Yam Internet: A Guide to the Best of the Digital World

Yesterday, I browsed a few long-neglected discussion groups to which I am subscribed and stumbled upon an article posted to the Dig This YahooGroup! by Playahata.com. The blog entry article, “NYC railroading Hip Hop Principal Shango Blake,” tells the story of the the New York City Department of Education’s mid-August firing of Queens, NY Intermediate School Prinincipal Shango Blake.

The more I read the article, the angrier I became. In case you haven’t read the “About Yam Internet,” section of my site, I am a NYC public high school teacher… by day! I have never met Principal Blake. I learned of him after reading the Playahata blog entry which dubbed him the Hip Hop Principal for using music to motivate students in doing the right thing.

Taking a closer look at Blake and adding (in some cases repeating) the Playahata blog, the recently fired Prinicipal appears silent since the New York City Department of Education axed him for misusing funds earmarked for school lunch, snack and graduation. Instead, he used the money to support his students in the production of a school spirit/dress code promotional videos. The students were honored when their second video, “Tuck That Shirt In” - a dress code promotional video, was featured at the TriBeca Film Festival. Yeah, you read it right. He was fired for allegedly misusing $30k not on himself but on his students in another capacity. That is the primary reason he was fired as the NYC DOE investigation fired him for allegations of “financial management and inappropriate conduct…”

Watch the Tuck That Shirt In video on Youtube.

With regards to the conduct issue, news reports and a report from the DOE have thrown in a June 2006 allegation that Principal Blake choked and punched a student three times in the chest because the student supposedly talked negatively about Principal Blake’s son (who at the time attended IS 109, a school for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders). Now, this incident was noted and investigated by the DOE. No criminal or other charges have been levied against Principal Blake in this supposed public confrontation that took place in front of two other adult staff members. Now, if this had happened why wouldn’t the DOE, parent of child, etc. involve the NYPD? Is the DOE neglectful in the welfare of this child? Is this not assault and battery, endangerment of the child, etc.? Someone call ACS!

I know such an allegation might seem strange to someone who has never worked in public education. However, it is not as uncommon as one might think. Take into account that public education is required for all students - including the ones who do not want it - which can often lead to student disciplinary problems and allegations. That is not to say that allegations should not be investigated, however, if a student repeatedly makes such claims - as is alleged of this student - then it should be taken under consideration that some students make more trouble (for themselves and others) than actual progress in the classroom. To be honest, Blake would have to have a series of such student/faculty abuses for me to believe this act of violence. The charge itself is shaky as I - and more than likely he as a former English teacher - have been called every name under the sun by several students. Unfortunately, you quickly learn to disassociate yourself from the incident and anecdote it later. It is a given; as an educator and administrator of an NYC Public School System, that you will be cursed out by a student, at a minimum of once (a year), if you are doing your job correctly!! All good educators know to QTIP - quit taking it personally (call home, contact the dean, write the referral,… Back to the other students!). The fact that the child who alleges the abuse had two other staffers in the room when he went to principal sends alarms in my mind that the child most probably had previous discipline problems. Had this been a first offense (for allegedly dropping the “f” bomb on the school’s Public Address System), the child may have only met with a dean. Back to Blake. …

During his four year tenure as principal (and five years previous as the school’s assistant principal), Blake instituted a no tolerance policy (which led to stern discipline against student and educator infractions), he implemented and enforced a schoolwide dress code, and introduced career and vocational educational classes such as engineering, nursing and fencing for the junior high school students. When he applied and took the post, he had a designated “failing” school and in four years; he flipped the script.

Blake is a married father of five who lives in Queens, the borough in which he was principal. His children attended the public school system. These two facts - living where one works and children in public school - alone make Principal Blake unique! His father, James Blake, is an activist and a college professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College and his mother, Dr. Bessie Blake, was a former dean at another NYC college. He is the son of educators. Blake’s successes had not gone unnoticed as his work has been mentioned on Oprah and locally in black media such as Kiss-FM’s Open Line program. He and his students’ hip hop video, Tuck That Shirt In, was featured at Robert DeNiro’s TriBeCa Film Festival as a positive way to impress the “dress for success” mantra most common in Empowerment Zone schools.

