Keeping Obasohan
Published Monday, June 29, 2009
It's really aggravating to believe that folks about here would be petty enough to walk into a school superintendent's office and ask him to resign because he won't hire the "proper people" or keep the "proper people" in certain jobs. This kind of behavior smacks of heavy handed oversight by someone appointed as a member of a board.
Austin Obasohan is a good administrator. He co-ops people. He listens. He cares about the children. He has tried to work to build coalitions. All this he has done in the face of a tug-of-war by the school board.
Some members of the school board have deep ties to workers throughout the system. They want to see their friends succeed. Don't we all? But to put a district at risk by asking the school superintendent to resign and clear the way for someone to keep an old position?
Monday night an executive session is expected to discuss these things. ...
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Comments
This behavior is common in Selma. This is the main reason Selma is at a stand still. It is not racial, it is about power. People in leadership positions are more concern about their child getting jobs, their children's babies mommas getting jobs, their mistresses getting jobs, or anyone that will go along to get along.
People in Selma do not want employees or administrators with a brain, you just need to have the right name. That name is WEAK.
Sounds alot like the past administration filling slots with sisters, cousins and so forth. When Selma incompetents and their ilk want to control the process with a strong arm and not a brain...this is what happens. If it doesn't go their way, then they scream the only thing they know...Racism.
And this is the same board that has sat by watching Selma High crumble over the years and done NOTHING to resolve the problem. Now Selma is faced with having to fund a $40 million dollar school because of their inept bungling and feet dragging. And this is what it comes to??
This type of behavior by Rose Sanders and her cronnies around 1990 lead the resegregation of our schools. Marching throught the schools and creating an unsafe atmosphere while demanding that their person runs the school system ran the white children out of the public schools and into the private academies. Haven't the people of Selma had enough of this behavior?
Mr. Obasohan, stand up and do what you have to do to fix our public schools. Do not feel pressured into hiring incompetant people but instead, hire based on actual merit and ability, no matter the person's age, religion, color, family ties, etc.
If someone is not qualified for their position (and I'm not talking about Mr. Obasohan) they need to hit the road. It shouldn't matter who they are friends or relatives of. Our kids and their future HAVE to come first!
JMO,
MJ
Dr. Obasohan has exhibited exemplary behavior as superintendent of Selma City Schools. His collaborative decision making practices have brought all stakeholders into our school system. Isn’t this what research shows us is a best practice? Including those affected in the decision process? He is a professional who has worked very hard for the past school year to improve our school system. What I see is a superintendent looks at an individual’s qualifications, enthusiasm, and professionalism on the job. He listens to the stakeholders who make up the hiring committees. He then makes a recommendation for who is the best candidate to fill the job. It is refreshing in Selma to see someone do what is right rather than work politically.
Stay strong, Dr. Obasohan! You are making decisions that are going to positively impact our children and our future! We got your back! Remember, when you have done all that you can just STAND and watch the Lord see you through. Who is man that you are mindful of him?
GO DR. O!!!
And before the fools attack....GO DR. O, as in go on with what you are doing....you have support!!!
I say the board member who asked him to resign because he didn't want the "publicity" should get just that. Publicity. Go to the meetings until this person resigns himself and leaves the board.
This is horrible news, just like here in Montgomery. This recesssion is taken a toll on the board. I say get rid of everybody on the board and start fresh. Dr. O continue to do your job.
Don't blame everyone on the board for the mistake of one!
There are some that are trying to do what is right. It seems a few bad apples are causing problems for the board and the system.
Where is Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton when you need them?!?!?!?
Eyeonyou, this has nothing to do with the past administration. Mr. Givan was appointed to the board during Mayor Smtherman's administration. Stop the hate, and focus on making Selma better.
Bama, Rose Sanders has nothing to do with this situation. Before the issue was tracking black children into lower level classes and white children into level one classes. Dr. Rousell took a stand against tracking and he ended up out the door.
