Where is the wrote on Dec 11, 2007 7:08 AM:NAACP? This should be something Rev. Sharpton & Jesse James should be involved in. Or are they afraid of the ACLU?????

Alice wrote on Dec 11, 2007 7:22 AM:Very interesting when a group of black parents want a report by the NCT the NCT is right there. But when a group of Hispanic parents want the NCT to do a report on the same issue the NCT plays stupid.

Skip wrote on Dec 11, 2007 8:17 AM:This story was not very clear. I take it the black students feel that there is discrimination against them, but who is doing the discriminating...

Just to be clear wrote on Dec 11, 2007 9:40 AM:The noose issue at RB was actually a non issue. Apparently there was some old derogatory writing in the theater and then a boy who works in the theater and specializes in affixing objects etc was practicing tying knots. He just dropped his rope he was working on and then went to class. It was near the old derogatory writing. That was it! No kids in PUSD have been targeted as some would want you to believe. There is a group of parents known in the district for trying to fuel these kind of issues. That's it.

Keisha wrote on Dec 11, 2007 9:51 AM:I go to PUSD and yes I am black. My friends and I haven't had any problems and I don't know why some of these parents are making problems. They are making it sound like we are scared etc. We kids are all fine and there isn't a feeling of being threatened etc on campus. I wish these parents would back away and leave us alone because what they are doing is causing problems!

John wrote on Dec 11, 2007 11:16 AM:I also go to PUSD, Keisha just because you have not had any problems doesn't mean you should speak for everyone. That's kind of rude.

Skip wrote on Dec 11, 2007 11:55 AM:I went to their web page and found nothing on discrimination. The few incidents described in this story seem blown out of proportion, and for the life of me I still cannot figure out who is doing the discriminating. DISCRIMINATION AND HATE CRIMES ARE PRETTY BIG WORDS FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. Is there really a problem here, or is it that this group feels the need to be validated.

Jason wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:06 PM:Sounds to me like the most rational, intelligent voice here belongs to Keisha. Keisha, you're going to be the CEO of a major company some day!

Sylvia wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:07 PM:I have been reading the NCT for a long time now and I do not remember reading about any substantiated hate crimes in the Poway School System. Here it seems we have victims but no perpetuators. Maybe they did it to themselves for whatever reason. Stories like this one will probably do more to continue these incidents then to solve the problem (if it really exists).

Jamie wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:11 PM:Every now and then the NCT writes a story that is just plain Stupid! This is one of them.

CATCH-22 wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:17 PM: The PUSD Board is in a catch-22 because they have the Harper case in the 9th Circuit claiming that school policies should not restrict the First Amendment Rights and RULES against discrimination are viewed as policies.

Kat wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:25 PM:At least these students have parents that care. White students in the Escondido School district should have a similar group to look out for their best interests.

What do you expect? wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:37 PM:This is the age of entitlements and victimization.

Sylvia wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:39 PM:Boy it is really hard to get a post in here where someone somewhere, no matter how insignificant, may see something as being a little racist or prejudiced. Everyone seems to be so touchy these days.

Lisa wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:53 PM:First of all, I'm not surprised by these comments as they only prove how ignorant people are in this community. Nooses are a symbol of hate just like swatistikas and there is no excuse for hateful behavior and/or actions. Keisha ... There are plenty of students that are concerned and deeply impacted by these racial incidents but for some reason you don't have a clue. Perhaps Keisha is the only one deserving of a response since there's still hope for her...the rest of you are ignorant ...

Mark wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:48 PM:Just got out of school and read this! What a bunch of bull. Why are these parents trying to cause problems? We aren't feeling like people want to lynch us or that we are discriminated against. Many of my friends are white or Asian and the actions by this agenda driven group of parents is very contrived. I saw one woman on the news saying that we blacks are frightened. Of What?Well, aren't so please stop! We are in the year 2007, thank you!

Racist Minorities wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:49 PM:It is these so-called minorities themselves that perpetuate the problems of racism by going out of their way to live the stereotypes they complain so much about. Bill Cosby has absolutely been saying it best and I'm sick of hearing about it.

Kid was tying knots wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:52 PM:I heard a kid who does theater work was just tying knots and left the rope. There was an old comment in the area of the rope. Nothing more.

Native American wrote on Dec 11, 2007 2:37 PM:Most white people are the root of all problems. They cannot be trusted since they have broken every treaty ever written, at least to my people.

Step on our campus wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:01 PM:Just step on our campus and you will see a very diverse group yet a group of kids that get along. Come on, stop spreading this kind of stuff!

Sounds like a group with an agenda taking advantage! wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:43 PM:After reading this article and its blogs, watching the news, and knowing something about the Concerned Parent's Alliance , I can see this is definitely an agenda driven issue. Shame on them for trying to use our kids and schools to push their agenda. PUSD schools are not hate filed schools and I would have to question the motive of the group pushing this issue!

Skip wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:51 PM:I do not agree with this story at all, and the majority of my posts did not get posted even though I thought I had a few good comments. I guess that makes me IGNOERNT.

Skip wrote on Dec 11, 2007 4:33 PM:Don't blame me for my spelling, I went to public schools.

Lisa wrote on Dec 11, 2007 5:40 PM:It's interesting that no one has commented that the PUSD board discussed this issue because it was brought as an agenda item by the staff of PUSD that believes there's a problem with hate behavior in the district. The board members commented that the policies needed to be more detailed with consequences for people that promote or take action on hate behavior. Does the PUSD board and staff members have a hidden agenda as well?

