Seattle high school made only black students sign a pledge to do better
Franklin High School in Seattle has caused outrage by singling out only black students to sign a pledge in which they promised to be better students.
The covenant called “Keepin’ it 100” asked “African American scholars” to show up on time, complete their high school education and hold themselves to a high standard while not just meeting but exceeding expectations.
Many of the black students were embarrassed when they got the document to sign.
“We were upset because the whole 12th grade class got the paper but it was supposed to be for us,” Bazia Potts stated. “I know I felt embarrassed and my peers felt embarrassed as well.”
She was so upset at getting the document that she threw it in the garbage right away.
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Eventually the school did meet with some of the senior class students who let it be known how upset they were at being singled out.
Students were not the only people put off by the whole thing. Many parents were just as outraged.
“It felt like these African-American students weren’t good enough, that they didn’t somehow make the mark. That part was hurtful because we all want to send a positive message to our students,” Neffertiti Thomas said.
The Seattle Public School District put out this statement:
“Seattle Public Schools is committed to eliminating opportunity gaps and accelerating learning for each and every student. A student covenant was recently created by staff at Franklin High School.
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“After meeting with senior students, Franklin staff discontinued the covenant as it proved to be a distraction from their original intent which is to increase efforts and support for African American students and ensure college readiness.
“In addition, a parent/community advisory group is under development to increase the school’s collective wisdom, inform their practices and build capacity to reach the goal of 100% of African American students college ready.”
