African American Students and Education By Edward Rhymes Ph.D.
I have heard a lot of static concerning African Americans and their supposed disregard for education. “Our black kids look down on education” say many of the black pundits, “they tease the black kids who are doing well school and say they are acting white.” I’ve heard this repeated over and over again by African-American personalities and celebrities (none of which, by the way, have any extensive, classroom teaching experience). Let me also add, that in all my years as an educator and youth program specialist, I have never heard any student equating scholastic achievement with whiteness. Nevertheless, this assertion is usually made without challenge, rebuttal or explanation. This is yet another sign of the reactionary times that we now live in, here in America – with a pit bull-like tenacity we lock on to what is being said without examining why it’s being said. I, in the course of this writing, will endeavor to unmask this widely-held misconception.
I would like to outline, briefly, my experience in education and youth development:
1. I have taught high school social studies, history, sociology and special needs.
2. I have taught college sociology, philosophy and history.
3. I have taught graduate courses in education (my students were k-12 teachers & guidance counselors – in other words I’ve taught teachers).
4. I have served on the Board of Directors of a teachers’ union.
5. I create and develop educational curriculum and programs.
6. I have worked for a number of years, in fields of education and social youth development programs.
I’m not flaunting or bragging about my qualifications, but I am merely pointing out that I do have a basis (rooted in experience) for forming my views on this particular subject. There are four areas that I will be focusing on: 1. Popular Culture, 2. Curriculum, 3. Honors/Advance Placement classes and 4. Ethnicity of Teachers.
Dr. Edward Rhymes, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a consultant in the areas racism, equity & diversity, education and adolescent development. He is also a Visiting Asst. Professor at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. Be sure to check out the Rhymes Reasons page on his website, http://mysite.verizon.net/vze48hqr/rhymesworld
http://www.blackcommentator.com/100/100_cover_acting_white.html
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I have heard a lot of static concerning African Americans and their supposed disregard for education. “Our black kids look down on education” say many of the black pundits, “they tease the black kids who are doing well school and say they are acting white.” I’ve heard this repeated over and over again by African-American personalities and celebrities (none of which, by the way, have any extensive, classroom teaching experience). Let me also add, that in all my years as an educator and youth program specialist, I have never heard any student equating scholastic achievement with whiteness. Nevertheless, this assertion is usually made without challenge, rebuttal or explanation. This is yet another sign of the reactionary times that we now live in, here in America – with a pit bull-like tenacity we lock on to what is being said without examining why it’s being said. I, in the course of this writing, will endeavor to unmask this widely-held misconception.
I would like to outline, briefly, my experience in education and youth development:
1. I have taught high school social studies, history, sociology and special needs.
2. I have taught college sociology, philosophy and history.
3. I have taught graduate courses in education (my students were k-12 teachers & guidance counselors – in other words I’ve taught teachers).
4. I have served on the Board of Directors of a teachers’ union.
5. I create and develop educational curriculum and programs.
6. I have worked for a number of years, in fields of education and social youth development programs.
I’m not flaunting or bragging about my qualifications, but I am merely pointing out that I do have a basis (rooted in experience) for forming my views on this particular subject. There are four areas that I will be focusing on: 1. Popular Culture, 2. Curriculum, 3. Honors/Advance Placement classes and 4. Ethnicity of Teachers.
Dr. Edward Rhymes, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a consultant in the areas racism, equity & diversity, education and adolescent development. He is also a Visiting Asst. Professor at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. Be sure to check out the Rhymes Reasons page on his website, http://mysite.verizon.net/vze48hqr/rhymesworld
http://www.blackcommentator.com/100/100_cover_acting_white.html
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