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One of the best speeches at the Democratic convention was given by First Lady Michelle Obama, a speech that only she could have given with references to her daughters as examples of the children people are calling upon to make their world better. One of the consequences of implementing the writing mandates of the Common Core is the emphasis on the use of argument, that is, proving a thesis. However, most educators would agree that narrative serves as the best genre for integration of cultural awareness and for understanding the human condition. Telling stories is an ancient, time-honored practice that spans all cultures, and storytelling remains an important way for a person to be heard. It seems that our entire culture has turned a deaf ear to the narratives of poor, disadvantaged students and their families. They are not only misunderstood in school but also are not given the opportunity to defend themselves in society's seat of judgment.

In this Q&A, education researcher Lisa Delpit discusses a new book of essays by teachers, principals, and other educators on how to teach in a fraught political climate.

Argues that teachers must break the pervasive communities of silence about race in primary school classrooms and thus become moral communities. Includes list of books teachers can read aloud with children to stimulate classroom discussions of race. Also includes selected list of references for teachers. (PKP)

  IN HER book Other People's Children, Lisa Delpit explores issues of cultural conflict and the implications for black pupils in America. The incident at Pretoria High School for Girls reminds one of Delpit's work and the universal nature of some of the challenges facing black children in schools. We saw earlier this year two examples of racism - in a creche as well as in a school - both in Pretoria. These do not happen outside the context of society, hence we need to question our people's tolerance towards one another's cultures. To add more to this imbroglio the school called the police to bring in military zeal that would quell the non-violent teens whose guilt was to exercise their voice.

IN HER book Other People's Children, Lisa Delpit explores issues of cultural conflict and implications for black pupils in America. She explores how the dominant culture or as she calls it, the culture of power, impacts negatively on black children in classrooms. As one pupil pointed out at the Pretoria school, some teachers try hard to alter how they speak. This may have negative implications to those who do not master the right intonation and accent; they will learn to be silent in class. This is again what [Biko] referred to as inward looking, because these pupils cannot speak the right way; the way that the culture of power dictates. It was also shocking when the Pretoria Girls high school pupils stated that they were victimised even when they spoke indigenous languages on school premises. This is absurd in a school that is in Africa but is disparaging to other indigenous, official languages.

Media subliminally bombard people with negative portrayals and stereotypes of Black people while doing little to represent the great contributions that Blacks have made in society and literature. This trend and lack of representation are also visible in schools, in particular the English classroom. Students are not often exposed to many writers of color in school. In this article, the author describes the African American Read-In, which presents a different picture as it acknowledges the countless contributions that Blacks have made to literature, and provides an opportunity for students and teachers to get a deeper sense of the contributions and legacy of Black writers. Beyond educating students and teachers about the contributions of Black writers, the African American Read-In is also an opportunity for Black youth to use writing to express their thoughts and feelings. (Contains 1 note.)

  \"You are in a visible spot, so it would take a bold person to try (something illegal),\" Groveland Elementary Principal Dale Delpit said. Groveland Police Sgt. Eddie McConnell said Oct. 11, in attempted abduction cases, any delay \"hampers our investigation.\" Speaking of the delay, Delpit said, \"It's ultimately my responsibility. It is my responsibility to look out for the children ... I care about these kids.\"

* La Palma Kennedy 1, San Pedro 0: Monica Aguilar singled in Brooke Turner with the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth to spoil a gem by San Pedro's Taylor Petty and lead Kennedy (24-2) to the tournament title for the second straight year. Petty (16-2) had a perfect game through six innings and allowed just four hits with 17 strikeouts and one walk for San Pedro (25-2). Turner (20-1) threw a six-hitter with 12 strikeouts and no walks for Kennedy. Kayleigh Raciak singled twice and stole a base, and Perelini Koria doubled for San Pedro. Ee Seng Yap won the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 43.10 seconds and the 500 freestyle in 4:42.73 for Peninsula, which won the Bay League finals with 496.5 points at Mira Costa and won the league title. Chris Grafton won the 50 freestyle (22.26) and the 100 freestyle (48.26) for Redondo. Alysa Wible won the 200 freestyle in 2:03.73 for Peninsula, which won the Bay League finals at Mira Costa with 470 points and won the league title. Stephanie Vint won the 200 I.M. (2:11.97) and the 500 freestyle (5:06.08) for Redondo.

He's upbeat. [DALE DELPIT], the principal at Groveland Elementary School, said he loves his job and can't wait for new projects and activities planned at the south Lake County school. SHERRY BOAS FOR THE ORLANDO SENTINEL