Thread: Denver: Disappointment for Latinos Leads Again to Anger

Latino leaders angered at DPS secrecy, selection of Boasberg
By Christopher N. Osher
The Denver Post
Posted: 01/10/2009 09:22:44 PM MST
Updated: 01/10/2009 09:23:07 PM MST

Latino leaders Friday blasted the selection of Tom Boasberg as the sole finalist to become superintendent of Denver Public Schools, saying it occurred behind closed doors and without sufficient consideration of Latino candidates.

During a news conference Friday afternoon, nearly 20 influential Latinos appeared at the Denver Public Schools administration building to register their complaints.

Former Denver Councilwoman Ramona Martinez said the selection of Boasberg is the latest in a string of disappointments for Latinos.

Rosemary Rodriguez, another former Denver Councilwoman, did not get Gov. Bill Ritter's appointment to become secretary of state. Ritter instead went with a white male — former state Rep. Bernie Buescher,

Video
Watch DPS superintendent finalist Tom Boasberg's interview with The Denver Post's editorial board.

The governor also appointed Michael Bennet, the current DPS superintendent, another white male, to fill Ken Salazar's U.S. Senate seat.

"We are disappointed that our voices continue to be ignored by the many who we help to get elected," Martinez said.

"Our community seems to be on the outside looking in when decisions are made that affect our everyday lives," she added. "Our voices are always needed at election, but we are seldom asked when the decisions are made."

On Wednesday, concerned Latinos formed the Colorado Latino Forum. The group is reaching out to others in Pueblo and plans to build a statewide presence.

"The sleeping giant has been awakened," said Councilwoman Judy Montero in a later interview.

The group delivered a letter today to Denver school board president Theresa Peña noting that a Latino had not been picked as superintendent even though Latinos make up 60 percent of the student population.

"It is a shame that you would announce such an important appointment without even going to the community that has the most to lose or gain," states the letter, which was signed by more than 20 influential Latinos in Colorado.

The letter requests a meeting with the

Tom Boasberg, left, listens to the man he will be replacing, Michael Bennet, at a news conference Thursday. ( Karl Gehring, The Denver Post )school board to "discuss the creation of an open and transparent process for this and future appointments within the Denver Public Schools."
Peña could not be reached for comment.

During a meeting with The Denver Post's editorial board today, Boasberg said his selection made sense.

"This isn't a time to bring someone else new in and rearrange the deck chairs and try and start things all over again. My view on this is that we're headed in the right direction, but it's also a very sobering realization that we're nowhere near where we need to be.

"I"ve played a large role in the past two years of helping to set that direction. What we need to do is make sure we're continuing that direction and accelerating it."

Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_11416895

Illegal alien leaders shouldn't be heard anyway, they should be deported immediately! As Archie Bunker says, "Case Closed"

Give them an "Inch and they'll take a Mile" Go Ahead America... go back to sleep, all is well

So now we can only elect latinos? Whites can't be elected or appointed to positions? Are we being a little discriminatory here? Is this reverse discrimination. Are we going to have affirmative action for Latinos now. So we have affirmative action for blacks, latinos, what about whites?

"We are disappointed that our voices continue to be ignored by the many who we help to get elected," Martinez said.

Hey amigos! Your voices are just the problem. All you do is demand, yell, whine, gangsta rap, slap Spanish words on signs, interfere, threaten, and try to take over all considerations of others.

Race...race....race....always about Race....they should be happy....BHO chose most Hispanics

These arrogant race baiters are hurting their own "community" by constantly whining and demanding jobs and positions based on ethnicity.....how about do what MLK said...judge someone on the merits of their character and not on the color of their skin? Why don't these race-peddlers get that?

A racial discrimination cry gets more media attention. Remember, all who want law and order when it comes to immigration are racist not someone who believes in law and order. Race based discrimination has always been the favorite battle cry of those who have no justifiable or sensible argument based on facts alone.

Boo Hoo! The illegals and their kiss up's have no place in our government at all. Let them try to pull the same nonsense in Mexico and suffer the severe consequences.

Originally Posted by dragonfire

Remember, all who want law and order when it comes to immigration are racist not someone who believes in law and order.

Well if Raza now actually means 'people' and not 'Race' perhaps 'Racist' now means 'advocates of enforcing the law.' I don't know anymore because political correctness is beyond me. Politically Correct to me is actually Psychologically Controlled!