Your really good comments have been diminished by your bias view of the past. Dr. O is what Selma needs and that is all that needs to be said.
I never said that Selma doesn't support Dr. Obasohan. I asked where is all the outcry from the people that SUPPORT him (parents, students, teachers, etc.)? Why aren't they up at the School Board standing for justice and control?
And as far as the past administration, this school board is completely running in parallels with incompetence, backbiting, underhanded politics and so forth. It's a complete mess and the proof is sitting about 75 yards right behind the City School Board building.
While I agree with you that it is a mess, it is a reflection of what we in Selma have allowed to exist for too long. There are good teachers there, but when the leadership is not supportive of quality, those teachers tend to move on to other systems where their zest for exploratory learning is appreciated. When the community does not support quality education the results is high crime rates, pervasive poverty, deteriorating community, and a disconnected citenzery.
It is only when we try to connect all of Selma problems to the last administration at error. Selma's problems existed prior to former Mayor Perkins, and if we do not take a stand for quality, those problems will continue on to future generations. The world has moved, but Selma continues to be stuck.
Majority of the School Board members have stated that they support Dr. O. Therefore, an excellent start to moving Selma forward will be to reprimand Mr. Givan for his action. Secondly, we the people of Selma must look to the future and begin to set goals for a high quality community. Prattville did not become a competitor over night. It planned, and the citizens supported its plan. In Selma, if anyone comes up with a progressive idea, it is dead on arrival by the nay sayers. Selma can change, but change must be supported by its citizens.
I see SPD is getting its act together, taking a hard stand on crime. I see STJ is becoming an aggressive reporter of the news. I see Wallace College and Concordia growing. We have some good things happening in Selma. We need to continue to support those positive activities and fight fervently against those negative influences, like the robbing that earlier took place at Regions Bank. All people regardless of race, class, or education must know that Selma takes a hard stance against crime, and if you are caught in criminal activity in Selma you will feel the full extent of the law. If our DA or Judges do not follow through, we need to elect those that will.
The School Board members should know that they represent the citizens of Selma and not themselves. They should present to the citizens a five year plan to move our school system forward. That plan should be accepted by the citizens. Each year thereafter, they should present a progress report to accomplishing that plan. Our support for the School Board should be based on their ability to accomplish the goals accepted by the people. Our leaders do not come with a vision or a plan, only connections. It is time to realize that if we keep doing the same thing, we will stay stuck.
Selma can be a beautiful city, and I pray that I will see it in my life time.
"Selma", I could not have put it better than you did...."The world has moved, but Selma continues to be stuck"; "if anyone comes up with a progressive idea, it is dead on arrival by the nay sayers"; "if we keep doing the same thing, we will stay stuck"; "Prattville did not become a competitor over night; it planned, and the citizens supported it".
I am just tired of people holding unity breakfasts everywhere when there is no unity in sight. The main venues that unite us in Selma are Wal-mart, banks, and fast food restaurants. While we have been praying for God to unite us and bring about change, it is time to back our prayers with actions which is exactly what everyone on this blog is doing......Speaking out against the enemies of progress.
Selma, I do not have a biased view of the past. I was sitting in class at Westside when Rose came marching through and litteraly ran us out of the school. Where you there?
I agree with true light except you forgot one other venture in Selma that unites people of all races, baseball and softball. It's a shame that we can not come together and have the spirit of community that occurs at the complex throughout all of Selma. It is time to put aside our prejudicial bias and help to move Selma forward. Only a faithful few attend the unity services. Sunday's within our churches and our public school system are the two most segregated places within our city. The Jesus Day is only one other day that blacks and whites worship and unite together for a common purpose. But we must make opportunities within our community where we can unite and have fun together without fear and without prejudice. We need a "Unite Selma" day! We have Market day, Jubilee, and the Battle of Selma which all celebrate different purposes but they do not celebrate the togetherness of our city! A minister said that it takes "upside down people to turn things upside down" I am calling upon all of the "upside down people" to help turn Selma upside down in a positive way so that we can prosper and grow. Mayor Evans, bring this vision to fruition!
