Ideological Indoctrination?

The author of the Ashay Rites of Passage programme is a passionate believer in the need for blacks to receive reparations to right the wrongs of the past, and believes that African-centered education is a necessary and critical part of obtaining them.

Regular contributor 'J Galt' recently pointed me in the direction an an article written by Melodye Micere Van Putten (formerly Melodye Micere Stewart) in Black Reparations Times in July 2003. The Times is the newsletter of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N'COBRA), an organisation with which Mrs. Van Putten has been involved since 1997. Titled "Education, Reparations and Bermuda: A Report From The Field", the article describes Mrs. Van Putten's progress in inserting the issue of reparations into Bermuda's social studies curriculum.

"I was privileged for the opportunity to add the issue of reparations to the social studies curriculum in five courses: American History, Twentieth Century in Revolution, The African American Experience, World History and Comparative Religion and Ethics. I also conducted teacher training on the reparations teacher supplement for all middle and high school social studies teachers. A Reparations Reader is a compilation of numerous newspaper articles, position papers, essays and documentation that discusses, advocates and provides justification for reparations." (emphasis mine)

Further investigation turned up another short piece expressing similar sentiments in the November 2000 issue of The New Barrister.

As I have said before, I think it's important that Bermudian children be taught about African history and culture. And while I personally do not approve of reparations as a way of righting the wrongs of the past, Mrs. Van Putten is of course entitled to hold a different view.

However a curriculum that advocates reparations crosses the line from presenting facts to attempting to instill an ideology. Mrs. Van Putten's own words suggest that there is already be material circulating in Bermuda's public school system that advocates reparations rather than just discussing them in an impartial way. Given that, it's not unreasonable to ask whether Mrs. Van Putten has given the Ashay programme a similar pro-reparations slant too.

Bermuda's social studies curriculum and Ashay would seem to warrant a closer review after all.

Comments

[Tiger Bay on 24.01.05 at 08:16]

The current Government has a way of making issues that are fringe elsewhere, central here. The issue of reparations is one such issue.

If reparation is a key feature of Ashay, it is a mistake. Ashay focuses on inter-reliance in the black community; it may be more effective to teach self reliance to the kids. Teach them something they can use to succeed!

[Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten on 24.01.05 at 10:22]

Good morning Limey,

Before I provide you with clarification on my views on reparations, I must ask you a basic question. Do you have political views? Of course you do. In fact, all of us have some political views no matter who we are. Our political views consciously and unconsciously determine where we live, worship, who we marry, our various associations and friendships. Having said that, it is so very interesting to me that people find it necessary to dig around to see if they can find some dirt on me... While I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that, I am surprised that you haven't done a little serious homework before bringing it to me... While I do not feel the need to "reassure" you or address the erroneous information you have posted, I will inform you and your readers.

The international concept of reparations is simply that- an international concept of redress for people who have been wronged. The concept has been successfully utilized for Jewish people (WWII), Japanese people (illegally interred in the US during WWII), Native Americans/Indians, etc. The Reparations movement is not new and has been a part of the struggle of African American people since 1863. There is also a reparations organization in the United Kingdom (ARM) which has even presented addressed the UK House of Parliament. Further, a prominent Bermudian, Pauulo Roosevelt Browne Kamafego, delivered a proposal to the United Nations regarding the issue and it was adopted!

Limey, I must inquire of you what work have you done in school curriculum, specifically history, to ensure that Bermudian children are getting a balanced view? My own work in this area includes serving for a year as Education Officer of Social Studies in Bermuda. What I found being taught in this curriculum was unbelievable!!! African people simply did not exist in Bermuda's social studies curriculum. I spent the year adding black people to World History, Bermuda history, American history and even African American history (since somebody decided to start that course with emancipation and not slavery). The Comparative Religion course also was absent of African people. Since adding an African component would not be sufficient in and of itself, I researched and wrote a 40-page teacher supplement entitled, "An Introduction to African Philosophy and Religion" and conducted teacher workshops. I also compiled a 100-page reader on Reparations as a teacher supplement for discussion in a number of courses around the issue of justice, i.e. World History. (And yes, there is a 1 1/2 page essay on reparations in the 100+ page Ashay workbook.)

I might also add that I was responsible for having the definitive film on Bermuda's civil rights struggle, "When Voices Rise...", re-edited for schools. I worked with filmmaker Errol Williams to write a teacher's study guide and conducted teacher workshops. Of course, that meant that I added this slice of Bermuda's history to the required social studies curriculum too.

Would you believe that the "This Is Bermuda" social studies text teaches Bermuda's primary level students that, "The slaves were employed in a variety of occupations?" Nobody seems to think anything is wrong with this, hence, it is still in use today!

While I'm at it Limey, what are your qualifications to request a copy of Ashay's curriculum for your review? Further, have you or your readers read Dr. Kenneth Robinson's dissertation entitled, "A History of Bermuda's Education System"? In that document you will find proof that Bermuda's education system was deliberately designed to prepare Bermuda's white children to rule and her black children to serve. WHAT HAVE YOU OR ANY OF YOUR READERS DONE TO ENSURE THAT ALL BERMUDA'S SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED A BALANCED VIEW OF HISTORY STARTING WITH THE GLORY THAT WAS ONCE AFRICA'S RENOWN? (See The Histories - Herodotus, etc.) Please!!! If I am sounding irritated, it is because I am! Once again, I repeat what I wrote in my last post to your site... Globally, people of European descent really do not want to deal with the horrific legacy of enslavement and its continued effects, much less any concrete remedies to ameliorate the gross historical wrong that took place whether the remedy is a class in African history and culture, reparations or anything in-between.

Meanwhile, the "New World's" entire capitalistic system and wealth that is fiercely defended today are derived from the free labour forcibly extracted from African people. The story of African enslavement is not that far in the past. Just to provide some personal historical context, my father's grandparents (my great grandparents) were enslaved Africans; my great grandfather fought in the US Civil War and was honorably discharged.

Do me a favor, people. Do some reading of your own. Start with "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by white historian James W. Loewen. Read Jewish historian Martin Bernal's "Black Athena." Read the Senegalese scholar Cheik Anta Diop's "Pre-Colonial Black Africa." Read "Stolen Legacy" by African American scholar George GM James. These are serious books for the serious students of history. While I'm not trying to offend anyone, please know that I do not and will not pander, sugar-coat, apologize or justify the teaching of global African history to any of my students, children or adults. Perhaps you and your various readers will consider taking a class with me. I think they would also benefit.

Finally, people, what I am most passionate about is Truth. I seek to be a Truth-Teller and I have a specific truth to tell based on who I am and the history I embody. Who should advocate and tell the Truth of the history, struggles and achievements of African people? Whose job is it to correct the various lies of history about Africans? I am indeed priviledged to be a part of a legacy that insists that the Truth be told here in Bermuda and around the world. Everyone should be so blessed!

In the Spirit of Empowerment,
Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten

[loki on 24.01.05 at 10:53]

I think you've entirely missed Phil's point: it's one thing to teach history in schools; it's quite another to dispense political and/or ideological views. Whether such views should be dispensed in schools is a legitimate issue for debate. Another issue is that, too often, what what some people want to dispense as black or african history is just as sugar-coated, untruthful and biased as the Eurocentric viewpoint that has been taught for many years. These are legitimate issues for discussion.

[Paul on 24.01.05 at 10:56]

Reparations? Okay start with me ! I have native American blood. And while we are at it I am Celtic too. Whom do I petition for payment for past wrongs done to Celts??

[ace on 24.01.05 at 10:57]

What is truth?

It is very dangerous to claim to be a "truth teller" particularly with respect to history.

[loki on 24.01.05 at 10:58]

Oh, God - I can see this thread getting interesting.....

[Point on 24.01.05 at 11:06]

Loki - I couldn't agree more....

