Sharpton and Thomas Deliver Message of Love and Respect to Magnet School Students
Self-empowerment, love and respect for your fellow man, was the message shared on Thursday by Civil Rights Leader Rev. Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network (NAN) and former NBA basketball player, Isiah Thomas, as the pair addressed students at Frazier International Magnet School, 4027 W. Grenshaw, during Sharpton’s first day in Chicago as a temporary resident.
“We’re going to be the Chicago that sets an example,” Sharpton told students gathered for the special assembly. “There’s gun violence but there are also young people who are doing great things. I’m starting with you students because I was told you put on your uniforms everyday determined to be somebody.”
Sharpton, 59, shared stories from his childhood saying his family was poor and lived in the “hood” and received food stamps.
“I didn’t hear from my dad until I was grown,” Sharpton told the students. “But we always had respect for one another. Somebody has convinced Blacks and Latinos that they don’t matter so they feel ‘we may as well shoot-up one another.’”
Before leaving the stage, Sharpton left the students with a self-empowering mantra, “I believe in me.”
Thursday’s event also marked the launch of Education for a Better America’s (EBA), Career Pipeline Initiative in Chicago.
Headed by Dominique Sharpton, Rev. Sharpton’s daughter, EBA’s mission is to build bridges between policymakers and the classrooms and includes a partnership between EBA and NAN who in turn will partner with elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, corporations, mentoring programs, and other community organizations as a way to build a continuum from elementary and secondary school to post-secondary education and on to careers.
“We want all of you young people to not only be excited about going to school but also be excited about going to college,” Dominique Sharpton said.
As Thomas took the stage, Sharpton and his daughter, along with EBA’s Executive Director, Marcus Bright, presented him with an EBA Community Engagement award for his work with the Windy City Hoops basketball tournament at St. Sabina Church, which allows youth to play the game of basketball as an alternative to the streets. Thomas in turn, presented the award to a student with the same name, 12-year-old, Isiah Golden who said he wants to be a criminal justice lawyer.
Thomas asked the students how many of them were willing to extend love to one another.
“That’s really what it’s all about,” Thomas told the students. “There was a time when we as African American men never thought about killing each other.”
Thomas shared the story of how his son noticed his “head nod” to all Black men that crossed his path and asked him if it was a “brotha” code. Thomas said laughing that he didn’t realize he was doing it until his son pointed it out to him.
“I acknowledged their existence,” Thomas said of his fellow Black men. “I love them and truly want them to do well. I never had the thought to kill my brother.”
Thomas asked the students to re-commit to education and to loving one another.
“If you do these two things you will be successful and you will be significant,” he said.
Opened in 2007 to replace the failing E. Franklin Frazier elementary, in just three years, Frazier International was honored by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn with a state proclamation for becoming Chicago’s first 90/90/90 school in 2010, 2011 and 2012 which means 90 percent of the students are members of a minority group, 90 percent receive free or reduced lunch, and 90% met or exceeded state standards.
"Frazier has committed families, students who want to learn and a staff who cares about each and every one of you," said Frazier principal Faren D'Abell. "That's hitting the trifecta that creates a great education for you."
Rev. Marshall Hatch, pastor of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Rev Hatch who also spoke at the event, in his closing remarks, commented on Frazier being a non-selective magnet school so that students from all backgrounds have an opportunity to be part of this quality education. Because Frazier is a school at capacity, he urged preachers to push for more opportunities like Frazier across the city.
Maureen Forte, president of NAN’s Chicago chapter was also on hand for the event.
“I’m a retired teacher and was so impressed with the curriculum you have implemented here,” Forte said. “The difference between your school is that the parents are actively engaged, and the teachers are giving of themselves.”
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