Wendy Does Waco

By Fred

June 18, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

It’s a long, painful period of neglect, exclusion and racism in East Waco. It continues to this day. Open your eyes Wendy. It’s right in front of you. Millions of dollars are being spent in Downtown Waco and not a dime is to be spent in East Waco (just across the river). Extra Police patrol in Downtown Waco and just two Waco Police in East Waco (with all the violence and Crack houses). That special trip last week to Chattanooga? Not one East Waco leader in the all-white, all-rich Baylor group. Waco City Hall and the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce have turned their backs to the impoverished people of East Waco. The people of East Waco are angry Wendy. Angry and about to explode. Don’t be surprised if the people rise up and destroy the new richness of the exclusive Downtown Waco excess.

By seriously?

June 18, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

Seriously?? What about the new Street Crimes unit that patrols parts of East Waco at least a few nights each week?? I’ve seen more cops in east Waco than I have in South for sure. Be informed before you spread too much ignorance and hate. Yes, it wasn’t right for there to be no minority leaders on the trip, but do we know if they were contacted in the first place?

By wendy

June 18, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Fred, dude, the school district has NOTHING to do with downtown growth. Did you know they don’t even get taxes from all that crap??? It all goes to TIF. Hear me and hear me well, the school district is not the city. And watch it with the open your eyes crap, were you at those two meetings this week? Have you toured schools in EW to see their disrepair or to write about their accomplishments? I have.

By michael

June 18, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

I moved to Waco in 1958. I’m white. I remember segregated water fountains, restrooms, public transportation, and of course, the schools. Brown vs. Board of Education happened in 1954, but Waco has always lagged behind other cities. It was 1971 that desegregation made it to Richfield High. The previous school year there was one black kid and very few hispanic students. The very substandard all black highschools were shut down and split up and bused. The racial divides may no longer be physically present, but the scars run deep. Meanwhile, whiteflight has created a newer version of segregation and there are fewer white faces in many neighborhoods within Waco proper. WISD needs some serious help, but more importantly we all need to re-evaluate the way the State of Texas does education. If children are our future and we depend on the present system to educate them, I don’t think many will need sunglasses. We can’t wait ANY longer. The time for reform is now, and I certainly don’t blame east Waco for being angry about it.

By Fred

June 18, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

Well now if ole Fred didn’t “ruffle” Miss Wendy’s tail-feathers a bit? The people of East Waco don’t trust ANY part of Waco’s government “establishment” (WISD, Waco City Hall, County SO, or the Greater (all white) Waco Chamber of Commerce). WISD has miss-managed money and has one of the worst school districts in the State (TEA and TAKS test results). Like it or not Waco schools “suck”…..like Wiley. TIF has “cheated” East Waco and has manipulated real estate values. You can throw a rock accross the Brazos river (at Franklin and U. Parks) but a parking lot just West of the River is valued in the millions and a parking lot in East Waco is in the thousands (a fraction of the inflated value). You folks at the Trib. are either “blind as bats” or you have been “bought and paid for” by the rich, white Waco status quo? But just you wait (Miss Wendy) wait until Mrs. Mills sings in September………..Downtown Waco Profiteering extraordinaire will be exposed.

By Fred

June 19, 2008 5:25 AM | Link to this

And now the new Principal at Waco High School has “given up” on Waco High as well. He didn’t last long at Waco High did he? He’s leaving for a much better school in Tyler.

By Hal

June 19, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Fred, be careful what you wish for. I think East Waco is a prime example of 1930’s architecture, and it is a jewel in the rough. I see cute botiques (already has the best dress shop in the city with Marilyn’s), gift shops, artisan workshops with apprintiships, and a vibrant arts district. That would drive up values, and taxes. But it would give pride to those that seem to be lacking it. And the artisans would give the children a real gift to take with them their whole lives. It wouldn’t be that hard to do. Just a can do attitude. Attitude is just about everything.

By No Name

June 19, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

I think that there are many parents in that area that never valued education for themselves, and therefore do not know how to instill the value into their children.

There’s a bigger issue here- it ranges from poverty, teenage pregnancy, etc. When you have a 15 year old having kids, then when that child is 6 and starting 1st grade- the mother herself is all of 21. What are the chances she finished school herself? See, we don’t want to teach responsibility in the schools in regards to sex (because you can preach abstinence all day long, but they are still engaging)- but then we don’t know what to do when that 15 year old starts popping out babies every other year (or each year- I have personally seen a 20 year old with FIVE children)- point is, until the parents value education, then they won’t value the education of their children.