[Andrew on 24.01.05 at 11:45]

As I mentioned a week ago, Ashay sounded like someones ideology and you needed to get the facts, and you did. It is obvious that N'COBRA is basically made up of a muslim majority. Their yearly conventions are organized and moderated by a black nationalist muslim, H. Khalif Khalifah. Ms. Van Putten can talk all she wants about black history, her history, qualifications, empowerment, etc. however, if Ashay is being taught from Muslim ideology it does not belong in public schools. Is Ms. Van Putten afraid that Limey having a copy of the Ashay curriculum might expose this ideology??

[Boogie on 24.01.05 at 11:51]

BINGO!

[J Galt on 24.01.05 at 13:30]

A link to the article:

http://www.ncobra.org/pdffiles/July77.pdf

Page 29 and 33

[Sunil on 24.01.05 at 13:46]

Paul, you're in luck.

I happen to be English, so, conveniently for you, my ancestors have invaded and committed acts of barbarism against both Native Americans and the western Celtic peoples.

Could you give me an address for the cheque?

[jake on 24.01.05 at 14:34]

Well Done Ms. Musson on the response. What you will find on this thread is that there is a quick sprint to the hands up, what can we do approach to problem solving. I remember reading that about Bermuda's slaves being employed in various occupations. It was intended to reduce the shock and horror one would feel.

Don't look for them to understand. Yours is a welcome target for the armchair liberal because they can create a boggeyman out of it. What you will understand, and many of them will not, is that our system is failing black children en masse. We are not educating our children, and they are not getting ahead. Please go forward and try something different and do not seek the permission of those whose children will not face these biases and will not be grouped together with those on the wall.

I am not a supporter of reparations, and perhaps that is because I do not know enough about it. What I do know is that hearing the crowd here demean it and you so quickly, I would like to learn more.

[loki on 24.01.05 at 14:49]

Jake,

How condescending can you be? I merely pointed out that the issues raised by Phil were interesting ones that were worthy of discussion and certainly not deserving of the reactionary and, frankly, insulting comments of Ms. Musson. Yet when others on this thread (and I do not count myself amongst them) react in an equally reactionary way, they are denounced as "armchair liberals", and ignorant ones at that.

For what it's worth, I am against reparations, and not because, like you, I lack knowledge of the field, but because I HAVE researched the issue and believe that it is both unworkable and riddled with inconsitencies and logistical impossibilities

[ruby tuesday on 24.01.05 at 15:37]

A few things to consider for those who believe that reparations have some basis in reality.

Reparations after WW2 were designed not be punitive of one nation at the expense of another i.e. like those that presaged the decline of the Weimar Republic but to provide a practical link between the mechanics of the aggressors within the Third Reich/ Imperial Japanese Household and those who suffered directly from their barbarism.

Reparations as discussed in such loose and disingenuous terms by the N'COBRA entity are purely symbolic and provide no such links between the oppressed and oppressors - I would be more than happy if the amount was symbolic too. Maybe Bush could hand over a silver dollar to a descendant of Booker Washington as a symbol of apology for wrongs that have been caused in the past.

The almost total lack of intellectual rigour applied to what passes for a syllabus in ASHAY gives it the same educational credibility as a Deepak Chopra self help leaflet in an applied physics lecture.

[jake on 24.01.05 at 17:17]

Fair enough loki, I am sure you have done the research. What bothers me, and this may not apply to you, is the manner in which people are ready to dismiss out of hand initiatives designed to help at risk groups, for whom the normal system does not work.

I have a hesitation to any program that says that I cannot do the job on the same level and with the same merit as anyone. It is with that thought process that I resist reparations. To whom or what would they be paid and to what would they be applied? I don't know. And most importantly to those on this list: who pays.

If I sounded condescending it was not my intention. My intention was to show annoyance.

[The Limey on 24.01.05 at 18:13]

I have asked Mrs. Van Putten to see both the Ashay curriculum and the Reparations Reader she mentioned in her article. Mrs. Van Putten declined, saying I was not qualified to review them and that she did not need anyone's approval other than that of the Ministry of Education (the HRC and CURE have also sat in on her classes).

Evidently the curricula taught in Bermuda's public schools are not meant to be seen by the public. Make of that what you will.

[Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten on 24.01.05 at 18:18]

Wow! I feel honored that my work has sparked such a debate. While it is not my intention to respond to each comment I will share with you the e-mail to Limey as Phil and put this to rest from my perspective. I would also like to thank Jake for your thoughtful response and tell all the Ruby Tuesdays that they need to take a serious READ because you don't know a factual thing about N'COBRA, Deepak Chopra or global African history and culture. Begin with Chained on the Rock (Packwood)detailing Bermuda's enslavement history and then follow-up with Lies My Teacher Told Me (Loewen) and go from there. Be brave people! Be enlightened! Take a READ!!!

Dear Phil,

To just interject a little humour in this, are you the Reparations Police or the Curriculum Gestapo? Kidding aside, Phil, you still have not provided any education qualifications for requesting to review the Ashay curriculum. Nor have you told me about ANY work you have done to help correct the severe imbalance still present in the school curriculum. So enough! Review of all materials presented in schools is the function of the curriculum department in the Ministry of Education and I assure you that materials I have created for use in Bermuda's schools have been reviewed. Additionally, The Human Rights Commission and CURE representatives have sat in and reviewed my classes and materials and found no problems and even applauded the classes as important for our students. (All this concern about Ashay makes me wonder have you spent as much energy questioning Mr. Howe?)

FYI, the questions you present regarding reparations are NOT presented or discussed in Ashay classes. Your discussion is on an adult level and children are merely introduced to the concept as part of an overall package of the ongoing history of African people.

Part of the problem of why we are stuck and will be stuck in the area of race relations for the foreseeable future is your assertion that "As a white person I feel no responsibility for what my ancestors may have chosen to do. What's important to me is to ensure today's generation of blacks have the same opportunities as everyone else and go from there." We cannot move forward until past injustices are acknowledged and dealt with. All you have to do is look at the ongoing conflicts in numerous parts of the world and see that people do not escape the circumstances of their history. Whether you want to admit it or not, you benefit from what your ancestors chose to do. So I guess we will agree to disagree, but you need to read some books to be better informed.

Finally, Phil, I need to respectfully but strongly inform you that I do not need to have your permission, approval or review of my work, nor that of your readers. That has already been done. What you would like to think about yourself (open-minded) and how you are responding to me are at two ends of the spectrum. I just wish that you and your concerned readers would spend the same amount of time correcting the damage that has been done instead of attacking those who actually do the real work of bringing a more balanced view of history to the education environment.

In the Spirit of Empowerment,
Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten, M.A.
Africalogist/Education Consultant

[Tiger Bay on 24.01.05 at 18:43]

Get that Phil: you are part of the problem and not worth talking to!!

Ms Van Putten, I need to respectfully but strongly inform you that Bermuda's parents are voting with their feet. Anyone with the wherewithall is getting their kids away from the public system and into private schools that give the kids the academic focus, self-confidence, and acheivement they need to compete today.

Instilling the belief that we can't move forward without reparations builds an unfounded sense of entitlement, which rapidly leads to embitterment.

Ashay is not a marketable skill! Math is fundamental. So is literacy. Sociological dreamworlds are not.

[loki on 24.01.05 at 18:49]

Let me just get this straight for a moment:

1. A debate on the ASHAY programme commences on this board;

2. The creator of the programme wades into the debate to try to explain it further (so far, so good. Straight from the horse's mouth);

3. When the said explanation proves unconvincing to some people, Phil asks if he can take a look at the curriculum (pretty reasonable request from an interested member of the public, surely? I mean, this is being taught in the PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. You know, the one paid for out of our tax dollars, right?);

4. Apparently, the general public (Phil included) are not deemed worthy enough to see the curriculum (wow, if it's too intellectually taxing for us proles, those must be some smart primary school children);

5. We are all told that, because we have no educational qualifications, our opinions don't matter and our approval is not necessary (interesting viewpoint).

