Comments on: My Son is Starting Kindergarten and I’m Worried: Black Moms Will Understand http://mochamanual.com/blog/2009/09/my-son-is-starting-kindergarten-and-im-worried-black-moms-will-understand/ Everything for Black Moms Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tweets that mention My Son is Starting Kindergarten and I’m Worried: Black Moms Will Understand | The Mocha Manual Blog -- Topsy.com http://mochamanual.com/blog/2009/09/my-son-is-starting-kindergarten-and-im-worried-black-moms-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-449 Tweets that mention My Son is Starting Kindergarten and I’m Worried: Black Moms Will Understand | The Mocha Manual Blog -- Topsy.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:27:11 +0000 http://mochamanual.com/blog/?p=88#comment-449 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Niecy Lunn, Lisa Snowden McCray. Lisa Snowden McCray said: RT @niecylunn: My Son is Starting Kindergarten and I’m Worried: Black Moms Will Understand: http://bit.ly/4yTC0e [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Niecy Lunn, Lisa Snowden McCray. Lisa Snowden McCray said: RT @niecylunn: My Son is Starting Kindergarten and I’m Worried: Black Moms Will Understand: http://bit.ly/4yTC0e [...]

]]> By: Kimberly http://mochamanual.com/blog/2009/09/my-son-is-starting-kindergarten-and-im-worried-black-moms-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-326 Kimberly Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:57:35 +0000 http://mochamanual.com/blog/?p=88#comment-326 Traci, Thank you for your comment. It's such a shame that we can't take things like equal treatment from educators for granted. I'll be sure to reach out for some strategic help :-) when i need it. And I know that your son will be an unstoppable force with you behind him. Traci,
Thank you for your comment. It’s such a shame that we can’t take things like equal treatment from educators for granted. I’ll be sure to reach out for some strategic help :-) when i need it. And I know that your son will be an unstoppable force with you behind him.

]]> By: Traci http://mochamanual.com/blog/2009/09/my-son-is-starting-kindergarten-and-im-worried-black-moms-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-262 Traci Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:40:52 +0000 http://mochamanual.com/blog/?p=88#comment-262 Hello there, My, my, my...A Mama after my own heart. I am so mad that I am just seeing this post. Such brilliance, and I 100% admire you for your insight at such an early stage in the process. My hats off to YOU! Let me begin by saying that I have traveled your new journey. My baby is not in 6th grade and I am still fighting this battle. It has never ceased to amaze me that our boys' academics are so 'visible' yet their intelligence is not only unexpected, but is ignored - even though clearly present. I have gotten to the point now, where ALL of his teachers, since the beginning know exactly how invested I am in my baby's future. There is so much about this fight that is still to come; yet, with your seeing it early on, you are most definitely on the right path and you have my full support. I have had to write letters, go to compliance to get a Principal fired, gone to battle with a racist teacher, etc. Been there...done that. But now they know what to expect when they see me coming. I don't play where he is concerned - especially to the point that it interferes with his greatness. I will be starting an organization soon that I would love to discuss further with you if you have time. If not, times are busy and I completely understand. I wish you all the best. Your little man is very lucky because I know, first hand, black parents that are "blind" to the issues surrounding our sons and they get lost in the shuffle because of it. Regards, Traci Hello there,

My, my, my…A Mama after my own heart. I am so mad that I am just seeing this post. Such brilliance, and I 100% admire you for your insight at such an early stage in the process. My hats off to YOU! Let me begin by saying that I have traveled your new journey. My baby is not in 6th grade and I am still fighting this battle. It has never ceased to amaze me that our boys’ academics are so ‘visible’ yet their intelligence is not only unexpected, but is ignored – even though clearly present. I have gotten to the point now, where ALL of his teachers, since the beginning know exactly how invested I am in my baby’s future. There is so much about this fight that is still to come; yet, with your seeing it early on, you are most definitely on the right path and you have my full support. I have had to write letters, go to compliance to get a Principal fired, gone to battle with a racist teacher, etc. Been there…done that. But now they know what to expect when they see me coming. I don’t play where he is concerned – especially to the point that it interferes with his greatness. I will be starting an organization soon that I would love to discuss further with you if you have time. If not, times are busy and I completely understand.

I wish you all the best. Your little man is very lucky because I know, first hand, black parents that are “blind” to the issues surrounding our sons and they get lost in the shuffle because of it.

Regards,
Traci

]]> By: Dee http://mochamanual.com/blog/2009/09/my-son-is-starting-kindergarten-and-im-worried-black-moms-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-149 Dee Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:52:02 +0000 http://mochamanual.com/blog/?p=88#comment-149 I totally understand what you're saying. My older son is headed to fourth grade this year and my younger one will be starting preschool. We've had a few issues with teachers/administrators in my son's few years at school and every.single.time, I wonder if race isn't behind it. I think the school staff is somewhat surprised when we stand up for our son, requesting meetings and conferences, etc. But why wouldn't I? He's my boy and it's my job to make sure he gets the treatment that he deserves. My kids are one of only two or three kids of color in their classrooms as well. BTW, my boys play soccer and I constantly get comments about how fast they run (um, thanks, but my kids are capable of doing plenty else besides running!). I totally understand what you’re saying. My older son is headed to fourth grade this year and my younger one will be starting preschool. We’ve had a few issues with teachers/administrators in my son’s few years at school and every.single.time, I wonder if race isn’t behind it. I think the school staff is somewhat surprised when we stand up for our son, requesting meetings and conferences, etc. But why wouldn’t I? He’s my boy and it’s my job to make sure he gets the treatment that he deserves. My kids are one of only two or three kids of color in their classrooms as well. BTW, my boys play soccer and I constantly get comments about how fast they run (um, thanks, but my kids are capable of doing plenty else besides running!).

]]> By: Tara http://mochamanual.com/blog/2009/09/my-son-is-starting-kindergarten-and-im-worried-black-moms-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-142 Tara Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:10:16 +0000 http://mochamanual.com/blog/?p=88#comment-142 Oooh, that was so powerful! I feel you on every single word you said. My son is big for his age (I mean, really- closing in on 30 pounds and he's only 1!) and so everyone has the whole "Oh, you better buy some football pads - he's gonna be a linebacker!" I always, always, always reply that he will simply be a husky surgeon. LOL. He might not be as nimble with the scapel, but I'll be damned if I let people stereotype him when he's only ONE. I read to him every night and do the same things to teach him as I did his older sister, but with him, it seems more urgent. Like my daughter will get the support from teachers and others, but my son is different. Like my husband and I are all he has. GREAT post! Oooh, that was so powerful! I feel you on every single word you said. My son is big for his age (I mean, really- closing in on 30 pounds and he’s only 1!) and so everyone has the whole “Oh, you better buy some football pads – he’s gonna be a linebacker!” I always, always, always reply that he will simply be a husky surgeon. LOL. He might not be as nimble with the scapel, but I’ll be damned if I let people stereotype him when he’s only ONE. I read to him every night and do the same things to teach him as I did his older sister, but with him, it seems more urgent. Like my daughter will get the support from teachers and others, but my son is different. Like my husband and I are all he has.

GREAT post!

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