Thursday, May 5, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
We are all in the fight!!!
Last weeks readings provided an opportunity for me to reevaluate the meaning of being a minority; how it is not only on the forefront of my mind, but how it is always the first thing someone thinks of when they meet me for the first time. Is he black? Is he Hispanic? Is he mixed?
As I experience Mason and the Northern Virginia Region what I am most cognizant of is the extreme diversity in this area. My origins are from Baltimore and my family is from South Carolina. Not necessarily two diverse areas during my up bringing. I find myself examining how this community if forcing me to grow as a person and how my kids will view their country and the world different than I did at the same age.
The readings touched upon the fact of how media and teachers play major roles in forming opinions in the young minds that are watching and participating in the classrooms. The racist outrage that happened after 9/11 testified to the fact on how "the establishment" can make you believe anything! The media wants everyone to believe that all black men are drug dealers, killers and in general deviant. The media is showing us a lazy and will only pick one person of color at a time to represent the good in us, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, James Earl Jones, Bill Cosby. They will not admit that the oppression in which the black community has endured is greater than one or two generations to recover. We were still lynching in the United States in the 1950's and 1960's.
Our teachers are being placed in positions in the inner cities in that they are not teaching, they are forcing data to kids so that they can passed state mandated tests. This isn't learning or teaching critical thinking. This is what our youth need, they need teachers like we had in the 70's and 80's that would force you to write more creative papers and force discussions in classrooms that sparked debates. My wife is a teacher and my brother is a principle and they don't speak about the difficulty of the students as much as they say what they are being forced to do in regards to the "tests" is not teaching.
When reviewing the chapters in this weeks readings it was clear that the fight for equality is long from being won! As a man of color I forget sometimes that I am in the fight with women, but especially women of color. The readings reminded me that affirmative action has benefited white woman far more that it has benefited men and women of color. This brings about discussions earlier in the semester when we were spoke of what black men feel in higher education and how we always have to answer the question "were we let in because of affirmative action?" Well the fact of the matter is that the same student looking at me should be looking at the number of white females that were admitted to that university. The minute number of black males at these large majority institutions should not be in question, the question should be "why are there not more black male on campus?"
The readings also pointed out the low numbers of women faculty and faculty of color in general. Chapter 21 Women of Color in Academe: Living with Multiple Marginality by Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner stated that .05% of full-time faculty members are women of color. How can we infuse a discussion of change in higher education when the person(s) directing the classes are white (men and women)?
As I experience Mason and the Northern Virginia Region what I am most cognizant of is the extreme diversity in this area. My origins are from Baltimore and my family is from South Carolina. Not necessarily two diverse areas during my up bringing. I find myself examining how this community if forcing me to grow as a person and how my kids will view their country and the world different than I did at the same age.
The readings touched upon the fact of how media and teachers play major roles in forming opinions in the young minds that are watching and participating in the classrooms. The racist outrage that happened after 9/11 testified to the fact on how "the establishment" can make you believe anything! The media wants everyone to believe that all black men are drug dealers, killers and in general deviant. The media is showing us a lazy and will only pick one person of color at a time to represent the good in us, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, James Earl Jones, Bill Cosby. They will not admit that the oppression in which the black community has endured is greater than one or two generations to recover. We were still lynching in the United States in the 1950's and 1960's.
Our teachers are being placed in positions in the inner cities in that they are not teaching, they are forcing data to kids so that they can passed state mandated tests. This isn't learning or teaching critical thinking. This is what our youth need, they need teachers like we had in the 70's and 80's that would force you to write more creative papers and force discussions in classrooms that sparked debates. My wife is a teacher and my brother is a principle and they don't speak about the difficulty of the students as much as they say what they are being forced to do in regards to the "tests" is not teaching.
When reviewing the chapters in this weeks readings it was clear that the fight for equality is long from being won! As a man of color I forget sometimes that I am in the fight with women, but especially women of color. The readings reminded me that affirmative action has benefited white woman far more that it has benefited men and women of color. This brings about discussions earlier in the semester when we were spoke of what black men feel in higher education and how we always have to answer the question "were we let in because of affirmative action?" Well the fact of the matter is that the same student looking at me should be looking at the number of white females that were admitted to that university. The minute number of black males at these large majority institutions should not be in question, the question should be "why are there not more black male on campus?"
