Comments on: John Tedesco: Redefining revisionist history

By: Tim Tyson

Tim Tyson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 06:25:23 +0000

In fact, Mr. Ciulla, you and Mr. Tedesco are absolutely, 100 per cent wrong on the Brown v. Board and “neighborhood schools” question. The lawsuit *specifically* excludes the location and facilities of the schools as a cause of the plaintiff’s complaint and focuses instead on racial segregation. The only grain of truth in your observation is that there was a “white” school about equidistant from the Browns’ home and one of the two “colored” schools she could have attended. Her father walked past the “white” school on his way to work, and this rankled him. But his lawsuit specifically said school proximity was NOT among the Brown family’s complaints. It is also well to remember that there many, many other plaintiffs bundled into the same case. Not one of them sued about school location. I informed Mr. Tedesco of this misconception the last time I saw him, and suggested that he read Richard Kluger’s definitive Simple Justice for details. I see that he just kept on repeating that nonsense, even though he knows it is not true.

By: Steve Harrison

Steve Harrison — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:19:56 +0000

Joe, those kids were bused because they were deemed to be a nuisance, not because someone was trying to help them. To make the connection between what the Wake School Board is doing and Brown, simply because there were buses and neighborhood schools involved, indicates either a fundamental lack of reasoning skills or a desire to obfuscate and deceive, or some painful combination of both.

The following excerpt goes to the core of Brown, and is something that a true and empathic educator would already know in his or her heart:

“To separate them from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone.”

By: Joe Ciulla

Joe Ciulla — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:54:48 +0000

Rob,

You do a more than adequate job of making John Tedesco look bad. I’m quite sure that I could replay a recording of the meeting and find widespread examples of bad grammar. You undermine your credibility by demeaning someone this way.

And John’s citing Brown vs. Board of Ed was spot on. In that lawsuit, the plaintiff sued for the right to attend her neighborhood school (6 or 7 blocks from her home), instead of being forcibly bused to a school much further away. In Wake County, we have ED and minority students who live within a few blocks of excellent schools like Ligon and Enloe, but are forcibly bused to schools much further away.

Who died and appointed you as savior of our minority and ED students?

By: Liberaytor

Liberaytor — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:25:22 +0000

I was infuriated. I couldn’t believe it. How dare he use Brown to justify dismantling a diversity policy with the goal of minimizing the number of low wealth schools.

I was also angered by their inability and unwillingness to cooperate with each other. Diversity and school assignment/choice can coexist. How can we teach our children to work together if we as adults are unwilling to set an example?

By: Tweets that mention The Progressive Pulse – John Tedesco: Redefining revisionist history -- Topsy.com

Wed, 19 May 2010 19:43:36 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ayanna's mother. Ayanna's mother said: @harisslacewell, @profblmkelley, @gregflynn WC school board evokes Brown when dismantling diversity policy! Disgusting! http://bit.ly/blCYXp [...]

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:50:37 +0000

I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.

The above quote is what the Wake County School Board has been chanting all along. Those conversant in doublespeak understand this. Most of the time its been more of an in your face comment and/or action revealing the mission of the board.

When it works break it.
Everthing old is new again.
We have met the enemy and he is us. (voter turn out)
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

By: J. Bailey

J. Bailey — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:29:45 +0000

Are you serious? The man is talking, not writing a book.

By: Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:17:13 +0000

I had a difficult time sitting through Tedesco’s comments last night. I have become accustomed to him saying ridiculous things, but this really takes the cake. The only thing more strained than his grammar is the logic!

By: The Progressive Pulse – John Tedesco: Redefining revisionist history

The Progressive Pulse – John Tedesco: Redefining revisionist history — Wed, 19 May 2010 06:29:08 +0000

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By: Rob Schofield

Rob Schofield — Wed, 19 May 2010 02:42:20 +0000

Those wondering whether the tortured grammar in the quote is an attempt to make the man look bad can watch the WRAL video; it is, I believe a word for word quote. Tedesco apparently paid about as much attention in English class as he did in U.S. History.