As I stated in my first post, my stance on this issue changed as more information came forth. Race, makes headlines and gets readers and viewers, and thus too often blinds people or tricks them into pausing their thinking. Then again, there are times when people think they know far more than they really do.
My oldest graduated Payton '04, my youngest from Jones '12. I drive a KIA minivan. I know what its like to be a parent driving to events for my kids, particularly sports and Tae Kwon Do. Despite the privilege perception, and the monies raised in fund raising, or the success of the team, at Jones the money raised is shared among all the programs (I won't get into Payton because '04 was the first graduating class and CPS treated them like royalty). There aren't always buses to games or meets, which is why parents volunteer to take kids to the games and bring them home. It isn't uncommon to have to drive an hour extra just to provide door service. A ride board was set up to help share the load on parents and volunteers. The coaches at Jones know the importance of academics and the importance of communication, which is why they know that our kids will miss a practice or miss a game/meet because of an exam, or college boards, or a campus visit.
I don't know all of the details but from what I understand the game was either scheduled only 3 days prior to Saturday night or it was learned that there would not be a bus 3 days prior. That's on the coach to communicate that information.
A few more thoughts:
- I've yet to read anybody claim that they wouldn't mind their 16 y.o. son traveling home from 111th & King Dr. at 9:30 on a Saturday night. I suppose its okay they show up at the door after midnight and after curfew.
- Kids don't attend a Payton, or Jones, or Brooks looking to play D-1 basketball, baseball, or football. That doesn't mean they don't try to be competitive.
- Its only funny to remember the time somebody busted out car windows when they aren't to your car. Trust me on this, I've had two of my cars set afire.
- While I know you have to one day trust them to be on their own, as I did when I turned the oldest one loose on the streets of Manhattan at the age of 17. That doesn't mean you repeatedly indulge in practice runs where they get to run the streets at 15 and you go on with an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude.
- While there are kids who do live near Payton or Jones, many others live elsewhere in Chicago. Both schools are extremely diverse. So if a black parent decides they can't drive their child and don't want them in Roseland on a Saturday night, is that racist or just common sense?
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