Education in the Black Community

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   mimisaysposted 13 years ago

   What do you think is the cause of apathy toward education in some segments of the Black Community?  I find it disturbing that my family seems to the exception and not the rule in expecting good grades and college from our kids...

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      AJX-Diopposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think the problems are multiple.
      
      #1. They don't see themselves in the books.  When history is taught over 90% of the History is about others.  When they do teach about Blacks its that tired old slave sh__. To often Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato are depicted as the most revelant philosophers of all times, when we study psychology who do we get; Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Ivon Pavlov, etc..., and this trend plays out with all the subject material.
      
      #2. The system does not make the education revelant.  African Americans should be educated to make a living for themselves not make a living for others.  Why does the schools teach childen to work hard and find a Job?  Thats backward!  They should work hard and learn to start businesses so that their money can work for them rather always having to work for money. Any one worth a nickle will tell you a job is nothing but a short term solution to a long term problem!
      
      AJX Diop (Here 2 provide u a different perspective) out

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      TrinaLynneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      In the black community I don't think the encouragement to excel is there in a lot of families, whether the parents are too busy working or just not interested. There is also the mindset that school doesn't matter because they are going to have to fight through life to get the jobs they need. There is also the mindset that corners can be cut. And the mindset that school just isn't needed. There are a lot of different mindsets when it comes to education in the Black community.

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      Christenstockposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      As far as in education and the black community, I have to note that many of my friends are black, and educated. Similarly, many ethnic backgrounds have identical education concerns; so, rather calling it disturbing, let's call it "human nature."

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   tksenseiposted 13 years ago

   Is anyone else suspicious that this 'member' is really some white guy trying to stir something up?

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      goldentoadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think anyone would do that. This is a serious place where the fate of the world is decided.

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      mimisaysposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I can assure you I am not white....Actually, I am a diversity laison in a private school and I notice the students of color seem to struggle more than other kids..  I am sure some is socio-economic...but the parents just don't seem to be engaged.. I would like to know why.. I am starting my Masters in Public Policy this summer and I am very interested in improving the education system for distressed areas.  In the mean time, I would really like to know why mom's like mine who stayed on me to the point of annoyance about school seem to be a dying breed.... I hope that helps clarify why I am asking...

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         Drew Breezzyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I feel the issue comes from class. There are so many factors prohibiting education in impoverished communities. There are parents that are extremely involved in these communities. But a large portion aren't. This for several reasons lack of education themselves, lack of time to attend to kids because of constant work, a large portion of single mothers, medical issues, and substance abuse.

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      Leta Sposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Even if they are, at least they are adding something of value to the site, which is actually much more than many.
      
      
      I think this is more than just a 'black' concern.  Schools are not doing so well all over--in many other than just African American communities.

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   tksenseiposted 13 years ago

   ..........fraud.........put on...........

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      mimisaysposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      wow....really?  That is so strange that you would think that... I am married to a white guy... Dude.. read my hubs under "mimisays" I'm black.  Wow.

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         tksenseiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, really.

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         Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Just ignore this one - he/she is our resident troll.

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            Lady_Eposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Two of your 3 Hubs are focused on African/American communities. The Colour of skin etc. It also reflects in your question.  What's the issue here? Kids are Kids. No need to segregate. In schools, there are kids that do well and there are some that don't.  Regards, Lady_E.

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   goldentoadposted 13 years ago

   This is an interesting debate.

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   goldentoadposted 13 years ago

   I myself am a Toad.

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      Christenstockposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You're not a toad, you're a gang member from the City of Angels!

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         goldentoadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         No Angels in this City!

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   guidebabaposted 13 years ago

   It may have to do something with the mentality, I guess.

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   curiozitiesposted 13 years ago

   I think it has to do with the pervasiveness of a mentality of instant gratification versus deferred gratification.  And there are plenty of people of all races guilty of this.  I think our society in general is gravitating more and more towards instant gratification, which is why we're in a big credit mess at the same time that our educational system is a mess.

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   goldentoadposted 13 years ago

   I was having this conversation last week here at the house, as the school where our child attends tests out lower than the "white schools" in the area. My wife was discussing it with her friend who thought it was a failure of the school but to me it is a community problem, a parental problem where the parents put it exclusively on the school to provide some magical formula to success without the parents investing any time into their children. From what I have grown up with there is little interest in excelling in school. I come from a Hispanic background and the emphasis was always on work and not education.

