Colin Flaherty: Eliminate SHSAT Test - Oh and Give Us Lots of Free Stuff - July 2018

Rodneyse Bichotte Eliminate Standardized Test SHSAT. School Admission Without Proving Themselves. Sacrifice to the Alter of Racial Disparities - Colin Flaherty, author of Don't Make the Black Kids Angry, reviews and gives commentary on news with headlines "Laurie Cumbo Says ‘Knockout’ Attacks In Brooklyn Caused By Resentment Of Jewish Success" and "RODNEYSE BICHOTTE: My journey shows why specialized high school admissions must change"

12/05/2013 08:43 am ET Updated Feb 04, 2014
Councilwoman-elect Laurie Cumbo, who was elected to represent Crown Heights starting in January, released an open letter Tuesday saying that many of her black constituents told her they feel threatened by the growth of the neighborhood’s Jewish community — and she fears the tension could be spiking the recent violence.

“Many African American/Caribbean residents expressed a genuine concern that as the Jewish community continues to grow, they would be pushed out by their Jewish landlords or by Jewish families looking to purchase homes,” Cumbo wrote in the 1,200-word letter, which was emailed to supporters and posted on her Facebook page.

“I respect and appreciate the Jewish community’s family values and unity that has led to strong political, economic and cultural gains. While I personally regard this level of tenacity, I also recognize that for others, the accomplishments of the Jewish community triggers feelings of resentment, and a sense that Jewish success is not also their success.”

She added that these sentiments among black Crown Heights residents “offer possible insight as to how young African American/Caribbean teens could conceivably commit a ‘hate crime’ against a community that they know very little about.” and "RODNEYSE BICHOTTE: My journey shows why specialized high school admissions must change"

By RODNEYSE BICHOTTE JUNE 18, 2018
I agree with Mayor Bill de Blasio that the SHSAT has flaws and I am open to reforming what is currently a culturally biased test, perhaps scrapping the test altogether. Additionally, I believe we should be cognizant of the historical origins of the SHSAT, which was enshrined into law via the Calandra-Hecht Act in 1971.