Alright, so – as we all heard the Koch brothers were kind enough to donate over $25 millions to the struggling UNCF (United College Negro Fund) because the current U.S Dept of Education Sec Duncan sort of ignored their needs. These universities teach and nurture African American college students in a friendly, welcoming and amazing environment.
I think it is critical that these universities exist and those with the big bucks donate when they can which is what Koch brothers did. I also think it is sad to bring silly politics into educating our young to prepare them for tomorrow. Nevertheless, the silly and over-rated (my little humble opinion) decided to end their small and not all that productive relationship because God forbid UNCF decides to survive and accept Koch’s donation.
A letter sent by the Union’s President stated the following;
Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, penned a letter this week to UNCF President and CEO Michael Lomax informing him that he is ending the collaboration between the two groups on a joint scholarship program.
“Like many supporters of the UNCF, I was deeply troubled by your decision to accept $25 million from David and Charles Koch. But I assumed that in accepting those funds you were in no way supporting or lending the name of the UNCF to the political or social causes or substantive views of the Koch brothers,” writes Saunders. “So I was truly stunned to learn that less than two weeks later, you attended and spoke at the Koch brothers summit in California. This was a betrayal of everything the UNCF stands for.” With friends like that African Americans don’t need enemies.
“The response has been what we expected,” Lomax said in an interview last month of backlash aimed at UNCF. “The criticism has come but there’s also been strong affirmation, particularly within the African American community, that we should accept this gift.”
Following AFSCME’s decision, Lomax said that the union’s decision was disheartening but that it would not deter UNCF from its mission.
“UNCF has over 100,000 donors with a wide range of views, but they all have one thing in common: they believe in helping young students of color realize their dreams of a college education. For over 70 years we have never had a litmus test and we have asked all Americans to support our cause,” Lomax said in a statement.
Let’s think about this statement for a hot minute here – because UNCF accepts money from two American brothers who happen to believe a different political view called Republican makes the Union leader disappointed. Are you freaking kidding me. Where exactly is it written that only Democrats care about the education of African American students? excuse but – aren’t majority of the public schools they control in this country failing African American students? Oh yeah – they are. Yet, Blacks should just take marching orders and stay on the DFL plantation regardless of their failed education policies. Are you kidding me again, really. I mean the audacity and nerve of Mr. Saunders to not only think of such racist remarks but to actually say it publicly, loudly and proudly should speak volumes of the disconnect between DFLers and their failed education policies.
Imagine for a minute if UNCF took the same amount of donation from George Sorow and a conservative organization cut ties with UNCF. What do you think they would have been called. They would have been called racist, bias, bigots, and every other name in the book. I just can’t believe this is 2014 in America.
Here is my two cents to every DFLer who assumes all minorities will vote for them and believe they are the only fair minded Americans – come down of your high horse, don’t you dare think you have our votes guaranteed irrespective of your policies and ain’t nothing fair about your policies, because if they were then why are minority children failing in every district you control in this country from South Mpls to South Side Chicago to South Central LA?
Personally, I am glad UNCF accepted the donation and even more glad the Koch brothers were willing to help their fellow Americans get a better education.
Some light end of this education disparity for minority children nationwide: Nine students from California sued their state and won. They argued that because the state system of hiring and firing teachers was unfair since teachers kept their jobs not because they were good, but because selfish & arrogant unions fought for them that kept students from learning and getting a good free public education, thereby violating their constitution.
The other light in this tunnel is even Sec Duncan is coming around on education disparity gap which seems to be pissing off education unions, but really who cares if they are mad. Furthermore, previous Obama right hand man Robert Gibbs is joining the fight for children against ineffective teachers.
So, the tide is turning slowly but surely at least nationally.
Nevertheless, Gov Dayton is still in la la land in this area. Remember he vetoed a bill by the state legislature that would have fixed last hired/first fired teachers because Gov Dayton would rather protect and help his union friends instead of protecting and helping Minnesota students. Dayton is up for re-election this year and if you have a child in a public school and they are not learning at grade level. This is your chance to vote him out and elect someone who will truly put your children first and unions last. It should be our children first, not politicians wanting to keep their seats.
Related note: Askar is for school choice including charter schools and Noor is for protecting unions over children. Please make the right choice and vote for Askar. In addition, Johnson is for school choice as well whereby Dayton is not. Think about it as you vote this election year.
Thanks!
Above words do not reflect any candidate, committee or agency.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate
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