Plan to create military school sparks protest

Latest

The Ames School community takes its protest to the Board of Education. The community is against plans to turn the school into a military school. PHOTO/ DEBORAH MCCOY
The Ames School community takes its protest to the Board of Education. The community is against plans to turn the school
into a military school. PHOTO/ DEBORAH MCCOY

CHICAGO— I started off at the wrong meeting. A staff person at Ames school sent me to a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) meeting upstairs.  I soon knew I was not where I was supposed to be. Where were the angry parents? I found them downstairs with a Mr. Conner from the CPS who had been sent to “manage” the anger generated by an arbitrary decision to turn Ames into a military school. No one had bothered to ask the parents if this was a good idea.
Ames has an outstanding program of parent mentorship recognized nationally as a huge success. At Ames, every aspect of this beloved community school is monitored by teachers, parents, and students assuring a growing level of positive results. Attendance, academic and every other measure are up. There is that old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Even with success at Ames, Alderman Roberto Maldanado announced that a Marine and Science Military school would be housed at Ames, fulfilling his lifelong “dream.” He knew full well that the community he is supposed to represent did not share this dream. Last month, the Mayor ordered a community center in a poor neighborhood in the Pilsen to be bulldozed, over community protests and promises that that it would not happen. Another figurative bulldozer is now aimed at Ames School.
Equal quality education is not on the agenda in Chicago—period. The recent school closings, massive teacher layoffs, and subsidies to private charter schools is the reality. Tons of money is being siphoned out of the public schools and used to advance a corporate agenda. The Department of Defense is always looking for youngsters to “be all they can be,” and the City is obliging by budgeting for more military schools.
Turning Ames into a military school is a win—win for Alderman Maldanado (the biggest real estate owning alderman in town.) Will some money mysteriously flow into his coffers? It also allows him to appear patriotic, shuffling off mostly kids from poorer communities on a path to become cannon fodder in the next war.
Privatizing and militarizing education works for corporations who are even willing go to war to maintain their profits and power. For the rest of us these solutions are a recipe for death and disaster. With computers and robotics in all areas of production, especially in the military, only a certain number of working class children need even apply. The others will be warehoused, but not educated.
The parents, teachers, and students at Ames are intent on winning a non-military quality education for their children. The powers that be are determined to have their way and are moving ahead with their plans. The Ames community is preparing by organizing and deepening its understanding of the situation. This struggle is well underway and will continue until we win.

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Journalist Says Why ‘I Can No Longer Work With Reuters’

A photojournalist says why it is impossible for her to maintain a relationship with Reuters "given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza."

Abrego Garcia Detained Again, Could be Deported to Uganda

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant worker, was freed from detention in Tennessee Aug. 22 and then re-arrested by ICE on Aug. 25 in Maryland. The Trump administration is trying to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda.

An Open Letter to Mayor Matt Mahan of San Jose, CA.

From the San Jose CA Frontlines: Stop the sweeps. Unhoused people want a safe place to stay. All people should be respected, shown compassion, understanding.

Global Food Authority Declares Catastrophic Famine in Gaza

On Aug. 22, the world's top authority on hunger crises officially declared that a catastrophe-level famine in Gaza exists—a humanitarian disaster engineered by Israel's relentless blockade of food aid and other life-saving supplies.

Thousands of Texans Protest Trump’s Redistricting Plan To Get More Votes

The Texas capitol of Austin saw 5,000 people protesting Trump’s unconstitutional redistricting plan and other issues threatening our democracy.

More from the People's Tribune