You can make a lot of noise, but the battle for civil rights doesn't become real until you take it to the courtroom.
On Wednesday, a new wave of black leaders followed that model when they stepped up with Cheryle R. Jackson, CEO of the Chicago Urban League, as she announced the group has filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois and the Illinois Board of Education.
"What concerns us is how the state school system flat out violates the civil rights of minority children," Jackson said.
"We have an educational system in Illinois that discriminates against minority children and those who should be held responsible for overseeing it have done nothing or very little about it."
Four years ago, as Gov. Blagojevich's chief of staff, Jackson would have had to defend her boss' record on education funding, but today, Jackson is among an elite group of activists who are poised to make education a 21st century civil rights crusade.
Joining Jackson was the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., and the Rev. Leon Finney, both of whom have seen a fair share of teacher strikes and civil protests tied to education.
But Cheryle Jackson also had a younger crop of ministers who pastor huge congregations. They included the Rev. James T. Meeks, pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago; the Rev. Byron Brazier, pastor of Apostolic Church of God; the Rev. Otis Moss III of Trinity United Church of Christ; the Rev. Marshall Hatch of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, and the Rev. Stephen Thurston II of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.
Although Meeks declined to link the lawsuit to his proposed boycott, the gathering offered a visual that could put pressure on Gov. Blagojevich and members of the General Assembly.
These pastors lead large congregations, and members of their congregations tend to be politically active.
Although Meeks' call for a boycott of the first day of school Sept. 2 may have put him at odds with the Chicago Board of Education and local activists who are gearing up for its "Million Father March," he has raised public awareness of school funding inequity.
Because the Chicago area is still pretty much segregated -- both racially and economically -- most Chicago Public Schools parents have no idea that their children are going to schools that are inferior compared to schools in wealthier districts.
Over the past couple of weeks, Meeks' plans to try and enroll children at New Trier High School and Sunset Ridge Middle School in Winnetka has brought both cheers and jeers.
Wednesday's press conference seemed to be an effort to focus attention on the funding inequity -- something even CPS Chief Arne Duncan could agree desperately needed fixing.
"I was proud of how black people can move together in unison and are continuing to put pressure on the same point," Meeks said of the gathering.
The lawsuit will add to that pressure.
For the first time, the public is being told that the state's current school funding formula isn't just unfair; it is the result of a scheme.
"The State's failed school funding scheme has left many school districts, particularly those who serve high concentration of low income and minority students, with a mounting educational crisis," the complaint claims.
Until now, the school funding disparity has been endured like a necessary evil.
But now Meeks and others argue that given the high drop-out rates, low college attendance rates, and high incarceration rates, those concerned about this issue can no longer sit back.
The lawsuit could create a sense of urgency that will force parents to take notice.
Jenner & Block, a firm that is known for its aggressive representation of government officials, intends to seek a temporary injunction that forces the General Assembly to tackle the problem sooner rather than later.
In other words, Meeks ain't playing.
Because time is running out for lawmakers to fix the problem, it's too late for a community consensus.
Still, this lawsuit provides an opening for every local official -- from Mayor Daley to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger -- to correct a wrong perpetrated long ago.
Contrary to what you hear, the vast majority of minority parents do care about their children's futures.
This battle is for them.
Mary Mitchell is a columnist for the 
CPS are funded better than many suburban schools. The real issue is the complete deterioration of the inner city black community.
- How important is school when girls are too busy spreading for any John that walks by?
- How important is school to the gang bangers who get off shooting kids?
- How important is school for the parents who think it's ok allowing their kids to be out past midnight?
...I could go on...address the real problems...school funding is a function of many things. Unfortunately for the inner city it's not based on stupidity and laziness...