Hang in there Mr. Givan!!!! God has your back on this one.
It's evident that Dr. O (truelight) knows absolutely nothing about Selma or the people living here. Forget a buyout, when his cheerleaders find out why you may have talked to him about resigning they are going to run him out of Selma. Hurricane Katrina will have nothing on that rowdy crowd.
Selma, Lord Selma..............
Wow...
If the President of the school board is holding back information to the community he serves that is one more reason why it is time for change...
If there is something so bad that Mr.Givan knows about Dr. O, it is his duty as the President of the Selma City School board to keep the community informed....that is what he is being paid for...to serve the community! Not keep secrets that may be detremental to our children and the structure of the school system....
Amen, Sunshine. Backdoor deals, uninformed board members, secret meetings with certain board members, and lawsuits are killing our school system. What occurred the other night was done intentionally...to take the attention away from the real issues. Don't be fooled, Dr. O is not the person you think he is and the same back-stabbing people (school employees) claiming to support him are the ones causing his demise.
I find myself praying for him and I know you do too........
Freeselma, You are really determined to see this man fail, because you could not micromanage him to keep those you "like" and uproot those not in your "good book". What is wrong with him setting up a democratic process to fairly select the qualified?
I don't believe in hiding behind made up names to deform people's characters. If there is any truth in your accusation, be bold enough to identify yourself to those who don't know who you really are, because I do. I challenge you & Dr.O to have a face to face forum discussion.
Freeselma, the truth is, you think you are the alpha & omega. If it's not those you think are "good" you will go to any length to destroy the process and/or the person. It's not all about you. I am sure Dr.O has met with you without the other ten board members present. What is wrong with qualified candidates, not associated with you getting a job? It is not unheard of for employees to contest non-renewal of contracts and transfer. These hearings are all public information. We all know about them, and the dangerous part you played in the whole process.
Freeselma, too many good people are already praying for him, so keep your prayers to yourself, because I believe you really need it. The good people are praying for him to succeed, but your prayer is to see him fail. Another tip, it is about time you change your name from "freeselma" because you have held Selma's progress back for far too long with inaccurate information.
Finally, the academic community has confidence in those candidates that were selected so get over it and take part in the system's vision.
Save the planet, who are you? An uneducation wanna-be who appears to be full of anger. Go out an have yourself a rib sandwich on me, maybe it'll help you with your pressure problem. If you truly know who I am, I challenge you to meet me face to face, you know where I live and work (you are welcome to bring the media with you). Otherwise, I don't have time for $2.50 an hour cowards like yourself. All bark and no bite. Drama, Drama, Drama.
Happy 4th of July to you to!!!!!
Grown-ups please be for real, children's futures are at stake. Stop the bashing and be positive.
You are right Caramel_36_2000, I apologize for getting away from the real problem. Thanks for the reality check!!!
Have a blessed day!
In reply to Bama July 2nd..
I agree with you..My husband and I had two daughters, one in Westside and one a senior at Selma High when Rose and her cronies tore our school system apart. (Rose Sanders was the ring leader in this disgrace and re-segration of our public school system which has never gained ground again).
I know because I was called to the school to pick up my daughter at Selma High because of the terror and unrest in the school.
My daughter who was a senior had to finish school at Dallas County High, and after paying for all graduation expenses at Selma High, we had to pay all over again at Dallas County High in order for her to graduate. My daughter who was in the nineth grade went on and finished at Meadowview Christian. Granted she recieved a wonderful education but it was not with all the friends she had gone to school with for years. It was also sad that she could not attend public school which we believed in and supported.
