Quote:
Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
At my undergrad univ. (old dominion univ) the african american men that are there are still trying to be "thugs" for the most part. I could never understand why guys came to school, but were still trying to rappers, gangsta's etc. And for the ones that are trying to be on the straight and narrow, grades aren't really all that important.
Sometimes I'd look at the brothers on campus and think...If we (my generation) are the leaders of 2morrow, we are in trouble.
But as far as getting more African American men enrolled, that effort definitely starts in the home. (that's always my answer for everything, but it's true) If they are only showed that the only ways to "make it" are to either rap, hustle, or be nba stars.... why would they even think about college? It's not a viable option.
But the one thing I don't understand, is why African American women seem to be managing to try to overcome their circumstances...and really go to school to make a better future for themselves...and the brothas just kinda fall victim to their circumstances...
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Why? Three things.
1) Lack of tangible role models (key word TANGIBLE). 75% of young, black men have the milstone of growing up without a father in their household period, much less an educated, career minded, forward thinking, moral, ethical teacher who demands hard work and achievement above instant gratification, hustles, and fast, empty money. What young, black men who are on the campus of Old Dominion do not have is what most of their white counterparts have: a college educated, professional role model who was their for their first 18 yrs molding and preparing them for success in a society that is built for and by them. Black men are not only starting from behind in the race, they are running a marathon/steeplechase with 400 years of injured pysche while white men are jogging a leisurely 100 yd dash. Brothers need to see success and how it is accomplished on daily basis. It needs to be ingrained. It needs to be natural, it needs to be the norm. It should not be an aspiration, but rather a given. That is why white men have such a negative reaction to affirmative action. Its been their birthright to only have to compete with each other for the spoils of America. Competition for jobs, education and everything attendant with them is foreign and upsetting to them.
2) Role mdels. Who is a young black male more likely to see with the trappings of success? Money. power, self-worth, women, cars, jewelry, phat crib etc. Is it the bookworm, Poindexter who followed the rules, obeyed the teacher, did his homework, got A's and B's, didn't wear designer clothes, spend all his time rapping or getting girls pregnant or play ball good enough to be all-state without learning to conjugate a verb properly? This brother may go on to college never to be seen again in the hood. He may get a nice job after all that book learning, save up for 7 years, buy a house, meet a nice church girl and have two kids for his mini-van. Or would you most likely see hundreds of playa wannabe's braided, tattoed, believing that ignorance and "keepin' it real" are one in the same, manhood is measured in fighting, fornicating, and felony, by how many hoes you've macked, how many babies you've left fatherless. He may see how the "streets" view education as for the weak or feel that he has no place in structured America. I'm amazed at how often I meet college aged men who say that I am the first Black man that they have met who makes the kind of money that I make without being a hustler or drug dealer. Then again, the last 7 young men that I interviewed for intake had no relationship with their natural fathers at all.
3) The Media. What kind of Black Man are you most likely to see in any medium between the ages of 15 and 35? Whether its music, television, or athletics, it is the irresponsible, anti-social THUG who gets the most attention and adoration. Biggie Smalls had a bigger funeral than Martin Luther King. Tupac has a performing arts center named after hin in Atlanta. Alan Iverson is walking grafitti who constantly puts himself above his team, his coach, and relishes in his thug lifestyle, even at over $50mil a year, he is gonna keep it project real. Randy Moss in football. These people make all the money and endorsements and are always publicized. What incentive is their to be a moral, ethical, articulate gentleman? What is the payoff when you can be an uncouth lout and not only make millions, but be loved by millions whether you behave or not. Unless you read Black Enterprise, you would never see a legitimate Black businessman spotlighted in any medium. Shoot, I would aspire to be a buffoon on ComicView if that is all that I thought that I could achieve.