Description: Marcus Jones reports that a shrinking school budget may force teacher layoffs in the Boston Public School System, and a final federal court order may require layoffs to be based on affirmative action quotas instead of union seniority. White teachers with seniority are at odds with newer minority teachers. Members of the Boston Teachers Union picketing outside of the Boston School Department. The president of Concerned Black Teachers of Boston, Robert Marshall, speaks at a press conference. Marshall says that seniority is a biased and discriminatory criterion for determining layoffs. Interview with Boston Teachers Union President Edward Doherty, who says that more minority teachers must be hired. He adds that affirmative action quotas should not force white teachers out of their jobs. At a Boston School Committee meeting Antonieta Gimeno, a parent, tells the School Committee that Haitian, Asian, Cape Verdean, and African students find no reflection of their heritages in the school curriculum or in the school faculty. The federal court withdrew from supervision over the Boston Public schools last month, but deep-seated racial problems still plague the system.
1:00:10: Visual: Footage of teachers picketing in front of the headquarters of the Boston School Department at 26 Court Street. Teachers hold signs reading, "No layoffs." Shots of individual teachers in the picket lines. Marcus Jones reports that the federal court no longer oversees the operation of the Boston Public School System; that the teachers have a new contract which includes a salary increase and more input into decisions affecting the schools. Jones notes that Dr. Laval Wilson (former Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) has left the school system. Jones reports that the Boston Public School System is still underfunded and racially divided. V: Shot of Joseph McDonough (Interim Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) walking to his seat at the front of the Boston School Committee chambers. Footage of Edward Doherty (President, Boston Teachers Union) standing in front of the School Department headquarters. Doherty says that next year will be difficult unless teacher lay-offs can be avoided. Shots of teachers picketing the School Department headquarters. Jones reports that more than 150 teachers may be laid off this summer; that the city of Boston has refused to grant McDonough's $409 million budget request. Jones notes that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) has said that the schools must make do with a budget request of $400 million. Jones reports that the final federal court orders require lay-offs to be based on affirmative action quotas instead of union seniority. Jones notes that white teachers with seniority are at odds with newer minority teachers. V: Shot of Robert Marshall (President, Concerned Black Teachers of Boston) holding a press conference. Supporters stand behind him. Shot of teachers unfurling a union banner in front of the School Department headquarters. Footage of Marshall speaking at the press conference. Marshall says that minority teachers and progressive white teachers have urged the Boston Teachers Union not to appeal the federal court orders. Marshall accuses the Boston Teachers Union of racism. Marshall says that the Boston Teachers Union continues to defend seniority; that seniority has been ruled to be a biased and discriminatory criterion. Footage of Doherty being interviewed by Jones outside of the School Department headquarters. Doherty says that more minority teachers must be hired; that white teachers should not be forced out of their jobs by affirmative action quotas. Doherty says that minority teachers should look at the unfairness of the situation. Footage of Antonieta Gimeno (parent) standing with other parents at the front of the Boston School Committee chambers. Members of the Boston School Committee are seated in their seats at the front of the chambers. Gimeno says that the parents have come to protest the School Committee meeting. Gimeno holds up a sign reading, "We demand excellence for all children." The audience applauds Gimeno. Gimeno says that School Committee meetings are a "mockery" and an "insult" to the intelligence of community members. Shots of one of the parents at the front of the chambers with Gimeno. Jones reports that disgruntled parents aired their grievances before today's School Committee meeting. V: Footage of Gimeno saying that Haitian, Asian, Cape Verdean, and African students find no reflection of their heritages in the school curriculum or in the school faculty. Jones stands outside the chambers of the Boston School Committee. Jones reports that the federal court closed the books on school desegregation in Boston last month; that there remain deep-seated racial problems in the system. Jones reports that there may be a court battle concerning faculty desegregation in Boston Public Schools.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/19/1990
Description: Christopher Lydon interviews Vice President Dan Quayle. Quayle talks about his visit to Mission Hill Elementary School and the Carol Stuart murder case. He says that respect among people will bring racial harmony. Quayle talks about his upcoming visit to Latin America and US foreign policy in Panama. He also talks about the Republican Party's position on abortion. Following the edited story is additional footage of the interview, mostly the second camera view of the same content in the edited story.