Why bother to wade in to discuss this in the first place? If you neither care what anybody else thinks, nor feel that you need anyone's approval, save the bandwidth and refrain from running home in a fit of pique with your soccer ball, please.

I was interested in the topic and perfectly willing to learn more about it, but your insulting and wholly misplaced condescension has convinced me that people are right to view it with suspicion. How unfortunate.

[shipstones on 24.01.05 at 18:54]

If you speak to Asian people they get upset if you call them "Asian" because they have a separate identity from their nationality. Asia is a very big place.
How come all Africans are lumped under one group? Whites did it by creating the concept of the black race! Now all people who are black merely see themselves as black and should follow the "7 principles of Blackness". This is not a history study or a search for the truth!
Egyptians, Nigerians, Morrocans, Etheopians tec. etc. have there own cultures and religions.
The "Glory of Africa" sounds like the "The Great British Empire", overpowering in rhetoric, but look under the covers.
Will you teach them the appalling health conditions and low average birth age of various countries of Africa. The slavery trade in Africa.
European countries are only just waking up to the horrors of their past, believe me the good old days or glory days did not existsin Europe or Africa except for a chosen few!

[Cedar Hill on 24.01.05 at 19:01]

At the outset of this thread I was sympathetic to Ashay. Ms Van Putten has stridently broken away the veneer of the programme! How do such peripheral idealogies become mainstays in our school system? No wonder so few public students graduate and even fewer find their way into mainstream universities!

Africologist? Oh please!

[Adjustah on 24.01.05 at 19:09]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't assuming that I owe you "reparations" because I am white judging me by the color of my skin? Especially if the reparations are based upon something that I had nothing to do with? Judging me by someone elses actions? Racism is a two way street, something I dare say seems to have been forgotten in this string of conversation. Please, again, correct me if I am wrong.

I would also recommend that transparency is the best policy in this case. If we are to be educated, then surely there is no harm in seeing the curriculum?

[jake on 24.01.05 at 19:14]

Of course no one will question Mr. Howe.

Phil has a very interesting blog. I would agree there. But Phil, with the greatest respect, you are not an authority on everything. Why would someone deem it necessary to have their work reviewed by you? It is no different from you asking to review a medical analysis or asking to review legal submissions. It is a legitimate question to ask on what basis you are prepared to opine?

Ms. Musson answered your initial posts and even gave you some insight into her philosophy behind the program. She is not obligated to you or the others on this post to pass muster. She is correct in saying that her work HAS BEEN REVIEWED by the appropriate authorities charged with the responsibility, and educated to that purpose. That you are neither, means you have what you are entitled to.

As for the public voting with their feet - please. Under the previous Government, NONE of the UBP MP's had their kids in the system except for Gerald Simons, the Education Minister. Before him, even the Ed. Minister's kids were in Private school. The problems we have today are the fault of both then (UBP) and now (PLP) because we have kept the remnants of a flawed second tier system.

So yes, I would agree that the system in the public system is less than that offered in the private schools. None of that can be attributed to Ms. Musson as she has a program that is brand new. The old one certainly did not help the bulk of its students. I suspect her program of culturally sensative teaching may do better. She certainly has the better view of it since she is the only one on this thread in front of those kids every day.

[Adjustah on 24.01.05 at 19:25]

With respect Jake, I think Mr. Howe was way out of order. His reasons, although his own, were, in my opinion not logical and non-sequitur. I also respected the fact that Ms. Van Putten offered him an invitation and an open dialogue.

[Tiger Bay on 24.01.05 at 19:58]

The issue of reparations is odd for Bermuda; the taxes that would pay for them would largely be raised from the taxes paid by black people. Would we exempt the black middle and upper classes who do not appear to be disadvantaged? Only pay to blacks who can prove their ancestors were here during slavery (let the West Indians chase their own white devils)? Give a tax credit to white people whose ancestors weren't here, or whose own ancestors were indentured servants, or just poor.

The sum of money that could ever be allotted for reparations would be negligible on a per individual basis. It's a bankrupt idea that would bankrupt Bermuda, and not really help most people.

Seems better to give scholarships to kids who make the academic grade to attend accredited universities. And stop playing sociology experiments with our kids.

Do any mainstream school systems in the US teach Ashay?

[Nitjanirasu on 24.01.05 at 20:04]

Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten,

I am curious: do you ever take into account the situation in historic Europe? Such as, oh, perhaps the existance of an enormous population of poor people? A group larger than the food and work supply could handle, I might add? And yet the descendants of these people are -by your decision- responsible for reparations due to the actions of a tiny, wealthy minority. This is rather confusing.

And how about the fact that a slave could be as blond-haired and blue-eyed as the most pure-blooded "Arayan", and yet few would give a second glance? Let's not even get into parents selling their children to pay off debts!

Yes, perhaps there were very few of those visibly-"white" (though, at the time, they were considered black) slaves. But since you seem to insist on the simplistic view that "if any white person held a black slave, then the white race owes the black race", the smaller number doesn't really matter, does it? After all, it doesn't matter that so few whites held so many blacks.

Oh, as per your point about reading: WE WANT TO. Note about how so many people are asking to READ the curriculum? And yet who is saying "no, you can't, go away"? And saying that the "people who matter" sat in on a few classes and applauded them actually weakens your position. A few lessons cannot fully represent the entire curriculum.

The people on the blog are not attacking you. Issues have been raised in regards to ASHAY, primarily about --What It May Contain--. But you absolutely refuse to allow anyone to see the curriculum. So are those concerns therefore valid? If the program is so good, then why are you afraid to show us?

[jake on 24.01.05 at 20:18]

Tiger,

I agree with you. I am not a supporter of reparations for the reasons I suggested earlier, but what does surprise me is the fact that reparations should become the central theme focused on here regarding ASHAY. Ms. Musson seemed to suggest that it was mentioned from a historical perspective. Whatever our view on them, they are part of the debate. Should they not therefore be included for that reason - to see the thought landscape?

The program is about expanding what histories are taught. I think that even the most radical person here would agree that Bermuda's history books have focused on one segment of world history and that we could welcome an extension of that syllabus to include others - in particular the one most of the children hail from.

As an aside, I have no idea what point Nitjanirasu was trying to make with this:

"And how about the fact that a slave could be as blond-haired and blue-eyed as the most pure-blooded "Arayan", and yet few would give a second glance? Let's not even get into parents selling their children to pay off debts!"

Are you (Nit) suggesting that during slavery black parents sold their children to meet their debts? That is factually untrue, first of all because blacks could not own property since they were deemed property themselves, and secondly, blacks could not have debts because they could not enter into contracts. Please do correct my interpretation if I have misconstrued your comments.

[Nitjanirasu on 24.01.05 at 20:28]

Jake, I wasn't thinking about black parents per say, though it would have to be people who weren't slaves at all. Anyway, if a family got too far into debt, their assets could be claimed, which could include children. I can't recall off-hand the specific regions and time periods when this was common, nor how legal the practice was.

[Point on 24.01.05 at 22:09]

From the Bermuda Tourism African Diaspora Heritage Trail website biography (http://www.bermudatourism.com/diaspora/docs/dias_speakers_main.html)

Melodye Micëre Stewart, M.A.

Africalogist, Education Consultant
With the goal of teaching the lessons of empowerment emanating from global African history and culture, Africalogist Melodye Micëre Stewart has been an education consultant, writer, and lecturer for over 15 years. Educated at Temple University in Philadelphia, Ms. Stewart was a Presidential Fellow, receiving a B.A. and an M.A., and has completed course work for a doctorate in African American Studies. She is also certified in Multicultural Training and Education from Temple University's School of Social Work.

