The blacker-than-thou paradox divides

St. Petersburg Times ^ | February 13, 2002 | BILL MAXWELL

[Cincinatus' Wife]

When I entered college in 1963, the term "black power" was becoming popular on campuses with black students.

At first, it was used as an ideological umbrella under which so-called nationalists, culturalists and pluralists of all stripes were grouped. Gradually, we students used the term to convince ourselves that by uniting as one people, by loving our history and traditions, by pooling our vast resources, we could become a powerful bloc that could influence -- if not change -- the basic nature of the United States and thus improve our status as citizens.

I remember those days well, a heady time when African-Americans took education for granted as the sure route to self-improvement and the subsequent uplifting of the whole race.

On my tiny Texas campus of fewer than 1,000 students, only fools refused to read and study diligently. Only fools destroyed their brains with drugs. Only fools physically hurt their brethren. In fact, "being smart" was in. We called it being "heavy." We even expected jocks to be heavy. All musicians, especially the jazz types, were heavy.

Black power meant just that: being black and powerful, being armed with education and the drive to improve our lot in a hostile environment where the very concept of racial egalitarianism was still alien to most white Americans. Black power meant sharing the good and eliminating the bad.

In time, the concept of black power changed. Instead of being a sentiment that united us, it became a source of deep division. Those who followed Martin Luther King and his nonviolent movement, for example, were not as black as those who followed, say, Malcolm X's philosophy or that of the fearless Black Panthers.

No longer bringing us together, black power had become a negative litmus test for one's degree of "blackness." We had entered the "Blacker than Thou" era. On campuses nationwide, black students separated themselves into enclaves.

Groups whose members adopted African-sounding names, perhaps wore dashikis and other African garb and spouted words by the likes of Huey Newton and Eldridge Cleaver were blacker than those who majored in business and talked of Wall Street.

If you could quote from Frantz Fanon's book The Wretched of the Earth: The Handbook for the Black Revolution That Is Changing the Shape of the World, you were one black brother or sister.

And if you had an African name, wore a dashiki, sported a huge Afro, followed the Socialist Workers Party, talked like a Trotskyite, peppered your speech with Marxist aphorisms, majored in black studies and planned a trip to Africa, you were the essence of blackness.

The ultimate blacker-than-thou paradox occurred on traditionally black campuses. Nearly all of these campuses had parallel student government organizations. One was the legitimate body elected by the entire student population and was usually called the Student Government Association. It had the blessings of the administration and faculty.

The other was a self-appointed organization, usually called the Black Student Union. Assorted radicals belonged to it. In other words, the BSU was blacker than its duly elected counterpart, the SGA. I was president of the BSU at Bethune-Cookman College and founder and editor of the BSU newspaper.

These divisions -- who is black enough and who is not -- were not isolated to college campuses. The phenomenon defined black life at all levels in black communities nationwide.

When I lived in South Florida during the early 1980s, the supporters of beleaguered U.S. congressmen Alcee Hastings were the blackest of the black. Any black who thought Hastings was a crook was labeled an Uncle Tom or a sell out.

Here in St. Petersburg, Omali Yeshitela and his minions set the bar for blackness during the 1960s. Since then, if selected blacks disagree with him or choose to live a mainstream life, they immediately become something less than black or less African.

As a rule, then, only Uhuru members and the supporters of their ideas and programs are truly black. Everyone else is a "Negro."

Believe me when I say this situation helped shape the character of south St. Petersburg. Most blacks are reluctant to oppose the Uhurus publicly. Preachers hold their tongues when they should challenge a questionable philosophy. Blacks running for public office often dodge the nitty-gritty issues because they do not want to be labeled less-than-black. Who wants to be called an enemy of his or her own people?

Such blacker-than-thou nonsense should be packed away with other relics of a bygone era. Black History Month is the perfect time to do so.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

We have no leaders to save our black men-- "I was astonished recently when I read a study about a city's school system where out of nearly 6,000 African-American males in its high school, only 135 earned a B average or higher. Yet, we black people seem paralyzed to act, to mobilize -- to be outraged! We have failed miserably in addressing, for lack of a better description, "self-destruction of the black man.' Today . . . women head 70 percent of black households! Now you tell me, how are young black boys going to learn how to be men? Folks, what we have . . . is a national crisis -- demanding the highest attention of civic, business and government leaders. I am proposing that communities across the country initiate and start a "Save the Black Man Project.'