SOLVE THE REAL PROBLEM
The high drop-out rates, low college attendance rates, and high incarceration rates, Might be caused by a lack of money going to a school,or poor teaching because of such funding. But it could also be a lack of parent discipline or get involved for what ever the reason. Success or failure starts at home with the parents, and all that is involved either way can come back to them. Look at the success stories that have come out of these schools and ask your self "Why this kid and not that kid?" It will most likely come back to parenting. Just like there are failures in the so called "White Schools" those failures can be traced back to a lack of parenting.
Someone, an adult, needs to pull these children aside and calmly explain to them that if they choose to graduate from high school- and college-they will make more money. As a result, their children will be able to attend better schools.
"What concerns us is how the state school system flat out violates the civil rights of minority children," Jackson said.
Shouldn't the mindless killing EVERY day, black teenage girls getting pregnant like they're giving out awards, gang banging, drugs, crime, etc.....shouldn't these things concern you just a little more?
Every day these self-appointed leaders raise issues to be fought while ignoring the inner-city genocide going on in our community!
The state has always been shady about education funding, and I have no reason to expect any different at this time and even if the funding were more equitable what difference would it make where the rubber hits the road? Will the schools be safer than they are now? Will the teachers be any better?
The real problems with public education will not be solved with more money, it is some other thing gone wrong all together.
Mary, I believe that INFORMATION is being withheld from the lower-class. This is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than funding inequities. This CONSPIRACY ensures a WIDENING DIGITAL DIVIDE, and NEW difference between the HAVES & HAVE NOTS.
Peace Out & Keep Ya Head uP
andrew thomas swartz
Mrs./Ms. Mitchellon-- Can you provide any data on this alleged spending disparity? Per pupil spending by district? Per pupil funding distribution of state resources? Or are we just supposed to accept the allegations as one of those things "everybody knows". And if that data was already presented, how about some links to the data?
the way black people treat each other is the REAL civil rights issue...
The potential boycott is a good thing. If not now, when? for equal educational funding. The Governor needs to make good on his promise he proposed in May 2006. The children are our future. My children will not be going to school on Sept.2, 2008. We will be in the company of others going to Winnetka to register at a better funded school.
How about school choice??? The voucher system would give every parent an equal amount of money to spend for their child's education. With voucher in hand, parents could then choose the school they want for their child and use the voucher to pay the tuition.
When all schools (public and private) are in competition for that voucher the quality will improve because the schools will now realize that parents aren't going to spend that voucher at an inferior school. The bad schools will be have to improve or they will close because no one will choose them.
Parents who have the money in hand will shop around for the best school for their kids. They are not going to be forced to send their kids to bad schools.
i am amazed that jessie jackson is even allowed to represent this cause. he is such a poor example of what we should strive to become. he is allowed to spew hatred and racism and is never held accountable for it. truly amazing in the worst way.
This is grandstanding. The day of the charismatic Black leader that leads us to the promise land is over. The Urban League lawsuit should have been the beginning of this fight. We do not need Meeks or any other pastor to call anything except a meeting with the Black pastors and as them to look down the block from their churches when they are stepping into their Cadillac, Lexus or Benz. Please look and see how the structural violence they have created in partnership with Daley, foundations, corporations, developers and universities. We do not these preachers to act like they are for the community when their every action and non action demonstrates that they are not for us.
Yes, there is some inequity. BTW, there is inequity between predominant so-called white schools as well. A child in the rich New Trier district will have more money spent on him then a child from a more working-class area.
As far as Chicago goes, lets also talk about PRIORITIES. Meeks won't. I'm always amazed how the CPS's have enough money to send the Prosser High School basketball team to England to play some games. And the Simeon team to New York City, The Young team to Louisville, and so on. But cry that we don't have enough money to keep a teacher after-school to help children with math and science. Or an art club, and so on. But oh yeah, they do have the money to transport students out of school for downtown rallies and on school-time.