1:00:04: Footage of Dan Quayle (US Vice President) being interviewed by Christopher Lydon. Quayle describes his visit to Mission Hill Elementary School. Quayle says that the kids were involved; that the parents were committed to education; that the teachers were respected by the students. Lydon asks who came up with the idea for a visit to Mission Hill Elementary School. Quayle says that his staff asked Bernard Cardinal Law (Archbishop of Boston) for suggestions about which school to visit; that Law recommended Mission Hill Elementary School. Lydon asks Quayle about the Stuart murder case. Quayle says that he talked about the Stuart murder case in a private meeting with parents, administrators, and teachers at the school. Quayle says that people must respect one another. Quayle says that respect will bring racial harmony. Lydon asks about Quayle's upcoming visit to Latin America. Lydon mentions the US invasion of Panama. Quayle says that some Latin American leaders have expressed concerns about the US invasion of Panama. Quayle says that he will meet with Carlos Andres Perez (President of Venezuela); that he will ask Perez and other leaders to help build a democracy in Panama. Quayle says that the public statements of some Latin American leaders do not represent their private sentiments. Quayle says that there is strong support for the US invasion in Panama and across Latin America. Lydon asks if the US should assume some responsibility for the rise of Manuel Noriega (leader of Panama). Quayle says that the US should assume no responsibility for Noriega. Quayle says that Noriega declared war on the US; that Noriega's forces killed and wounded an innocent US marine soldier; that Noriega's forces sexually harassed US women. Quayle says that the US should not assume responsibility for the stolen election in Panama. Lydon asks Quayle about the Republican Party's position on abortion. Quayle says that the party platform advocates the protection of the unborn. Quayle says that many party members disagree with the platform; that the Republican Party is inclusive. Quayle says that people are welcome to disagree with the platform. Quayle says that abortion is a divisive issue. Quayle accuses the Democratic Party of becoming a one-issue party. Quayle says that pro-life supporters are not welcome in the Democratic Party. Quayle says that he does not want pro-choice Republicans to abandon the party.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/22/1990
Description: Alexandra Marks reports that Barry Hynes is preparing to open Nativity Prep School in Roxbury. The Archdiocese of Boston has provided facilities for the school, and tuition is $10 per month. Interview with Barbara Robinson about her inability to afford other private schools, which she wants to do because she doesn't think the Boston Public Schools are doing enough. Interviews with Hynes and Father Bill Cullen, the principal of the school. Hynes says that the school is modeled after a small Jesuit school in New York City. Cullen says that the school will work together with parents to educate their children. Interviews with teachers Calvin Moore and John Riley about the school. Marks reports that Nativity Prep will accept thirty male students aged eleven to thirteen. Marks' report is accompanied by footage of staff cleaning up the building in preparation for the school year.