I know this is old news but what is happening today in Selma comes from behavior of the adults in 1990. I have wished many many times the parents ( White and Black) of these children had marched and protested and took our school back..Black children were also sent to other cities and some families moved in order to keep their children in a safe school.
To mfk2, your response to Bama truly reflects why I say Selma is “STUCK”. You referred to something that happened 19 years ago to justify segregation today. There is history, a long history, one that goes beyond 19 years, but if we continue to live in the past, we can not move into the future.
This is not to say who is right, it is only to say that Selma (WE) must move beyond yesteryears, if we expect to be successful tomorrow. Rose has moved on to other things, I think we should to. Where are your children now? Most likely they are not in Dallas County, but in some city where diversity is supported and encouraged. Only in Selma and the City in Pennsylvania (Valley Pool) where there is a continuous move to keep the races apart. My children do not live there. They have chosen to live in a city where diversity is appreciated and applauded, and their contribution to the community is respected.
Move your mind out of the quick sand: stop staying stuck. I believe that Selma and Dallas County can become a wonderful place to live if the people in this County will for once say we no longer want to stay as we are, we want more, we deserve more, and we refuse to accept anything less. We want a community where our children will not be ostracized if they befriend someone from the opposite race. We can raise the bar if we stop the undercurrent of racism. Yes I said it because when it comes to community unity, it is a mentality of being better that keeps us apart. But in the Book of Corinthian (I think this is the Book) it states that in Christ there is no partiality. To verify you can go on the internet to the Blue Letter Bible and type in the phrase.
I will also say that the school systems here are dismal (both public and private) but it is only a reflection of a community that is stuck and will accept anything as long as it is separate.
No, my girls are not in Selma!! They moved on after college to get good paying jobs which Selma did not offer then nor today. I lived in Selma for sixty-two years and loved my hometown. My son lost his job when The Cigar Factory closed in November and he knows first hand that jobs are almost nonexistant in Selma. Soo sad too because his children are growing up in a town with no future unless the attitude of the people change and a new business wants to invest in Selma.. I brought 1990 up to show what kind of events ruined our town and schools. I know there are many black and white individuals trying their best to make Selma the town it use to be.. My brother, sister and children were in school with blacks and had a great relationship with them...In 1990 the blacks were hurt too, actually harder because they did not have the private schools to escape to..
Why should I forget what happened in 1990?? It was part of my life and my children's life, as well as all the people of Selma. That time period is what has made Selma today...good or bad.. That is part of Selma's history.
Believe me..I am not stuck in the past.. I want more than anything to see Selma as I knew Selma when I was growing up and was not afraid to walk from a friends house in the dark or drive down certain streets.. We could leave our bikes outside without fear of being stolen, I don't remember our doors being locked when we went out to a movie.. I know world wide times have changed, but it is nice to reflect on how it use to be...we felt Safe!!!!!
Where were you in 1940, 1963, 1970, 1990??? I bet you were not in Selma...Or you would see the difference from the old Selma. Sure those events are STUCK in our minds and hearts...we saw our hometown torn to shreds before our eyes..But I have certainly moved on.. I still pray for Selma hoping new jobs will open up for ALL the people.
There is not a racist bone in my body or heart.. I have been a friend to all races because that is how I was raised. That comes from having a love for God and Country.
What is your reason for Segregation today??? Why aren't the schools mixed equally with both races.. As far as tracking..We had white children who needed the lower level classes too.. That dog don't bark!!!!
Selma is my home. I was born here along with my siblings and children. I recall as a child also laying in bed crying because the Klux Klan was riding down the streets of Selma. I cried because I did not know if my father would return from work because of Klan activity is Selma. Yes here in Selma. I knew to hold dislike and distrust for one because of the past would only condemn my soul to hell, so I prayed and God blessed me with the love for all people and the ability to forgive.