Tapping into the foundation of African-centered thought, philosophy, and praxis, it is her intention to assist people of African descent with a shift in consciousness toward global empowerment. A sought-after and dynamic speaker throughout the United States, Ms. Stewart has lectured in universities, consulted school districts, conducted workshops for teachers and parents, and designed Rites of Passage programs and community education programs for churches and civic organisations. Ms. Stewart has written over a dozen workbooks for children and adults and has published articles on history, spirituality, and empowerment. She has also had stints as a talk radio commentator and has been featured on numerous radio and television broadcasts. Additionally, she is a nationally syndicated columnist, a published poet, and author of May the Ancestors Be Pleased: Libations for Liberation.

Ms. Stewart is also the creator and founder of Black History Workshops for Children (BHWC), a summer academy designed to expose children, ages 5–16, to the history and culture of African peoples with the goal of self-esteem, motivation, and pride. BHWC and Ms. Stewart have been nationally recognised with various academic and civic awards and citations. In 1989, Time magazine named her a “Rising Star.” Other honors include: Outstanding Young Woman of America (1990), The National Council of Black Studies (1991), the NAACP Meritorious Service Award (1991), the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1989, 2001), the Pennsylvania Senate (1989), and The City Council of Philadelphia (1996, 2001). In 1996 and 2001, the mayor of Philadelphia honoured her work by decreeing it “Black History Workshops for Children Day in the City of Philadelphia.” Having exposed thousands of children to the history and culture of African people, the PECO City Lights program in downtown Philadelphia prominently displayed a celebratory message to honor BHWC in 2001.

In 1997, Ms. Stewart was a featured speaker at the Million Woman March, and in 2001, her work came to the attention of Naomi Nontombi Tutu, daughter of Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The resulting invitation to participate in a Women’s Retreat held in South Africa gave impetus for the African American community of Philadelphia to raise funds and send her. Ms. Stewart has traveled throughout the United States, the Caribbean, several countries in Africa, England, and France. A native of Philadelphia, she has one son and two grandchildren. She is currently working as the Social Studies Education Officer in the Ministry of Education for the Government of Bermuda.

[Point on 24.01.05 at 22:16]

Mrs. Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten (nee Stewart)

I find it both very helpful and also quite interesting that you took the time to thoughtfully provide a detailed response to Phil’s remarks concerning the Ashay Rites of Passage Programme (Seven Principles of Blackness) that is currently offered at Dellwood.

Your initial response, posted on the evening of 19 January, detailed what seemed to me a reasonable summary of important objectives:

“1. You are valuable and have genius that you must grow.
2. History and culture are sources of knowledge and lessons to be learned.
3. You must develop and grow good character in preparation for a successful life.
4. The World is waiting for you to contribute your gifts and talents.”

While I personally don’t feel this material falls within the normal role of our public education system, I can certainly appreciate they are universal precepts and would have been happy for you to continue in accordance with your described format (that was of course until you presented a whole other perspective in your subsequent posts).

If you decide to develop a program of study that is offered in our publicly funded school system, why do you feel it is not the right of the public, many of which comprise parents of children at Dellwood who attend the class, to review your curriculum?

Are you afraid they might hold you accountable?

Is it not in everyone’s best interest, given the attention this issue has garnered, for all the facts to be made public?

Why do you feel it is an absolute necessity to have some educational background to adequately review the material? Didn’t you start this program in your own living room to begin with? Why can’t we appreciate/evaluate the very same syllabus in the comfort of our own?

If your work has received accolades “from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate, the Mayor and City Council of Philadelphia, the NAACP [and] been featured in various U.S. newspapers, radio and television programmes” why the reluctance to proudly refute those who have questioned your program?

I note from your post of this morning that you spent a year as the Education Officer of Social Studies. Prior to that you offered home schooling via your “Black History Workshops for Children” which in turn prompted you to see that as your “life's work in 1989 when TIME Magazine named [you] a "Rising Star" for creating “workshops on African contributions to civilization” where “after 14 years as a corporate secretary, this dynamic mother of one returned to school and developed the courses in which she teaches that not all great things came from European minds.” (link: http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,957462,00.html).

A year later you were “made a ‘Presidential Fellow’ by Temple University and began…graduate school studies in the field”. The Bermuda Department of Tourism also notes that in 2002 you were a consultant to the Department of Education. I commend and congratulate you for both your significant recognitions and your dedication to a pursuit which you truly believe in so strongly. I just have a couple of observations…..

I’ve reviewed the Temple University Policies & Procedures website (http://policies.temple.edu/) so I could get an understanding of the impressive qualifications that one must have in order to be awarded with such a distinct honour. A quick keyword search on “Presidential Fellow” indicated there were “no documents satisfying the search criteria”. Perhaps this recognition no longer exists or has been replaced with an equally prestigious acknowledgement?

I did, however, note that you were identified in the Temple Times as a speaker in connection with “Temple's celebration of African American Heritage Month” program held on 11 Feb 99 (link: http://www.temple.edu/temple_times/99/2/11/month.html) but, curiously, the very same school which bestowed upon you a Presidential Fellow award neglected to mention as much in their very own publication.

Hopefully you can clarify this oversight for me and while doing so please also advise what other “education qualifications” you have earned/received (college, post-graduate, doctoral, etc.) given how strongly you feel about how important it is “to ensure that Bermudian children are getting a balanced view”.

And lastly (please excuse my ignorance) but where did the term “Africalogist” come from?

[loki on 24.01.05 at 23:02]

*Grabs deckchair, popcorn*

[Fraz on 25.01.05 at 07:31]

Oops.

[clydesdale on 25.01.05 at 10:46]

Man, what a post. Once again Phil manages to light the fires and in a good way. There is so much I want to say I might explode. OK I am going to try and bullet or summarize.

1. Phil and anyone who lives in this country that has or wants to put a child through this education system has ever right to question or review any material that is being taught to their child or potential child. Regardless of their education! I guess Nazi teachings were ok cause the "right" people reviewed them. Come one, get of your high horse.

2. I am all for history being taught to our children. I think a broad WORLD history and thorough Bermudian history should be taught. No bias, as a lot of history books can be. Children should know where they came from as well as the children around them.

3. Slavery has got be the dirtiest word in the world. At one time or another people in this world were enslaved by someone else. Even and especially "white" Europeans. It was the way things were, it was horrible, but LIFE and African slavery one was the oldest and most recent in history. People talk of how life and religion and everything started in Africa, well so did slavery. And it continues there today. We all know that, but reparations being taught as a concept in schools in any way is wrong and irresponsible.

It vexes me sometimes when people with a little bit of education thinks they are the utmost authority on a subject and throw it around like it is the end all, be all of the subject and how dare anyone question them. Problem is there are too many experts out there who think they know what is right for the rest of us.

How about we focus on teaching our kids the fundamentals first, then when they can do that, then teach them life lessons in an unbiased, non-racial way.

[replicator on 25.01.05 at 11:00]

Phil is a taxpayer. Whether or not he puts any of his own children (should he breed) through the public system is irrelevant. Every taxpayer contributes to the public school system, not just the parents of students, and nothing, absolutely nothing in the curriculum should be closed to the public.

This type of arrogance and disregard for the public is expected from a department that has presided over an incredible decline in quality of education in Bermuda.

[Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten on 25.01.05 at 11:29]

Good morning Phil,

I have had an extensive conversation with Mrs. Musson, principal of Dellwood School regarding your site and postings from you and your readers. Same questions and answers apply. That is, what are your qualifications to review school curriculum? Have you reviewed school curriculums at other schools? Phil, while you do the right to be informed, you do not have the "right" to review school curriculum. As previously stated, the task of Ashay curriculum review, like all other curriculum, textbooks, etc., has been well performed by education professionals in the Ministry of Education.

