The May 10 op-ed entitled, “Funny Way of Showing Appreciation,” severely misrepresents the movement underway in our state to reform schools, regardless of the zip code or skin color of our children.
The writer of the op-ed must be out of touch, or he just fails to recognize the benefits families would gain from improved teacher evaluations and increased public school choice.
The recent developments in Connecticut serve as proof that education reform can work, and the time is now. Connecticut currently has the worst achievement gap in the country; however, members of the Black Caucus showed strong leadership in passing meaningful legislation. I have no doubt that their leadership will have a positive effect on students of color in their state.
In addition, I am inspired by the five black Missouri legislators who courageously voted in support of HB 1526. Despite the bullying of union leaders who tried to force members into submission by voting no, these five individuals stood tall for the children of our community.
By embracing change, we have the power to eliminate achievement gaps and alter the lives of children in our community. We must not let the defenders of the status quo decide or prevent our children from attaining the education they deserve.
Anthony Thompson is CEO and Founder of Kwame Building Group and a public education activist and philanthropist.
