I'll ignore the periphery and respond to your genuine post. I'm not blaming the female teachers. I'm blaming the entire system. The education system is a symptom of the broader problem. It is a fact that black males are the most likely group to be labeled as "at-risk" or "special needs". Why is this? Are they genetically wired to be more at risk for violent behavior? A teacher or school administrator saying that black males are genetically wired to be more at risk for violent behavior would be immediately cause for disciplinary action or dismissal, yet the school system, run by mostly, supposedly, liberal thinking, mostly women labels them as such at an alarmingly high rate. Why? There are numerous reasons, many of them stemming from a basic lack of understanding of poverty and black culture, and also from a basic appreciation of masculine behavior. A small example - I'm not advocating fighting or violence, but what happens when a male is being harrassed on the playground? He is encouraged to go talk to a counselor and talk about his feelings - a very feminine thing to do (I said feminine, not girly, so don't flip out on me). Is this approach working? I think it's not, at least not very well. I'm not saying he should be taught to strike out against people picking on him, but sometimes a man's got to fight back and stand up for himself (a decidedly masculine approach). Again I'm not talking about violence, just standing up to the bully (a violent defense may be required, but it may not). Yet, if he does this, he gets labeled as a violent child, and "at risk" for violent behavior as an older teen and into adulthood - just for standing up for himself instead of running to the counselor to talk about his feelings. Poppycock! And yet, violence continues and continues to escalate.heaven's chimney wrote:bassjones wrote:Given all these obstacles, and many more, is it any wonder that so many are in prison? I think it's a wonder that more of them aren't. Is it any wonder that the hurricane of poverty continues to eat up so many African-Americans in its path?
it sounds like you're blaming female teachers for taking away their masculinity. and yet, by your own accord, a lot of black people go to jail (while I assume less white people go to jail) - if female teachers are teaching all "races," why aren't more people in jail?
i dig your archaeology, but i think this particular post has left out a LOT more of the picture - systematic brutality by the government (last I checked, no KKK members have been government assassinated, and yet Black Panthers have), media portrayal, institutional racism ad infinitum.
as far as black males acting as role models for black males, no doubt. but i think there's a better middleground than Bill Cosby and 50 Cent.
(On a tangent, it sounds like you're blaming women instead of men for men's absence. That's how I take it anyways)
Guy, please quit being so pedantic. It's ridiculous and alienating - not to mention that you are, via self-fulfulling prophecy, detracting from his post.Please spell out P E O P L E
Anyway, I didn't really want to get off on that sidetrack... There are many other symptoms that contribute to the disease, mainly associated with the FACT that we as a society do not value young black men (or young black women mostly, but I work with men and focus on them) unless they are entertaining us with their athletic achievements or musical skill. The only time you hear about them is when they are getting into trouble or performing magical feats of athletic prowess in the gymnasium. Their own culture devalues education and their own culture dismisses their contribution to their children's lives, only valuing their sperm and not their input. Their dad walked out, mom (usually out of frustration) has repeatedly said, "we don't need him anyway", now he's got the notion that he's not needed. Anway, I'm tired and I'm going to bed...