Simple Q:

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

http://labornotes.org/2012/02/chicago-occupation-challenges-corporate-school-agenda

This isn't terribly big news. But it does show that an occupation of space can lead to a positive result.

To be fair, I felt occupation was a silly tactic back in early September 2011. I've come around sense then.

Have you? Does this article mean anything to you? Does it make you think that maybe occupying spaces is a tactic that gets results?

Comments

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

I know what I think a "positive result" would be, and I'm not seeing it here. You never explain what the "positive result" is here, so I'm asking you to expand on it. Can you do that?

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

the occupiers did force all seven school board members to each engage a team of parents and community members in intensive discussions on the future of the school, cracking a wall of silence from city leaders

[major-dallas.livejournal.com]

so no reversal, just a meeting. Well that is more than nothing...

[dwer.livejournal.com]

it's a lot, actually. The Chicago government, particularly when it comes to schools, has been very dismissive of parents and communities when it comes to this sort of thing.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

I wonder if your mayor or my mayor has the bigger egos :P

Cuz Mayor Bloomberg has a really nasty temper.

[dwer.livejournal.com]

Oh, mine has the bigger ego, but yours has more money.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

They should do a mock fight on Vince McMahon's wrestling show ;)

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

How did the occupiers force it? Are you seriously claiming that they would not have gotten the same result being adults about it?

Furthermore, if "engagement" means "opposition to a good charter school," is that a "positive result?" If so, how is the status quo on schooling better than the alternative being floated?

[dwer.livejournal.com]

No, they would not have gotten the same results without using their first amendment rights to protest the decision in the the way that they did.

"good charter school" is not an absolute, nor is it a fact. A school that pushes out "undesirables" in an attempt to make it look like it's doing better is failing at being a school, not succeeding.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

No, they would not have gotten the same results without using their first amendment rights to protest the decision in the the way that they did.

How do you figure?

"good charter school" is not an absolute, nor is it a fact. A school that pushes out "undesirables" in an attempt to make it look like it's doing better is failing at being a school, not succeeding.

How do you know that's the plan here?

[dwer.livejournal.com]

Because I've been living in Chicago for years, and CPS ignores people a whole lot. And I know that's the plan because that's ALWAYS been the plan -- because I've living in Chicago for years and I've seen it.

Did you READ the article?

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

I did, yes. This is all assumption by you, then, good to know.

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

Because that's what they do.