Essay 388

Midweek Mini MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Busta Rhymes refuses to speak with police regarding the recent shooting that left a member of the rapper’s group dead (see Essay 383). Rhymes insists he needs time to grieve. The cops believe the rapper needs time to huddle with lawyers. A sister of the victim said, “[Busta Rhymes and all involved parties] are low-life scum, and they should be men and stand up and do the right thing.” You know it’s bad when rappers remain silent.

• Miami boasts the world’s largest number of Hispanic teens acing the college-level Advanced Placement exams. Black students in Chicago scored world-class results too, particularly at the city’s Morgan Park High School, where teachers have made a dedicated effort to help students succeed. President Bush has been a strong supporter of the AP Program. It’s kind of ironic that the guy with a notoriously awful reputation as a student may ultimately be remembered as “The Education President.”

• Ford Motor Company is offering new employee incentives — $100,000 each to workers willing to lose all benefits except their pensions. The automaker is also serving up tuition programs and preretirement options. The deals, presented to workers from idled plants, constitute part of Ford’s efforts to seriously downsize. At some point, these guys need to consider offering consumer incentives like, say, well-built cars.