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   fortunerepposted 13 years ago

   Let me allow myself to introduce you to Hubpages.  I feel qualified to do so for I am suffering from sleepless nights and I become a chatter box.  First, if you have such a quality education and resources of many statistics, why would you think anyone here could answer your question.  You have to ease your way in this community, don't barge in asking questions that could promote racial or political uproar. Not so cool. Second, unless you suffer from addiction, abuse, mental illness, anxiety, social disorders or own a shack in Africa you haven't found your way yet.  To answer your question:  Parents don't expect as much from their children as they used to.  They are satisfied as long as they don't have babies as a teen, graduate from High School, and get a job.  They don't feel their is much hope for anything else.  Why?  They have lowered their expectations to keep from being disappointed.
   dori

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      Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Wow fortune, you have to earn speaking rights here? funny , all I needed was a keyboard

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    thinking out loudposted 13 years ago

    Everyone has lowered their expectations in these community's.  From the educators who are disgusted with the lack of respect shown to them by the students, the violence, the failure to apply themselves or do anything more than what is demanded.  School for most of these kids is nothing more than a free breakfast and lunch, a place where it is mandatory for them to be, and after school activities so they don't have to go right home. You don't need a diploma to be a rap star, a corner drug dealer, a pimp, crook or any of the other choices these kids make that land them in jail. The govt practices of tossing money at the education problem is ridiculous, and the dept of education should be shut down.  Education should be the priority of the local community, not DC.  and lastly, most of these kids are coming from a home that is headed by a single parent, mainly a woman, or grandparents.  The lack of a father to lay down the education laws is a major part of the problem.  The role models are all gangsta's dirty word rap stars or sports stars that are so removed from the community it's ridiculous.  No, this is not an easy issue to decide, but if you can start with the responsibility issues, you're on your way to solving a good part of it.

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       thinking out loudposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         In chicago, where Obama has brought in his education people from, one school just saw 60% of it's 8th grade class fail to get to high school.  Of course it was immediately blamed on from being in a poor neighborhood, and the schools lack of informing parents that their darling was failing.  don't they issue report cards?  arent the parents supossed to sign them?  how could they not know that the little one was doing sub par work?  Being poor has nothing to do with the ability to learn.  especially at that level.  This needs to be said.  It's the fault of the student and their parent.  No other excuse is acceptable.  and until people start understanding that things will not change.

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    ocbillposted 13 years ago

    Not sure where to point the finger. Teachers, parents, or teens interests.
    
    more gossip on their cell phones & less studying?
    
    instant gratification and over confidence could be true. For example, if they fail in this subject, they feell they can  succeed in something totally external to school.

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    Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

    Well I was just getting ready to participate and now Im on hold?
    How do you guys know this person is fake or as you call it Mark a troll?
    Hell I dont get it

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       Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       tk is the troll

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    Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

    oops sorry, ok

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    Leta Sposted 13 years ago

    Socio-economic issues can play a huge part in the ability of students to learn and to succeed.  Kids that have to walk to school through neighborhoods infested with crime, or who don't get enough to eat, or whose parents neglect them--yes, they are affected.
    
    There are varying degrees of poverty in all racial or ethnic communities.  Of course not all 'poor' kids do poorly.  And lack of parenting skills probably has a lot to do with it--but this doesn't have everything to do with it, either...  I think kids (people) can be influenced by a variety of things and for the better, too, by role models, programs, decent meals, etc.  Many things can make an impact.  The art teacher who thinks a student has talent, ie., and makes a special effort, after school latch key programs, and yeah, the parents who are on the kid to do the homework or take up a musical instrument or who promote their special talents because they know it is important to the child's development.
    
    But I think ultimately, it is a question of values--and not those that you hear neocons blathering about concerning 'not throwing money at something' (let's put it this way--many know from working in companies that a certain amount of money IS needed in the budget to make a program succeed--any program).  But valuing education, discipline and achievement in our culture again is a good place to start...  For we don't.  And I believe it to be the major issue. It isn't just in the black community that the facile and cheap is the preferred way to go.

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    Star Witnessposted 13 years ago

    what is the definition of an issues troll

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       goldentoadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       usually someone in the forums who has no hubs and no fans is out to troll.

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          Star Witnessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          but i like u gt

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             goldentoadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             you have no reason to like me. Unless I was drunk when we did it and I forgot.

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    Midnytefireposted 13 years ago

    This Black/White issue is so tiring, especially here in 2009! I cannot believe we are still having these discussions when things have begun to progress. The statistics really don't mean a thing because they are not based on real world values.  There are so many cultures and races contributing to the development of society that have nothing to do with a formal education.  There are many people full of wisdom and knowledge who might not know what 2 + 2 equals or how to spell "right" from "write" but I bet they know how to survive in the "real world", economically, physically and mentally.
    
    The "so-called" knowledgeable ones actually steal most of their ideas and thinking from the people considered to be poor and under classed.  These people are not given credit for their knowledge and understanding of healing herbs, how to live on basic amenities, how to understand weather patterns,earth rotations, economic structure, and our connection to the universe. If you didn't have a textbook, a calculator or the internet at hand, you probably wouldn't have a clue how to sustain yourself on this planet.  Some of these people who appear to be only criminals or uneducated could actually teach you a lot about life.
    
    There are so many people with formal education who aren't even working in their field. Formal education doesn't really teach you how to survive in these economic times. There are millions of people who are not formally educated and are making way more money than those who have spent thousands of dollars on University.
    
    Formal Education isn't everything.

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