The redistricting process in Howard County is the most blatant example that I have seen of a recent experience that made me think "things have to change". I am aware of numerous people from an entire neighborhood that moved after being redistricted to a "less desirable" school than the one they had been in. … [Read more...]
School Equity
It was disturbing to see the serious opposition to school equity plan. last year. Especially here, in Columbia, which was supposed to be founded on equality. … [Read more...]
How “United” Are We Really?
Ever since the school redistricting process started here in Howard County a few years ago, there are community members who are very vocal online, specifically on a "United" Facebook group. I taught in an elementary school in an "affluent" area. Parents had their children go to a private school rather than go to the "not so affluent" school their children were being redistricted to. One parent wrote "My child will not be going to school with those children, it is a bad school!" Who are "those" … [Read more...]
Improve Don’t Move?
The most recent debates around redistricting schools in Howard County was the ugliest I've seen. Racism and classism were both subtle and overt. Opponents revived the "separate but equal" sentiments of Jim Crow with "improve don't move" signs which they littered throughout the county, including near schools with high percentages of students of color and students eligible for free and reduced meals. Bussing was a near constant refrain of why things shouldn't change. … [Read more...]
Housing Barriers
I work with survivors with domestic violence and sexual violence, as a therapist. One of the ongoing challenges many survivors face - disproportionately survivors of color - is barriers to safe, affordable housing in HoCo. There is the issue of lack of affordable housing, and then the almost impossible process of trying to locate affordable housing (on top of minimal available time = folks already working several jobs, often having limited access to adequate transportation, not to mention other … [Read more...]
Blame Game
As I watched the recent debates around redistricting in the county I observed a community that felt even more divided than perhaps in the past. The testimony's before the board of education, the online discussion on facebook groups, and the community conversations were striking as they were filled with disparaging language around those living in poverty, sterotypes of those living in apartment and townhome communities, and Black and Latinx families. There were characterizations of Columbia, and … [Read more...]
