by John Burl Smith

Two recent reports and a proposed lawsuit affirm the theory of a chasm of inequality for African Americans. Approaching 2000, the picture is grim; it suggests conditions not much different than slavery and segregation will persist into the new millennium.

One report, published by the Council for School Performance at Georgia State University, stated "652 schools failing on state report cards." Their data show 5.5 percent consistently scored below average in every major category for three years in a row. Funded by the Georgia Legislature in 1993, this watchdog group would not name the 98 elementary, 111 middle and 43 high schools where students consistently scored below national norms, including graduation exams, and attendance.

Next, failure rates among African Americans applying for teacher certifications reflect the same performance flaws, according to Peggy Torrey of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. "Teachers of all races tend to have lower expectations for black students in elementary and secondary school. Black students taking standardized test perform worse when they feel anxious about representing their race." She concluded, "The overwhelmingly white female teaching corps in elementary schools do not relate to black children nor do these children relate to them in ways that make learning relevant and exciting." This feedback loop underlies failure rates among blacks trying to become teachers.

Finally, Matthew Glavin, President of the Southern Legal Foundation, demanded that DeKalb County Board of Education dismantle its Minority to Majority (M-to-M) transfer program or face litigation. M-to-M allows black students to attend white schools. Glavin, claiming to speak for white parents, is opposed to the program because it is based on race. Virtually all the 4,297 students enrolled in the program are black. DeKalb's enrollment is approximately 76.3 percent black and 12.5 percent white. These numbers reflect America's dilemma and beg the question: How does one justify 12.5 percent enjoying all benefits at the expense of 76.3 percent?

Schools, students and those trying to become teachers are failing. This feedback loop cuts deep mental groves, like ropes or lashes. Given such impressive documentation, one must concede blacks lag behind whites in all standardized learning and performance categories. These reports show that fifty years after Brown v The Board of Education blacks perform as though segregation never ended. More important, they show how successful the system has been in denying equal access.

Findings by Dot M. Smith show stable disparities between blacks and whites. Smith terms her paradigm "Chasm of Inequality." It demonstrates that since slavery, institutionalized racism is the only variable that explains the stable socioeconomic and political disparities between blacks and whites. It predicts blacks, as a whole, will score less than whites in all relevant welfare measures from income to unemployment.

Smith's chasm of income inequality allows one to quantify the affects of slavery and segregation, which heretofore has represented a major hurdle in establishing claims of institutionalized racism. Medium family income represents socioeconomic factors such as community status, educational level, career options, lifetime earnings and retirement.

Smith's model captures the dynamics of institutionalized racism. It helps explain disparities of achievement between white and black schools. Since slavery, reading and math have been associated with negative consequences for blacks. This further explains racial differences on standardized tests.

Fair-minded people would never suggest blacks achieved equality, nor that blacks are genetically inferior to whites, or bear the mark of Khan to explain such disparities. Institutionalized racism impacts every aspect of African American life and limits advancement as individuals and as a group. Therefore, the persistent differences, shown in Fig. 1 for income, are a function of some societal mechanism, rather than chance. Indeed, this feedback loop assures blacks remain trapped in the chasm of inequality in the future, as during slavery.

Other Essays by John Burl Smith

Disgruntled says: Poverty pimps need to shut up and find another way to hustle a buck!

Disgruntled feels: Marginalized!

Disgruntled wants to know: If we cannot remove a symbol from the state flag, what hope do we have of making meaningful change elsewhere? Disgruntled

They Call Me

I come from Africa as someone's property.

As a slave, I'm treated in many ways

Like an animal. I am a non-person,

Belittled and must submit to others.

I am considered a jungle beast,

A coon, and a darky. They called me, NIGGER.

I am now a free man and a citizen.

I have rights, not actually recognized.

There are Black Codes, Jim Crow laws and the KKK.

Yes, I am free, but I am thought to be inferior And a simpleton.

They called me COLOURED.

I am finally "accepted" in society,

BUT only as a second class citizen.

I have basic human rights, but few civil rights.

The rules are unfair and Separate

But Equal is the law of the land.

"We Wear the Mask that Grins and Lies,"

But yet we prosper. They called me, NEGRO.

I am tired. I am angry!

I won't be pushed around anymore.

Let's end discrimination! I will march in protest.

I demand what's due me! Revolution! Rebellion!

Riot! Destruction! Black Power! Violence!

I am somebody! I am beautiful and proud!

They called me, BLACK. I have overcome,

And am highly successful in society.

There is honor, respect, recognition,

Credibility, and magnificent splendor.

However, many unfavorable attitudes still exist.

I am still struggling but will continue to grow.

I have evolved, not arrived.

They call me, AFRICAN AMERICAN.

Author Unknown: These comments accompanied the poem: "What the author should have added: "There is killing amongst our children, degradation against our women, infestation of disease throughout our communities, and distribution of drugs in our blood, and sadly, we call ourselves NIGGA. As evolved as we are, until we stop allowing our lives to evolve around what others think of our image and actions as a people and start, instead acting as we would like to see ourselves we will only become what THEY called us to begin with". E-mail: Sdavis@wakemed.org. Venue

Atlanta's Mayor Bill Campbell got it right when he decided to join in the fight against gun manufacturers. The swift passage of a bill to prevent Atlanta from suing gun manufacturers just goes to show how entrenched some organizations are in this society. The DISH does not often compliment Campbell, but it supports his efforts in this regard. This bill should be ruled unconstitutional. Again, Campbell is on point for challenging it. How can the state take away the people's right to seek redress in the courts? This bill is preposterous! Why did it pass? NRA lobbied hard and bought everybody.

Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta) and the other Georgia state legislators sponsored House Bill Number 163 to remove the Confederate battle emblem from Georgia's flag. Now, the rest of us need to write, call, fax and e-mail state house and senate members urging them to make passage of this bill a reality. More important, we need to get the Governor involved in the process of unifying the state under a symbol we can all look upon with pride, dignity and respect. By showing how committed we are to removing overt symbols of racism in Georgia, Rep. Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) might do more than bury the bill in subcommittee. With our encouragement, he may bring the flag bill up for vote this session. Kudos

The DISH is encouraging Governor Roy Barnes to take former governor Zell Miller's lead and veto the Dairy Bill. In a nutshell, this legislation will mean higher milk prices for Georgia's consumer. Dairy interest should not be allowed to victimize consumers.

DISHing It Up Hot!

by Dot Smith

Banks and other financial institutions play an important role in the economic viability of a community. First, they enable the community to realize a return on otherwise idle money balances; banks are relatively safe places to store money and interest is paid on time deposits. Second, they provide the continuous stream of investment within a community that insures a stable economic growth pattern exists. For property owners, local banks provide mortgages and home improvement loans, and for business persons, they are a source of investment funds. Banks have other roles, but these most affect communities' economic welfare.

Like a narcotics junky, without continual injections of investment for both businesses and homeowners, the community experiences withdrawal symptoms, i.e., deteriorating buildings, decreasing property values, flight from the community, a diminishing tax base, inferior school system, abandoned buildings, etc. Unless the local banks inject essential investment, over time, these conditions worsen.

Redlining is used by banks to deny a geographical area or neighborhood needed investment funds. Some neighborhoods are redlined because they are viewed as high credit risk areas. So, regardless of the condition of local residential and commercial property, no loans are made available to property owners. Too often, banks do not have such sound reasons to justify their refusal to respond to an area's economic needs. The experience of an upscale South DeKalb County community in trying to secure commercial investments other than truck stops and pawn shops is a classic case of redlining. Most often, redlining adversely affects minority neighborhoods. What can we do about it? We can stop putting our money in institutions that do not invest in our community. DISHing It Up Hot!

The Dark One is on vacation! When asked about his weekly comment, the Dark Knight/White Ninja/Zorro replied, "Just leave me alone grandma." Bat Cave

A mysterious fire destroyed portions of the gallery and performing art establishment- Level II. The pre-Valentine's Day show, Erotica II, is canceled until further notice. Thankfully, no one was injured in the mishap. More on the fire and future show in next week's edition.

On Volume 2 Issue 4, a reader wrote: "Wacky and weird and nothing I'd usually find between the tin insides of my country mailbox. Thanks for a look at the other side of the wrapper." E-mail from Catalun@aol.com

"Please read - Makes you wonder. . .Scenario: It is time to elect a world leader, and your vote counts. Here's the scoop on the three leading candidates.

Candidate A: Associates with ward healers and consults with astrologists. He's had two mistresses. He chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

Candidate B: Was kicked out of office twice. Sleeps until noon. Used opium in college. Drinks a quart of brandy every evening.

Candidate C: Is a decorated war hero.

He's a vegetarian. Doesn't smoke. Drinks an occasional beer. Hasn't had any illicit affairs." E-mail from cgreen@benserv.com. NOTE: Which of these candidates is your choice? Who did you choose? See answers at end of page.

"Just wanted to take a minute to let you know how very impressed I am with your news letter. It is very thought provoking. I truly enjoy it. I don't mean to sound so surprised but I have received black news letters in the past that were little more than personal sounding boards or obvious tools to stroke the creator's ego. I look forward to being made aware and made to think with your next news letter." E-mail from KRKnight@mobilnet.gte.com

Mailbox

Dubbing him "Voice for the hard-working poor," Cynthia Tucker (11-22-98) ensconced Jesse Jackson as a voice of "consequence." Undoubtedly, such a lofty perch provided Rev. Jackson with the perception Georgia's black legislators needed his guidance in establishing priorities. Atlanta Journal-Constitution(2-5-99) reported Jesse scolded Rep. Tyrone Brooks and others for focusing too much on "the flag," rather than "the budget."

Unlike legislators in Illinois, Georgia's elected representatives can walk and chew gum at the same time. Georgians understand substance is a must, but symbols represent the commitment of people to ideals. It is unfortunate that Rev. Jesse Jackson and his rhetoric are stuck in the 1970's. Even more pathetic is his need to micro manage others, hopscotching around the world giving orders, rather than concentrating his efforts in Chicago. Had he committed more than his mouth to Senator Carol Mosely Braun, she would still be serving Illinois. Jesse wake up and smell the Millennium! Phantom Scribbler...

Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt

Candidate B is Winston Churchill

Candidate C is Adolph Hitler

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