Sen. Meeks brings up the situation in his district in Calumet City, Dolton, and Riverdale. I'd ask," Sir, while your at it, explain why District 205 doesn't have money for freshmen programs, after-school clubs, and what have you, but does have the money to pay something like 188 teachers more than $90,000 a year?" Even though these teachers work but about 6 months a year (summer, holidays, personal days off, etc.). Mary, ever ask why? Mr. Meeks, I'm sure the fact the Teacher's Union is amongst your biggest contributor to your campaign has nothing to do with this oversight--right?
Finally, Mr. Meeks, whats with this, "I'll call the protest off if I get $120 million dollars for schools that I WILL BE IN CHARGE OF? As Neil Steinberg says, "this is nothing more then a SHAKE-DOWN".
Mary Mitchell, Cps is not the problem with our kids. The problem with our kids is lack of leadership. No one want to take the leadership role. I'm really Tried of people acting like they want to help the poor community. Here what I think would help these community.But I know That it's wishful thinking on my part. How about each of these so call pastor open their churches doors after school so that these kids have somewhere to go and get help with there studies. Get to know these kids so you can teach them. All these kids need is for someone to show an instrest in them. You know that when we was growning up it wasn't just our parents who look out for us it was every adult on the block. Now it is everyone for them self. I worries about my own, I just don't care about yours. To me it is all about the dollar. Pastors, you got the resources, just look at how big your church is, you got the building use it for more than making money. Help your community kids reach their goal. Take some of that sunday offer and help the school in your community, start a computer lad in your church open your doors to your community and see what our kids can become. If we don't care about the kids in our community who will, or better yet who have.
Mary, I meant to ask you a question on something you columnists are very quiet about.
Illinois is 'second to last' when it comes to funding education, it was reported. It got me thinking: Wait a minute ! Illinois is one of the big-states. And Mary, we have a democratic party governor, a democratic party house, and democratic party state senate. Oh yeah, the city council in Chicago is ALL democrats. Whom African-Americans claim are their party. Right? So Mary, whats the excuse? This is not Jim Crow, not those heartless republicans, or slimey conservatives, that are denying the children. No, the truth is there to for everybody to see. So again, why isn't this being mentioned? I notice you will never write about that. Oh yeah, wasn't Obama in the state senate for two terms? So much for 'hope' and 'change'. Whats the excuse there?
I'm reading many complaints but no solutions. There is so many things wrong with our communities I don't know where to begin. Congress started all of this when they said: You can't pray in schools or steer you child towards church. You can't spank your child it'll destroy their spirit but the comments I've been reading are full of spirit. Sure pastors could open their doors to help children but how can one person help 20children? No one is volunteering their time or money or space for anything. Some parents see public schools as free babysitting. They make no effort (those who are not working outside the home) to walk their child to school or hang around the playground before or after school to be sure their child is ok and that no one who should not be there can cause havoc for our children. When the teacher calls they don't respond or the go up to the school and berate the teacher.
Jesse, Sr is on the verge of being classified and a grumpy old man. He no longer cares what he says or how he says it. He use to be considerate of others now he just says what he wants.
Why am I sending my child to school when they don't have enough books? "Johnny" couldn't read his preschool words and yet you don't try to help him until he is in third grade. My son received a math book that was so full of mildew that they sent the book home in a sealed ziploc bag! Funding is very important. Every time the Governor promised nothing was done. Even the funds we were getting from the lottery has been stopped. Why is the first day of school so important? The school doesn't get more money because the children are there. The first 3 months of school is trying to review last year's work! Rev. Meeks and his congregation is always reaching out into the community. He always shows he cares. He has been trying unsuccessfully for almost six years to get more funding for the schools. You should ask the governor and the State senate president why is this the only way to get them to listen.
