence I saw everyone as being equal..
Clay J F to ALL - Alvin - What did you think of the program?
HvacK to ALL - I think that some of the comments made by Patrice Niquille are wrong that her logic is flawed. It seems that we continue to spend very large sums on some of the inner city schools.
Dot to ALL - I thought the program did a good job of presenting facts and not emotions.
alvin washington to ALL - very informative - but i missed first half
Tammy to All Users - John Camp what did the people in Ga think?
Bob C to MODERATORS - To Dot. I followed you by a couple of years at IHS. When I graduated in 67. There were no African Americans in my class. Freedom of choice did not have the desired effects.
Dot to ALL - too bad that you missed the first half. It set up the facts of the long suit. Maybe you could see a tape of the program.
Tired Mom to ALL - I agree about Ms. Niquille comments. The producers should have caught some of her comments at board meetings.
robby to ALL - those people inspecting schools are a joke
LReinauer to ALL - I remember when bussing began. I was very young....7 or 8. All I recall is being scared, because some kids had to change busses at certain locations to go to other schools. I just kept thinking....I'm glad I don't have to do that.
john camp to ALL - This is a national problem. It effects georgia as well as many other states.
robby to MODERATORS - my tax moneyis going to 180.00 an hr inspecters????
Dot D. to MODERATORS - I got disconnected. Can you put up all the chat...
Bob C to MODERATORS - To John. Would you like to respond to the comments about Niquille?
robby to ALL - my tax money is going to 180.00 an hr inspecters????
HvacK to Bob C - To Tired Mom -- someone should really present the fact to Ms. Niquille -- she like Franz Marshall seems to be living in the past.
Tammy to All Users - I will try to post a transcript
Clay J F to ALL - It's simply amazing that this situation has gone on for as long as a lot of us have been alive!!!
Dot D. to MODERATORS - Thanks. Where do we go from here. I was startled by the fact that less than 15,000 white students attend public schools in Baton Rouge now.
robby to ALL - im a product of this system and im damn disgusted after over 30 yrs this case hasnt been resolved
alvin washington to ALL - since 1996, most of the white flight has been from commuinity white schools. the consent decree zoned 86% of the students to the school closest to where they lived. the only intergatration that has occured has been by balck children going to those schools
Dot D. to ALL - I am also a product of the sytem. I found my own motivation to be educated.
Bob C to ALL - Robby, many of the board members we talked with were extremely frustrated with the money they must pay these monitors. It seems they have no control over their actions and must pay them to regular check physical conditions at schools.
Clay J F to ALL - Yeah - neighborhoods torn apart and more!
HvacK to ALL - This case has continued for 45 plus years. I have watched as the tenor of the board changed once Leo Cyrus was no longer a member.
Dot D. to ALL - I think the amazing fact is the longevity of the suit. Now the schools are not integrated...they are close to being one race...
alvin washington to ALL - are private schools in neighborhoods
robby to MODERATORS - i graduated from baton rouge high school.. i had black classmates and we managed thru some rough times back then...i consider myself now a victim of a huge case of certain individuals wanting this case to go on for their own benefit
robby to ALL - i graduated from baton rouge high school.. i had black classmates and we managed thru some rough times back then...i consider myself now a victim of a huge case of certain individuals wanting this case to go on for their own benefit
Dot D. to ALL - What is the goal of the suit???
John camp again to ALL - I lost it for a second. With respect to Niquille. She is a lone voice on the board, but does represent the multiple voices of many African-Americans.
Tired Mom to ALL - After gaining unitary status can the Justice Dept reenter this case if they disagree with the way it is being run?
robby to MODERATORS - congrats to mr.camp for a very revealing documentary........
LReinauer to ALL - Living in Southwest LA now, I can see what happens when something isn't done....schools with tremendous differences in resources and neighborhoods (white) migrating to certain school districts.
alvin washington to ALL - are the car and bus ride rides longer to private schools
robby to ALL - congrats to mr.camp for a very revealing documentary........
HvacK to ALL - To John C. that may be true, but she is mean and vendicative -- as evidenced by her conducts at Board Meetings. In addition, many of her facts are incorrect.
Dot D. to ALL - I must be extremely sheltered. I don't know any Af.Amer. parents who want their children bussed miles away from home. Seems the problem is the busing problems.
alvin washington to ALL - since 1996
Dot D. to ALL - What about Pat Smith. I don't think she is mean...
HvacK to ALL - I think that the other members of the school board are motivated by a sincere desire to educate children of all races.
Tired Mom to ALL - Of my 3 kids, one attends public school and the other 2 attend private school mainly because I am tired of the constant rezoning.
alvin washington to ALL - who has read the consent decree ?
Dot D. to ALL - I am white and I truly wish this suit was over...I think the children are suffering and it is destroying our city.
robby to ALL - i cant blame any parent for doing what is best for their child regardless of race
Dot D. to ALL - John C., What is your feeling about the suit, beyond the facts that you accurately reported?