The readings also pointed out the low numbers of women faculty and faculty of color in general. Chapter 21 Women of Color in Academe: Living with Multiple Marginality by Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner stated that .05% of full-time faculty members are women of color. How can we infuse a discussion of change in higher education when the person(s) directing the classes are white (men and women)?
This is the opposite of white privalege...
Well as you all know by now I am an African American male living in 21st century America. Ask yourself if you are white do these things happen to you?
1. You son receiving a letter from school stating that he can participate in a "special program" for minority males when he attends high school next year (Fairfax County Schools). He is carrying a A+ average and is in the National Junior Honor Society.
2. When you were a teenager and you first got your license how many time were you pulled over because you and your friends were driving in a car together? No traffic violations, just a routine stop!
3. When you walk into a store, how many store clerks follow you around?
4. When you and your friends are walking down the street, how many white women switch their pockets books to the other arm or duck into a store?
5. When you are at a restaurant and if you have a complaint about your service how gracious is the manager to you?
6. When you here of a rape of a women, how many of you think that is a black man raping a white women?
7. When you think of a person on welfare, what pops to your mind?
8. When you think of a person living in the Hamptons, who comes to your mind?
9. When a person is mentioned as a CEO of a company, you automatically think what?
10. When you go to the store to write a check, how often do they have to call your information in?
These are just a few things that I came up with after reading the article White Privelege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh. I hope that we again learn from such writings and dialogue to understand that there is a whole world out there that if you are white you have no idea exist. Again I don't expect you to ever understand, I just want you to join the fight to change the way we interact, TRULY INTERACT. Open discussion and digestion of another person views as truth, not just complaining. The Census of 2010 statistics show the White America grew at a much slower rate since 2000 than any other population 5.7%; compared to the Asian population grew 43%, Hispanic or Latino grew 43% and the African American community grew only 12%.
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data
Some other questions to ask yourself:
1. When you walk into a meeting, do you count how many other people of your race are participating?
2. When you apply for a job, do you investigate to see how many people of your race are already employed because you know that they are not hiring a inordinate amount of Black Men in most situations!
3. When you walk into class do you think if I speak up will they think that I am the angry oppressed person just trying to be difficult?
4. Don't you always think no matter what you say you are going to be alright?
1. You son receiving a letter from school stating that he can participate in a "special program" for minority males when he attends high school next year (Fairfax County Schools). He is carrying a A+ average and is in the National Junior Honor Society.
2. When you were a teenager and you first got your license how many time were you pulled over because you and your friends were driving in a car together? No traffic violations, just a routine stop!
3. When you walk into a store, how many store clerks follow you around?
4. When you and your friends are walking down the street, how many white women switch their pockets books to the other arm or duck into a store?
5. When you are at a restaurant and if you have a complaint about your service how gracious is the manager to you?
6. When you here of a rape of a women, how many of you think that is a black man raping a white women?
7. When you think of a person on welfare, what pops to your mind?
8. When you think of a person living in the Hamptons, who comes to your mind?
9. When a person is mentioned as a CEO of a company, you automatically think what?
10. When you go to the store to write a check, how often do they have to call your information in?
These are just a few things that I came up with after reading the article White Privelege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh. I hope that we again learn from such writings and dialogue to understand that there is a whole world out there that if you are white you have no idea exist. Again I don't expect you to ever understand, I just want you to join the fight to change the way we interact, TRULY INTERACT. Open discussion and digestion of another person views as truth, not just complaining. The Census of 2010 statistics show the White America grew at a much slower rate since 2000 than any other population 5.7%; compared to the Asian population grew 43%, Hispanic or Latino grew 43% and the African American community grew only 12%.
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data
Some other questions to ask yourself:
1. When you walk into a meeting, do you count how many other people of your race are participating?
2. When you apply for a job, do you investigate to see how many people of your race are already employed because you know that they are not hiring a inordinate amount of Black Men in most situations!
3. When you walk into class do you think if I speak up will they think that I am the angry oppressed person just trying to be difficult?
