Thursday, March 28, 2013

My View...by Eddie Johnson


I created a flyer comparing the segregation that took place in the 1950’s to the creation of Innovation Schools in New Bedford in 2013.  Some people took offense to it.  Others believe the comparison to be spot on.  

The great thing about America is that we can freely voice our opinions.  But what makes us human beings is we can agree to disagree.  You don’t have to agree with what others believe, but you should accept differing views.  It’s called tolerance. 

I fought against segregation in the 1960's and I refuse to accept it in New Bedford in 2013.


16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well said, Eddie. You have the courage to say what others are thinking.

Anonymous said...

May God Bless Eddie.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting that a middle aged, middle class white woman in favor of innovation schools was the one who took offense to the flyer. Seems like a pretty apt comparison to someone who was actually there, huh?

Anonymous said...

Rock on Eddie. Some people have to make everything about them. Take the analogy and spark some discussion

Anonymous said...

It would be segregation and our kids deserve more.

Anonymous said...

Right on point.

If you attended the meeting for the Innovation Schools proposals, you heard for yourself that they would like to open more and more of these schools throughout the district.

Anonymous said...

Flyer was abrupt, but it is better than the nonexistent impact statement. the flyer refers to Brown. More money for more services for similarly situated students. That seems like a Brown issue.

Anonymous said...

I don't always agree with Eddie but he's absolutely right about this.

Anonymous said...

Eddie, those that criticize the picture don't want the deal with the cold hard truth.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Mr. Johnson.

Anonymous said...

Great job Eddie.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps some people took offense to the picture because it hit a nerve. Thanks Eddie for your courage.

Anonymous said...

The picture accurately displayed what will happen at Gomes school. The children will be separated and some children will have more services then others. If that's not a civil rights issue, I don't know what is!

Anonymous said...

The innovation queens are not dividing the union as some stated in a previous post. On the contrary, all the teachers I work with are unified against these proposals.

Anonymous said...

Hundreds of teachers showed up to support each other. That sent a powerful message to the mayor and here is another: I suppose you are going to suck up to Dutra and Fentress. I expect you'll vote for these schools because your afraid of pi$$$$$ off these two. What you will find is that people in our town believe in equality. We weren't born with silver spoons and our kids don't have nannies. Those two don't want the schools in their communities, they want them in mine. This is where I vote and if you do what I expect, I'll vote for whoever runs against you. You are the most vulnerable first term mayor in recent history. The city council hates you, the unions hate, many your former supporters want nothing to do with you and now you going to screw thousands of teachers and their families. That will be the final nail but your arrogance prevents you from seeing the truth. Go ahead,suck up to dutacano.

Anonymous said...

Let's not forget that city on a hill is here because Mitch.