It's refreshing to have a person(Barack) that has brought excitement and energy to The Democratic party. This excitement is the cause Bush is so unpopular and Obama is like a breath of fresh air. However, I don't believe he's what America need now. America is in debt. Way too many programs too much waste. His policies as articulated so far will make matter worse. The Government(We the people) has to barrow for everything. Barack has no plan to correct this looming crisis. If you think oil is a problem just wait until China will no longer finance our out of control spending. He makes no mention of critial issue such as this but wants to make every one feel good with undeliverable promises
I agree that the school funding formula is terrible, but asking kids to not go to school does not solve the problem. So in my opioni Meeks is playing, he is a playing a cruel joke on kids, if they don't go to school on the first day then CPS schools will recieve less funding for the entire school year. I think that makes the problem worse. He could have suggested a walk-out on the sencond day, along with a suggestion that would involve kids getting an education while out of school.
In the past when Blacks held boycotts they were organized, they were thought out, therefore they were successful. Having kids in City Hall on the floor with cameras all around is unheard off. Y didn't Meeks open the doors of The House of Hope and set up classrooms? Or let them attend the school Salem has. Y hasn't he used his political power to make a difference?
Instead he just wants to see his name in the paper because he is truly a preacher not a politician. Did his children go to school these past few days? When the kids return to school with less funding is he going to sell his private jet and help out? Come on the lawsuit is the correct way to go, I wish Meeks wasn't assoiciated with it because it weakens it, he is truly a mirror of the Jackson Klan, others can suffer as long as he gets an interview.
Where were the Latino, Asian and White children in this boycott? All I saw was African American kids. I didn't see Meeks approach Latino, Asian or White parents whose kids attend Chicago Public Schools. Why is that?
Why is it that Naperville spends only $8,500 while CPS spends 10,000 and Naperville gets better results?
Where were the Latino, Asian and White children in this boycott? All I saw was African American kids. I didn't see Meeks approach Latino, Asian or White parents whose kids attend Chicago Public Schools. Why is that?
Why is it that Naperville spends only $8,500 per pupil while CPS spends 10,000 per pupil and Naperville gets better results?
What bothers me is if he is so concerned about all Chicago Public School kids, why were there only black kids at the boycott? How come he did not reach out to the White, Asian, and Latino children who attend CPS schools? Why didn't he go to their communities to talk to the White, Asian and Latino parents? I did not see Meeks go to Little Village/Pilsen/China Town/ Devon ave and all other areas of the city to share his plan.
Why is Naperville spending $8,500 which is less than CPS is spending and how come they have better results?
Parents need to be involved with their children. They should walked to Planned Parenthood if they didn't want the responsbility of raising these kids.
"Why is it that Naperville spends only $8,500 while CPS spends 10,000 and Naperville gets better results? "
DNA
"They should walked to Planned Parenthood if they didn't want the responsbility of raising these kids."
R U NUTS???
If you walk to Planned Parenthood, you don't have children. If you don't have children, you can get my tax dollars to support your kids!
Rev Meeks is doing a good job trying to get more school funding for the kids. The way he is doing things is the right way. And he does not have a private jet to sell to get school funding. Keep up the good work Rev Meeks we need someone like you around.
I found it interesting that many of the comments on the school funding issue sought to blame the victims: the students, parents, and to some extent, the teachers. In point of fact, there is much blame to go around. However, issues of fundamental fairness are at play here. Are we as a society going to tell one group of people that they are not worthy of a decent education? Are children of wealthy parents in areas such as Wilmette, more worthy than those of poor and moderate income parents in Chicago, East St. Louis, etc.? There should be very little dispute that it is in the best interest of society to educate its citizenry. Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers recognized that the best protection against tyranny was an informed and educated populace. It is sad that in 21st century Illinois we are debating this obvious fact. I would contend that given the history of corruption at all levels of government in this state, perhaps this is a plot to keep the citizenry uninformed so as to maintain this status quo. Perhaps a better school system would cause more people to take a hard look at who they are electing to represent them. I certainly hope so.
To Bud Westbrook:
Look up Center for Tax and Budget Accountability's article called "Money Matters," written in August 2008. It's a little silly that you had any trouble believing or finding these statistics. They are readily available online; in fact, where the heck have you been the past 3 years? These statistics have been shoved in people's faces for years, and the disparity in funding is clear.