HvacK to ALL - The simple reality is that people will live where they want to live -- to try and dictate otherwise is foolish. This is still America.
john camp to ALL - I've read it.
Bob C to ALL - I have read the consent decree.
Tired Mom to ALL - I've read parts of it - how about the statement that students are GUARANTEED to attend their assigned school
alvin washington to ALL - do you know the number of educational programs listed in the consent decree which been benificial to students have had a positive educational programs
Dot D. to ALL - My children went to parochial schools, but would have anyway because of a religious choice.
john camp to ALL - I'm incredulous that this litigation can go on so long without resolultion or for that matter any progress.
Dot D. to ALL - Is it the longest running suit in the nation???
LReinauer to ALL - It seems that parents invest the most in their schools whne they are "neighborhood" schools..irregardless of what neighborhood.
Clay J F to ALL - Alvin - what?
HvacK to ALL - YES
Tired Mom to ALL - several students were reassigned to 'make room for' transfer students this year - some guarantee
robby to ALL - does judge parker deserve any blame for this case dragging on???
john camp to ALL - As far as I know, it is the longest running case on the federal document.
HvacK to ALL - To Tired Mom: Blame that move on John Parker
Dot D. to ALL - I felt really bad for the Bellingrath students that got reassigned this summer in August
LReinauer to ALL - None of this is resulting in stability in communities and thus in schools.
Dot D. to ALL - I believe that other areas, such as Houston, that formed small municipalities to avoid forced bussing.. I have oftened wondered why that didn't happen in BR
robby to ALL - mr. camp dont retire please come back here and work for channel 2
HvacK to ALL - To Dot D. Blame that on John Parker, NAACP (they could have stopped it) and Justice.
alvin washington to ALL - most student do go to the school closest to where they live or have made the choice to go to white schools, making for the longer bus rides in this parish
Dot D. to ALL - I don't think we can blame the judge..he did his best, but couldn't make all parties happy.
Tired Mom to ALL - alot of what has happened has to do with they way the Consent Decree has been interpreted by Parker. Hopefully Brady will do a better job.
john camp to ALL - and give up golf?
Clay J F to ALL - No one is ever happy.
Dot D. to ALL - Do ya'll really think it one person's fault??
Concerned Educator to ALL - Do you think others, like our smart former Governor Buddy Roemer, also are so overwhelmed they have no solutions?
HvacK to ALL - I disagree. Judge Parker was out of touch and dislike many members of the School Board.
Bob C to ALL - Robby, He is back. But why Channel 2? Been there, done that, got the T shirt.
robby to ALL - mr camp/what is your take on how judge parker handled the suit??
Clay J F to ALL - Brady? - That remains to be seen...
Dot D. to ALL - I am also an educator...so don't judge my comments as uninformed.
HvacK to ALL - To Bob C. What are you doing now?
Tired Mom to ALL - To Dot D - Zachary & Baker are well on their way. Central tried this summer, but was voted down in legislature by Black Caucus, talk about racism.
john camp to ALL - I'm sure the judge is a honorable person, but perhaps he was too close to the forest to see the trees.
robby to ALL - lol bob he was one of the best this city has ever seen
Dot D. to ALL - I think it is a shame that we can't come together.
alvin washington to ALL - if it were not for the consent decree the board would not have made the investments in the schools in the poor areas. no one seems to be concern about that
Tired Mom to ALL - to alvin: if it were not for the $$$$$ spent on this case, we would have had plenty of funds to put into the schools
parent to ALL - Mr Washington claims it's about equity, but when asked about the disparity between the ratio of computers to students that favors the inner-city schools, and about the suburban parents having to paint schools, perform repairs, and sell cookies for basic supplies, he responded "Now YOU know how it feels." You can't have equity for just one side.
Bob C to ALL - To HvacK, Producing programs like this one and not playing nearly as much Golf as my friend John Camp.
Dot D. to ALL - Why are the areas poor, if they have the educational opportunities??Does it help to bus a child to an affluent area if he returns to a "Poor area" when the day is done?? Parental affluence is not the problem of everyone.
alvin washington to ALL - consent decree programs include after school tutorial programs, extended year programs, more pre-k centers, teachers to reduce pupil teacher ratios,
robby to ALL - who hires people such as the gordons to inspect schools??
HvacK to ALL - To Tired Mom -- AMEN
HvacK to ALL - To Mr. Washington, I diagree. I went to an inner city school in the early 80's and I am a white resident of this parish. I went by choice -- the Board was not under the consent decree at that time.
robby to ALL - we miss investigative reporters like mr. camp....................
robby to ALL - bob courtney needs to be commended for this effort as well....
alvin washington to Tired Mom - we have never filed a motion in this case - since 1996 all litigation has been initaiated by the board - no attorney in the NAACP gas ever recieved a dime
BR Mom to Clay J F - Hello
Dot D. to ALL - To Robby...OK we all agree John and Bob did a good job...
john camp to ALL - To Alvin W. I don't think there is any reasonable person who will disagree with you. The reality is baton rouge's legacy and failire to support education with dollars. Unfortunately the bootom line of this lawsuit is that a lot of rights have added up to a huge wrong.