4. Don't you always think no matter what you say you are going to be alright?
Class as a discussion within the LGBTQ Community
The dialogue that was present as I visited the Class Consciousness: Intersections of Class and LGBTQ Identity was mostly about class and didn't really dive into the connection between class and the LGBTQ community. However some points did come out as the discussion went on that I was not fully aware of:
* The media portrays most LGBTQ persons as white, upper middle class males
* Because of "class" the people that are part of the media do not participate fully in the criticism due to their status
* How people that identify as transgender sometimes are forced to change jobs and are alienated due to the change and in some cases when they are able to go back to work, they are starting at the beginning in some cases. This struck me as egregious and that what a person identifies as should not change the fact that they have a job to do and was hired to do a job. If they are able to continue in the same function then they should not be forced out of work.
* The facilitator asked the group if they could identify a spokesperson for the LGBTQ community. What seemed like an eternity silence fell upon the group! No names were really mentioned. Does this mean there should be a spokesperson? If so, could that person speak for all within the LGBTQ community or just speak in general to raise some of the concerns within the group? Would that be fair to that person?
*The number of youth that are homeless was mentioned to be about 1.6 million and of that number 20-40% identify themselves as LGBTQ. That number is higher that the percentage of population that identifies as LGBTQ. The discussion went on to talk about how these homeless youth are not being allowed into shelters because they identify as LGBTQ and the shelters are giving reasons like HIV/AIDS, they don't want the problems that come with the community and the possible assaults that may occur.
The discussion grew to really speak upon the issue of class and what privileges are associated with the upper class. The government protection they receive in the courts, at tax time, health care and in society in general!
* The media portrays most LGBTQ persons as white, upper middle class males
* Because of "class" the people that are part of the media do not participate fully in the criticism due to their status
* How people that identify as transgender sometimes are forced to change jobs and are alienated due to the change and in some cases when they are able to go back to work, they are starting at the beginning in some cases. This struck me as egregious and that what a person identifies as should not change the fact that they have a job to do and was hired to do a job. If they are able to continue in the same function then they should not be forced out of work.
* The facilitator asked the group if they could identify a spokesperson for the LGBTQ community. What seemed like an eternity silence fell upon the group! No names were really mentioned. Does this mean there should be a spokesperson? If so, could that person speak for all within the LGBTQ community or just speak in general to raise some of the concerns within the group? Would that be fair to that person?
*The number of youth that are homeless was mentioned to be about 1.6 million and of that number 20-40% identify themselves as LGBTQ. That number is higher that the percentage of population that identifies as LGBTQ. The discussion went on to talk about how these homeless youth are not being allowed into shelters because they identify as LGBTQ and the shelters are giving reasons like HIV/AIDS, they don't want the problems that come with the community and the possible assaults that may occur.
The discussion grew to really speak upon the issue of class and what privileges are associated with the upper class. The government protection they receive in the courts, at tax time, health care and in society in general!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Higher Education and Society - Mirror Images
After reading Harper and Huarto's The Nine Themes of Racial Climate I was not that surprised that the climate on campus remains segregated! The fact that minority students fight for respect in the classroom to prove that they are not there because of a possible diversity initiative by the university forces those groups to migrate to one another. When you sit in a classroom and you don't see anyone that looks like to or had a similar upbringing you need to find times when you can just relax and communicate with students that are like you. In the reading why would it surprise anyone that white students in general don't have a problem with race on a majority campus? They don't have to conform to anyone. They look like the professors and the administrators. They have the same opportunities that generations before them have. At Mason, I will say that when I walk into the JC I think that we have a little segregation happening, but in some cases I see people of all colors sitting together. However, when I go to the library or study facilities, I notice the students become extremely segregated. This again is due to comfort levels and the need not to have to conform in order to complete the task at hand (an education).
