As a Southerner myself, I am quite familiar with the bored and preening privilege of the Junior Leaguers, those ladies whose husbands control enough wealth in their respective communities that their Christian women, between breast implants, spa treatments, and botox injections, can go about the town getting their names in the newspaper for acts of charity.
As a result of their good works, these ladies are given over, after a few mint juleps, to offering opinions on any number of matters of social import, all unearned by any real knowledge of how the world operates outside their cognitive and social bubbles that are as impervious as the wrought iron fences that keep any wandering winos off the front lawn.
Laura, pictured above vamping for a photo spread with other Junior Leaguers for the Summer 2005 issue of Lagniappe, has drawn the duty as KIPP Ambassador, which obviously involves bringing her white lady friends after lunch at the Pontchartrain over to the contained and segregated children of KIPP Central City who then parrot their routines for these tight smiling white faces of New Orleans' social elite.
Here's Laura's piece from the Times-Picayune, proving that she is doing her job, or should I say, work. Job sounds so plebeian, don't you know:
KIPP school is a gem
Saturday, January 29, 2011For the past year, I have had the distinct privilege of being an Ambassador for KIPP New Orleans Schools. I bring friends to area KIPP schools to see the phenomenal education the young students are being given.
After a recent visit to KIPP Believe College Prep on Carrollton Avenue, a friend told me, "I live three blocks from this school and had no idea what a little gem this was!" After the KIPP Central City tour this week, two of my friends asked how they could volunteer or help in any way.
What is it about the KIPP schools that is so impressive?
In each school I have toured, the students are enthusiastic about learning, articulate in expressing their ideas and points of view, have high goals for the future and want to achieve the best life has to offer.
They accept the longer school days, week and year and respond to the loving discipline and structure the talented teachers give them. Parents support their education and are involved in the schools in every capacity.
My beautiful Garden District home is five minutes from KIPP Central City. In the eyes of these children, I don't see a future filled with violence and drug use, like the neighborhood that surrounds the school. I see a future for our city and country that is industrious, innovative, educated and respectful of others.
KIPP schools are a gift to our children and our city, and I am most grateful.
Laura M. Claverie
New Orleans
"They accept the longer school days, week and year and respond to the loving discipline and structure the talented teachers give them. Parents support their education and are involved in the schools in every capacity."
ReplyDeletePLEASE SIR, MORE DRILL SHEETS, MORE WORKBOOKS ...!