Fighting The Criminalization of Black Students
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Posted By: William Jackson on October 01, 2016 Fighting The Criminalization of Black Students William Jackson, M.Ed. @wmjackson Parent, Educator, Blogger, Community Activist My personal opinions from my observation and experiences as a parent, educator and community activist. I’m not referencing to specific organizations or people. Providing an insight into the situations and circumstances of people of color and culture and to encourage positive change and education. Malcolm X, “To have once been a criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is the disgrace.” The lessons of life are a reflection of the developing maturity of Black boys that are developing into Black men. Society’s perception of Black males has developed into a growing state of fear, apprehension, uncertainty and even panic. Bang Bang Bang Bang is the sound of another Black male being murdered either by those that look like him or those that only see him as a threat and use a badge and gun to create their own justice on innocence, killing another Black boy that may be a potential criminal in society, but wait Black girls are being killed as well. Judge – Jury and Executioner just like in too many movies. Through the media, entertainment industry, sporting industry and even educational systems of our nation (school to prison pipeline) Black boys and Black men are criminalized. You may ask where the evidence is, it comes in the form of expectation, evaluation and execution. Too many expect our Black boys to fail, to many evaluations say our Black boys are slow and of lower levels in understanding and comprehension. To many that are supposed to protect and service are to ready to be judge, jury and executioner. Listen to NPR and see how educators are already passing judgment on Black boys. http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/09/28/... The expectation that is portrayed in the media is that Black males are feared because of their color, the insinuation and expectation that eventually they will commit acts of crime and participate in criminal behavior. The unrealistic ideas that all Black men want white women and most Black families are single parent homes. The definition of racism is defined in the actions of police and politicians that seem to be in collaboration to execute and incarcerate. President Obama has even stated in several speeches outlining how women are uncomfortable in the vicinity of Black males. Sharing his frustrations as a Black man even with Black daughters. Women clutching their purses closer to their bodies, nervously watching with side glances while riding in elevators, subways, buses and even in public stores. Even professional men face scrutiny, ridicule and fear from white men, white women and even their own color and culture because the media has control of their minds and hearts just like in The Matrix. The expectation is that Black male mentality is not a productive place. This is shared, shown and thrust before us from a media that glamorizes violence, but uses it to direct biases and even racism against people of color. The Presidential candidate Trump even sees Blacks as a threat, he entices Black ministers and those claiming to be “Black leaders” willing to bend over for Trump to enjoy “exploratory” anal journey’s that create further division in the Black community when ministers start running for handouts not hands up for their people. Black males are followed in stores, monitored in their travels and assessed in school not just for educational attainment, for the potential to be involved in behaviors associated with academic challenges and as potential drop outs. National Public Radio even shares research about teachers and how Black children in early childhood education are treated and looked at. Racial Bias It’s in Pre-School http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/09/28/... In music videos Black men are seen as drug dealers, hustlers, rebellious against laws and law enforcement. Black boys are portrayed as educationally challenged, socially estranged from the social courtesies of common morals and values. This is further from the truth and in many cases lies. Black children are talented, creative, innovative, but are bored with a teacher centered classroom that looks at Black boys and girls as second and third class educational citizens that only deserve to be tested for Special Education, suspension and expulsion. Lastly when this is done enough come incarceration. Professional athletes are highlighted as drug abusers (this is not the majority of Black athletes), involved in creating multiple children and not accepting the responsibility for the financial and emotional care of these children. Involved in alcoholic binges and frivolously spending money with no moral compass or direction to community service until almost bankrupt then looking for sympathy and a job to keep their lavish lifestyles. All of us; parents, educators, administrators are responsible for children’s educational growth. Malcolm X was in the eighth grade when his teacher crushed his desire to be an attorney, sending a then Malcolm Little on a direction of criminal behaviors. The power of teachers to promote learning or destroy a child’s dreams is in the power of their expectations and words. Teachers need to remember their words are powerful and influential. Stop looking at the color of that child and look at their content, how will you build this baby up to be better than society views them or are you just as racist in your teaching as you are in your homes? Teachers are accountable to society because of their inherited responsibility to build children up and educate them, not to be judgmental, not to be bias (although many are and not know it). R. Lee Gordon has claimed a transformative statement, “if you’re not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.” The solutions is not a one size fits all, but a holistic approach to helping students achieve and earn success. Parents, choose to make a difference in your homes, in your community, in your child’s schools. You do not have to be that mad Black man or that mad Black women. Just be active, engaged and determined to make a difference so the future will have a chance to blossom and bloom for all children not wasting away in Special Education classes, labeled and put on drugs like rabid dogs to be mentally and emotionally controlled with drugs that take away the beauty of that person. Take the time to listen to Dr. Claud Anderson as to Why Black Need To Have Businesses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALEodaehZf... Educational Technology and Social Media class at Edward Waters College. Students and Prof. Jackson reviewing project data.... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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William Jackson
Educational Technology and Social Media Instructor, Edward Waters College South Carolina State University class of 1985 Member Since September 2008 |
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