community leaders express doubt about changes at south philly high

Earlier this week, we heard that the Department of Justice had "found merit" in the claims of Asian students who said they were targeted and abused at South Philadelphia High School. In response, district officials said they would work to change the situation.

"Change," however, is something community members have heard before, without seeing much of it. This week at a press conference, Asian American community leaders responded with doubt to the new programming planned for South Philly High: Asian leaders express doubt on South Phila. High plan

"What we don't want to see is a lot of broad proclamations and programs . . . without a significant dialogue with the community," said Helen Gym, a board member of Asian Americans United.

District officials had no immediate comment.

The news conference, held at Joy Tsin Lau restaurant in Chinatown, included several Asian student leaders.

Bach Tong, a rising junior who recently transferred, said problems at the school were not all the result of student-on-student harassment or violence.

"It's about the adults," he said, "who are supposed to stand up and take responsibility."

Cecilia Chen, an attorney with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, noted that Ackerman had stressed zero tolerance for harassment and violence during the new school year.

"Disciplining perpetrators should not be the only solution," Chen said. For instance, she said, classes in multiracial history could help students understand their peers' experience and background.

All these promises, programs and proclamations aren't going to mean a hell of a whole lot without real dialogue between the school and community it serves -- something the district simply has not been open about since day one, must to everyone's frustration. And that's the bottom line.