While it is true that you did begin your initial posting positively, I didn't shake your confidence, your negative, possibly racist, readers did. And, if you re-read my detailed response to your site -which I was not required to do, but did as a courtesy- I laid out the basic tenets, values and objectives of the Ashay programme. Because one of your readers researched some of my work over the years and informed you that I hold political views that you don't happen to agree with, you now believe you can review, pass judgment, dictate and approve what is taught in Ashay. Meanwhile, you STILL haven't provided me with ANY evidence of your education activism on behalf of balanced school curriculums anywhere.

Phil, parents have always been welcomed to sit in on Ashay classes and have done so. I welcome you (or your readers) to make an appointment and sit in on my class as an "interested member of the public" just as representatives of the Human Rights Commission and CURE have. Like them, I am sure you will find Ashay interesting and informative.

In the Spirit of Empowerment,
Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten, M.A.
Africalogist/Education Consultant

PS: I just love the way folks run amuck on a topic... It has added yet another bit of excitment to my already fulfilling life knowing that people are discussing my work with such vigor. Asante sana to everyone.

[clydesdale on 25.01.05 at 12:20]

Ms./Mrs. Van Putten,

What you are saying is that only education professionals are the only ones allowed or qualified to look at curriculums? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Yes, I agree education professionals are employed to review and make recommendations on school subjects, texts etc, but that does not mean the public are not allowed to see their contents. Before picking classes at university I am able to review what is taught in them.

I could be wrong, but can you tell me where in the "LAWS" that it says that a taxpayer cannot look at or research a curriculum in the government education system. Or says only qualified persons can? If you can show that, then there is something wrong with our laws, but it would be law. Having a smug and superior attitude about it does not help.

You seem very proud of your program so why not let the public look at it, what are you afraid of? Yes I know you say go and look for yourself at Dellwood, but why cant we see the teachers book?

Your whole ideology is like me telling you that the book I wrote is amazing and teaches a lot of great things, this critic and this critic said so. You ask to read the book to see for yourself and I say, "Why? I already told you these critics agree with it!!, why do you need to read it?"

Who is to say Ashay is the best for our children? You? Maybe there is a better program. What if our education professionals were to decide that there was a better program than Ashay? Would you trust them or want to review the curriculum?

Maybe this is Phil's first attempt in education activism on behalf of balanced school curriculums in Bermuda.

If everyone in this world just went along with what a few say, then this world would be in a shambles. It is important that people speak up and ask the right questions.

[replicator on 25.01.05 at 12:55]

Ms. Van Putten,

Would these be the same education professionals who have presided over the tragic decline of our education system to its shameful state today?

In case you haven't noticed the parents of the 35 - 45% of students who have run as far from the public system as they can, while in effect paying twice for education through both taxes and private fees, have sent an unequivocal message of no confidence in these people whose approval you cherish.

The community has rendered their own verdict on the curriculum.

[Andrew on 25.01.05 at 13:08]

I'm sure Ms. Van Putten feels she can be as smug
as she wants considering she has been on the payroll for a number of years now. Laws in this situation would not matter in Bermuda, there is no acccounting or accountability. Ms. Van Putten is intelligent enough to understand and use the PLP rules-of-engagement, baffle them with BS. Like almost everything else in Bermuda this discussion will last for a few days and then die on the vine because no one of any authority will challenge Ms. Van Putten, she is entrenched with the board and the government.

[jake on 25.01.05 at 13:25]

Not one person on this thread has questioned any program at any school at any time prior to this. I am not surprised by the tone taken toward this program, nor am I surprised by the accusations levelled now at its author.

This has become ridiculous. Are reparations the centre of this course - or some deviation selected by the collective consciousness on this site?

[loki on 25.01.05 at 13:42]

"Not one person on this thread has questioned any program at any school at any time prior to this."

Are you saying that no one on this thread has written ON THIS THREAD about any other programs, or are you suggesting that at no point in our lives have been ever questioned such programs? If you are implying the latter, nothing could be further from the truth, speaking for myself.

The reason why so many people are being critical about this is that Ms. VanPutten's original response suggested that part of ASHAY involves the teaching of ideology which, for my part, I view as inappropriate in a school curriculum. If parents wish to teach ideology to their children in the privacy of their own homes, that is their perogative, but it is not the function of the state to carry out such teaching. When asked to clarify, Ms. VanPutten has chose to respond in a most dismissive and arrogant fashion. The suspiscion that has arisen is entirely of her own making. As I previously stated, this is rather sad because, through her appalling attitude, she could be doing a grave disservice to what may well be a meritorious program.

[The Limey on 25.01.05 at 13:44]

Sorry, jake, but you're missing the point.

I imagine if I saw the Ashay curriculum I'd have no problem with most of it. I didn't say reparations were central to the curriculum. The question that has been raised - and it's a legitimate question given what Mrs. Van Putten has herself said (see italicised section in quote in main post above) - is whether the part of Ashay that deals with reparations advocates them or presents the issue in a balanced manner.

Even if it were the former, it would not invalidate the rest of the programme. I would simply hope that that section would be modified to be less partial. Perhaps some are seeking to do-down the entire programme, but that is not my aim.

I'd also like to understand why you think it's OK for her to refuse to make the Ashay curriculum public when the curricula of all other courses taught in Government schools are freely available at the public library (albeit somehow out-of-date and incomplete judging by my research so far).

[Point on 25.01.05 at 13:52]

Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten, M.A. (tbd)
Africalogist/Education Consultant

Clearly your willingness to hide behind a veil of “educational professionalism” and unfounded accusations of “negative, possibly racist” viewpoints expressed in this forum only serve to enforce the obvious…..you and Mrs. Musson are extremely concerned with regard to the attention those of us who care enough to have an interest in Bermuda and her future are exhibiting through the numerous and repeated requests for MORE INFORMATION. Instead you chose to hide behind the “race-card” rather than offer a constructive response.

Further to your earlier comments I too “am surprised that you haven't done a little serious homework before bringing” such a poorly worded response to the information requests contained herein. I mean come on already, how hard is it to simply email Phil an electronic copy of the curriculum?

As you’ve so proudly mentioned in earlier publications (http://www.ncobra.org/pdffiles/July77.pdf), your own political views have already made a difference in the curriculum (regardless of your actual professional education training background) of certain courses taught within our public school system (world history, Bermuda history, American history and even African-American history) following the insertion of your own ideologies. I can only speculate that the “education professionals” at Dellwood and the Ministry don’t fully support and believe in the ASHAY program and are reluctant to share this information for fear it will provide insight into the possibly inappropriate syllabus you are promoting.

If you truly believe in your work and honestly “seek to be a Truth-Teller” start by telling the truth now !! Stop hiding behind semantics and self-imposed bureaucratic red tape.

PS - I note following a google search on “africalogist” there were 7 confirmed instances of its use (at least with regard to the 8+ billion electronic pages that form the basis of Google’s universe) with 6 of them directly associated with yourself. Is this another example of a self-imposed moniker in effort to artificially enhance your qualifications?

Please prove me wrong !!

In the Spirit of Empowerment (and transparency)
Point

[jake on 25.01.05 at 13:53]

Phil,

I think it is sad that she has been led into the lions den on your site. You could have waded in much earlier with a level headed approach, but you left it to the dogs (no loki, I do not mean you). You have your Royal Gazette column now, and some local celebrity, but if you want to maintain your reputation for fairness - which I would endorse - you need to be far more fair to people new to the process. She is the target, the rest of us are anonymous. We can research her - she cannot research us.

I think you are well placed to find that balance, but burning people at the stake, as some of us here seek to do, is not my idea of discussion.

[Pitts Bay on 25.01.05 at 14:00]

I think the problem is that we do not know what is at the heart of this course. The original outline of the ASHAY program as set out in another thread held nothing objectionable in my view. While not history as such, they were valid and compelling points of view.

