There's a superintendent born every minute

Separated at birth?

Heath Morrison, the new Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, reminds me of Mayhem from the creepy Allstate Insurance commercials. Mayhem inflicts disasters on people who AREN'T Allstate customers.

Morrison, on the other hand, is about to inflict a disaster on the customers of CMS schools. Case in point: Glenn Singleton.

Singleton, you see, is a "diversity consultant." Here's the statement of purpose from Mr. Singleon's company, Pacific Educational Group:

"Working at all levels from the Board and superintendent to beginning teachers, PEG helps the educators focus on heightening their awareness of institutional racism and developing effective strategies for closing the achievement gap in their schools."

Problem is, Mr. Singleton doesn't deliver what he promises. In fact, a recent article in the Charlotte Observer reveals that after Singleton collects his money from a school district, the Black-White achievement gap is as stubborn as ever. In Chapel Hill, for example, after "more than a decade" of Singleton's programs, "The ultimate impact on students remains elusive. African American students there pass state reading and math exams at about the same rate as counterparts in CMS..." Yet, the same article says that Singleton cites the Chapel Hill school system "as one of PEG’s successes."

In every school system Singleton works with, he uses a one-size-fits-all approach. The reason Blacks don't perform as well as Whites, he claims, is purely the fault of Whites: “At Pacific Educational Group we believe systemic racism is the most devastating factor contributing to the diminished capacity of all children, especially black children, to achieve at the highest levels, and contributes to the fracturing of the communities that nurture and support them.”

Little wonder that in district after district, White parents are angered at Singleton for denouncing White teachers as "racist." According to Glenn Singleton, "American society is relentlessly oppressive" for Blacks. "White privilege" explains EVERY problem in the Black community. Every problem.

Unleashing Glenn Singleton on Mecklenburg's already troubled schools would be disruptive, divisive, and counter-productive. How could it be otherwise, when "racism" is defined as a sin that only whites can be guilty of, and is presented as the primary cause of minority shortcomings? That can only generate White guilt and Black resentment. Oh, and a "six-figure fee."

Such an agenda has nothing to do with education, and everything to do with whipping up racial animosity for political and financial gain. Contrary to his advertising, Singleton isn't giving "courageous conversations" about race; he's giving lectures, and only to Whites.

At least Mayhem is honest about his intentions.