Joseph Lowery in radio ads: ‘Don’t let them resegregate our schools’
Opponents of Tuesday’s charter school ballot question this afternoon unveiled a series of four racially provocative, 60-second radio spots aimed at African-American audiences across the state.
Three of the radio ads include this plea from the 91-year-old Rev. Joseph Lowery, the legendary civil rights figure: “Don’t let them resegregate our schools.”
In case that message didn’t penetrate, the opposition group — Vote Smart! No to State-Controlled Schools — labeled one of the spots “Plessy” and another “Ferguson.” Plessy v. Ferguson was the 1896 U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized segregated public facilities in the South and ushered in the Jim Crow era.
It’s important to note that the charter school measure, which would reaffirm state authority to create charter schools over the objections of local systems, has significant support among African-Americans, according to polls – who figure heavily in pro-Amendment One advertising.
Listen to “Plessy” here:
The script:
Female narrator: “Nothing is more important than our schools. The power to control our local schools is one of our most precious rights. The courts have protected that right. But now, politicians and out-of-state money are trying to resegregate our schools. Amendment One would change the constitution.
“Unless we vote no, politicians in Atlanta will create a dual school system and take away our community’s right to control our local schools. Don’t let a small group of politicians in Atlanta resegregate our schools. Vote no on Amendment One. And keep control of our schools in our hands.”
Lowery: ”My beloved, I am the Rev. Joseph Lowery. Don’t let them resegregate our schools. I’m voting no on Amendment One. Thank you for listening.”
Former state labor commissioner and U.S. Senate candidate Michael Thurmond is featured in one of the four spots. He avoids the word “resegregate” but urges voters not to “let a small group of politicians turn back the clock.”
Families for Better Public Schools, the lead organization in support of the proposed constitutional amendment, already had a 10 a.m. Thursday press conference scheduled at the state Capitol, featuring African-American pastors in support of the measure.
Look for the radio ads to be a major topic.
Updated at 8:03 a.m. Thursday: State Rep. Rahn Mayo, D-Decatur, an Amendment One supporter who will be at the above event, sent this reaction last night:
“The time has come for us to move beyond the comparisons of education reform efforts to brutally painful and overtly inhumane periods in our nation’s history. Unfortunately, we are faced with the difficult task of addressing a crisis in our public school system, and it is understandable that this necessary change is met with great resistance. However, countless African-American children have been denied access to quality education over the past four decades, and this issue must be addressed in a variety of ways.
“Injecting harsh racial associations into the debate about the Charter Schools Amendment is counterproductive to a meaningful dialogue about how we evolve and provide our children with better access to quality educational options in Georgia.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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184 comments Add your comment
Blue
November 1st, 2012
9:12 am
Lowery lost any credibility with me when he used the Coretta King funeral as a platform to take shots at a president. He is a publicity hound…just like the ‘reverend’ Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton
Here For Clarity
November 1st, 2012
9:13 am
The amendment is to decide if the state should approve applications for new charter schools and reapplication for old ones or if local districts should continue to approve them in the same process they are using now. Allowing the state to have this much control over our kid’s education does more to take choice from parents and local communities…which is the main reason why many feel it is important to say “NO” to this amendment.
That said, racism and bigotry on both sides of the aisle is really sad and as an African American woman I really worry about my children and grandchildren’s future. Many African Americans are worried that as a minority, as a group of people whose voting rights have to be approved again and again by congress in order to continue in this country and as a people who just 40+ years ago could not look our White brothers and sisters in the eye without threat to life and limb in some instances our current rights will be hindered or subjugated in some way.
I understand my White brothers and sisters wanting to move beyond talk of these issues, I do too, but you don’t live in a world where it isn’t safe for you to travel some places just because of the color of your skin.
A real dialogue in this country needs to be started on race that starts with respect and ends with mutual admiration of all races and cultures. For us God-fearing Christians… there will not be a segregated heaven… we will ALL be there. We should work on getting there now…TOGETHER.