_________________________________________________________________________________________

There are a lot of issues in the Black community.
And it's good to see them publicly addressed.
In time, who knows, maybe we'll all be closer to getting along.
Black or White, introspection is a good place to start.

[Neets]

Here in St. Petersburg, Omali Yeshitela and his minions set the bar for blackness during the 1960s. Since then, if selected blacks disagree with him or choose to live a mainstream life, they immediately become something less than black or less African.

Wonder who those selected black are??? Anyone maybe who is taking steps to stop bringing the black man down????

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It's an interesting column. I'd like to think Maxwell is pointing to Blacks who constantly divide to hold onto a power base, not caring about the general state of Blacks. Interesting to me too was the two student unions. I wonder if the Black Caucus and things like the Black Firefighters' Associations are leftovers from a time when Blacks didn't want their views sanctioned by predomininently White organizations. I hope this is a sign we're starting to move away from this.

[Neets]

I hope so too CW..I really do. I wish there were more Maxwell's out there.

[Red Jones]

bump

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[Dales]

I like how he points out that the blackest tended to be involved in the Socialist Worker's Party.

Our good friend Mr. Clark has an affinity for them.

[Neets]

Wonderful observation....you must have had more coffee than I this morning!!!!

[Wurlitzer]

If this article was re-written by replacing every reference to Black or Africa with White or Europe it never would have seen the light of day, nor should it have.

Many other visible minorities that have been subjected to stupid racism, have managed to do very well in this country.

Could it be because they were more concerned with achieving the AMERICAN dream than their blackness?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I think that is an underlying problem. I know every immigrant group had hardships. Many were indentured if not outright slaves. But instead of rehashing the past, I'm hoping this heralds the sane return to strong families and respect for a good education--those things that ground us all and instill pride and prosperity. Those things were lost in the dependence trap of government handouts.

[another cricket]

I wish there were more Maxwell's out there.

It takes a great deal of courage to even think that the Emperor has no clothes. Much less say it and in public.

What they need is a Rush Limbaugh type. He made it fun to be conservative and also banished the feeling of "I am the only one who feels this way. There must be something wrong with me.

We are, after all, pack animals at heart.

A. Cricket

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

spouted words by the likes of Huey Newton and Eldridge Cleaver were blacker than those who majored in business and talked of Wall Street.

Interesting that Eldridge Cleaver (who fled the U.S.) ultimately came back to the U.S. and basically recanted his entire anti-white philosophy.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The pendulum may be coming back to the middle.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

What they need is a Rush Limbaugh type. He made it fun to be conservative and also banished the feeling of "I am the only one who feels this way. There must be something wrong with me.

Excellent idea. He'd be demonized by Big media and elites but just think how nice it would be
to have another forum for people who think, "am I the only one who feels this way?"

[js1138]

All this is the result of marxist divide and conquer tactics. Not to mention the simple fact that it is easier and quicker to achieve power by stirring up hate than by developing competence.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You can say that again!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Liberal black leaders need new targets for their outrage*** But you can't say that in America these days. That's "blaming the victim." Or, using Belafonte's bizarre analogy, it's blaming the field slaves still suffering oppression on the plantation. It's much easier to criticize movie producers, directors, writers and actors. It's much better, psychologically speaking, to bash Bush and Powell. It's just no fun suggesting that the black parents of those hoodlums act like parents. Residents of that Milwaukee neighborhood spoke out in several news stories. One man said the same gang of thugs attacked him and some white friends two years ago. Another said the parents of those boys let them run in the streets at all hours of the night.

It might occur to astute observers that Powell is not the daddy of any of those boys in that Milwaukee mob. Nor is Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, or any other black conservative who arouses the dudgeon of Afro-America's depressingly liberal leadership. If every black conservative in America disappeared tomorrow, absolutely nothing would change for the better in communities like that one in Milwaukee. That's why blacks on the liberal/left side of the political spectrum need to find new targets for their ire. They can start by unzipping their lips and going to Milwaukee to confront the parents of the accused, to ask them just what kind of parents they are and to demand where they were the night of Sept. 29. Then they can head here to Baltimore, hit those drug corners and finish the job Angela and Carnell Dawson so courageously started.***

