LETTER ASKING FOR FACILITY NOT TO CLOSE BUT NO LETTER ABOUT INJUSTICES

There are people working at Connecticut Juvenile Training School and in the community wondering about sudden concern about that facility possibly closing. Harsh criticism by lawmakers and Child Advocates Office in 2015 made CJTS  look bad. The letter written and printed by the Hartford Courant newspaper detailed how CJTS school system is making a difference in the lives of incarcerated residents. However there are several things that need to be pointed out from this writer's perspective. First, reliable sources report how many of the students in CJTS's school system make little progress and "Johnny still can't read" once they depart that facility. Indeed -according to sources- many of the residents in school enter unable to read or write, then leave the same way. Second, now it seems the teachers at this school are speaking out about not closing the facility and for other than  noble reasons, they do not want to lose their jobs. People might reply this is harsh criticism of employees writing in support of CJTS remaining open. Yes it is harsh because there were other times at CJTS when white management treated employees of color in horrible fashion- disproportionate disciplines and terminations, allowing right wing workers to single out blacks for ill treatment, white female Youth Service Officers calling residents of color "porch monkeys", not to mention management placing higher scrutiny on black workers. Where were the letters to advocate on behalf of injustice run amok at the CJTS Plantation ?

How can you write eloquently about keeping open CJTS for " those unfortunate residents" in order to educate them, when statistics point out [ sources say ] those same residents ( mostly of color ) do not perform any better in reading or writing? Again it must be highlighted how when  employees tried to enlist the aid of these teachers in fighting racism against black Youth Service Officers no such letters were forthcoming !! On the contrary teachers retreated into their shell and remained silent. When the DCF Plantation 5 launched their lawsuit against CJTS those teachers kept their heads in the sand, doing a good ostrich imitation. When petitions were passed around by CJTS members of the DCF Plantation 5 to point out racism, some employees signed this petition but the teachers ignored it. Let me be clear. It is often ignored but must be stated that in most cases when people of color fight for freedom, whites stand on the sidelines and look. What the hell, it is not white life being marginalized or objectified, so why should whites care ! Historically whites care about injustices toward blacks in America when somehow the racism MIGHT touch the white body politic.

At CJTS for years white teachers at school looked the other way as adult co-workers withered under the white hot glare of that racist spotlight from management. Now these teachers are all distraught over keeping residents in school and the facility open. Give me a damn break.

A letter was published asking for CJTS not to close but no letter about mistreatment or injustices against blacks, with friends like this who needs enemies.