The problem as I see it is that Melodye Micere Van Putten is quoted as saying:

"I was privileged for the opportunity to add the issue of reparations to the social studies curriculum in five courses: American History, Twentieth Century in Revolution, The African American Experience, World History and Comparative Religion and Ethics. I also conducted teacher training on the reparations teacher supplement for all middle and high school social studies teachers. A Reparations Reader is a compilation of numerous newspaper articles, position papers, essays and documentation that discusses, advocates and provides justification for reparations"

I do not believe she has denied this quote, so I must assume that she has included these issue in the curriculum. If the curriculum deals with the issue of reparations in the manner set out in the above quote and is part of the ASHAY program, then I can see people having some concerns and wanting to know what this curriculum actually provides.

As she has refused to make such a curriculum available, for whatever reason, we must assume that her quoted statement above is correct, and that reparations are part of the curriculum and are taught in the spirit of the last few lines of the quote.

Should children be taught about concept of reparations? It is certainly something that is topical and of great importance to some (if not many) people, but I do not think that reparations should be taught as the be all and end all of the issue. Nor do I think it should be taught to young children who do not know how to critically analyze the issues at hand. Can middle school children truely understand the issues and put them in context?, separate fact from fiction?.

If the issue of reparations is taught with the sort of bias that Mrs. Van Putten appears to have, then this is as bad as the public school history books which would appear to make minimal mention of slavery. History needs to be all inclusive and the facts needs to be explored and presented in a sensible manner. Of course one should critically review historical facts, this is necessary since many people can have a different view and interpretation of similar events. At the end of the day we have to be open minded.

However, as Mrs. Van Putten is unwilling to share her curriculum, we shall never know

BTW, it is not sufficient to just attend the classes. All courses, no matter the subject, have a particular goal at the end of the day, and that will not necessarily be evident from attending a couple of classes.

[clydesdale on 25.01.05 at 14:03]

Jake,
Since this site is only just over a year old, I doubt you it. Plus maybe no one has said anything on this site about education programs before. But overall education has been bought up many many times.

But you cannot say that no one has questioned anything in schools prior to this program. For many many many years many people complained about the type of history that was being taught in our schools and not enough Bermudian history. So if those people did not speak up about to much European history, we would not have branched out to what is taught now? History and social studies of any kind will be the courses picked apart because of how it portrays or affects each culture or doesn't. Everything else is pretty straight forward (math, sciences etc.) So it is healthy that people discuss things and understand them better.
Come on seriously, Ms. Van Putten is telling us that we are not allowed to "look at" a curriculum because we are not education professionals or by asking it to be reviewed a little closer? If I had said that to you, you would have been pissed.

"Sorry Jake even though your child is in the public education system and you are a tax payer, you are not allowed to see what we are teaching your kid/kids. The ministry says it is ok, so deal with it."

Would you be ok if the ministry OKed a program teaching about world war two from a positive nazi view? The history is great, but the ideology that might be being taught with it is wrong.

[The Limey on 25.01.05 at 14:09]

Jake - Ever since this debate started I've been exchanging emails with Mrs. Van Putten on a daily basis (some of her emails she has also posted as comments here). She has had full opportunity to respond to the questions raised and I have not censored any part of her responses. I utterly reject the notion the notion that she has been treated unfairly.

If there's nothing wrong with Ashay, all she has to do to end this debate is release the curriculum, something that has already been done with all other courses taught in government schools. Is that such an unreasonable request?

[ace on 25.01.05 at 14:10]

"Have you reviewed school curriculums at other schools? Phil, while you do the right to be informed, you do not have the "right" to review school curriculum."

Well Ms. Van Putten I actually HAVE reviewed the cirriculum at my son's school.

See for yourself:

http://www.saltus.bm/l.htm

[clydesdale on 25.01.05 at 14:12]

At the end of my last comment, I did not mean that the history of the NAZI were great, I meant to say that the history associated with Ashay program is great, but should be taught without ideology.

I apologise if anyone took it the wrong way and in no way support a nazi view.

Sorry

[ace on 25.01.05 at 14:14]

Just so we are clear, please click on "Cavendish Prepatory" in the left side menu and then "Cirriculum" in the centre of the top of the screen on the next page.

My son is in P1...click that on the left hand menu.

[jake on 25.01.05 at 14:17]

Fair point, no it would not. I guess I just hate to see the circle of sharks the moment there is a hint of blood here. Her program may have holes, but I understand her hesitation to put her work to our scrutiny when there is no sense of perspective or balance.

[replicator on 25.01.05 at 14:26]

Jake, she's not hesitating. She's outright rejecting to allow the people who fund her 'life's work' to see what they're paying for.

The issue of the content of the curriculum itself is an aside now. Ms. Van Putten and the Dellwood Principal are flat out wrong. Secretive curriculum's invite suspicion.

[Denning on 25.01.05 at 14:47]

I am not Bermudian. I have not been here very long. I come from a nation of many cultures, and a nation that takes pride in its many cultures. I am white. My ancestors were enslaved. My views on all matters are informed by my education, my history, my colour, my religion and my parent's values, as I've absorbed and tempered them, taking them as my own. I know virtually nothing about what was taught, or is taught, in the Bermuda public eduation system. I have not sat in on an Ashay course, nor have I reviewed its curriculum. So take this for what it is worth: If anyone is hiding what they are teaching to the children of any country, responsible adults, parents, all concerned members of the community have a responsibily to question that. It does not mean that we are sharks, circling. It does not mean that we are racists. It does not mean that we are attacking anyone's history, point of view or right to express themselves. It means that we are concerned for the wellbeing of a community's children. It means that we are asking questions. No offence is intended. Phil did not assault anyone, or deny them their opportunity to engage in discussion. Phil opened a door to greater understanding, and that door was slammed in his face, to the detriment of all. Now, here's the real point of my post: I can understand how that happened. I can understand why Jake and the good teacher, being informed by their own histories, educations, knowledge, families, and cultures would take this as an attack - possibly a racist attack - why they would see us as sharks circling, rather than seeing concerned persons seeking to be informed. Now: is the public education system in Bermuda going to help us to see each other's points fairly, or is it going to polarize us even further? Everything hangs on the answer to that question.

[shipstones on 25.01.05 at 15:14]

Jake,
"I understand her hesitation to put her work to our scrutiny when there is no sense of perspective or balance."do we add..... in her work?...to finish sentence properly!
I am sure you mean the great "white" sharks have no sense of perspective or balance! LOL!

The questions I would raise to Ms. Van Putten if my kid was in this class would be...is this a history lesson?...If so could I see the history books....is this a cultural lesson?....could I see material being used....and what cultures are you covering....please explain the term "7 principles of blackness" as it relates to my child who is what you would term white? .....what discipline does this fall under?

A long way of getting at the same information "THe Curriculum". See parents do want to know what their children are being taught.
As far as other courses. I went to the trouble some time ago now and found out who was in charge of setting sylabus for high schools. I called the person and suggested that keyboarding to a proficiency standard should be mandatory subject. This may seem trivial but it is absolutely necessary for efficiency in dare I say "white collar" jobs. OOPS! I hope thats not considered racist.
I was told it already was but how many students leave school with this necessary skill besides reading and writing and maths?

[shipstones on 25.01.05 at 15:16]

Denning,
I aplaud you on a great example of empathy!

[jake on 25.01.05 at 15:17]

Again, a fair point. We should know what Bermuda's children are taught.

I maintain that the manner in which we do this should be fair. I will not agree to an inquisition, Mc Carthyism, or a Kangaroo Court.

As to whether the education system will polarize us further, it depends on the balance with which different views are investigated and balance in the presentation of our shared history.

[jake on 25.01.05 at 15:20]

shipstones, if I were to describe you as a white shark, be sure the word "Great!" would not precede the description.

