This week's column: Back home again at Dudley
There he goes again.
Speaking last week at predominantly black, all-female Spelman College, comedian, actor and now social commentator Bill Cosby advised graduates to all but factor black men out of their equations.
"You have to know that it is time for you all to take charge," Cosby told members of the Class of 2006. "You have to seriously see yourselves not as the old women where the men stood in front and you all stood behind, because the men, most of them, are in prison."
And while some folks suggest, indelicately, that the increasingly dour Dr. Huxtable "ain't all there" anymore, Cosby spoke truth about the bleak outlook for black males.
In fact, I found myself sounding a similar note Wednesday night during my own speech at Dudley High School's National Honor Society induction.
Amid typical themes about hard work and high goals, I included these two among 10 "commandments" for life after Dudley:
l "I will respect African American women as the treasure they are and have always been. Nothing is more galling than to hear our women disparaged and degraded in popular culture — except seeing and hearing them degraded and disparaged in real life. That is particularly important in the African American community, where women have been so strong over the years and so instrumental in the struggle for rights."
l "I will recognize and address the challenges facing our black males. We desperately need you to build solid communities, but we are losing you. We are losing you to crime and violence and drug use. We are losing you in the workplace and the classroom.
"We are losing you in our homes."
Black males typically die younger than any other U.S. demographic group.
Black men are more and more likely to kill — or be killed by — other black men.
For every one black male in college, there are six in prison.
Forty percent of African American males in the United States are functionally illiterate.
Eighty percent of black children in special education classes are male.
Over the last 10 years, the suicide rate for black people has risen by 146 percent, mostly among young males.
In the Guilford County Schools, black males rank lowest in academic achievement and highest in suspension rates.
And so on.
"This is an emergency," I told the Dudley students and parents, "and our communities will implode if we don't address it."
Despite those dire pronouncements, Wednesday night still was about hopes and dreams. Meeting so many smart, fiercely ambitious young people, I couldn't help but feel uplifted.
Nearly all of the graduating Honor Society members plan to major in math or science. And if I counted correctly, more than three-quarters will attend UNC-Chapel Hill, others Hampton, N.C. State, N.C. A&T, Howard and UNC-Wilmington.
Especially impressive was Dudley's National Honor Society president, Preston McKenzie, a tall, well-spoken, uncommonly poised young man who plans to become a pre-med student this fall at Carolina. There are others like him throughout Guilford County. Just not nearly enough.
As for blaming a racist system for the black male's troubles, I could. I just don't have much time for it anymore. I'd rather spend energy helping more young people like those I met at Dudley realize how special they can be.
To find ways to achieve, not excuses to fail.
As Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "Members of minority groups must make it clear that they can use their resources even under adverse circumstances. We must make full and constructive use of the freedom we already possess.
"We must not use our oppression as an excuse for mediocrity and laziness. For history has shown that inner determination can often break through the shackles of circumstance."
Comments (26)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Allen, about this comment:
"As for blaming a racist system for the black male's troubles, I could. I just don't have much time for it anymore. I'd rather spend energy helping more young people like those I met at Dudley realize how special they can be".
We dont need the Deena Hayes of this world telling them that they are repressed and that they are bound to fail. We dont need a school board telling them that they can only learn next to white children.
In my opinion that is the key, the method we need to educate them.
Posted on May 21, 2006 7:41 AM
Allen, good for you for speaking so candidly to our next generation of leaders. I cannot imagine a better role model for those students than you, particularly since you are a Dudley HS alum yourself.
Posted on May 21, 2006 10:23 AM
Thanks, Patrick. They are a very impressive group of young people. They'll be excellent role models in their own right.
Posted on May 22, 2006 8:53 AM
Truth, I don't always agree with Deena Hayes but I'm not sure you've represented her views fully.
Posted on May 22, 2006 8:54 AM
Allen, you're right. there is so much more to Deena. One can't help but admire her household enrichment strategies as well as her consistency regarding her views on diversity. ie
2004 Deena; "I don't see how busing people from one part of town to another is going to help anybody" after voting against the "choice plan"
2006 Deena (after pro-busing elements on the schoolboard fund her household enrichment initiatives) "Those kids need diversity. I'd like to make a motion to adopt "Map C".
As usual, you are right.
Also, you column above is dangerously close to being libertarian. Unless you want Buckley's people trying to recruit you, I'd think twice about any more columns along these lines. You're treading on thin ice at the N&R, Allen.
Posted on May 22, 2006 10:23 AM
I see Deena Hayes' dilemma to an extent. Diversity in an of itself is no panacea. And it is insulting to hear some comments from Choice Plan opponents whose comments about minority and poor kids can be mean, condescending and derisive.
Posted on May 22, 2006 10:29 AM
Not sure why you threw that last sentence in, in replying to my post, but I agree.
Posted on May 22, 2006 10:52 AM
Allen,
I have followed the Choice Plan since its inception and have been involved in redistricting issues long before that. I have NEVER heard any of the opponents of the Choice Plan that I know talk in a mean or condescending way about poor or minority children. I did hear many parents, both black and white, both and lower socioeconomic income levels and middle income levels oppose busing. The majority parents of all backgrounds wanted neighborhood schools just like the rest of the county, just like the students and Dudley and other Greensboro schools have. I did see the Parkview parents on the news saying they do not want to be bused - that they are worried about transportation to sports, conferences, etc.
I did hear plenty about the powers that be at Central wanting to distribute the various "communities" or gangs throughout High Point to dilute their "problems" in Old HP. This has been a goal since the 1999 redistricting maps. I witnessed this sitting in many mapping meetings back then.
Now as you see with the recent swapping plans some things never change. The personal agendas of many remain the same; only the method to carry out these agendas changes.
John, myself and about 100 parents witnessed High Point politics first hand at the Penn-Griffin forum several months ago. It was also obvious at some of the other meetings.
I wish you could have been at some of these meetings in person. Then you would know the real picture. You can't always believe what PR efforts tell you.
All moot points now. 2006-07 should prove to be an interesting year in HP high schools.
Back to your original strand....thanks for quoting Martin Luther King, Jr. This is what anyone has to do to rise above. On a side note, I attended the Senior Awards program yesterday at SWH because the junior marshalls also received their recognition. Southwest had many fine black students receiving some top awards and scholarships. Awards were given to students of various races. It was great to be sitting in this audience, experiencing what REAL diversity is: a black girl getting a full scholarship to a college in NC; an Asian boy getting a full scholarhsip to West Point; another student of a different background getting a full ride to Duke. Shame on anyone who continues to ruin the image of SWH. It is a place of pride for ALL the students and their many accomplishments.
Posted on May 22, 2006 11:27 AM
Be careful Barbara Ann, someone will say that SWH is only diverse because of the choice plan. I dont believe that totally true however and would love that people like A go to SW elemeantry for example. There are many difference races there. In fact NHP is a place where many have settled from all over the world and from all over the states. That maybe why people tend to rebel against all the discrmination of the SB. We have no representation and we are unprotected.
Allen, compare Deena to Amos. Its like wine and water. Deena just focus's on how her minority is being repressed so much so it seems its her only focus. She doesnt not talk about her Smith students. Amos will remark about race but most of his focus is on is the children and believing in them.
This is the impression that Deena gives to many people and there is only one reason for that.Its her own behaviour. She is the very sort of person that Bill Crosby is trying to change.
Posted on May 22, 2006 12:22 PM
Truth,
We know SW is not diverse because of the Choice Plan. Remember the first year hardly any students where moved. The second year, you are talking a few freshmen.
So right about SWE. That is what is so much fun working at Florence. It is one of the most diverse populations I have ever experienced in a school, in race, religions, sharing different cultures. Up until the school year 06/07 Florence fed into SWM and SWH, thus one of the reasons for such diverstiy and SWM and SWH.
Interesting comment about Amos. I have noticed in listening to him speak, he has often said "all children". His passion for Dudley and wanting Dudley students to be successful certainly comes through. All children need this type of positive inspiration. No child should sell himself short. Each one has their own unique gifts. This was so evident at the SWH awards this weekend - many different types of students receiving so many different kinds of awards. Best of all was watching ALL the students support and congratulate each other with genuine feelings of respect and admiration.
Posted on May 22, 2006 10:47 PM
"And it is insulting to hear some comments from Choice Plan opponents whose comments about minority and poor kids can be mean, condescending and derisive."
John, when Allen said that, I think that he meant to say Southwest parent opponents make mean, condescending, and derivise comments about you. That's what I've seen out of the News-Record for a couple of years. I'm almost positive that is what Allen meant, as he has no evidence to prove his original statement.
Posted on May 23, 2006 10:15 AM
Allen,
I just dont understand what you meant?
Please explain.
"And it is insulting to hear some comments from Choice Plan opponents whose comments about minority and poor kids can be mean, condescending and derisive".
Why werent the Thompsons willing to share their school and help out the poor Central kids?
Posted on May 23, 2006 9:36 PM
Life, I'm not sure what you mean by "share their school." Could you please clarify? Then I'd be happy to answer.
Posted on May 23, 2006 10:46 PM
Sorry, not clear.
Meant, give up their daughters spot at SW and go and sit next to a poor child down at Central.
SOrt of a swap I suppose.
Why would they not want to do that? It would be good for diversity wouldnt it?
Posted on May 23, 2006 11:23 PM
"Sit next to a poor child"?
Do you have any idea of how that sounds?
Posted on May 24, 2006 9:19 AM
My bad.
Should of said "less advantaged".
Posted on May 24, 2006 12:15 PM
Allen,
aren't most of the kids at Central poor? Isn't it the SB's intention to mix rich/poor? That is diversity according to them right?
Isnt poor/rich that the same as FRL non-FRL?
How would you prefer it described?
Posted on May 24, 2006 6:10 PM
Life
HP's SB intentions at Central are to spread out the "communities" and dilute their problems. They want to "equalize" all HP schools. It is known as divide and conquer.
Posted on May 24, 2006 11:35 PM
Maybe I'm overly sensitive, Life, but there seems to be a snarky, condescending tone in reference to rich kids sitting beside poor kids.
As I see it, both groups have an opportunity to benefit.
Posted on May 25, 2006 9:00 AM
Here we go again.
Gone!
Posted on May 25, 2006 12:38 PM
That's right. I have not changed my views about the virtues of diversity as a lesson unto itself and as a way to enrich learning and life experiences for all children.
Posted on May 25, 2006 12:50 PM
The Thompsons should of also had to go to Central along with my son and many of his friends.
The same rule for everybody.
Posted on May 26, 2006 5:51 PM
Are you a neighbor?
Posted on May 26, 2006 6:17 PM
Not next door but must be within or a neighboring development. We are both North of SW and to get to Central we have to go past SW then 10 miles.
Posted on May 26, 2006 9:13 PM
My son will be back at SW next year. He and his sister (SW middle) can wake up the same time and go to school together.
The choice plan cost our family a lot of time and money.
Posted on May 26, 2006 9:16 PM
xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies
xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies xxxfree-videos-movies
freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies freegay-spase-videos-movies
amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur amateur
Posted on August 2, 2006 11:26 AM