There is also the stigma hoisted on black males, by other black males, that to be studious and smart is being a sellout. An Uncle Tom, acting white, etc. I,ve seen it far too often. It's just like black on black crime.
I agree.
This is so true. I can remember taking a black male student of mine aside and telling him that he was smart, and really should be doing better in my class (he really was, and had quite a charming personality, and I suspect he could go far in whatever he wanted to do). You know what he told me? "I don't WANT to be smart!"
Now, how on earth can I fight that? Where did he get the idea he didn't want to be smart? Not from any school teacher, I assure you. There is an entire culture out there that encourages anti-social behavior, and a lifestyle that pretty well presupposes failure in what most would call the American dream. And I'm blamed for it? I think not!
It would help alot if all parents would turn off the TV and do things with their kids that translate THEIR values, and not the values of the media culture.
susie