Wake group to hold vigil on school diversity issue

Raleigh, N.C. — A group opposed to the Wake County Board of Education's plans to end the school system's decade-old diversity policy has planned a candlelight vigil in protest.

The Little Light of Mine Candlelight Vigil for Diversity in Our Schools is scheduled for next Monday at 7 p.m. at Martin Street Baptist Church, 1001 E. Martin St., Raleigh.

"We do not want to see our community divided into groups of differing social and economic classes, races and cultures, languages or faiths," a flier distributed Wednesday by the Wake County Clergy Association said.

The school board voted 5-4 this month in favor of a resolution to begin plans to move away from the school system's policy of busing students to help ensure each school is socioeconomically diverse. Board members want to implement a community-based assignment plan, in which students go to schools closer to their homes.

A final vote on the resolution is expected at the school board's meeting next Tuesday.

Critics argue, in part, that it will segregate poor students and keep them from receiving the same quality of education as more economically advantaged students.

School board members, however, have insisted that they have no plans to segregate students and that student achievement is their top priority.

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Latest Comments

My neighborhood is diverse and it's miserable. The loud stereos, dogs, people hanging out at home everyday and the litter is such a joy. It wasn't like this 6 years ago. So much for coexisting...

Alphonse Capone
March 17, 2010 7:09 p.m.

I agree with you taxman...take out the trash

BraveHeart
March 17, 2010 6:43 p.m.

I am so tired of people assuming things about those that are low-mod income households. My children were on the reduced lunch program last year. I am white. I have a job. I did not live on food stamps. I go to PTA meetings, field trips, awards ceremonies. I am your average blue-collar worker. Now I have 2 jobs and can't spend as much time at the school but no longer have the reduced lunch program. Not everyone makes six figures a year and some of us are very happy with our career choices. I hope that none of you lose your big incomes, big houses and fancy cars because you have no idea what it is like to try and feed your children, go back to school and start over!

ncmedic201
March 17, 2010 6:42 p.m.

"We do not want to see our community divided into groups of differing social and economic classes, races and cultures, languages or faiths,"

Do they even realize that their own words make them look like idiots. If neighborhood schools will "divide our community into groups of differing social and economic classes, races and cultures, languages or faith" then would it not make sense that the community already chose to extricate itself from normal society. Neighborhood schools would be as diverse as the people who choose to attend them. Yes, you heard me right. CHOSE. If we exclude ourselves from society and live in "Latino, Asian, Italian" communities.... oh wait a minute. Those aren't the communities whining....its the African Americans. They are the only ethnic group that works hard to divide our society into "them" vs us and then whines and protests when they are left out.

thepuppiesjester
March 17, 2010 6:35 p.m.

And they were told to bring their own candles to the vigil - yes, I'm serious. LOL