Dive Summary:
- Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis alleged during a Wednesday speech at the City Club of Chicago that "rich white people" don't know what's in the best interests of minorities.
- The Dartmouth graduate also criticized Mayor Rahm Emanuel, questioned the motives of "venture capitalists" wanting to improve education for poor and minority students while using "little black and brown children as stage props" and firing or arresting their parents.
- As a solution to the $1 billion budget deficit facing Chicago and its public schools, Lewis proposed "progressive taxation," including higher income tax rates on wealthy residents, as well as new taxes for commuters and financial transfers, and "an end to corporate subsidies and loopholes."
From the article:
... “And, when are we going to address the elephant in the room? When will there be an honest conversation about the poverty, racism and inequality that hinders the delivery of a quality education product in our school system? When will we address the fact that rich, white people, think they know what’s in the best interest of children of African Americans and Latinos—no matter what the parent’s income or education level. And, when did all of these venture capitalists become so interested in the lives of minority students in the first place? There is something about these folks who love the kids but hate the parents. There’s something about these folks who use little black and brown children as stage props at one press conference while announcing they want to fire, layoff or lock up their parents at another press conference." ...