I can recall a time when my daughter went to a WISD school for Kindergarten. That was her first and ONLY year in WISD. PTA meetings- the only folks who showed up at any of those things were those parents who worked (it was obvious, based on their dress and their rushed entrance after 5). When I moved my children out to Connally district, what a stark difference- each meeting for PTA, “Meet the Teacher” would be so packed full of parents, you could hardly walk.

I don’t know how you engage parents to care. I really don’t. I wish I did. However, that’s why they weren’t there Wendy. They don’t care.

Fred- whether the “city” gives a damn about those people in EW is not the point, sometimes people have to learn to be pro-active THEMSELVES and take some PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY- especially in regards to the education of their children. As a matter of fact, I’d like to think that if I were in a poverty stricken area, and wanted better for my children, I’d do anything I could to at least make it better for MINE, which oftentimes turns into making it better for ALL.

Why should the City, School Board, or anyone else stick their necks out for someone who doesn’t care ANYWAY?

By Hal

June 19, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

Null, I have a hard time believing that parents don’t care. What I believe is that they don’t understand the system, and they are frightened of the system. They don’t understand that the teachers and the parents are a team. Also, many are beaten down, having no drive to raise winners. When all your energy is put into working to put food on the table and a roof over the head of the family, there is not a lot of energy left to go to a school meeting. Plus, who wants to go hear how bad your kid is, or how poor a student he is. You already know that. I taught in areas with mostly minority children. And the kids were great. But many parents either had unrealistic expectations, or were resigned to the fact that their kid was no good. Hard to change a parents outlook. And it reflects onto the child.

By single mom

June 19, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

I agree with Null, Wendy. The discord with EW goes so far back. The city is to Blame to a point. I remember being told all through school to stay out of EW it was dangerous. This was told to us by Community Leaders and the Police. It wasn’t until I started reading Waco History that I developed a love for that part of town. But, as for the school issue it is all about the parents. I for one do not want that money that comes from my taxes to go to a part of town that will not value it and take care of it. I would love to put that school in EW and see those children excell and have the chances that no other school in WISD has and watch them take over the city. These kids should not be punished because they have never been taught that they deserve only the best and the only way to get it is through education. Everyone blames the young in EW well folks guess what….who the heck taught them to behave that way. It starts with the parents. You have to be the parent a not your childs best buddy. Fred you can’t blame the city for everything. Yes the way they behave with EW is horrible but if the parents and adults would take pride in their part of town then we would never have to warn people to stay away from that part of town. Wendy your best bet to find out what really Happened is to go talk to some of the elderly in North Waco. They have the scoop and they are more than happy to share. My grandmother claims it has to do with the rebuild after the tornado and how certian city leaders decided to not rebulid or offer any funds to EW. Then there was some huge blow up about the loss of Paul Quinn College. EW plays a huge part in Waco history and if you can get around all the racisim from both sides it’s a pretty cool story. Happy Hunting!

By No Name

June 19, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

When all your energy is put into working to put food on the table and a roof over the head of the family, there is not a lot of energy left to go to a school meeting.

I work a fulltime job putting food on my table too. I’m a single parent with two kids to take care of with no outside help. I’m providing a roof as well. I did everything in my power to always stay involved. Always. Otherwise, my all my work at doing all those things would end up being in vain, and that’s not for me.

• they are frightened of the system*

I get that…to a point. I’d be frightened if I were at risk of going to jail maybe- but to at least get somewhat involved. It’s such a cycle. You do have teachers with kids whose parents don’t care, and then you know to some degree those teachers quit caring as well. You have uneducated parents that take NO responsibility for ANYTHING in regards to their children, and take out all frustration on the teachers, administrators, etc- and then expect them to HELP them? Human nature is that THAT won’t happen.

Yes, it’s very hard to change a parent’s outlook. That’s why I said it’s “bigger” than just school.

By poopsandwich

June 20, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

My girls went to JH Hines in the early 90’s. They had GREAT teachers there. My 3rd daughter’s kindergarten teacher won teacher of the year in the district.

Miss Helen is the best principle my kids have ever had. Period.

The undercurrents of racial tension have been around a long time. See this page:

http://www.wacohistoryproject.org/Moments/walkout.htm

I knew Clarence Chase, played for him and loved the guy dearly. I cried when I found out he had died. The guy was one the greatest coaches in Texas history. But where’s the love?

I agree there needs to be personal involvement and responsibility. But there also needs to be some assurance that the voices heard will be considered.

Lets let the hate die people.