NAACP Sues to Block Omaha Redistricting

[Eugene]

NAACP Sues to Block Omaha Redistricting

By CHUCK BROWN, Associated Press Writer

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

(05-16) 09:20 PDT Omaha, Neb. (AP) --

The NAACP sued Nebraska's governor and a state committee Tuesday over a new law
that divides Omaha Public Schools into three racially identifiable districts.

The law, passed by the Legislature at the end of its recent session, splits
the Omaha district starting in 2008 into three districts: one mostly black,
one largely Hispanic and one predominantly white.

It was aimed at solving a dispute over school boundaries in the state's largest city
after Omaha Public Schools tried to take over some suburban schools.

The NAACP's federal lawsuit says the new law violates the constitutional principals
embodied in the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education,
which said separate but equal facilities have no place in public education.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/05/16/national/a083509D07.DTL

[Solo_in_MD]

1. This was actually pushed by a well know black activist and legislator

He and his supporters wanted to allow black control of the black schools so they could be empowered and improved (their position not mine).

Going to be an interesting one to watch, got my popcorn nearby.

[Conker]

2. That is a weird position.Are you sure that's true?

[norml]

3. Chambers: NAACP Mistaken About OPS Split

Chambers: NAACP Mistaken About OPS Split
NAACP Shames Senators Who Voted For OPS Division

POSTED: 11:23 am CDT April 19, 2006
UPDATED: 6:03 pm CDT April 19, 2006

Related To Story

Video: Chambers Responds To NAACP

OMAHA, Neb. -- The man behind a proposed split of the Omaha Public Schools told KETV NewsWatch 7 on Wednesday that the NAACP is mistaken in its interpretation of his bill.

State Sen. Ernie Chambers said that if anything, the law gives already segregated schools more control over their destinies.


Tommie Wilson

The NAACP on Wednesday broke its silence on the state's decision to split OPS. It said it is opposed to LB 1024, and President Tommie Wilson said all the senators who voted for it should be ashamed.

"LB 1024 is an obvious violation to NAACP policies. It is our belief that any legal separation from would be counterproductive and would work against the African-American people in the long run," Wilson said. "We will use every advocacy tool -- including legal -- at our disposal to fight this unconstitutional law."

The districts would represent north, south and west divisions of the city, and while opponents believe the law creates three racially segregated school districts, supporters say the law is designed to create local control over smaller districts. Supporters also said free busing and open enrollment will create a climate of competition among the schools.

Wilson said the plan could improve schools for minorities, but she believes such legalized segregation will work against blacks in the long run.

Chambers disputes that claim.


snip


http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/8826314/detail.html


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2238294


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Chambers

[Bacchus39]

4. there is de facto segregation already

not just in Omaha but nation wide with regards to neighborhoods and residential communities. the school system simply reflects this community segregation. I guess they are concerned that the redistricting plan would somehow codify the segregation.