NYC leaders support black girl who read white nationalism poem

Newdsay ^ | March 14, 2006 | MARCUS FRANKLIN

[beaversmom]

NEW YORK -- Autum Ashante, a 7-year-old black girl who caused a stir at two Westchester schools by reciting a poem she wrote about white nationalism, received support from some New York City leaders on Tuesday.

First, she stood on the City Hall steps with Councilman Charles Barron, who denounced what he described as attacks and harassment since Autum spoke last month at a middle and high school. Barron said he planned to ask Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's office to look into whether the girl's free speech rights were violated.

Later, she had an appearance scheduled with the Rev. Al Sharpton.

On Feb. 28, Autum delivered a poem titled "White Nationalism Put U In Bondage," in which Christopher Columbus and Charles Darwin are likened to pirates and vampires. She also asked students to stand and recite the "Black Child's Pledge," an oath of responsibility and black pride.

When white students at the Peekskill High School assembly stood with black students, Autum told them to sit down, the school district's superintendent said. The Peekskill City School District then sent recorded messages to parents of its 3,000 students apologizing to anyone who was offended.

Barron said he couldn't understand why anyone would be offended. He characterized the girl as "brave" and "outspoken in telling the truth," and he defended her 162-word poem, praising it as evoking "peace, power and pride about her heritage."

"Someone decided to call parents and apologize," Barron, a former Black Panther, said at the news conference. "Some are talking about banning her from speaking in the school system. You don't have to agree with everything we say, but we have a right to say it. We are very, very proud of you, Autum."

Barron said he couldn't cite specific incidents of harassment of the girl since she read...

[durasell]

As 600,000 or so African immigrants in NYC all say, "Good luck with that..."

[Tired of Taxes]

Oops... I meant to ping the whole group the first time.

I was reading the article thinking, "Another reason to homeschool," and then I read she was homeschooled. :-0 Her parents should be free to teach her as they see fit, even though I disagree with them. But... why is THIS homeschooler given so much time and attention in the public school system when homeschooled kids usually aren't even allowed to participate at all in public school activities? (Rhetorical question).

[Tired of Taxes]

When white students at the Peekskill High School assembly stood with black students, Autum told them to sit down

My kids are quote-unquote "biracial". I would hope, in that situation, they would neither stand nor sit but simply walk out or turn their backs.

[durasell]

...or they could stand then sit, moving up and down like a road tour of Guys and Dolls performing Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat...that would freak the little poet out.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

[Tired of Taxes]

lol... yeah, that's what I was picturing, too, at first... Hmmm... dilemma. Sit or stand? Oh, forget it, I'm walking out...

[durasell]

This whole thing is nothing but a piece of shameless promotion on the part of the parent(s). These kids crop up every now and again, then quickly fade.

The thing that sets this apart is the apparent radicalism and Africa thing. Most of the African immigrants I know would either be scratching their hands over this or laughing out loud.

[AD from SpringBay]

Just remember boys & girls - only straight, white, Christian men are racist. Everybody else is diverse.

[durasell]

hands=heads

[HungarianGypsy]

Just remember boys & girls - only straight, white, Christian men are racist. Everybody else is diverse.
I don't know why, but reading your comment reminded me of being in college and having a black boy ask me why I didn't date people of color. I said I just hadn't met any that I felt chemistry with. He said I was limiting myself. Then, said he needed to leave because if his girlfriend saw him talking to a white girl she would be mad. Double standard.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

"There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs -- partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs."

Booker T. Washington

[mrs tiggywinkle]

"Think about it: We went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens. We went into slavery with chains clanking about our wrists; we came out with the American ballot in our hands... "Notwithstanding the cruelty and moral wrong of slavery, we are in a stronger and more hopeful condition, materially, intellectually, morally, and religiously, than is true of an equal number of black people in any other portion of the globe."

Booker T. Washington / Up From Slavery

[beaversmom]

In this article or another one, it was stated that her dad "worked" on it with her--how much it was him and not her, I don't know.

[lalajay]

I was not raised as a color but as a person to simply respect others and to give people the same respect I expect from them. The first book I was able to read at the age of 5 was the Bible and if I was unsure of what something meant I was able to get out the dictionary and figure it out. I was always asking why and the only way I was sure to find out was to look, listen and learn for myself. I was not taught to hate or form an opinion about a specific race based on some activities or actions. Not until I move to TN was I ever exposed to an environment of majority "Black" or "White". In FL, MD, DC, VA, NY, NJ, I was always used to people of many different races and exposed to various cultures. If you are clearly not so called pure white in TN you will experience a form of hatred even so from those who have mixed grandchildren. They are quite surprised that your houses look and are kept better than theirs, they are quick to assume that you are doing something wrong if you have a better job than them, and drive better cars then them. Even with a degree and more education they will lie to your face and state that the person they chose has more experience than you even though you know for a fact it is their relative they are looking out for, who came from a factory job with no schooling beyond high school. They continue to make up reasons of why "Her" raise was 6% and yours was only 3% even though you used no sick days and came in early for your shift for the last 6 years of your work history with that company and put in OT to make sure you met the deadlines without getting recocnized for a job well done. They have question of why you may like county music or even have horses and play golf better than them. Some people were just raised to succeed, always stay ready for change, embrace technology work hard and always do your best and great things will come to you. And that is what keeps them happy they don't notice the so called "Man" because they have not let anything stand in their way!! Just because one child is observant of what is going around her and uses poetry to get across what she can see out of her eyes in her environment she is not wrong, this is what she can see around her.

Have a blessed day!!

[usmcobra]

Do you know the song and where it is from.

That was a song I posted not a poem.

It was an anthem for change, part of a Musical by Rogers and Hammerstein, the name of the song "You have to be carefully taught" the name of the musical "South Pacific".

It taught me tolerance, sadly this young child isn't being taught tolerance for others.

[darkangel82]

I have to admit for a seven year old girl that is a really well written poem. I am not saying I agree with it, but taken as a piece of work I would of though more of a teenager.

Either it was written by an adult or there is a Strong budding intelligence in there.

She did not write this poem. It was written for her by an adult.