Root of the Issue
You can sense the frustration on a regular basis from the teachers who are fed up with certain students because they don’t listen, don’t work, and don’t respect authority. You can walk through the hallways of a high school during class time and see students roaming around seemingly with no place to go. You can talk to these students and see they have no direction or goals in life. Of course these “symptoms” can be attached to any student, but they are disproportionately seen in the behavior of black male students.
W. Jordan says statistics reveal that African-American male students consistently lead in virtually every indicator of school failure, including dropouts, absenteeism, suspension and expulsion, and low standardized test scores. It is also noted that black male students are overrepresented in central cities school districts where there is high poverty, high crime, and are racially isolated. In many of these school districts it is unlikely that the classroom teachers even have teacher certifications or college degrees in their field.
It can definitely be frustrating to deal with students who seem like they don’t want to be there, but we must also attempt to understand the underlying issues that may cause this dysfunctional and delinquent behavior. Many times teachers decide to give up on these students after they have tried many times to correct them.
During college, I would substitute at an elementary school during my breaks from school. The school was predominately African-American and many of the teachers white. One day, as I was sitting in the teacher’s lounge I overheard a few teachers talking about a student. This student’s name was Demontrae and he definitely had his share of behavior issues. It was clear the teachers did not like him and seemed as if they had given up on him because I heard one of the teachers refer to him as “Demon-Trae”. Even as a college student, I understood the ramifications these feeling could have in a student-teacher relationship. However, I wondered if the teacher took the time to understand the underlying issues causing the behavior problems with Demontrae.
Many black male students already come in with a certain guard up. They feel disenfranchised because of the institutionalized racism they already experience. J. Ogbu suggests “the treatment of minorities in the wider society is reflected in their treatment in education”. Although many teachers will claim they have high expectations of all students, their behavior toward black male students would suggest otherwise. Typical schooling experiences for African-American males include tracking into the lowest classes, victimization by negative stereotypes, and assimilation into an educational system that devalues their cultural strengths.
These experiences are not only seen in an educational setting, but also in society where black men have higher unemployment rates and incarceration rates than any other sub-group. Let us also not forget the disproportionate amount of males that come from a home with no father or male role model. These young men are usually pushed into the position as man of the house and gain their masculinity through what they see on the streets or in the media, none of which are usually positive.
Pedro C. Noguera, in his book “Trouble with Black Boys” seeks to provide insight in the approaches needed to understand the behavioral patterns of black males. His research discusses how black males have been marginalized and victimized within their schooling experiences. His research also seeks to help teachers understand how they can better motivate and instruct black males. They can use the information to readjust their pedagogical practices and use alternative methods to reach these students. These young men need to know they have high expectations set for them and need to be conditioned to see the benefit that schooling will have in their lives.
Reaching Young Black Men
The big question is what is it going to take to reach our young men? It seems as if the media and music has complete hold of their attention. Young black men tend to look up to hip-hop artist and athletes. Through this admiration come many of the negative attitudes and rebellious behaviors that are displayed. Essentially, there is nothing wrong with admiring musicians and athletes, but these young men need to realize that those types of attitudes and behaviors will not get you anywhere in the real world. However, since we live in an ever-evolving cultural cyclone, educators need to constantly develop methods to reach students.
In order to reach African-American males, teachers need to understand where they come from. They must be able to create an environment for these young men where they feel comfortable being part of the lesson, and not disrupting it. The first thing we must do in order to reach our black male students is reframe our perspectives of the black male image. James E. Davis argued that African-Amerian male students feel threatened and disengage from school-related activities because they have to contend with the possibility of being classified as “feminine”, which poses a threat to their sense of black masculinity. As a black man, I agree with this statement because it describes my adolescent stage.
As a high school student, I struggled with my identity because of my intellectual capacity. I didn’t want to be labeled as a “nerd” or “soft”, therefore I downplayed my intelligence. I even regretted being inducted into the National Honor Society because of what my peers would think of me. This same attitude is keeping many of our young black men from reaching their full potential. It is imperative that issues of false masculinity be discussed. By straying away from these topics, we are further pushing black male students to the back of the starting line.
Another area teachers need to focus on is the need African-American males have to feel valued. Negative stereotypes and meaningless student-teacher relationships are a significant reason for the failure of black males. Research shows that disenfranchising stereotypes have a negative impact on students’ learning and participation in science and mathematics classes, and meaningful student-teacher relationships have a positive impact on students’ learning and their participation in science and mathematics classes (Brand, Glasson & Green, 2006).
