http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/BlackMale
The Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys held its first hearing,
titled “The Status of Black Males: Ensuring Our Boys Mature Into Strong
Men.” Much of the hearing focused on the achievement gap of black males,
racial profiling, and the justice system. Among the witnesses was Tracy
Martin, the father of Trayvon Martin who in February 2012 was fatally
shot while walking through a Sanford, Florida, gated
community. Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was acquitted
of the crime in July 2013. Mr. Martin in his testimony said, “We will
not let the verdict sum up who Trayvon was.”
I watched this video by chance on a Saturday afternoon. I usually pass right on by C-SPAN because it is just so boring. #truestory But not this time. I was mesmerized. There was a hearing in progress on the status of black males. I wanted to watch as I wanted to see how we could turn the very sad Trayvon Martin story into a positive for my people, especially our young men.
After the George Zimmerman verdict came outrage. The most prominent place for display of that outrage was Facebook. However, the question remained. What are you going to do with that outrage? Quite a few let it turn into apathy. After a week, it was not a talking point for some anymore; it was back to everyday living. Facebook posts returned to being about what people were doing, wearing, and eating.
Well, we didn't need it to be a talking point anyway; we needed it to be a point of action. So, stumbling upon this hearing excited me, especially seeing Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy, on the panel of black men addressing this issue. What excited me the most was David Johns, Executive Director for the White House Initiatives on Educational Excellence for African Americans. He had three ways in which to work with the Caucus in conjunction with the White House Initiatives to advance the status of black males in America. They were:
I watched this video by chance on a Saturday afternoon. I usually pass right on by C-SPAN because it is just so boring. #truestory But not this time. I was mesmerized. There was a hearing in progress on the status of black males. I wanted to watch as I wanted to see how we could turn the very sad Trayvon Martin story into a positive for my people, especially our young men.
After the George Zimmerman verdict came outrage. The most prominent place for display of that outrage was Facebook. However, the question remained. What are you going to do with that outrage? Quite a few let it turn into apathy. After a week, it was not a talking point for some anymore; it was back to everyday living. Facebook posts returned to being about what people were doing, wearing, and eating.
Well, we didn't need it to be a talking point anyway; we needed it to be a point of action. So, stumbling upon this hearing excited me, especially seeing Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy, on the panel of black men addressing this issue. What excited me the most was David Johns, Executive Director for the White House Initiatives on Educational Excellence for African Americans. He had three ways in which to work with the Caucus in conjunction with the White House Initiatives to advance the status of black males in America. They were:
- Invest in early education - Why remediate our students later when we can start early and invest in their learning in the beginning and make sure they're on solid ground? Yes!
- Recruiting and better preparing educators, especially more African American educators - Make sure that all adults that are put forth in front of children see them as young people treat them as such and UNDERSTANDS HOW TO PUT IN THE WORK TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE. That means giving them love and support and setting HIGH EXPECTATIONS to help them in achieving their dreams. Invaluable.
- Focus on fatherhood - Talk about it. Create and provide opportunities for men to be active in their children's' lives. We need to have these conversations and put in the work to make it happen.
His words inspired me. Seriously. WE--community, parents, teachers, law enforcement, etc.--must WORK to improve status
of not only our black males, but our black females as well.
I now see my path in life, and it
became real once I watched this hearing. Since my first year of teaching, I've
known that I've wanted to help our young people; my perspective is different as
I am focused on our young ladies. (I obtained my MSW degree because I wanted to
specialize in helping children and adolescents.) If we can combat the low self-esteem our girls
carry around with them, they can be successful in this world because they value
themselves. This panel of men made me realize that there is a need and there
are solutions. I can help provide some of those solutions. I need to start
dreaming about it and make it a reality.
3 comments:
You'll have to forgive my lack of enthusiasm for the educational response. The Buzz Word phenomena appears to be giving false hope. (While I don't disagree that those things: 1- early education 2- high expectations 3- Understanding children of diversity 4- etc. My pessimistic view remains until I see how these terms are theorized and operationalized.) these are the same terms that have been thrown around for decades with no progress. The way these terms are put into practice actually marginalizes greater percentages of the population they attempt to support. For real advancements for black males...and females...and other minority (marginalized groups) the "high expectations CANNOT come from our policy makes. they have no idea what the real needs of people in oppressed positions need.
(Click and read about a third of the way down)
http://infed.org/mobi/bell-hooks-on-education/
well.. you need to copy and paste the website...not just click.
Adam, I bookmarked your link. Thanks for recommending it. I read it in entirety and will probably read more of the subject's work.
I agree and disagree with you. Policymakers that have not experienced what they're trying to change cannot guide advancements in that experience. However, those that have can aid in the advancement. The men on that panel have the experience that lends itself to the advancement of black males. What I do applaud is the notion to even have the discussion, to bring awareness to the problem. Quite often, my culture likes to accept status quo and not talk about the issues at hand. But you're right, talking about it is not enough. These proposed "solutions" have to be operationalized. So often, we drop the ball there.
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