What is most ironic is that NYC Commissioner of Schools Joel Klein is featured in a cameo at the end of the “Tuck That Shirt In” video in which he suggests that the video’s protagonist tuck his shirt in his pants. Klein is ultimately responsible for the firing of Principal Blake.

As for the Queens Village (neighborhood in the borough of Queens) community, the vast majority are standing behind Blake and as of Friday, September 21st are demanding his reinstatement. Conservative media outlets (who are not worth mentioning) using propaganda to suggest everyone should support the DOE for dumping a dead-head principal who beats a child and is a thief. Yet, the parents who have children in the school think otherwise. That in itself is telling. The DOE has decided that parents and the majority of children have no say in their public schools’ education or administration. The DOE will be judge AND jury for both civil and potential criminal infractions. Whaaaaat???!!! C’est fasciste. N’est pas? (That is fascist. Isn’t it?). Essentially, Blake was fired resulting from a report issued by one man at the DOE, Richard J. Condon, Special Commissioner of Investigation For The New York City Public Schools. However, the overbearing silence of Klein and the lowering of qualifications that allowed Condon to hold this position (He only needed 5 years of law enforcement experience… no college, no experience in education and he could even fire Klein if he so investigated and desired!!) is all New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s fault. No judge, no jury, just one man and his staff. If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, walks like a duck… it is a duck (fascism)!! And, apparently, that is exactly what you should do if you are an administrator or educator employed by the DOE (duck and maintain the non-performing status quo of poor black, brown and ethnic white failing schools) or else Condon (an ex-cop) cometh for yee.

Which makes me wonder, when a Principal is responsible for turning a school around and promoting the much touted need for a dress code and discipline but is ultimately fired on weak premises (still allegations never proven in a court of law only in the court of Condon’s ruling)… who is the real public enemy? At least, if the DOE were a true defender of children, the child-beating allegation should have resulted into a criminal investigation (the real NYPD (not Condon court) and the juris prudence of New York). But, apparently, there wasn’t enough information to hold water on that charge. Unless, the DOE has dropped the ball? Hmmm. With regards to the misuse of funds, why not fine Principal Blake and let him respond to the allegation legally. If found guilty, he pays the $30k back; if not; then that is the second dead issue. Having invested so much into the success of the school, it is a tragedy that the DOE (really Condon and the City for being dumb enough to allow such a position to exist) is the public enemy (just ask the parents of IS 109 children).

Principal Blake is certainly no more controversial than the likes of Joe Clark was in Paterson, NJ. Enforcing the rules does not win you popularity contests. However, Blake’s innovation in merging hip hop culture into education as well as career related courses does show that his love for the success of his school students are at his heart. Unfortunately, the attack on Blake only reinforces the belief among African American teachers that it is not worth it to become an administrator; even when you know what should be done to improve failing schools, the school fascists will destroy you.

More information…

• Queens Chronicle Article - Demanding Exoneration for Blake
• Black Star News - Commentary on the qualifications of Richard Condon (Someone tell me… Why does this person’s position have less educational requirements than mine and yet he can fire me??!! What the hell?)
• Tuck That Shirt In - Producer’s Project was IS 109’s video partner
• Principal Shango Blake’s biography Still on the school’s website but they have started deleting his files (success record).
• Time to Shine at 109 is the first hip hop video by IS 109 students. You need QuickTime. Includes interview with Principal Blake and shots of the classroom and students. So much for school pride. Doused by the DOE. (”Don’t Push Me ‘Cause I’m Close to the Edge!!” - old school beat).
• US Congressman Gregory Meeks - He is supporting the reinstatement of Principal Blake. Contact the Congressman to see how you can help.

Spread the word!
Deidra

Popularity: 40% [?]

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 at 9:38 am and is filed under Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.