ROTFLMFAO
November 1st, 2012
9:14 am
AimHigh,
There is a word for you, too! IDIOT
Wake Up
November 1st, 2012
9:15 am
This is not a race issue Mr Lowery. It is about taking back the class room for the children that want to learn… These parents that fight for their child to keep them in school and work with the schools, unlike many parents in the Dekalb, Fulton, Clayton, Douglass, Gwinnett systems, should be able to send their child to any school. It’s called competition Mr Lowery not segregation. Wake up…..
crying shame
November 1st, 2012
9:21 am
I’ve had the unpleasurable experience of living and dealing with the educational staff in Clatyon Co. which was once by the way the most infuential county before the gentrification of Atlanta pushed their problems over to adjoining counties, brought in a transit system that lower property value along with a weak economy caused most parents to risk fines and or jail so their children can have a better education enrolling them into Fayette or South Fulton. ALL children no matter what race should have access to a high quality education. Parents should not have to worry all day if their children will receive a valued education or being bullied or beat up. A lot of people can lay blame on the teachers, but guess what teachers in the lower income schools spend most of their day dealing with problem children who refuse or have learning disabilities that wasn’t diagnosed early on. Therefore teacher can only give the students who are willing to learn only 35% of there time teaching. Over crowding, lack of resources such as books and supplies. I cast my ballot weeks ago and I voted “YES”. I believe in quality education for ALL children not just those who can afford it.
Former teacher
November 1st, 2012
9:22 am
Stop playing the race card. That in itself is racist. It is time we stand up for all students and schools. Eliminate the need for charter schools by:
1) eliminating tenure for teachers. Good teachers will not lose their jobs but the poor/ineffective teachers can be more easily weeded out.
2)rotate teachers among schools in a county/city school system. Alll students should be taught be good teachers. They are public employees who can and should be moved every few years to another school.
3)Re-establish discipline in the schools.
4)Remind parents they are there to support their child’s education. They are not there to run the school.
5)Enforce standards—stop social promotion. It is a crime against children.
6) And teach the basics well in elementary school. No computers, no calculators. Teach these children to read, write and solve mathematical problems. Learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide without automated help.
And the list could go on. Schools are poorly run in most states. They are too political and too politically correct.
Education here and in many other states is a joke. It will cease to be a joke when able administrators and teachers are in charge and much of the bureaucracy has been eliminated.
ROTFLMFAO
November 1st, 2012
9:22 am
Charity,
Most of the places “in a world where it isn’t safe for you to travel some places just because of the color of your skin” are made unsafe by people whose skin is the same color as yours.
Example – it’s unsafe to travel to 5-Points after dark because of “people of color” make it unsafe whether your skin color is black, white, yellow, or red.
What a sharp-tongued Joe Lowery said over the weekend | Political Insider
November 1st, 2012
9:24 am
[...] Several of the 60-second spots featured the Rev. Joseph Lowery, the 91-year-old civil rights figure. “Don’t let them resegregate our schools,” Lowery says in the ads. [...]
Iconoclast
November 1st, 2012
9:24 am
The local versus state-charter authorization debate wouldn’t be such a big deal to me if it weren’t for the fact that out-of-state private companies who run some charter schools weren’t a factor behind the amendment. I can respect the state having childrens’ education interests in overriding local districts on contentious charter school petitions. Opening the door to subsidize privately-owned school administration consultants is a a recipie for corruption and the sort of cronyism with which this state and governor are frequently already associated. It may be great for business, but it’s bad public policy. It’s analagous to letting the candyman open pediatric dental clinics.
ROTFLMFAO
November 1st, 2012
9:25 am
RIGHT ON TARGET Former teacher!!
northern neighbor
November 1st, 2012
9:43 am
Too many of you listen to Neal Boortz without your intellgence filter on.
R U 4 REAL?
November 1st, 2012
9:43 am
Only the AJC would make a racial thing out of this…I voted NO to charter schools because all of the money that is being filtered into the charter schools should be redirected into the public school system!
Pandora
November 1st, 2012
9:46 am
I agree with you Former teacher
GET REAL!
