Ghosts In The Schoolyard

Ghosts In The Schoolyard

Adult nonfiction
In 2013 Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the imminent closing of 330
(later pared down to 49) of Chicago's public schools. Of the targeted
schools 90% were majority Black student wise and 71% faculty wise.
For Eve Ewing this was personal. She taught at one of the
schools on the chopping block. The reasons for the closures did not
seem to make sense. So she did her own research.
"...What role did race, power, and history play in what was
happening in my hometown? Behind the numbers and the maps and the
graphs, who were the people--the teachers, the children, the
neighbors--who would be affected by the decision to close so many
schools?..."
And why were so many people fighting so hard to save schools
deemed by those in authority to be failures?
Ghosts In The Schoolyard focuses on school closings in Chicago's
Bronzeville section. Having grown up in that neighborhood, Ewing
brought the perspectives of both teacher and student to bear on her
task. Through use of a variety of techniques such as interviews,
document analysis, and field observations, she was able to uncover an
ugly legacy of systemic racism and failure on the part of those
running the school system to take into account the competing set of
values and needs voiced by the students, families, and community
members whose lives and hopes would be impacted by their decisions.
"What do school closures, and their disproportionate clustering
in communities like Bronzeville, tell us about a fundamental
devaluation of African American children, their families, and black
life in general? Is there room for democracy and real grassroots
participation in a school system that has run like an oligarchy?"
Ewing isn't saying that school closures shouldn't happen. But
she believes that when one is contemplated inconvenient questions must
be asked, those who would be most impacted must have real roles in
decision making, and systemic racism, past and present, must be
acknowledged.
On a purrrsonal note, it's a lovely sunny day out. Maybe we'll get a
little rain Sunday. But it looks like we'll have a pretty decent
weekend for any outdoor plans people might have. Wonder cat, Tobago,
and I are full of joy and hope. We have decided we're going to have a
super sensational summer, a season to remember for good reasons. As
opposed to last year when we had a summer I don't think we'll be able
to forget. (Jules)
Super sensational summer? I'm all over it. By the way, readers, if
you want a super sensational summer adopt a rescue cat. Word on the
street is shelters are packed with the most adorable furever friends.
(Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to you, our readers, with best wishes
for a wonderful weekend.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway


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