[Cincinatus' Wife]

White teachers flee black schools *** Critics see the exodus as a new form of segregation, encouraged by court rulings that no longer enforce racial diversity. But teachers say that cultural and economic barriers, not racial ones, are fueling the trend in a region where more than 40 percent of the public school population is black. At the very least, the growing shortage of white educators is creating a dilemma for black schools from Picayune County, Miss., to Decatur, Ga. Right now, there aren't enough black teachers to go around, either. "All the stars are aligned for white teachers to leave," says Gary Orfield, an education professor at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. "It's a combination of poverty and racial segregation, added to cultural differences, that all makes it tough for suburban teachers to figure out the black and Latino cultures."***

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Speaking Truth With Power ~ John Fund*** Black leaders who focus on racial divisions are too often showered with media attention and, what is worse, given a free pass on demagoguery. Presidential candidate Al Sharpton, handled with kid gloves by other White House contenders, comes to mind. At the same time, leaders such as Clarence Thomas, J.C. Watts, civil-rights leader Roy Innis and even Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice are often called "sellouts," or worse, for not viewing every issue through a racial prism.

Nonetheless, a growing number of black officials are breaking ranks by calling for a more honest approach to race relations. The latest is David Clarke, the elected sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wis., who accused other black elected officials of practicing a "cult of victimology" instead of making "real efforts to better the lives of black people." His critics claim that the 46-year-old Democrat is pandering to whites, but his message has struck a chord among voters of all races and could catapult him into higher office.

………….. Sheriff Clarke will have none of that. "We're not targeting a population. We're targeting neighborhoods," he told the Journal-Sentinel. "The majority of people arrested for violent crimes, they're black males. Why should we kid ourselves . . . they're ravaging the lives of other black individuals." "I'm result-oriented, and our neighborhoods will never prosper if we don't keep criminals from victimizing families," Sheriff Clarke told me. He is heartened by the reaction he is getting from ordinary black citizens. "They agree that our community will only be strong if we reject low expectations and failure on everyone's part. A new generation of leaders think it's time for a fresh message and more honesty."

A 24-year veteran of the Milwaukee police force, Sheriff Clarke was appointed county sheriff last year by a Republican governor. He promptly disappointed the GOP by winning a full four-year term as a Democrat, albeit one who openly admires Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell. He says his blue-collar parents taught him "not to use race as an excuse," and he mourns that today "playing the race card is done as if it were some kind of sport." He has called for crackdowns on truant students after a mob of boys as young as 10 bludgeoned a man to death.***

[Movemout]

"What they need is a Rush Limbaugh type. He made it fun to be conservative and also banished the feeling of "I am the only one who feels this way. There must be something wrong with me.

We are, after all, pack animals at heart. "

I think Jesse Peterson, Walter Williams, and Thomas Sowell hit the mark well. I also think they are having an impact. Educated black people have claimed their spot in the middle class and are well on their way to claiming their place in the upper class. It is only a matter of time before these leaders will get rid of the Dimocrapic plantation and being "heavy" will be back in vogue.

[johnny7]

... albeit one who openly admires Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell.

Very rare. Most blacks despise Thomas and Powell. They are highly-educated, speak perfect diction and can focus on the topic.

Everytime I see Clarence Thomas on the news he looks heart-broken.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

To LIBERALS, being a responsible, educated, contributing American (black, white, red, yellow, brown or any combination of those) is a sin.

[johnny7]

I think the term “liberal” is not an accurate description of these bastids anymore.

They haved morphed into a version of Hitlers National Socialist Party.

The Estrada filibuster(sp?) and the Carl McCall “snub” are two good examples.

Even the a-hole Sharpton is being targeted by them... his own party!

If Hubert Humphrey or “Skoop” Jackson ever saw the dems today, they would become Republicans!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

They're communists.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Poverty in the nation*** Is poverty pre-ordained? I think not. A married couple, both working full time at a minimum-wage job that pays $5.15 per hour, would earn an annual income of $20,600. Keep in mind that few adults earn wages as low as the minimum wage and those who do earn a higher wage after a few months on the job. If a married couple both working at the minimum wage had no children, they would not be poor; if they had two children, they wouldn't be living in the lap of luxury, but neither would they be below the poverty threshold.