1:00:15: Visual: Footage of Michael Robinson (age eleven) and two other boys playing basketball on an outdoor court. Alexandra Marks reports that Michael Robinson was born in Roxbury; that his adoptive mother is trying to provide a good education for him. V: Footage of Barbara Robinson (mother of Michael Robinson) being interviewed. Barbara Robinson says that she wants her son to go to a school where he will be encouraged. Shot of Michael Robinson and another boy walking on the sidewalk as they play with a basketball. Marks reports that Barbara Robinson is not impressed with the Boston Public Schools; that the Boston Public Schools have a dropout rate of 40%. Marks reports that Barbara Robinson cannot afford tuition at most private schools. V: Footage of Barbara Robinson being interviewed by Marks. Robinson says that she cannot afford to pay $1600 per year for one child. Marks reports that Barry Hynes (school organizer) is organizing a prep school which will open a few blocks from the Robinsons' home. Marks notes that Hynes has a staff of seven people; that Hynes will charge a tuition of $10 per month. V: Shot of Hynes speaking on the telephone in his office. Shot of a member of Hynes' staff cleaning the woodwork in a classroom. Footage of Hynes being interviewed in his office. Hynes says that the school will have a strict code of conduct; that the school will challenge students academically. Shots of Hynes' staff moving furniture in a classroom. Marks reports that the school will be called Nativity Prep School; that the school is modeled after a small Jesuit school in New York City. Marks notes that Hynes is a retired businessman; that Hynes taught in the New York City Jesuit school for one year. V: Shot of a staff member vacuuming the floor of a classroom. Footage of Hynes being interviewed in his office. Hynes says that he liked the prep school where he taught in New York City; that he will use that school as a model. Shot of a staff member cleaning a wax floor. Marks reports that the school opens tomorrow; that the school will open in the building where the St. Francis de Sales school was once located. Marks notes that the Archdiocese of Boston offered the space to Hynes when they heard his idea. V: Footage of Hynes being interviewed in his office. Hynes says that the building is well equipped and in good shape. Shot of staff members moving a large cabinet in a classroom. Marks reports that the school staff receives a stipend of $200 per week. Marks notes that Hynes met Calvin Moore (teacher) while playing golf. Marks adds that Moore is a graduate of Harvard Law School. V: Footage of Moore being interviewed. Moores says that he wants these kids to grow up and have successful lives. Shot of John Riley (teacher) mopping the floor in a classroom. Marks reports that Riley is a business consultant; that Riley has a masters degree from the Wharton School of Business. V: Footage of Riley being interviewed. Riley says that he has been fortunate; that he wants to give something back to society. Footage of Father Bill Cullen (Principal, Nativity Prep School) in a classroom. Cullen decides where to hang a clock in the classroom. A female staff member assists him. Marks reports that Cullen is the principal; that Cullen is responsible for choosing the first thirty boys to enter the school. Marks notes that the school will accept male students aged eleven to thirteen. V: Footage of Cullen being interviewed. Cullen says that he is looking for parents with a desire to educate their children. Cullen says that the school must work together with parents in order to educate children. Shot of Moore, Cullen, and a female staff member moving furniture in a classroom. Marks reports that the school has raised only half of its operating funds for the year; that the school needs to raise $100,000. V: Footage of Cullen saying that the school and its staff must take a "leap of faith." Cullen says that the school will deal with problems as they arise. Marks reports that Barbara Robinson has great hopes for the school. V: Footage of Robinson being interviewed by Marks. Shot of Barbara Robinson in tears. Robinson says that she cannot keep herself together. Shot of Michael Robinson.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/05/1990
Description: Marcus Jones reports on efforts to provide positive male role models for young African American boys through the Paul Robeson Institute for Positive Self-Development. Third and fourth grade boys attend the Institute every Saturday, and 25 men from diverse backgrounds assist the boys in developing their understanding of math, science and history. Interviews with Pamela Brodie and Delores Wilson, who are both teachers at the Holland Community School. Both teachers praise the program. Brodie talks about the need for positive male role models. Interview with Keith Motley, a member of the Paul Robeson Institute, about the program. Motley says that programs like this one can help to end the violence on the streets. Interviews with two African American boys who attend the Institute. Following the edited story is additional footage of Brodie and her students in class at the Holland School.
