Oprah received a lot of criticism for founding a private school in Africa rather than in the US - her rationale was that many students in the US simply don't take their education seriously.Even her biggest critics have to admit that she's probably right.My question is, how many of America's (not just Black America's) problems are from simple lack of responsibility?As a nation, we've invested billions into schools that American children simply choose not to attend, and libraries and museums that go unused. Many of our schools are in terrible shape not because of lack of funds, but because their students have such poor discipline that they cannot learn.Almost nowhere else in the world permits this to take place. America is one of the few places where we send the message that you can not be educated, not spend money wisely, and have poor work ethic... and probably still be OK. To me, that is a very scary thought.During the 1960s when schools were closed to resist integration, we founded schools and taught children in our homes and churches. The same was true with HBCUs, where students met under trees and sheds in hopes of improving their lives.Are we, as Americans, too concerned with looking good and feeling good about ourselves that we are selling our own future? Other nations have surpassed us in terms of education, technology, and quality of life. Are many of America's problems not with government or society, but rather individual character?
You know what, you need to keep saying that. How is somebody going to get hot with Oprah for wanting to spend her OWN dollars with some kids who will appreciate it!!! I'm not sure where the public school debate started. But why would she consider that? Half the parents don't even know the teacher of their own child, much less can name five kids in the class. If they don't take an interest, why should anyone question her not doing it? Americans have the same opportunities that she does. Africans don't.
I would hope that my own kids "get" it, but if they don't I wouldn't even give them my money to screw over. I would give it to someone else's kids first. I say if we don't wake up, get a real work ethic back and make smarter money decisions, we are destined for failure.
I usually never blame it too much on individual behaviors or faults... It's is usually some type of social, cultural, political, or generational failure, in my opinion... I think it also depends on which demographic group we look at that may have the most glaring issues.
I'm not sure America is destined for failure, but I do think we are destined for revolt and reform just like in the past. American's are the most ingenuitive group of people on the planet it just takes us having a threat for us to pull together, and activate. Right now the threat is not really apparent to most people because our media chooses to ignore the issues that matter and focus on dumb stuff like celebrity gossip and issues.
The reason I started HBCUConnect was really to create a powerful network of black folks that could be activated for a variety of reasons and one thing that I believe is that HBCUs can play a big part in turning things around for African Americans if they are run correctly. If I ever get rich, I'm going to start my own HUGE HBCU. It will be the largest college in history designated to serve african americans and those of African descent, and it will be revolutionary. Now if I can only get rich :-)
If I ever get rich, I'm going to start my own HUGE HBCU. It will be the largest college in history designated to serve african americans and those of African descent, and it will be revolutionary. Now if I can only get rich :-)
If you ever manage to do this, I will be the first in line to support you. I don't disagree that there are serious social disadvantages for certain populations of Americans. It seems like many people are set up for failure by default, especially if you're poor.However, I think that we have the ability to create change. For example, this web site... how many of the mainstream media giants think that Black college students would be interested in having discussions about politics, like this one? Yet here we are, because there were a few of us with enough vision to create that opportunity.I think that Black America has a unique opportunity. The rest of our country is beginning to decline much in the same way Black America has over the past 25 years. ****, crime, and dysfunctional families are spreading in mainstream America.They are beginning to decline, at the same time that we are starting to rebuild. Consider the possibilities...
Interesting topic.I feel that Oprah was 150% right in her decision to open that private school for girls in Africa. I didn't for a chance feel that she turned her back on me or the youth of this country. Oprah has done so much, but have you seen a 'George W. Bush Scholarship Program for urban youth' or 'George W. Bush Book Club'...yeah right. I agree that America has become a nation of savages...but not blood thirsty savages, money thirsty rather( that accounts for our government and those who actually work hard for their living).I honestly dont know what this country has become, that (as you said) is something that we should look at as individuals...we should look at ourselves and figure out what we can live without and what we can die without. The values of 'America' itself {composed of certain individuals} have been diluted to the extreme..that its hard to even remember or think of what this country stands for...or at least believes in.This country is a tripOnelove