The Politics of Guilt wrote on Dec 11, 2007 6:17 PM:The politics of guilt, where the message had been that white racism had placed barriers to African American progress, and these were the causes of racial injustice and inequality. Cosby was clearly trying to connect with a message that black inequities would only end when and if black people themselves took responsibility for changing their lives

Policies vs. Situational Ethics wrote on Dec 11, 2007 6:24 PM: Lisa you are correct the article should have been all about "POLICIES." The Board is supposed to set policies to protect the rights of each and every student while they are on campus. The problem as I personally see it is that there are people entrenched and in the PUSD community that don't want policies but rather a system of "situational ethics." What this means is that the rules should apply to the OUTSIDERS but not to the Johnny’s and the PTA mommies. PUSD parents should familiarize themselves with the Harper v. PUSD case and the appeal that is now pending in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Pushed by someone wrote on Dec 11, 2007 6:27 PM:I have been involved at the district for over 15 years and our schools generally don't have "hate" behavior. This was not a board driven issue but an issue pushed by a particle group. Unfortunately there are some people that will blame every issue,problem etc on race and they have been a thorn in the side of the PUSD school board for years.

Tianna wrote on Dec 11, 2007 6:49 PM:My parents raised me to be a strong young woman and to take responsibility for things that I do and to never blame things on me being a certain race. A race that would lead people to call me a minority. I don't call myself that. I'm a person! Thanks mom and dad for raising me this way. PS. I luv all my PUSD pals who are all colors of the rainbow! Go big green!

Skip wrote on Dec 11, 2007 6:50 PM:I just read about the Harper v. PUSD case and I thought it was histerically funny. That is untill I realized that the school actually actually endorsed minors to an observance in which students remain silent to show support for tolerance of homosexuality. That is some sick stuff there. I would have pulled my child from that school. (As is I pay top dollar to enroll my children in private schools)

Student at RB wrote on Dec 11, 2007 7:01 PM:"It's just like a gun, it's just like drinking. Our students, all of them, have a right to go to school and feel safe," board member Penny Ranftle said. "We have some head turning going on that absolutely needs to be stopped." Ms.P: Do you really think we students don't feel safe? If so , someone has you fooled. I'm not afraid for my safety and neither are the rest of my black friends, or my Hispanic,Asian or white friends hear at RB. What a joke! We students are laughing at whoever caused this or better yet, at whoever is believing them. Oh well, back to my Algebra book. Goodnight.

Concerned Parent's Alliance marched in my neighborhood wrote on Dec 11, 2007 7:15 PM:I thought it was such a waste of time when the Concerned Parent's Alliance marched in my PQ neighborhood last year. I asked a marcher what the cause for the march was and she said it was to raise awareness of parents,especially minority parents, to makes sure kids prepare themselves for college by taking specific A-G classes. I said "OK" and walked away.I think the group's time could of been better spent if they had gone to an area where the kids weren't as fortunate to go to a PUSD school. A district whose standards prepares kids very well for college. I feel for kids who aren't as fortunate and would hope this group could help the kids and parents in less fortunate areas and in districts that don't do so well. My neighbors and I joked about it for sometime.

Billy Bob wrote on Dec 11, 2007 9:05 PM:You people are so racist it is not even funny. Blaming people of color for racism? Some things never change.

Jim wrote on Dec 11, 2007 11:55 PM:Yes, PUSD is a good district but there is work to be done especially with only 55% of PUSD students taking and/or passing the A-G classes that are needed to be eligible for admission to a CSU and/or UC school? If you and your neighbors will take time to educate yourselves then you'll stop laughing and judging others so you can help yourself because your children may be part of the 45% that aren't eligible for college.

Lisa wrote on Dec 12, 2007 12:01 AM:Just to set the record, this was a PUSD staff driven agenda item that was brought to the board for discussion and community input. The board made it clear that they were not in favor of hate behavior and they wanted to send a message to the community that it will not be tolerated in the PUSD schools. If you feel so strong about your stance then I suggest you attend the next board meeting and be bold enough to speak your concerns in front of the board and others instead of hiding behind a NCT comment section.

Hate is hate wrote on Dec 12, 2007 8:11 AM:How about it Skip Lisa is inviting every NCT bloger to the PUSD board meeting? I support the PUSD Board 100% there should be polices in place to protect the rights of EVERY student. I personally do not agree with the homosexual agenda but I have respect for every human being; what they do in the privacy of their homes should not be my business. I do no support the bulling of any human being whether it is due to religion, gender, race, color, disability, and social economic or different point of views. The Harper case is about religion vs. policies, it is just that simple.

we're back in the 40's, 50's &60's wrote on Dec 12, 2007 8:41 PM:It is my prayer...that all the PUSD board members are reading these comments. I hope they also read the comments of the article in Sign on San Diego. This is such strong evidence of the racial tension we have in the PUSD! So thank you "skip", "jaime", "sylvia" and all the others who feel this is a "non-issue" or that blacks are just whining. This data helps support our case even more. Who says Keisha is black? "She" could be a white male for all we know. Anyone can right in this column and say their Bumqueesha, Jane, Tyrone or Ramon! Don't hide behind your comments come to the board and speak up next month, we'd love to see you there!

People wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:47 AM:Interesting that more parents aren't rying to tone down all this in their beloved PUSD area. PUSD schools aren't always the best for education, morality or diversity. Too many cliques with the students and parents. Time to come clean PUSD and fix your issues.