November 1st, 2012
9:50 am
Mr. Lowery has done alot for the black race. I read (not in the AJC) that he made the statement “all white people are going to hell”. A few years ago I hear a sermon he was giving where he said “I love white people but there will be alot of them in hell”. If a white person said this about blacks, GOD HELP HIM! This is what one may define as reverse racism. Mr Lowery comes across as a very bitter man. Not a good personality for a pastor. We all pray for you (REV?) Lowery.
ck
November 1st, 2012
9:55 am
http://atlantablackstar.com/2012/11/01/rev-joseph-lowery-under-fire-for-joking-that-white-people-going-to-hell/
Pandora
November 1st, 2012
9:57 am
Tommy…did you listen to the ENTIRE remarks Rev. Lowery made? He said white people, black people will go to hell. STOP making this into something it isn’t!
gagirl
November 1st, 2012
10:00 am
LMAO @ Bill Quantrill the Racist. Hey fool, those “savages” will return to their homeland when you return to yours. But thanks to your folks for bringing them here!
You’re just mad because your people STILL don’t know how black people built the pyramids. I bet that really chaps your hide, doesn’t it? hahahahahaha Idiot. You only oppress what you fear.
Anyone who has a problem with Rev. Lowery and his mission for equality is just a miserable racist with a low IQ. That’s really gotta suck.
gagirl
November 1st, 2012
10:03 am
Oh and by the way, African American is not a race. It’s a b.s. term made up to make certain people think this isn’t their country. Funny you never hear European American…….
OLJ
November 1st, 2012
10:04 am
In all our lives there is competition. Charter schools appear to be competition for public schools referencing funding. The main principle don’t be forced into public schools if you don’t want it and don’t be forced into charter schools if you don’t want it. It’s the American way to have a choice. Why is it not good to have both?
garyc
November 1st, 2012
10:10 am
I am so sick and tired of all this crap about desegragating,Mr.Lowery,if you would quit your whining every time about Black people not getting treated fairly,maybe this world would be a better place.All you ever want to complain about is Black people not get treated equally.I have no problem with black people ,Most black people I know have a good head on their shoulder.There are some that just don’t want to do nothing for their self,because you idiots(Lowery,Jackson,Sharpton)think just because their Black that they should have everything given to them on a silver platter.
Bobby
November 1st, 2012
10:24 am
No fool like an old fool!
Big Hat
November 1st, 2012
10:31 am
Charter schools today, 100% private schools tomorrow, no schools for the 99% forever.
DD
November 1st, 2012
10:31 am
A very wise man spoke about the issue of School Segregation. He stated, “A segregated school system produces children who, when they graduate, graduate with crippled minds. But this does not mean that a school is segregated because it’s all black. A segregated school means a school that is controlled by people who have no real interest in it whatsoever.” Those who support the Charter Amendment have a vested interest in their schools. The poster “Choose My School”, makes it cyrstal clear.
This is Dumb.
November 1st, 2012
10:36 am
I’m still struggling to understand what race has to do with any of this. I’ve met plenty of successful, well-off black people, and I’ve also met plenty of white trash people too. It’s not about race, it’s about the desire to succeed and the willingness to put in the work to do so. I think charter schools are great – children who WANT to do well, work hard, and succeed are given that opportunity without having to be held back by the kids who just want to slack off.
Jeff
November 1st, 2012
10:38 am
It is so refreshing to hear from Black people who can think independently and despise the comments from Rev. Lowery that Charter school system would resegregate our schools. By the way, Carl for mentioning that parents should have no choice in school goes to show what kind of parent you are.
cissy
November 1st, 2012
10:39 am
Y’all talk about “corporate-managed” charter schools like they are a bad thing. But if they provide a good education to the students who attend, and make the teachers they hire accountable for student learning, how is that a bad thing? There’s no need to reinvent the wheel… some of these corporations (when did that become a term of opprobrium?) have a great formula and get great results.
Bottom line: If public schools had done their jobs and been more responsive to students’ needs, this amendment would not be on the ballot.
filtered78
November 1st, 2012
10:42 am
The democratic race baiters are out in full force. Can’t win over based on the facts, so they resort to scare tactics. A tried and true political strategy.
H
November 1st, 2012
10:48 am
Dr. Lowery has fought some worthwhile battles. We all would agree on that. Every man and every woman. Maybe he just wants to be relevant in his later years. But If he really wanted a better education for black kids he would support the charter school amenment. Dr. Lowery seems to be more concerned with the people driving the Mercedes Benz C-Class with the Ga Educator license plates. Quite a few of them aren’t they?
creaative
November 1st, 2012
10:48 am
Come down to East Lake and see our Charter School. The whole community has benefited. Mostly Black by the way. My white kids will go there. REAL diversity. If you don’t support the Charter schools then you are uneducated on the matter. Ask all the black parents who send their kids to Drew Charter down here if they are happy their kids do not have to go to an APS school. This neighborhood used to be called “Little Vietnam” and now in 15 years time our community is diverse and thriving with our Charter School as a piece of the pie. Please someone who disagrees with me respond!!! I need some ignorance before noon.