[shipstones on 25.01.05 at 15:30]

Agreed Jake,
Thats why we need to know exactly whats in the program before we keep castigating the lady. But she won't show the curriculum! She is above that! We are not qualified! That used to be a reason black people were not allowed to vote! Surely not a valid ground!

Some politician once said "beware eloquence!"

No different to BHS report, Berkeley report and every other report that government has promised. Transparency, the bullwark of PLP! By the way you know as well as I do when DPP says there is no grounds for a criminal charge, it means there is not enough evidence to put a case before a court. It doesn't mean there was no wrong doing which is criminal! Lets read report and find out!

Shipstones, Alcaholagist

[Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten on 25.01.05 at 17:33]

At this point, Phil, you have allowed your site to run amuck with all kinds of offensive statements, accusations, etc. You have even taken a portion of an article I wrote about reparations and assumed what you wanted, even as I graciously gave you a detailed outline of the programme being taught at Dellwood School. Even when I told you that reparations is introduced as part of the international, ongoing struggle history of African people globally andt takes up 1 1/2 pages out of 100+ pages in the workbook, that still wasn't sufficient for you. (And, by the way, reparations is not just money. It could be education, housing, health care, etc. It is whatever can "repair" a wronged people to a state of well-being.)

I am insulted and, as Jake has said, feel that I have been lured into a lion's den. Your site has become like the talk shows I abhor and would never call into. Or the RG newspaper that was looking for something wrong with the programme at it's inception last year and couldn't find anything. You have allowed the people on your site to dig up, research, post my bio(!) and basically question my existence on the planet and then you want me to respond to your requests?! Was your cc to the Minister of Education an intimidation tactic? Unbelievable! Despite this, you are still welcome to observe the Ashay class. You may call Mrs. Musson and she will confirm a time as we are in examination mode for the end of this marking period and then children are out of school for a week.

Please note that the Ashay programme curriculum is not available in the public library as it is not yet a regular programme in all schools. It is a pilot programme intended as character education, remember? When it becomes a regular offering in all schools, I am sure it will be available for public perusal.

You might be interested to know that we had a parents' meeting last Thursday in which I presented an Ashay parents' workshop and programme orientation, giving parents of Dellwood students (black and white) the opportunity to share their questions, concerns, etc. THERE WERE NONE! In fact, ALL of the parents present wrote on the feedback questionnaires that other schools should have Ashay as well. I would include a sampling of the comments but I am sure your readers would construe that as "self-serving" so I won't include them. Regardless, Mrs. Musson and I have received nothing but support, encouragement and accolades for our work of empowering young people from parents, teachers, people in the community, the Human Rights Commission and CURE. Virtually everyone except Mr. Howe and your site...

Your readers would be surprised at the number of schools in the United States, public and private, that consult with me for teacher workshops, parents' workshops and curriculum enrichment. There is a significant and growing movement towards African-centered curriculums in many U.S. public schools in an effort to empower young people towards their highest possibilities. Also note that all of my credentials and honors, including that of Presidential Fellow at Temple University, can be substantiated. And, just for the record, the criteria for the Presidential Fellow at Temple University includes an outstanding academic record, community service and commitment. The award paid for all of my graduate school studies, textbooks and provided a monthly stipend. And, yes, I am very proud of my work and the difference that is making.

Phil, it is so very unfortunate that, from my perspective, this "discussion" has turned into a witch hunt, but unlike in times past for people who look like me, I will not be burned at the stake like Sally Bassett.

In the Spirit of Empowerment,
Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten, M.A.
Africalogist/Education Consultant

[shipstones on 25.01.05 at 17:59]

Jake, I know that!
You are reduced merely to name calling!
Where's your come back about 7 principles for successful people? What's your argument against that?
Where is your argument against disclosing the curriculum? There is none
Where is the "character education" for all kids? Not explained.
Are there any Asian or Latino centred programs? Or Canadian centred or Euro centred programs in US? Where do we stop?
Have you heard the "Eagle" story. Why don't you tell our kids that story! Real character builder Jake! Guess what colour the chickens are! Give you a hint, the Eagle is brown! Pretty bad Jake, you must admit. If Tom Sawyer told that and the chickens were brown or black we would be in deep doodoo!
But I suppose whats good for the brown eagle is good for the white chickens!

Shipstones,Secondclasscitizenalogist

[jake on 25.01.05 at 18:11]

Since I never raised any point on 7 anything why should I have to respond to it? I may read Mr. Covey's book, but no I would never discuss it with you. Why? Because anything relevant you trivialize, and any sensible approach you ridicule. You inject your racism comments liberally and then you throw in an exclamation point! to highlight your lack of a point.

Eagle? Chicken? I have no idea what you are talking about. I feel sorry for you ship.

Good bye ship.

[loki on 25.01.05 at 18:17]

"The lions's den"? Please. YOU voluntarily came here. It was YOU that decided to act in an insulting and condescending manner, it was YOU that decided to ridicule people by stating that their opinions didn't matter and, to add insult to injury, it was YOU who declared that ordinary, taxpaying members of the public had no right to see what the children of Bermuda are being taught. You brought these criticisms entirely upon yourself and opened yourself to ridicule from some members of the board by your own arrogant and misguided sentiments. And on this basis, you feel persecuted? I sincerely hope that the ASHAY programme has been developed with far more intellectual vigour than you have displayed on this board.

[shipstones on 25.01.05 at 18:18]

Jake then you don't know much about the teachings of Kwanzaa etc.
You tell me one racist remark that I have made Jake!
I do not trivialize, I bring subject down to ground level instead of pie in the sky rhetoric!
I criticised the use of term "7 principles of blackness" you trivialised my comment by saying I know nothing of 7 senses of anything!

[shipstones on 25.01.05 at 18:25]

http://p2001.health.org/cti04/unit1cpm.htm

check out the eagle story Jake!

[clydesdale on 25.01.05 at 18:25]

Ok Ms. Van Putten, you claim that reparations

"is not just money. It could be education, housing, health care, etc. It is whatever can "repair" a wronged people to a state of well-being"

Well I support you in your effort to help educate our children about their heritage. I hope that means there will be a balance of european, african and asian.

But what u mentioned above requires MONEY to achieve, alot. Also if you are full and supporting member of NCOBRA, then do u you believe in?

Principle 7 of your Principles of Unity:

"We believe there can be no Reparations without mass participation. Mass participation is essential toachieving Reparations (repairing, healing and restoring Black People) and Restitution (receiving compen-sation
for the Holocaust and its vestiges)".

Restitution means money to me as well.

Teachings these kids the ideology that they are owed something and should demand something for an event that ended less than 200 years ago could be dangerous. Yes I know alot of problems in the african-american/bermudian community has a direct link to slavery and slave mentality, that is not my arguement!!!!
I am all for empowerment and power sharing, but telling kids they are owed by another group of people in their community, don't you see a problem with this?

It is ok if their parents want to teach them or community groups fine, but in the schools, no way.

Ms. Van Putten I support only half your program, the part where you want to educate our children on african heritage as a balance to european heritage, but not for the ends you want.

[J Galt on 25.01.05 at 18:50]

"Teachings these kids the ideology that they are owed something and should demand something for an event that ended less than 200 years ago could be dangerous."

That is only half of the evil, the ideology would also promote white guilt and any child of European descent would feel they owe something and should pay for it.

"Part of the problem of why we are stuck and will be stuck in the area of race relations for the foreseeable future is your assertion that "As a white person I feel no responsibility for what my ancestors may have chosen to do." MMMVP

Once enough children have passed through this system then NCOBRA will finally achieve its goal.

"I have advocated for African-centered education
as a necessary, critical, part of the equation in
our pursuit for Reparations." MMMVP

[Tiger Bay on 25.01.05 at 19:07]

The issue of reparation is ludicrous considering the circumstances of Bermuda - if the money were to come from Government, it would have to be levied from a population that is primarily black! It is politically and economically infeasible.