HvacK to ALL - To Bob C. I wish that you and Mr. Camp would do a regular series on Louisiana issues.
Tired Mom to ALL - no, the NAACP lets the Justice Dept do their work for them
robby to ALL - i've been out of high scholl since 1974 and it seems to me nothing has progressed.........
parent to ALL - Also, I can show Ms. Niquille some bathrooms and other facilities that are far worse than the one she pointed out - and they are in the suburban schools that are often portrayed as being so much better than the inner-city
DDD to MODERATORS - keep getting disconnected. I am running out of user names
Tammy to All Users - For Louisiana issues, check out Louisiana : The State We're In on LPB
HvacK to ALL - To Parent -- visit Northeast High school if you want to see decaying facilities. That is as far from the Inner city as possible.
Tired Mom to ALL - I agree with HvacK about continued programs like this one. there are several other govt entities that could use some scrutiny
DDD to ALL - Question for Mr. Washington: What do you suggest as the solution?? Just wondering
robby to ALL - its a shame we all live in a democracy that cant solve a problem like this,.......im ashamed!!!!!!!!!
robby to ALL - so does the ebr school system pay the gordon's salaries?
Bob C to ALL - To HvacK. John and I are discussing several other projects. As you may know, we worked together in the seventies and eighties at both WJBO and Channel Two. Working on this prject was very rewarding. I hope we will be able to do more.
alvin washington to ALL - contray to popular belief our students are making progress in this system. we are not trying to force them on you. we are simply fighting for them to have the option to go to another school if they choose. we are primarily fighting for resources in the inner city school where most of the poor and black children go
robby to ALL - how can i buy a copy of this program?
DDD to ALL - If I am not mistaken, both Bob and John are products of EBR schools. Am I correct?
HvacK to ALL - To Robby -- the school system has to pay every dime of the Monitors salaries. I agree with Ingrid Kelley that the son should be released from this case.
Bob C to ALL - To Parent. You could well be correct. The sad fact is that our schools are generally in a bad state of repair. This is partially because we as a community have failed to provide the dollars necessary. As more people abandoned the system the likelihood of further support seems more threatened. That is why this case demands attention and resoution. We need a system that tacxpayers will support.
Tammy to All Users - Call the LPB orderline at 1-800-973-7246 or log on to www.lpb.org to order online
Bob C to ALL - To DDD. I am a 1967 gradulate of Istrouma High School. John never went to school.
alvin washington to ALL - in 1996, the consent decree reguired the board to conduct an audit of the books in the system which has resulted in almost all of our elem students have math and english books
robby to ALL - well let me say this....the monitors dont stay at cheap hotels or does mr. marshall
DDD to ALL - To Mr. Washington: I am wondering if Af. Ameri. children like to be bussed to get to go to a "better"School?
Tired Mom to ALL - to alvin: one thing I don't understand is why so many inner city students transfer to suburb schools that have less resources and in some cases are in poorer shape because they receive less funding
DDD to ALL - To Bob: HA'Ha!
robby to ALL - bob: we as taxpayers can never support a plan that cant stand on its own merit....
cmw to ALL - can this community afford to let its schools fail ... regardless of who goes there?
robby to ALL - i share the sentiments of mr. roemer...i dont know the solution?
DDD to ALL - Bottom line...communities will not support schools that their children are not allowed to attend.
Bob C to ALL - To ALL. Thank you for your comments and thanks to Mr. Washington for participating in this discussion. Certainly there are no easy answers to this delimima. When you consider where all of this stared we must relaize we have come a long way. African Americans built themselves a school and we the school board took it from them and gave it toi white students. That was a shameful thing. But we must also realize that our present system is headed toward becoming one race. When that happens none of us will be better for it. I must leave you all now. Good night. I am sorry I cannot type.
cmw to ALL - Alvin it was nice watching you on the hot seat ... Clayton
DDD to ALL - Thanks for the information on the great show! Certianly was thought provoking.
robby to ALL - goodnight bob thx for the great program!
DDD to ALL - To Clayton...you have my support. Keep trying. We believe in you.
Tammy to All Users - Thank you all for your comments and questions. I will try to post a transcript of this chat on to the American Apartheid site at www.lpb.org/americanapartheid/
cmw to ALL - Thanks ...
robby to ALL - enjoyed the chat. hopefully some prayer will help......robby
DDD to ALL - Good night. loggin out now...
alvin washington to ALL - good program - lets work together to make this a system where all children are exposed to excellent educational opportunities
cmw to ALL - I agree with Alvin ... i think we are on our way ...
DDD to ALL - I support you, also, Alvin.
Tammy to All Users - Remember, you can order a videocasette of the program by calling 1-800-973-7246 or online at www.lpb.org
Tammy to All Users - Good night everyone.