Okay, so I am shattered after this past weekend and thus I am up on my soapbox again. I was reading a story in the Guardian Unlimited online and I came upon this story suggesting that they put black boys in separate classes of their own so that they can excel.

Am I reading this wrong?

Are they suggesting that by putting black boys in separate classes that it will stop them from feeling like they are in the shadow of the white boys that they are currently studying with? Is this not just, plain and simple, segregation by colour? This is what I am getting from the article.

They suggest that there are no positive role models for these boys and so they lack the ambition to study hard and make something of themselves. This is absolutely ludicrous to me.

Are they not seeing the larger picture here? Could it be that society could be to blame?

Unfortunately, the class system still exists in the UK and therein lies part of the problem. Those without financial stability are doomed to suffer from lack of education and lack of access to decent jobs. Unfortunately, I believe the majority of this group are minorities.

I see this, plain and simple, a statement that because of their colour these boys are automatically going to be weak academically. Sorry folks but that sounds like racism to me.

My thoughts on this are that the system is failing all students and that it should be revamped. I do not, however, agree that separating by colour will solve this.

Let's come up with something a little more creative such as perhaps valuing students, regardless of colour for what they can add to the classroom. Let's provide some positive role models for all children and let's stop making such a big deal about who's smarter or not. Let's just help them learn!

All children deserve that!

Speaking of racism, March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Tomorrow is another special day. It will be International Women's Day! Join me in celebrating both of these days!