In Toby Jenkins article Patriotism: A Love Story confirmed that as a member of the minority, I was intended to be groomed a quiet participant in society! Don't rock the boat! Play the game! That all changed when I attended Hampton University (an HBCU)! I become more confident in my skin and learned that strategic rebellion helps stimulate learning and understanding. I don't ever want to be deemed the "agree black man" but I do want to be respected. If that means I need to protest or speak up when an injustice has happened, then as long as I do it in a peaceful manner that I hope and believe that the person in which I am trying to educate will listen. That is the burden in which minorities carry. What I got out of Patriotism: A Love Story is that if you consider yourself a patriot and you love your country, then you should love everyone in it and make sure that everyone has the same opportunity for love, health, prosperity and happiness. Yes these are all propagated on choices, but if you are a patriot then make sure everyone has choices!
When reviewing the chronicles of University of Florida and Penn State University I was blown away on how recent everything still is as it pertains to the advancement of minorities in higher education. I was also reminded as to how things have not changed much since we began enrolling in universities in the late 1800's. We still receive hate mail! We still are ostracized at majority institutions! We still don't feel as though we fit in.
African Americans are 13% of the total U.S. population, it does not surprise me that we populate that much or most of the time less than that at any majority college or university. This is due to more reasons that admissions policies and campus social behaviors!
In Toby Jenkins article Patriotism: A Love Story confirmed that as a member of the minority, I was intended to be groomed a quiet participant in society! Don't rock the boat! Play the game! That all changed when I attended Hampton University (an HBCU)! I become more confident in my skin and learned that strategic rebellion helps stimulate learning and understanding. I don't ever want to be deemed the "agree black man" but I do want to be respected. If that means I need to protest or speak up when an injustice has happened, then as long as I do it in a peaceful manner that I hope and believe that the person in which I am trying to educate will listen. That is the burden in which minorities carry. What I got out of Patriotism: A Love Story is that if you consider yourself a patriot and you love your country, then you should love everyone in it and make sure that everyone has the same opportunity for love, health, prosperity and happiness. Yes these are all propagated on choices, but if you are a patriot then make sure everyone has choices!
When reviewing the chronicles of University of Florida and Penn State University I was blown away on how recent everything still is as it pertains to the advancement of minorities in higher education. I was also reminded as to how things have not changed much since we began enrolling in universities in the late 1800's. We still receive hate mail! We still are ostracized at majority institutions! We still don't feel as though we fit in.
African Americans are 13% of the total U.S. population, it does not surprise me that we populate that much or most of the time less than that at any majority college or university. This is due to more reasons that admissions policies and campus social behaviors!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
ACTION! ACTION! ACTION!
Whenever I read or begin talking about diversity in college I think of how great college can be if we all would have open minds regarding how other people live and learn. If we do not promote diversity on campus, then where is it going to happen? In the home? Primary school? In the community? The answer to these questions is NO! Admissions departments should be aware of the diversity during the process by which they admit students to their university. I don't think that the average American wants a person from an under-represented group to be admitted to college just because they are black, Hispanic or a w omen, I think that person should be admitted because they are qualified and that diversity matters. In chapter 14 Diversity Matters that statement "....when students interact more frequently across race or engage with diversity......also tend to report higher levels of self-efficacy and self-change concerning general academic skills and racial cultural engagement." This ties into what Cluster #2 read and will present regarding HOPE!
When a person is engaged CHANGE CAN HAPPEN!
In Chapter 15 Enhancing Campus Climates for Racial/Ethnic Diversity poses the question "...should higher education merely reflect society or whether it should try to consciously shape the society?" In 2011 this question should not be up for discussion. The time spent as a college student should be providing opportunities to improve our human capitol. This should happen in classrooms and the dormitories! Student engagement should be woven into the curriculum for all to participate. Human capitol, what will the next generation contribute to the world if they have no understand and NO TOLERANCE? WORLD WAR? CIVIL WAR? Remember September 11th!
In conclusion as we talk about diversity among students, the need for college presidents, vice-presidents, deans and chairs to also be diverse. This will promote change in the hiring process by which colleges and universities tenure professors that will be teaching tolerance and inclusion.
