Deseret News | Don't tell minority students they can't succeed

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Don't tell minority students they can't succeed

What the author is saying | 9:09 a.m. July 13, 2009

(among other things) is that we need to change the "I'm a victim" mentality of many of our students. If we do that what will the left wing poverty and racial industry do for a living?

opportunistic system | 9:24 a.m. July 13, 2009

Educational facilities and free education (free until property tax time!) provides an opportunity for all.

Every legal resident in the United States has this opportunity, and, strangely, many who are illegal too.

There are plenty of people who were told they couldn't achieve this or that but went ahead and did it anyway.

It's not only "inquisitive wonderment" that students bring to school but sometimes very negative attitudes too - originating in each individual, not someone else; we're not all the same. Some work hard, others come to be entertained.

Matt | 10:00 a.m. July 13, 2009

Amen, John. The entire premise of NCLB is that we need to help kids in "failing" schools (schools in which any single minority category does not meet state-set standards). What kind of a message does it send to be in a "failing" school? Not a very good one.

Comments continue below

Hatuletoh | 11:11 a.m. July 13, 2009

I tell my kids they can't succeed all the time: when they wake up in the morning, when they come from school in the afternoon, and every night before they go to bed. Sometimes I just spring it on them from no where, like, "hey kid, c'mere a minute."

"Yeah dad, whadaya want?"

"You can't succeed. And git mowin' the lawn."

I figure they'll succeed just to spite me, which is why they do most things. If it wasn't for the power of spite, I doubt anybody in my family would do anything.

sutton | 1:04 p.m. July 13, 2009

So does this "victim" complex also include Christians, Whites, and conservatives???? Because I hear them whine just as much as anyone else.

RE: Hatuletoh | 6:13 p.m. July 13, 2009

While may nor happen exaclty like that,

that is exactly message children are getting many minority and poor communities, from so their called "Leaders",

life is so unfair, and you are at such a disadvantage,

don' t waste your time reading books and getting an education,

Unless you can make in sports or entertainment or win a lottery,

your only choice is to join a gang.

Sotomayor shows they can. | 6:17 p.m. July 14, 2009

She's a great example of how well minority students can do. AND she earned it all on her own. Well done, Justice Sotomayor.

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