1:00:14: Visual: Footage of students in a classroom at the Holland Community School in Dorchester. Shot of students are getting out their textbooks. The students are seated at their desks. Pamela Brodie (teacher, Holland Community School) stands at the front of the room. Shot of students raising their hands to be called on. Most of the students are non-white. Marcus Jones reports that the majority of students in public elementary schools in Boston are non-white. Jones reports that most of the teachers are female. Jones notes that male authority figures are limited; that African American male authority figures are virtually absent. V: Footage of Brodie being interviewed. Brodie says that most school systems have a lot of female teachers. Brodie says that it is important to have positive male role models for students; that some students do not have a male role model at home. Brodie says that schools need more male role models. Jones reports that elementary school students are in their formative years. Jones reports that a group called Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts visit the Holland School to help students make the right choices. V: Shots of students eating lunch at their desks. Shots of an African American boys walking around the classroom. Footage of Keith Motley (Paul Robeson Institute) being interviewed. Motley says that the group wants to fight against violence; that education is necessary to end violence. Footage from the Paul Robeson Institute. An African American man addresses a group of African American boys. The man speaks from a podium, while the boys sit in seats. The man encourages the boys to be the best people they can be. The man says that the future depends on them. Jones reports that the organized effort to provide positive role models is called The Paul Robeson Institute for Positive Self-Development. Jones reports that African American boys from the third and fourth grades in the Holland and Fifield Schools are involved in the program; that the boys visit the African American Institute at Northeastern University on Saturdays. Jones reports that 25 men from diverse backgrounds assist the boys in developing their understanding of math, science, and history. Jones says that the Institute focuses on African American history. V: Shot of an African American man speaking to a group of African American boys in a classroom. The boys are seated at desks. Shot of a sign for the African American Institute on the exterior of a building. Shot of an African American man standing at the front of a classroom. African American boys are seated at desks. A second African American man leans on a chalkboard as the other man teaches. Shot of a group of African American boys in orange T-shirts standing in a circle. The boys hold hands. An African American man stands in the center of the circle. African American men stand in a circle surrounding the boys. Footage of an African American boy being interviewed by Jones. Jones asks if the teachers at the institute are teaching him to be proud of himself. The boy says yes. Footage of another African American boy being interviewed by Jones. The boy says that the program has taught him that he can do something else besides sell drugs on the street. Shots of Brodie standing in her classroom; of an African American boy flipping through a textbook. Jones reports that the Robeson Institute has been operating for a year; that the Robeson Institute has earned praise from parents and teachers. V: Footage of Delores Wilson (teacher, Holland Community School) being interviewed. Wilson talks about one of her students who has behavior problems. Wilson says that the student's behavior has improved since attending the Robeson Institute. Wilson says that the student now helps other kids. Footage of Motley being interviewed. Motley says that programs like the Robeson Institute should be promoted and encouraged; that men and women should get involved. Shot of the African American boys at the Institute standing in a circle while holding hands. African American men form a circle around the boys. An African American man stands in the center.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/13/1990
Description: Jan von Mehren interviews Aggrey Mbere, a member of the African National Congress about apartheid in South Africa. Mbere left South Africa thirty-five years ago and currently teaches history at Roxbury Community College. He says that the South African government has realized that it must accommodate the opinions of black South Africans. Mbere talks about Nelson Mandela and his own desire to return to South Africa in the future. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Christy George interviews Gabu Tugwana by telephone
1:00:04: Visual: Shots of Aggrey Mbere (African National Congress) teaching a history class at Roxbury Community College. Shots of students in the class. Jan von Mehren reports that Mbere teaches world history at Roxbury Community College. Von Mehren reports that Mbere keeps up on events in his native South Africa. V: Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that the structure of white supremacy is still intact in South Africa. Von Mehren reports that Mbere was born in Johannesberg; that Mbere joined the African National Congress (ANC) when he was 22 years old; that Mbere left the country a few years later. V: Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that he has been away from South Africa for thirty-five years; that he becomes nostalgic for his country sometimes. Mbere says that he would like to return some day. Von Mehren notes that Mbere believes that the lifting of the ban on the ANC was inevitable. V: Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that the South African government has realized that it must accomodate African opinion. Mbere speculates as to whether the situation in South Africa has been influenced by the democracy movement in Eastern Europe. Von Mehren reports that Mbere has been inspired by the example of Nelson Mandela (jailed ANC leader). V: Shot of a poster of Mandela on the wall. Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that Mandela is indefatigable; that Mandela has fulfilled his mission as leader of a people. Footage of Mbere and his students in class at Roxbury Community College. Von Mehren reports that Mbere is fairly confident about returning to South Africa; that Mbere is apprehensive about his return. V: Shot of Mbere and Von Mehren walking in a corridor. Footage of Mbere being interviewed by von Mehren. Mbere says that he still has many strong feelings about South Africa; that he must come to a clear understanding about the situation before returning.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/02/1990