BTW Landmark: Standing on Shaky Ground

Standing On Shaky Ground

Hello Bulldogs, after some serious thought I felt compelled to write this open letter regarding an article I read recently in the Dallas Morning News on Wednesday, July 6, 2011, re: DISD, “At schools, no pay, no plaque?” for those of you who are not aware of the article, I will attempt to provide a brief
detail what is being contemplated for the cash-strapped Dallas school district: DISD trustees are looking for ways to
raise revenue and are considering following other districts seeking private dollars by renaming educational facilities. In other words and for the sake of illustration, if this proposal would come to past, students could find themselves researching material in the Jerry Jones library and eating lunch in the Mark Cuban Cafeteria or attending class in a room named in honor of Ross Perot or Laura Miller, to name a few. Some would say, so what? After all, drastic situations calls for drastic measures and sometimes you have to bite the bullet and move on. I understand that. However in defense of Booker T. Washington High School; a Texas Historical Landmark, which has already been reduced to a mere
fraction of its original self, enough is enough. We need to stand together as a group and make sure that (the original building) BTW is not included in the district fundraising, name-sell-a-thon.

I truly believe that if BTW is part of this type of fundraising drive, it could threaten the school’s historic landmark status.

With all the modernistic structures that surround it; and those that are in the planning stages, the old building (BTW) stands out like a sore thumb and you can bet the house that any chance, excuse or opportunity that DISD officials get to tear it down, they will tear it down.

Just saying…

Cecil R Brown, Class of 54

Fred/Buddy, I too received my call from Bernadette as well as Bill...and I have responded back to Bill about my phone call from her. I totally agree with your "assumption"....which is a good assumption...that we do need to still attend this meeting...to keep it in their faces and on their Agenda or Backroom board meetings or Secret club meetings or even their bathroom conversations. So that this "outreach message" of the former students of Booker T. Washington will not be unheard. Bernadette told me that this was only a conversation that some of the Board Members had or were talking about...but you..as well as all of us students know...that it 'STARTS' with a conversation...which can lead to a "subject" matter...that will be placed on the Board Table to be considered. We don't even want this issue on the table...nor in their mines. They need to find a better way to raise money for the School Districts...because this idea is not an idea...nor does it need to even be a conversation...because it won't 'FLY.'

Replies

Deborah Young Love November 17, 2011 at 3:58am

Hip....Hip...Hooray! I'll see you there my dear friend and big brother!

Deborah
Fred Walker November 17, 2011 at 3:53am

Yes I will be there doing what I can, to preserve the fabric, strengthen the foundation ,and secure the name that is a part of all of us . Point Blank Booker T. Washington.
Deborah Young Love November 17, 2011 at 3:22am

Fred/Buddy, I too received my call from Bernadette as well as Bill...and I have responded back to Bill about my phone call from her. I totally agree with your "assumption"....which is a good assumption...that we do need to still attend this meeting...to keep it in their faces and on their Agenda or Backroom board meetings or Secret club meetings or even their bathroom conversations. So that this "outreach message" of the former students of Booker T. Washington will not be unheard. Bernadette told me that this was only a conversation that some of the Board Members had or were talking about...but you..as well as all of us students know...that it 'STARTS' with a conversation...which can lead to a "subject" matter...that will be placed on the Board Table to be considered. We don't even want this issue on the table...nor in their mines. They need to find a better way to raise money for the School Districts...because this idea is not an idea...nor does it need to even be a conversation...because it won't 'FLY.'
Bill Betzen November 17, 2011 at 3:04am

Fred, I recieved a call this evening from DISD Board Member Bernadette Nutall. She had noticed that I had signed up to speak on the renaming of Booker T. She said that no such plan was being considered, nor would it ever pass the Board. Then I mentioned the idea by Mike Morath to raise money by selling naming rights. She said that was just an idea and would probably not pass, and would certainly not have her vote. I thanked her for the call and said I would share her message. I think it is very good we were pro-active on this issue so that we never have the potential for the selling of naming rights to happen in Dallas ISD. A school name like "Coors Middle School" would certainly send the wrong message to our students. I am signed up as a speaker tomorrow. How many more are signed up? Will you be there Fred?
Fred Walker November 5, 2011 at 5:48pm

Hello campus like Cecil said in his comments , the school district is looking for ways to attract money. The name changing issue has once again reared it head. What school do you think is the most attractive for raising money through a name change? If your answer was Booker T , you are right . This school is world renowned for what it does . In my opinion I can see a racial overtone . Only three Bulldog attended the hearing , which is an outrage, we use Rev Peter Johnson as our spoke persons . We made it clear to the board if they want to change a school name , let's experiment with Highlander Park High School. We want Highland Park High School to change their school name to Booker T Washington High School.Once they make that change ,come back to see us .We know it will not happen ,we have to protect what's important to us the same as others protect their values. We have to turn out in numbers ,we must be heard , we will get you the information on the next hearing , we will need more bulldogs in attendants than me,Chuck and Amatullah .
Fred Walker July 22, 2011 at 4:40am

Cecil I have been told the name Booker T. Washington is not safe . We have to stay on top of it . My suggestion is , we get a bird dog committee . Every monthly board meeting ,at least one of us attend and report back our finding . Visibility is a great key , participation is even greater .Let's put it together we can report back on your blog if you like . What ever we decide , count me in , because it's needed .
Arthur Moore July 22, 2011 at 1:13am

matha is doing fine but i have been having chest pains but it will be alright but i might have go to the doctor. moe.
Carolyn Hill Morris July 20, 2011 at 12:38am

Mo, thats awesome! My mother passed at 93. They don't make like like that anymore, huh!
I never knew that B.F.Darrell once went to 12th grade. See we learn something new everyday.
Thanks for that nugget!

Most of us here attended Darrell and then went to BTW for high school!
How is Martha today? and you too!! God bless both of you!!
Arthur Moore July 20, 2011 at 12:23am

I guess you all don't know that B.F DARRELL was the first black high school in dallas it went from the first to the tweveft my mom went there. they tore it down and built a little old school in oak cliff on lancaster. it use to be on hall street. and by the way she is still living she is 97 she got to be i'm up there my self.
Gloria D (Toliver) Freeman July 18, 2011 at 3:50am

THANKS CECIL FOR SHARING THIS WITH US..... I BELIEVE THAT ALL BTWTHS STUDENTS WILL BE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO KEEP OUR GREAT SCHOOL FROM BECOMING MORE A PART OF THE STATUS QUO' THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.. AND I'M SURE OUR OTHER SCHOOL MATES FEEL THE SAME.... ONE THING WE CAN DO IS KEEP THE NAMES OF EVERYONE WHO GRADUATED FROM BOOKER T THAT HAS BECOME A PART OF OUR TEXAS HISTORY, BEFORE THE PUBLIC... JOAN TARPLEY, WILLIAM BLAIR, JUDGE SMITH, NORA JONES, AND ALL THE RE-KNOWN DOCTORS,, ATTORNEYS, MINISTERS, SPORTS FIGURES, ACTORS, AND POLITICAL PERSONS....

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE PROUD OF BEING A PART OF THIS GREAT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION ... NOW LET US GATHER OURSELVES TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH A INGENIOUS PLAN THAT WE ALL CAN PARTICIPATE IN AND GET THE JOB DONE... "COME ON BULLDOGS LET'S GO" !!

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