My Beauty Best Teacher

DC Teachers vacation just ended on Monday. All DC Teachers started back to work officially today. Many attended pre-arranged staff development sessions. Ours was at the Kellogg Center on the campus of Galludet University. While I was glad to see faces that I hadn't seen for over nine weeks- hugs and kisses were exchanged while teacher contract talks were all the buzz amongst teacher and service provider colleagues during lunch and mini- break sessions.

Contrary to what our mainstream media reports, today many teachers young and old contemplated the validity of a teachers contract that takes away not only contractual rights but statutory job protections for hefty raises. One teacher argued "don't buy the hype" while she vehemently voiced her frustration at our lunch table over Chancellor Rhee's regular media campaigns which castigates veteran teachers leaving many feeling devalued to talks ranging from what is wrong with our union and why isn't George Parker representing our best interests and why must we lose tenure if we choose the green tier especially since we have earned tenure to why will excessing lead to termination ?

In our mist is much ado about our teachers contract and I contend that we are intentionally being fed a regular diet of distorted and inaccurate information in the mainstream media, by uninformed others and by DC teachers whose votes have been purchased for a motley sum of $1,000 per week. What we know is there has been a campaign funded by City Bridge to buy union members votes . Lauren Castillo, DCPS teacher at Jefferson admits in an email to accepting $1,000 weekly in exchange for lobbying teachers to vote yes on the Rhee/Parker tentative agreement. There are other un-named others. Bill Turque, Washington Post reporter uncovered that City Bridge has funded this campaign. What's wrong with this picture I ask you ?

While I am bothered by these unprincipled people , rather than criticize and complain - I have embraced a pro-active position to get out as much factual information to our DC teachers as I can. I am committed to encouraging our American Federation of Teachers (parent union) to release the 6 page legal opinion by O'Donnell, Schwartz and Anderson, P.C. - titled "Seniority Rights," dated August 1st to all DC teachers who are WTU members which states "... This proposal replaces teachers rights with automatic termination on the Green system and eventual termination on the Red system.... DC Teachers would lose their career status as tenured professionals and the characteristics of tenure...." (for additional excerpts from the legal opinion - see "Should DC teachers Swap Raises for Job Protections ?- post 8/18/08). For me, this legal opinion confirms/solidifies my belief that "information is power." Spread the word to a DC teacher that you know. Posted by Candi Peterson

Harold L. Sirkin in Businessweek writes about emerging market multinationals:

We continue to underestimate that companies from China, India, and other developing markets have the capability to challenge us, giving these companies time to sharpen their skills, enhance their marketing capabilities, become serious innovators, gobble up Western knowhow and companies, and set their sights on global markets, including the lucrative U.S. market...[continue reading]

Image via Wikipedia African Liberty reports:

Senegalese Members of Parliament voted to amend the constitution to extend the presidential term from five to seven years amidst opposition from many Senegalese. The government has flouted the constitution by modifying an aspect that can only be amended through a referendum.
There have been several changes to Senegal's constitution in recent years and some local analysts claim the move is to prepare the ground for the Presidents' son to be able to succeed his father...[continue reading]

Image via Wikipedia A recent COSATU memorandum states:

That the principles of democratic governance, embodied in the SADC and African Union charters, were the birthright of every African....The key defining features of both Zimbabwe and Swaziland were electoral fraud, political manipulation by ruling elite, institutionalised oppression, state brutality and an environment of fear and oppression, the civil societies said in the memorandum...[continue reading]

Google Booksearch describes Framework for Industrialization in Africa By Thomas A. Taku:

This practical, solutions-oriented approach to African development provides a detailed overview of the steps needed for industrialization. It includes lessons from the developed world as well as descriptions of key facets of Africa's current environment

Chido Makunike dicusses Asia's tainted attitudes towards Africa.-Cheetah Index
Which Way Nigeria puts the spotlight on Judicial corruption.
The Curse of Oil contd-SMH
Abdul-Nasser Alidu takes another look at privatization
Kofi Akosah-Sarpong writes about promoting the African Way-Patriotic Vanguard
Nigerian Muse argues against fuel subsidies.

Nnenna Uzowulu writes in the latest issue of BHF, covered previously on TC.

I hated anything traditional,much preferred burgers or French fries instead. I wanted to fit in,dress and eat like the Westerners because it was the "in thing".Now years later, I love wearing traditional attires,whether I am dressed down to stay at home or dressed to the nines to go for events. My favorite food is pounded yam with egusi or oha soup.Why the sudden change? I started seeing the uniqueness of African products,styles and values. I found out that as one appreciates their cultural values and style,they always stand out to be admired...[continue reading]