Let's look at poverty in female-headed households. Divorce and death of the father might explain a small part of why there are so many female-headed households. But the bulk of it is explained by people having children and not getting married in the first place.

Having children is not an act of God. It's not like you're walking down the street and pregnancy strikes you; children are a result of a conscious decision. For the most part, female-headed households are the result of shortsighted, self-destructive behavior of one or two people. They might have bought into the nonsense of "experts" like John Hopkins University sociologist Professor Andrew Cherlin, who said, "It has yet to be shown that the absence of a father was directly responsible for any of the supposed deficiencies of broken homes." The real issue, according to Mr. Cherlin, "is not the lack of male presence but the lack of male income." That's a call for fathers to be replaced by a government welfare check.

According to a NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School Poll, the leading cause of poverty identified by both the poor (75 percent) and non-poor (65 percent) was drug abuse. Again, it's not like you're walking down the street and you're struck with drug addiction; to use drugs is a conscious decision. Drug-users tend not to be very productive. They drop out of school, abandon their families, have scrapes with the law and don't hold down jobs. Would anybody be surprised that poverty is one result of drug usage?

Most middle-class Americans, including black Americans, are no more than one, two or three generations out of poverty. How did they manage this feat; what's the secret for avoiding poverty?

I think it's a no-brainer. Finish high school and take a job, any kind of a job. Today, but not when I graduated in 1954, if a person graduates from high school, with even a C average, there is a college or some kind of skills training program somewhere for him, and often financial assistance to boot. So if a person doesn't take advantage of today's available opportunities, particularly those during the boom of the 1990s, and engages in self-destructive behavior, whose fault is it?***

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Educator says blacks underachieve - "Do you think so low of yourself….?" *** ''I don't like you segregating us like this,'' one student told White during a question-and-answer session. ''You know what I mean, calling us bad or whatever. I think you should have something like this after school.''

White was unswayed: ''You're in school. I run this school, and I meet with you when I want to.'' Parents in the back clapped and nodded. ''That's right!'' said a few, calling out as if they were in church. White said he knew that some students in the crowd were making straight A's, but he wanted them to help boost the performance of the others.

One student asked the superintendent if any other Indiana school districts were hosting similar convocations. White is one of only three black superintendents in Indiana's 293 school districts. White superintendents tell him they would be accused of prejudice or profiling if they targeted black boys to improve their academic performance. ''To me, it's the truth,'' White said. ''The truth will set you free.''***

[F-117A]

Bump!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Our kids are failing; where's the shame? *** I've tried to be impervious to "group think." But I've recalibrated my thinking regarding collective guilt and shame. Why? Because I'm ashamed of the low achievement today of most black kids in school systems nationwide. Black people collectively should join me in my shame. The point being not to wallow in it, but move to do something about it.

…………….. What happened? The Edwardses, and other black Cy-Fair parents, asked the district to challenge their children, to raise, not lower, the bar. Most importantly, they took responsibility for preparing their kids to compete. They partnered with area churches to enlist parents in their effort. They disseminated information about tutoring, enrichment opportunities, how to get into college and shared common stories and strategies. They also give large credit to Superintendent Rick Berry, who then was new to the district, for accepting the challenge. Now, the district has "recognized" status due largely to black students now passing the TAAS test in the 90 percentile.

Progress was not easy. District officials were initially skeptical and parents were disinterested and "lazy," DeBra Edwards said. "I can't blame this (failure) on the white folks any more because it's really not their fault," she said. "It's our fault. In so many cases our parents don't want this responsibility. It is easier for them to allow their children to become a part of the sports programs." And that is shameful. ***

[nanny]

All this is the result of marxist divide and conquer tactics. Not to mention the simple fact that it is easier and quicker to achieve power by stirring up hate than by developing competence

You are right that a citizenry that is not divided is harder to fool and harder to control. But I think you could substitute the word 'political' for Marxist - as this is not limited to the Marxist or to the democrats - but the Republicans have been doing a bit of the old racial politics themselves.

[farmfriend]

pinging

[truth_seeker]

"What they need is a Rush Limbaugh type."

Larry Elder is a pretty close substitute. Black lawyer, from south-central Los Angeles, now with a nationally syndicated radio program.

He identifies himself as a "little 'l' Libertarian." On most issues, he is conservative, and he is not an isolationist.