These negative stereotypes coupled with the overrepresentation on negative societal indices lead to the declining goals and aspirations on the part black men. African-American males tend to exhibit fewer academic aspirations, are less likely to complete high school on time, and are at greater risk of dropping out of school compared with African-American females, let alone other ethnic groups. Therefore, instead of future orientation goals, black males are driven to a present orientation. This orientation is associated with the inability to delay gratification, limited academic achievement, and elevated risk behavior. Teachers must not only set high expectations, but ensure that young black men reach those expectations. As easy as it is to give up when things don’t seem to go well, it is imperative that teachers push these students to their intellectual limit.
One way to reach these young men is by implementing the culture they are familiar with into the classroom experience. Many times, black male students feel excluded from the classroom. We must cross cultural borders in order to ensure success. For many students, Western “school science and mathematics” are subcultures representing images and ideas that may exclude or discourage their participation. Implementing hip-hop culture into the curriculum is a certain way to reach black male students. Young men have a deep infatuation with this culture and using it in the curriculum can lead to greater success in the classroom. There are multitudes of hip-hop curriculum samples as well as hip-hop lesson plans to help teachers create lessons that will reach the minority. There is mounting evidence that student engagement and achievement is positively affected by improvements in school structure, curriculum and teaching, and professional development.
Do you think black men are an “endangered species”? What suggestions do you have to reach our young black men?
Article by Jarad Davis
Husband, father, son, brother, teacher, preacher, friend. Jarad is a church boy, born and bred. He simply describes himself as a leader trying to make excellence a habit. He realizes he was born different to make a difference. Therefore, he utilizes his passions to help make a difference in the lives of others. He desires to be the hardest working man in “Grow Business” and do whatever it takes to be the greatest him. Follow Jarad as he takes you on a journey of the church, culture, sports, music, media, and education through the lens of a church boy. You can check out his blog, The Church Boy Chronicles, at http://churchboychron.blogspot.com and follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jaraddavis02. God first and the rest will follow.
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First of all kudos to you for substitute teaching. That is one part of the problem right there. I think that there need to be more black men in the schools teaching and mentoring these young minds and helping to steer them in the right direction. I think my 13 year old has had only 1 black male teacher and he is now going to the 8th grade and there are none. I don’t think anybody is lost but I did think you have more of a chance in reaching them when you start at a younger age. Volunteering in the community is truly important and when kids see someone successful working with them, they may be swayed to do the same. I am always talking about my friends to my kids and the importance of college. They are already understanding that, that is the path they need to be on whether they head to a community college, HBCU or some other higher education institution.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
African-American Males in the Classroom: Empowering the Endangered http://goo.gl/fb/T8KOP
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Great article Jarad you have brought up a slew of valid points, however we also must understand that the public school system curriculum is mandated by the government that recycles the same mundane information that permeates within the classrooms. Teachers are left unfortunately left with the daunting task of attempting to teach young men especially when the students can’t grasp the concept of short and long term benefits of attaining an education. As a teen counselor I realize the obvious constraints and it is disheartening to say the least.
Good article. I think that people just need to put in some time with these kids. Especially Black men. I have had people from volunteer agencies come to my classes recruiting volunteers and almost all of them specifically asked for young Black men to volunteer. These organizations are craving your involvement.
African-American Males in the Classroom: Empowering the Endangered http://bit.ly/ajJrql (via @theFreshXpress)
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The key is emphasizing and striving for intact families with good fathers as well as mothers in the home working together to raise their children. This can make a difference but it will take time.
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Great Post. I have this discussion all the time. As a educator and mentor I’m always looking for different ways. I will leave some ideas and tactics that I use and would ask people who read to check out my site geared to this topic. http://www.theblackmancan.org
1) critical academic experiences outside of the classroom can empower Black males in the classroom
2)Schools must forth strong effort to bring in black males for students to see. They will realize that being Black is not monolithic
3) Heaping too much criticism on hip hop is both intellectually dishonest and racist
4) Curriculum’s need to have more of a focus on African history, they need to know they were once kings
5) teachers need to confront their own racism and sexism; and, consider how it influences their approaches to discipline.
Those are 5 I thought would be good to post.
Great Article Brotha and I would love to talk more.