ACTION! ACTION! ACTION! We can shape society as we want, if we take action in the political process and we remain engaged (Obama)! We have not arrived and as history shows if we make the effort, we can create change.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Day by Day
As I was reading Moving beyond Shame by bell hooks it reminded me of how I felt in the past. During my formative years in school as a minority in most classes and being separated because I was doing better in school than other blacks. At times I started looking at myself and wondering "why" am I in these classes? Do I belong? What are my friends thinking about me? Not only are you trying to prove yourself in the world in which you are unwanted, but you are trying to make sure you can fully participate in the world in which you belong. As a black male in the 80's you were either "street" which meant your were "hard or tough" or you were a sellout or trying to be white!
In my neighborhood it didn't help being a light-skinned black male and being separated during school hours because you tested better or that you had two parents that made you do homework and read and prepare for school on a daily basis. The story of the young female Ph.D. student that had a chance to work at a prestigious Ivy League school hit home. She was doubting herself because of her lack of confidence. This was brought on by a society that states you do not belong and only if you conform or excel at a higher rate than the majority will you be accepted. Self-esteem and self worth comes from within and when you do not have positive role models that are present and participating in your life, especially in the black community, then your mom and your dad become the street influence and media.
The media does help shape the negative opinions of the majority as it pertains to certain groups. Indians, blacks and women have been portrayed with negative characteristics throughout the history of movie, TV and print media. This largely in part because none of those groups are present in the room during the creative process. TV and movie producers, along with directors who are black don't get the large budget films.
Mr. Nigger : The Challenges of Educating Black Males Within American Society written by Toby Jenkins, WOW! The fact presented by Noguera that a black male with a college degree earns less than the average White male with a high school diploma reinforces why there is such hopelessness in the black community.
I grew up in the Hip-Hop culture! I was in the generation that listened to what the rappers were saying in their lyrics and was amazed about the things that were going on in LA and in the southern states. This was the 80's and 90's and we were hearing about the same things that we reading about in our history books from the 40's, 50's and 60's. No there weren't lynching's or burnings but there was the "Three Strike" rule! There was racial profiling!Hip-Hop has given the black community a voice and if used properly will continue to produce a want to change our society.
As one who comes from a family of educated black men, growing up I thought it was the individual choice to either be educated or not. That turned out not to be totally true! I do believe we make our own choices, however the systematic covert and sometimes overt destruction of the black male and the black family also plays a part in where we are at this time. We don't get second chances or the benefit of the doubt! We have to deal with life as it is and it can be depressing at times to know that you may never be equal.
In my neighborhood it didn't help being a light-skinned black male and being separated during school hours because you tested better or that you had two parents that made you do homework and read and prepare for school on a daily basis. The story of the young female Ph.D. student that had a chance to work at a prestigious Ivy League school hit home. She was doubting herself because of her lack of confidence. This was brought on by a society that states you do not belong and only if you conform or excel at a higher rate than the majority will you be accepted. Self-esteem and self worth comes from within and when you do not have positive role models that are present and participating in your life, especially in the black community, then your mom and your dad become the street influence and media.
The media does help shape the negative opinions of the majority as it pertains to certain groups. Indians, blacks and women have been portrayed with negative characteristics throughout the history of movie, TV and print media. This largely in part because none of those groups are present in the room during the creative process. TV and movie producers, along with directors who are black don't get the large budget films.
Mr. Nigger : The Challenges of Educating Black Males Within American Society written by Toby Jenkins, WOW! The fact presented by Noguera that a black male with a college degree earns less than the average White male with a high school diploma reinforces why there is such hopelessness in the black community.
I grew up in the Hip-Hop culture! I was in the generation that listened to what the rappers were saying in their lyrics and was amazed about the things that were going on in LA and in the southern states. This was the 80's and 90's and we were hearing about the same things that we reading about in our history books from the 40's, 50's and 60's. No there weren't lynching's or burnings but there was the "Three Strike" rule! There was racial profiling!Hip-Hop has given the black community a voice and if used properly will continue to produce a want to change our society.
As one who comes from a family of educated black men, growing up I thought it was the individual choice to either be educated or not. That turned out not to be totally true! I do believe we make our own choices, however the systematic covert and sometimes overt destruction of the black male and the black family also plays a part in where we are at this time. We don't get second chances or the benefit of the doubt! We have to deal with life as it is and it can be depressing at times to know that you may never be equal.
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