Focus on the at-risk
TheGlobeandMail.com – Opinion/editorial –
November 14, 2008 at 10:30 PM EST
It would be a shame if the useful and groundbreaking elements in a massive new report on youth violence commissioned by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty were dismissed too quickly because that report bears an unfortunate tinge of political correctness.
What is useful is the call for a vast effort to identify the most at-risk neighbourhoods of 400 to 700 people across Canada’s biggest province and build up a wide range of supports (social, academic, psychological, job-related and recreational) for the young people in those neighbourhoods, in part by turning the schools over to community programs, once class lets out in the afternoon. Modelled on a program in Britain, and an extension of a more limited program in Toronto, such an effort would be far from a panacea for angry, alienated teenagers. But it is concrete, it need not drain the treasury, and it may reach some young people who are open, for better or worse, to external influence. Also useful in the nearly 2,000-page report and literature review by Roy McMurtry, a former Ontario chief justice, and Alvin Curling, a former cabinet minister, is the insistence on making mental-health services truly universal for children and youth.
Less useful is the focus on institutional racism, and the prescriptions that range from predictable to far-fetched. The far-fetched: Police officers should be “‘assessed for competence’ in matters of race.” What on Earth does that mean? Put on the rack until they mouth the proper platitudes? Another is that school boards should put their black (sorry, “racialized”) teachers and administrators in the schools with black (oops) populations. There is something incredibly condescending about that, from the standpoint of the teachers whose aspirations are no doubt as varied as those of their non-black counterparts, and of the students, who would surely benefit from good teachers of all hues. A far better idea, proposed by the Brookings Institution in the United States, is to give bonuses to encourage the best teachers to teach in the most at-risk schools.
In the first two months of the school year in Toronto, there have already been a stabbing and a shooting on school property; there was another one at summer school in July, and a fatal shooting in May that prompted this report. The authors are right to be concerned that, even though crime statistics are stable, public spaces are increasingly being ceded to violence, and there are major “concentrations of disadvantage” that nurture anger in young people. And too many black youth are being raised in just those conditions.
A segment of those youth see society as the enemy. Reaching the most disadvantaged young people early is therefore crucial.
This entry was posted on Saturday, November 15th, 2008 at 5:13 pm and is filed under Child & Family Debates, Education Debates, Equality Debates, Inclusion Debates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
366 Responses to “Focus on the at-risk”
« Older Comments | Newer Comments »
Leave a Reply
Recent Comments
274919 545927You completed numerous nice points there. I did a search on the issue and identified nearly all individuals will have exactly the same opinion along with your blog. 147026
There is a lot of misunderstanding about these issues today. Your material helps explain things.
823996 148257I like your writing style actually loving this web web site . 916285
Our family had similar issues, thanks.
I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail on the head. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Nice post.Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂 Thank you and good luck.
What a great article.. i subscribed btw!
I think it is a nice point of view. I most often meet people who rather say what they suppose others want to hear. Good and well written! I will come back to your site for sure!
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye -.
Great post, keep up the good work, I hope you don’t mind but I’ve added on my blog roll.
That is really fascinating, You’re an excessively skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to in the hunt for extra of your magnificent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
There is so much to try to understand
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many helpful stuff in your website especially its discussion. From the tons of responses on your posts, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the excellent work
Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but I’m glad I visited. I will post a link to this site on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
You are not right. I am assured. I can prove it. Write to me in PM, we will talk.
Does it look like we’re in for a big ride here?
I love your blog. It looks every informative.