[mhking]

Any black who thought Hastings was a crook was labeled an Uncle Tom or a sell out.

Guess I'm one of those "bad names." [shrug]

Been there, done that; got the t-shirt...

We have black men to lead; unfortunately, those who would choose to ignore that have louder voices and more powerful and visible soapboxes that those of us who are leading by example.

But as opposed to those whose voices carry simply noise and are quickly forgotten, our voices carry power, and carry messages that reach below that surface veneer. We provide true support and a true vision.

And as more hear our message, it spreads. I'll admit that it's only a little at a time, but it spreads.

Help me spread that message; help me spread that vision.

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[AppyPappy]

I learned something new. The predominatly black schools in Roanoke were turning in low SOL(Standards of Learning) scores which was causing more derision in the media and government. Soon the test scores began improving and the event was heralded as success. How did they do it? Kids labeled "Special Ed" don't take the SOL's. We found it in our school when they suddenly labeled some kids from the trailer parks as "Special Ed" in an effort to jack up our SOL scores. They know the parents don't care as long as they get a free lunch. Not only that, Special Ed kids bring federal dollars to the schools.

So the answer is to find the lowest performers and slap a Special Ed label on them. What does that do to the kids? Who cares. The ends justifies the means.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...our voices carry power, and carry messages that reach below that surface veneer. We provide true support and a true vision. And as more hear our message, it spreads. I'll admit that it's only a little at a time, but it spreads."

Yep...it's all about winnin' over the hearts and minds, one-at-a-time and fer however long it takes...at some point, everyone can come to the realization that becoming ENSLAVED to the Federal Leviathan in DeeCee is a DeadEnd!!

FReepOn, my FRiend...MUD

[Tijeras_Slim]

Not only that, Special Ed kids bring federal dollars to the schools.

Special Ed is a huge industry, powered by Federal dollars. Naturally, where there are dollars and jobs up for grabs, the ranks of Special Ed students will grow.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Kids labeled "Special Ed" don't take the SOL's. We found it in our school when they suddenly labeled some kids from the trailer parks as "Special Ed" in an effort to jack up our SOL scores. They know the parents don't care as long as they get a free lunch. Not only that, Special Ed kids bring federal dollars to the schools."

That's INTOLERABLE!! Any "SpecialEdDesignation" should be scientific and deeply-involve the parents of the child!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"...where there are dollars and jobs up for grabs, the ranks of Special Ed students will grow."

Only if the parents of these children knowingly allow their kids to be used as pawns fer the EducRATS...the PTA meeting at my kids' school would be RIOTOUS were this to happen to my child!!

FReegards...Slim

[Tijeras_Slim]

Only if the parents of these children knowingly allow their kids to be used as pawns fer the EducRATS

Agreed. But there are plenty of parents that are more than willing, especially since there are goddies attached in many cases.

I wouldn't worry about your child, Slims the world over are recognized as superior genetic stock.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...there are plenty of parents that are more than willing, especially since there are goodies attached in many cases."

That's the assumption I have a quibble with...are there really a whole lotta parents out there who don't want their kids to have all the opportunities that life offers?! One thing that I believe unites US all is our desire to see our kids live happy and fulfilling lives, and knowingly allowing YER child to be put on a SpecialEd track just so yer child's school can afford a few more non-teaching teaching consultants ain't something ANY PARENT should knowingly allow happen.

FReegards...MUD

BTW...yer right about the slims...LOL!!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Mrs. Slim is an Educational Diagnostician (administers tests that aid in Special Ed placement) and she has to deal with many parents who are so fixated on handouts of any kind, that they push for special services for their kids, even where unwarranted. We're seeing second and third generation special ed families.

True, these families are in the minority, but there's lots more of them than we'd like to see. And, in the interest of keeping the school administration and "advocacy" groups quiet, many teachers, principals, etc... go along with it.

Mrs. Slim is very glad she's retiring next year, she's had enough. After 25 years in Special Ed she's seen it go from being relatively benign to a self-perpetuating monster in many ways.

[Mudboy Slim]

"We're seeing second and third generation special ed families."