If the discussion were about improving the quality of fundamental education (reading, math, etc.) locally or funding more scholarships for subsequent schooling at accredited institutions, the tone here would be much different.

But reparations is a fringe issue lurking in the sunday school warmness of Ashay.

[Point on 25.01.05 at 19:24]

Mrs. Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten, M.A.
Africalogist/Education Consultant

Clearly your dissatisfaction with the reception you have received thus far on the Board (with the exception of Jake’s loyal comments) serves only to illustrate that information (or more specifically your explicit and unapologetic wish to prevent its disclosure) and effective communication are two important keys to our collective understanding and appreciation of one another.

Your decision to limit the dissemination of ‘harmless’ curriculum and assumption of a superior attitude regarding the apparent suitability of its potential commentators is an ironic and arrogant example of imposing a “we know what’s good for you” attitude that is rife amongst the current government.

With my complete support and admiration you chose to repeatedly comment on the various posts. No one forced you to do so. However, to now say that “Phil…allowed [his] site to run amuck with all kinds of offensive statements, accusations, etc.” is untrue. If you choose to feel insulted that is unfortunate. All of the information posted herein (and supported in most cases by weblinks) is available for public consumption, including your biography which is easily found in the Bermuda Tourism website.

[Andrew on 25.01.05 at 20:45]

Wake up people....Ms. Van Putten is using you! Using words like "people who look like me" and "Sally Bassett" to conclude her replies should warn you. Same old race baiting BS that comes from most PLP supporters. Almost makes you wonder if Ms. Webb is writing Ms. Yan Putten's replies. Ms. Van Putten has shown her stripes don't be dragged into her lair.

[Fraz on 25.01.05 at 21:05]

I will not post. I will not post. I will not post.

Ah dognamit.

[Wilber on 25.01.05 at 21:50]

No, I think she is simply reacting to what she perceives as an unfair and biased audience. So many of the comments have been accusatory and negative. Sure we should see the curriculum when it is rolled out, just like when we see the other ones. And yes, it should go through the normal channels.

I think if the readers here had been more fair in their commentary she would have already posted it, for fair peer review.

There are simply too many extremists to warrant that approach.

Mr. W. Smith
Southampton

[The Limey on 25.01.05 at 22:30]

Melodye

I am truly sorry that you feel insulted and believe this has become a witch hunt. I have just gone back and re-read every comment in this thread to re-orient myself and see if I can find any evidence of the offensive statements and accusations to which you refer. However, with the exception of Point’s uncharitable and unsubstantiated questioning of your Presidential Fellow award, I could not. You are a public figure – and a pretty famous one at that – and as such your publicly-expressed opinions are fair game. If you don’t like the heat, get out of the kitchen.

You say I have allowed the people on my site to dig up, research, post your bio and question your existence. I assure you the readers of this site don’t need me to allow them to do anything, and I’m not in the habit of censoring facts (as Point has already clarified, your bio was already available online). If the shoe fits, wear it. Re-read the comments and you’ll discover most aren’t questioning your existence either. Most of the commenters on this thread have said they support teaching African culture and history at school and most began positively disposed to the Ashay programme.

I copied the Minister in on my most recent email to you because I wanted him to be aware of what was going on. He has said on several times that he wants the public education system to be the first choice of parents. I wanted to ensure he appreciated how important having a publicly available curriculum is to that goal. And yes, I was hoping he might take steps to make the Ashay curriculum public himself. It matters not one jot whether the programme is a pilot scheme or not – this is a publicly-funded programme being taught to Bermudian children today. If Bermuda had a Freedom of Information Act, I would now be putting together an application to have the curriculum released.

I find it interesting that you lump Mr. Howe and this site together, despite the fact that I and many of the commenters here have said we do not support Mr. Howe’s comments; despite the fact that Mr. Howe believes African history should not be taught in Bermuda’s schools and most of us do. Your failure to discriminate between those who would burn you at the stake and those who merely disagree with you on certain points is a trait I’ve observed a lot in Bermuda and I suspect it’s part of the reason race relations are in the state they are. You seem to share George Bush’s view that “you’re either with us or against us”, with no room for nuance of opinion, no allowance made for the fact that we probably agree on far more than we disagree on.

I’m not asking you to answer my questions because I – the great Phillip Wells! – am the one asking. I’m appealing to you to do it to help spread trust and understanding among a group of people who still fundamentally support the basic thrust of your work. If you think this site is populated by extremists that you have no common ground with, head over to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BermudaFreeSpeechForum and take a look at what they’re saying about you and Ashay over there.

[John McQuaid on 26.01.05 at 07:02]

Melodye,

Do yourself a favour and get a copy of 'Small Island' by Andrea Levy, take a day off and sit and read it. Then take it in to the schools for the kids to read and to understand what being black was (and is) all about in the 'real'world.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 26.01.05 at 11:29]

Andrew,

With all due respect who has played the race card in a larger way than the UBP with its new Shadow Minsitry of Race Relations. The party can ssay what it wants, this new ministry is nothing more than an attempt to garner the black vote.

Say what you will about us PLP supporters but the PLP found very hard for our rights as black Bermudians. Further just because whites choose not to join the PLP does not make the PLP a racist party.

Look at the history of desgregation in Bermuda, it was blacks that joined white organisations and associations not the other way around. That my friend is BS. It was blacks that began to attend white schools. I have heard many whites say they will not attend certain functions because they will be the only whites there and will feel uncomfortable. Think about how the first black student felt walking through the gates of Warwick Academy or Whitney Institute.

Have things in Bermuda improved? Of course they have but please explain why on average blacks earne less income than whites for the same positions. If that is not racism then what is it?

I do not know anything at all about ASHAY but I do know that black history was not taught when I was in school. While it was fine to learn European history, it shoudl be remembered that most of the population in Bermuda is black therefore, black history should be taught. It seems to me that many whites would prefer to push the historical wrongs under the rug and forget about them. If you don't know your history you are bound to repeat it.

MAybe ASHAY is not the right curriculum but rather than chastise, which only creates animousity maybe you should suggest an alternative. At least someone has begun the process of introducing black history, the teaching of which is long overdue.

[shipstones on 26.01.05 at 11:49]

Guilden,
Its off the subject that we are dealing with but please provide us with the source of statistics that show black people earning less than whites in same job!
If you have a specific incident of this I will help that person get their just dues!

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 26.01.05 at 11:52]

Shipstone,

Review the last Census report and the various polls taking by the Bermuda Sun.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 26.01.05 at 11:59]

Shipstone,

Apart from that explain why there are fewer blacks in senior management positions in our economy. Every one says the make up of the PLP should reflect the make up or the population. Should the same not apply to the workplace. Further, why is there a disproportionate amount of blacks in prison. Do whites not commit crimes? How many attorneys have argued that their white clients should not be jailed for crimes because they are white the prison population is predominently black?

I am not trying to cause havoc I think it is about time race and racial issue are discussed openly and honestly. People need to stop pretneding racisim does not exist doing so only keeps it alive.

[shipstones on 26.01.05 at 12:00]

I don't have a copy of the census, please give us the numbers from your copy. Just the same as Alex Scott I don't hold much credence on polls!

[Andrew on 26.01.05 at 12:07]

Guilden,

Here we go again, blame the UBP instead of accepeting that the PLP has done nothing to improve race relations. The PLP had a wonderful opportuntiy to show that Bermuda could be a showcase for race relations. Instead, like you, the PLP want to blame the past and not work in the present for the future of all colours.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr.]

At the moment my copy is at home.

Ok, so you chose one portion of my comments.

Do not you have any comments on how integration and desegregation occurred in Bermuda?

Do you not have any comment on why whites historically have not joined the PLP and other "black" organisations or associations?

Are you saying that black hostory should nto taught in our schools alongside Eurpean history?

Or do you simply choose to ignore those portions of my comments? Could it be what I have said is true?