Returning DCSS Parent
November 1st, 2012
10:56 am
As an African American parent of an extremely bright son, I voted yes because I had to drive several miles to a private school in order for my son to get the education he rightly deserves. He is a rising 9th grader at Arabia Mountain and is doing very well. Although not a charter school, it is a magnet school and he was chosen in a lottery. Every year was a constant search for us to find a good, safe, academically challenging school for my son because the local school was not up to par. Not every parent has the means to send their child to a private school. Every child deserves a solid education. As for local control, I do not trust DCSS to agree to authorize a charter school that shows how incompetent they are. The local middle school test scores are sad and the kids are suffering because there is a lot of lip service and no action other than to ask for more money. The more money they get, there is still no improvement in the traditional public school. Teachers are getting laid off but some of the staff at the central office received raises. The money doesn’t seem to make it to the classroom where it is needed the most.
As for all the racist comments, get your head out of your *ss and get over yourself. You probably have not been exposed to any people of color other than your own. You are not a good representation of your folks!!!!
What a sharp-tongued Joe Lowery said over the weekend
November 1st, 2012
11:14 am
[...] Several of the 60-second spots featured the Rev. Joseph Lowery, the 91-year-old civil rights figure. “Don’t let them resegregate our schools,” Lowery says in the ads. [...]
Award for Ivy Prep shows just how wrong Lowery and others crying ‘resegregation’ are | Kyle Wingfield
November 1st, 2012
11:19 am
[...] Rev. Joseph Lowery: Before you agree to record another advertisement decrying state charter schools as a maneuver to reinstate segregation in Georgia, perhaps you should check out the news about Ivy [...]
Benevolus
November 1st, 2012
12:49 pm
Thanks for speaking your mind on this point, Rev. Lowery.
Charter schools may be one avenue for a select few, high-achieving students to indeed escape relatively lower-performing schools that face tremendous challenges. But that seems a judgment best left to locally elected boards of education, who are charged with implementing mandates of compulsory, free (to the student) primary and secondary education, at least until any pretense of respecting and preserving local boards of education as institutions gets scrapped. Otherwise, at the end of the day, the local boards are simply left with even lower-performing schools facing aggravated tremendous challenges — with none of the select few, high-achieving students, their families, neighbors, friends, and business partners either focused on or sharing in efforts to improve education for the unselected, moderate- to low-achieving majority.
Additionally, while one may or may not like any particular local board member(s) or their collective actions from time to time, one can at least interact with them, offer support or opposition, and make efforts to participate, be heard, and seek redress. On the other hand, remote, unaccountable, State-appointed authorities, empowered to inject educational alternatives notwithstanding policies and priorities of locally elected officials, seem patently anathema. Consider how well top-down models work when imposed on education locally. Then consider how much more likely a competing system of schools would yield superior results overall, merely for being unilaterally imposed by the State authorities! But of course, the Governor is elected, and his (or her?) appointees would naturally be only people he (she) trusts.
Maybe the best solution to the perceived crises in public education really is to ham-string local boards of education, end-run efforts (good-faith or otherwise) to accomplish much with little by demanding more from less — in sum, to run away from issues and concerns plaguing communities, rather than build together toward a common good. If so, then consider next how best to turn a blind eye on other community needs; perhaps build more prisons, execute more criminals, detain and deport all variety of under-achieving undesirables, regardless of capability, disability, ethnicity, eye-color, gender, hair-color, handedness, heritage, national origin, orientation, race, religion, sex — even citizenship or birth. Besides, ultimately, nobody really wants to associate with their kind.
And America will be proud once again, when “all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.”
A Ghast
November 1st, 2012
1:28 pm
Yep, anybody without dark skin is headed to hell in a whitey hand basket. And the presidential election if definitely about race – not things like jobs, wars, economy, illegal aliens and border security, etc. of such insignificant things.
We knew the non-white community would play the race card if this race ever got tight. It always works.