OUCH!!! To me, that's the ultimate proof that Public Education has failed those it was set up to assist, yet all-too-many within the Federal Leviathan will tell you that their serving a ThirdGeneration of WelfareRecipients and/or SpecialEd students is all well and GOOD!! Congrats on the Missuz fer achieving her retirement...all three of my sisters-in-law are educators and so was my mom, so I know how frustrating the top-heavy PublicEducationSystem can be fer those who are actually trying to help the kids. As School Vouchers and the like break the EducRATS deathgrip on PublicEd, many high-quality, innovative PrivateSchools will start popping up and it'd be great if folks like yer wife and my teacher FRiends led the New Age of Enlightenment!!

"...in the interest of keeping the school administration and "advocacy" groups quiet, many teachers, principals, etc... go along with it."

Those "advocacy groups" are COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE to those they claim to advocate fer if they are sellin' the kids' short vis a vis educational expectations.

"Mrs. Slim is very glad she's retiring next year, she's had enough. After 25 years in Special Ed she's seen it go from being relatively benign to a self-perpetuating monster in many ways."

Unfortunately, EVERY Federalized Program eventually becomes a "self-perpetuating monster"!!

FReegards...MUD

[T Lady]

I never thought I'd see the day in which I would agree with the likes of Bill Maxwell. On this issue however, I do.

What he fails to point out is the fact that many of our so-called 'leaders' created this mindset by accusing those who are not followers or supporters of the Democratic Party or the Socialist ideology of 'denying their history' or worse, selling out to the 'Man.' Just look at the Usual Suspects: Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Kwesi Mfume, Julian Bond, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, Barbara Lee. To some degree most of these people have excoriated people like Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell, Condeleeza Rice, and Rod Paige for 'not being Black enough', simply because they aren't Socialists or Democrats. The Black press is also complicit in this sort of thing as well. Ebony magazine reluctantly gave praise to Ms. Rice for her accomplishments a couple of years back-but only in a small paragraph without a photograph. When I thumbed through a friend's issue of Black Enterprise, the political story was, of course-how the Democratic Party lost big in the 2002 elections, and what negative impact that it could have on Blacks. No surprises there. Jet did the same thing, to a lesser degree. Just as one poster here stated about the Congressional Black Caucus: "Color before country." The same could be said of these publications, and the reason I no longer subscribe to several of them.

-Regards, T.

[stand watie]

YEP!

FRee dixie,sw

[honeygrl]

"communities across the country initiate and start a "Save the Black Man Project.' "

That sounds like a great project to start.. I'd help but I would just get called racist somehow :-/ If the money really went into encouraging black students to get a better education I would definitely donate though. My town would be a good place to start.. the University of Georgia is here and anyone with a B average can get hope scholarship and go to college free yet I would be willing to bet $10 that most of the black students who go to high school here don't work hard and get to college. Many of them drop out before graduation and the ones who do graduate I really think go straight to work rather than college.We also have a very high population of welfare cases here as well.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Using color for political leverage is what partisans do. It's second nature to them. Now that race-baiting is wearing thin, low income is the new buzzword for these cuel, twisted people. Their political platform is like sand and it's eroding out from under them.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

And think of all the hardship they will endure because they didn't learn or wouldn't learn. The waste of human potential makes me want to chew nails.

[visualops]

This guy rocks:
Ken Hamblin "The Black Avenger"
http://www.hamblin.com/main.html

Way back when, I noticed it in the 70's, but there was a noticable feeling in the air. I can only describe it as the sense of change and growth. The blacks I knew were positive, and looking forward to the future. Things were *happening*, and being educated and aware was hip. Sure there were radicals, but to me the overall perception was that people felt they could be whatever they wanted, and they had the power to affect change, positive change. I look back now, and wonder what the heck happened? Who hijacked the black youth and what happened to that vision?
What can we do now to inspire the youth of America? I think we need to start by kicking out the dead wood.

[merry10]

In California, special ed students DO take the Stanford Nine achievement tests. All students must take this test due to the No Child Left Behind Act, whether they are special ed or not. There is no middle ground....either its a test to decide if you're basically able to function or the standardized testing. Special ED is a huge industry, but only because the administrators make it so. We need to give more power to the teachers and parents of Special Ed kids. I am the mother of a child in a deaf/hard of hearing program which is classfied as special ed.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I look back now, and wonder what the heck happened? Who hijacked the black youth and what happened to that vision? What can we do now to inspire the youth of America? I think we need to start by kicking out the dead wood.

Bump!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A cry in the black education wilderness