See you remember leaving a bike in the yard, and I remember a young boy of a different race telling his dog to bite my mother as we walked out of Western Auto (I was about 10). Different memories, but they are still valid. If we continue to stay at those memories, we will never be able to see posibilities for the future. We must remove our thoughts from the hurt of the past and agree to build a new and better Selma based on love, respect, and a commitment to the survival of the city. I do not dismiss your history, like wise I am not stuck in mine. If we agree that our future is more important, I believe we can start building a Selma that our children, business, and others will desire to return or relocate to.
God bless you, and may He give you the gift of forgiveness.
I have had the gift of forgiveness all my life..Just because I remember something does not mean I don't forgive the person or persons or events. I remember mostly the events of 1990 because of the hardship it put on my family, not just in 1990 but for several years having to pay for private school for my daughter and helping with grandchildren. Thank goodness my last grandchild graduated last year. We all have hardships in life and we get through them with the grace of God and determination.
We really are not so different in our memories.. I also remember being so afraid of the Klu Klux Klan and still today would have the same fear should I see them again riding down my street with a lighted cross on top of their car. I remember thinking what kind of man would hide behind a sheet and scare people and do terrible things.. I was about twelve years old the first time I saw the KKK caravan and like all children I was afraid. I did not know a lot about the race issue until in the sixties. I played with both races in a corn field building Tee Pees, and went in their homes and had snacks. I lived in town but my dad shared a garden with a colored man who worked for him.. They raised hogs and had a garden.. I always enjoyed going out to the farm.
I am so thankful I was raised to love all people and give them the same consideration in life that I enjoyed. What happend to the blacks way before I was born was not my doing and I want the best lives for all the people. We are all God's children and my heart has to be clean/pure to meet Jesus one day..
God Bless You and I know you want the same thing for Selma, our town, which we have seen many changes come about. I want Selma to grown to the limit and produce wonderful paying jobs. I want a school system for all the children, to have an education to enable them to choose any field they choose in life. When I dream I dream big!
I think Mr. O should be able to do his job...without outside interference.
I agree we are similar in our memories, as are most people. I do not hold any person responsible for the mistreatment of my fore parents and parents. The Word of God says we struggle not against flesh and blood, but powers and principalities of evil wickedness in high places. (I recognize that mistreatment as Satan working through people). You know when the citizens of Selma begin to focus on those things we both believe as needed to make the city a better place to live and rear a family, (quality education, jobs paying a livable wage, decent housing, family entertainment, and safe environments) then the city will begin to benefit from God's blessings. I often times ponder the question, why is it that Selma refuses to change, and I reflect on the Word of God that talks about strongholds and how to break the strong man.
You and I feel a deep love for Selma and I belief that we both have faith that Selma can change. Let me therefore thank you for your civil dialogue, and honest response. Maybe when the citizens of Selma begin to communicate on this level, we will see that most of us want a quality community for ourselves and all the families of Selma. The only difference in opinion that I have is I believe Selma's history is something that should be used to launch us into the future. It should not be used to justify our present day paralysis.
I also support Dr. O, and hope that he will be instrumental in uniting the citizens around a state of the art public school system that will be attractive to both black and white parents. We all want the best for our children and grandchildren and I know to have to pay private school tuition on the salaries paid in Selma has to be hard. I also believe many would allow their children to attend the pubic schools but for fear of reprisal. So I understand the unfortunate financial hardship placed on families, and I regret that. But to continue to go down that path is not productive for our children nor our community. These children are going to eventually have to live in the real world. Also I honestly believe that once the black and white community unites around a strong public school system, we will be able to leverage our resources to achieve quality outcomes, and business will believe that we are ready to move into the 21st century.
I have a grand child in the public school system and his parents have considered transferring him to Prattville. I know that flight will not correct our educational problems in Selma and have impressed the need to work to change the system from within. Maybe an elected school board will be a tool that can be used to set real attainable educational goals. I only know that our institutions in Selma need to move from a focus on activities to a focus on outcomes, and we need leadership that understands the difference.
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