Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: I heard on the news how a school took all the black children in a class on a field trip, and the whites were not allowed to go. The school was trying to improve the black students' test scores. It felt that the whites were not in the same situation and didn't merit the special help. The same thing happened to my child, except it did not make national news.

I think this is a terrible thing to do to students, both black and white. It sends the message that blacks are not as good as whites and that they, as a group, need special help. I understand picking low-performing individuals, but when you choose a whole race, it implies the race is inferior.

If I were black, I would be incensed and demand changes to such a racist procedure. I am surprised that no black parents were unhappy with the inferiority designation. Maybe they don't see it the way it appears to me.

As a white parent, I object to my child's not being allowed to receive the same benefits as the blacks. Is it wrong for my child to score high on tests? I didn't do anything to make blacks score lower. All I know is my child is deprived of some outstanding field trips.

If these field trips are able to inspire the black students to score higher, what is wrong with my child's getting the opportunity to score even higher?

My taxes pay for public education. That means it is not fair to give a special trip for some children and not give the same opportunity to others.

Larry, what is wrong with my thinking? — A.S.

Dear A.S.: I agree with you about basic fairness.

I do think a field trip should be extended to all the students regardless of scores on an achievement test. However, I must confess I never considered how selecting a whole race can appear demeaning and racist. I believe your position has merit and demands further consideration.

If readers have other opinions, I will share.

Dear Larry: A few columns ago, when everyone was debating the health care bill, you addressed some black congressmen who had accused protesters of calling them racist names. You stated that you were very skeptical about the accuracy of their statements. You also warned your readers to be very cautious about believing anyone hurling racial epithets.

The congressmen never produced any evidence they were victims of racial name-calling, and the press has dropped the whole issue. It is obvious you were right.

I am curious. How did you know these men were lying? — Jeb

Dear Jeb: I didn't know whether they were lying or not. I merely looked at the issue and felt these congressmen needed an issue to discredit their opposition. Hurling a charge of racism was just too convenient to be circumstantial. My instincts were telling me something smelled.

To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM