Black = Education-less?
 

Why is it perceived by our Black peers that in order to be an activist, "grass roots", or revolutionary for a specific cause, one cannot be educated? I participated in a Free Mumia! protest about 8 years ago in Philadelphia and was told that because I had advanced degrees that I've "lost touch" with my Blackness.... I assume he meant there was no way I could be in touch with the "masses" because in his mind, our struggles are not identical.

Little did this cat know that I am the daughter of a former Panther - who had her share of militantism in her early years. However, as I grew older, I changed my methods of fostering change. I still advocate rights for my people; I still video tape an arrest when ever a police officer pulls over one of my brothers/sisters; I still patronize black businesses before patronizing any others...I am still very afrocentric.....How dare he say I'm no longer "Black"?

And since when did being Black translate to being education-less? When Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale began the Black Panthers for Self-Defense, they were COLLEGE STUDENTS! Most protests that took place in America during the Civil Rights Era were led by College Students. Every "great" thinker around the world was educated (either formally or informally - citing Malcolm X who mastered the art of extemporaneous banter).

So I ask - where did this mindset begin? Was it the 80s? Why are we eager to frown upon each other when one of us attains a degree? Why is that tremendous feat regarded as disinterest in or removal from our Blackness?

I don't know if this is too deep for this forum, but your comments are certainly welcomed.

~Princess

Because there is a disconnect between being a "practitioner" and an academic. They perceive people with formal education to be sitting in glass towers and separate from what's really going on.

Of course, there are plenty of us who have formal education AND activism under our belts. But there's so much bias and misunderstanding on both sides of the issue that we're undermining efforts for social change.

Also, blacks are disproportionately in poverty and disproportionately uneducated. Many people misinterpret this to mean that the majority of blacks are uneducated, impoverished (and immoral). So when you try to reach the black community through education and what others perceive to be pretention, you get criticized.

As you stated, people have a POOR sense of history and fail to realize that black educators have been trailblazers and activists from DAY ONE!!!

Thanks, soror. Somehow your point of view takes the bite out of the situation. I appreciate your post.

So then I have to ask: How do you handle it? When placed in a similar position, do you defend yourself/give an explanation; try to educate them; or simply walk away?

It depends on who I'm talking to and how they come at me.

I was at a conference and was "confronted" by a practitioner who said that academics aren't in the trenches enough for our opinions to count. I just proceeded to explain to him that many academics aren't just sitting behind a computer. We have field experience and even personal experiences that contribute to our research and teaching. I then told him that the false dichotomy between academics and activism takes away from our collective efforts. There are so many more important things to spend time discussing and doing.

He wanted to debate with me, which usually I would enjoy, but I realized he really was guilty of what he was criticizing us for===>speaking on something he had little to no REAL knowledge and experience with. So I smiled and turned around to address a more entertaining conversation to my left. :)

I believe that many speak in an effort to challenge - not render a solution!

I don't think this is perceived by our black peers.

This was the perception of the seventies and eighties. The term of those who were formally educated and or giving money to causes were termed armchair revoloutionaries -and you had some white supporters who gave money to revoloutionary organizations as well. It is unfortunate that this same mentality exists- just as there was division about the role of women in some revoloutionary circles -which viewed women's position as only prone. Education, Research, and activism all have a place in affecting change.

I hope it's a given that I don't believe ALL of our peers think this way, but there is certainly a growing number of us who fall into this category.....and I seem to KEEP meeting them....

My eleven cents...
 

I would agree that a good number of African-Americans share this same private opinion, and I'm not sure as to its point of origin...but it has a lot to do with how we see ourselves. Also, there are a couple of Black intellectuals...notably, Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan, who view education as a form of training that has the ability disturb our level of self-perception.

In his book entitled, "The Race", he is moved to say, "...it is in these institutions (public schools) that the Black child is first indoctrinated to the myth of American democracy which acts as a veil for Americas racist posture toward Black folk...[and it is in these institutions] that the Black child first begins to form a negative concept of himself...." because of the lack of emphasis on his own cultural heritage.

From this blurb, I guess one can make the argument that this educational exposure or "training" could result in two damaging outcomes: 1) we could possibly become so educated to the point where we can no longer identify with our "grass roots" as the one soror stated, or 2) we could possibly turn out to be plain ignorant...not having an inkling of an idea as to what Black is...therefore clinging on to the most empty and meaningless of examples.

Returning to the soror's original post...I'll get back to my effort of trying to establish some sort of timeline to determine when "being Black [translated into] being education-less". Therefore, I'd like for us to take a look at "We Real Cool", written by Gwendolyn Brooks in 1960.

THE POOL PLAYERS.
SEVEN AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL.

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon.

I won't analyze the entire poem, but this is an early example of the attitude that being cool does not equate to being in school. She shows us the mindset of several young Black Americans who are uncertain about the strength of their identity. And many of us still struggle with this concept today - educated or not.

It can be a challenge for some African-Americans to develop a strong identity....mainly because of the number of external and internal influences. Either you're not Black enough or you're too white. Unfortunately, too many of us embrace the idea that being Black enough, means taking on the attitude of a sub-culture that celebrates ignorance...and is unknowingly, doomed.

To me, there's no such thing as acting white. And as I continue to speak with my thick, sensual, Black lips...LOL....I think it's sad that we tend to view all things positive, educated, well-spoken...and with a self-assured posture as White - to hell with that!

How dare we...or anyone for that matter, try to assign a definition as to what is Black. It's myriad of things!! Black is a high level of intelligence, with a heritage that is totally relevant!! Black is, and Black ain't!! Black can be a cup of cheap, dry gin (or Knotty head..as grandpa used to say), or Black can be a refreshing Saturday morning Mimosa, made with the most expensive champagne!! Black is the janitor in the hallway carrying a broom, and Black is the educator...teaching Honors Chemistry in the next room!!

So, whether you're a "practitioner" or "academic"...Black, should never be defined by the equation: Black = Education-less!!

(okay...this was kinda long...if I strayed a lil'...forgive me...but I feel better now...thank you...LOL!!):D

EXTREMELY well done! I have absolutely nothing to add! :)

Sadly, education is not valued among our youth as it was stressed to me when I was growing up. Students need to see role models other than entertainers or athletes. I had a discussion regarding this earlier with one of my colleagues about his son who wants to hang on the block with his peers playing basketball. His father is trying to stress the importance of getting an education rather than playing basketball. A lot of those young men will not even make it into the NBA. From his own personal experience - the father played ball in college but got a degree in engineering as well, a lot of his peers later reflected that they wished they had gotten an education like he did so that they would have increased their life chances.

This is the very reason why we, as parents and guardians, need to monitor our children's friends.

When we moved to our current neighborhood, I asked my son did he know the other kids in our complex that rode the school bus with him. He knew some but did not really hang out, esp with the ones down the block. When I asked him why, he said that they thought reading was dumb; needless to say, I dropped the subject. He is so mature at age 12!

Your son rocks!

A slight deviation from the topic, but CERTAINLY a strong point to consider. In scouring over notes in reference to my family tree, I saw evidence of how strongly my ancestors pushed for their children (especially their sons) to attend college. And it was remarkable to live up to the standards of the likes of say for instance, W.E.B DuBois...... While there's nothing wrong with dreaming and placing excellence in every area of interest (be it sports or the arts), I agree that it makes sound sense to try to guarantee that you're "employable" with a CAREER that does not depend on a contract and a doctor's nod.

WOW! He is! Most boys his age are very easily influenced by their peers! You did a fantastic job with him! :)