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great article. *forwarded*
“I didn’t want to be labeled as a “nerd” or “soft”, therefore I downplayed my intelligence.”
As a teacher I see this sentiment from students of all races. To many students pursuing your education isn’t “cool” and we need to demonstrate to kids that there are more opportunities with an education than without.
Not gonna knock your article because you bring up some excellent and relevant points, however we cannot expect the education system of this nation to embrace and empower our young Black. As you have already pointed out in your article, many of the teachers, administrators, and other key players in the education field do not value us and consistently attempt to dehumanize and literally demonize us as referenced in your article. Let us stop sugarcoating and attempting to “protect” young Black boys, instead be real about the situation and let these young Black boys know that this system doesnt give a shit about them and that they are gonna have to wake up everyday and prove that they are worth it by not acting an ass in class and excelling. Why? Because we dont have the same luxury to continually fuck up like our white counterparts. This is good preparation for living as a Black man in America. This must be done within our own communities by other Black folks.
Also, since in a captalist and narcisstic culture where everybody wants to be rich and famous, point out Black men throughout history who have used their intellect to become wealthy and/or gain notiriety. BTW for everyones information it was Black people who created math, science, philosophy, and politics. Moreover, it was Black folks who opened the first schools that whites traveled to learn from. So this we cant learn, downplay my intelligence, all I can do is play ball bullshit is not a part of our true culture and legacy. This too, must be pointed out.
Great article.
We can’t address this topic enough.
It’s always funny to me that while America is so busy breeding a population to feed into the 37Billion Dollar Prison Industry (at the expense of our boys), she is also scratching her head…wondering what’s going on with this country…what is is that is at the root of many of its problems (think of it, she isn’t building, isn’t innovating, she’s bleeding oil and she can’t even contain it…crashing and burning)?
My theory: Our demise has come with this growing trend of marginalizing the young black male.Prime human capital. Wasted.
Interestingly enough, one of the reasons that this country believes that it can afford to marginalize young black boys is that SHE refuses to recognize the contribution black males have made to this country throughout its history PERIOD.
America, whether she wants to admit it or not, has been built over the efforts of the black male and not just his back, but his intellect.
Novelist, Scientist, Inventors…heck not but some years back, we are a country of savages, that still practiced legal segratation!.
So Kuddos for bringing light on the NEED to go get out boys…from the place that we have left them.
I will add however, that unless black educators are reading this I will say…no hip hop curriculum will work on a black boy if it is not coming from a black educator, preferrably male. What will work for one teacher can be looked at a prop to another and our black boys have an amazing ability to sift through BULL.
What WE, yes, WE need to do is be hands on. It is everyone’s responsability to reach out to black boys. And while we may use the hip hop as bait the lessons must be rooted in substance…our history. African-American and African. It doesn’t start and end in Hip Hop. Please let’s not do that.
Finally, I will also say this…you want to help a black boy…particular an urban black boy…help a black single mom.
The two go hand in hand.
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FRESH::: African-American Males in the Classroom: Empowering the Endangered http://bit.ly/d8sa3E
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Great Read RT @theFreshXpress FRESH::: African-American Males in the Classroom: Empowering the Endangered http://bit.ly/d8sa3E
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Great article…but I have mixed feelings about it. To me, the source of stability for any young black male (female) comes from having a strong family at home. ‘Active’ parents make a difference in the lives of all children. Most of the problems that our young brothers are dealing with are the result of broken homes, which in turn has an effect on their education. If they are constantly dodging violence on the streets, dealing with a single parent household or other issues, then education becomes a low priority to them. This example is further heightened when our young brothers have to enter the ‘workforce’ early to provide for themselves or their siblings. When parents make education a priority, then children understand the need and the value of education. I agree that there is racism in many of our urban schools, but it cannot and will not be addressed until the parents step up and demand better. Our school systems will not change until parents demand better or ‘vote’ people into office who will make the necessary changes. At the end of the day, we cannot point our fingers at our young black youth and expect them to change over night. For many of them, they are emulating the streets and its failures because there is no one else to look up to.
African-American Males in the Classroom: Empowering the Endangered http://bit.ly/ajJrql (via @theFreshXpress)
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As a middle school teacher in one of the schools described, I must say this is somewhat an issue; however, it depends on the student as a whole. Unfortunately, I don’t think the solution is merely more black men in the schools. In fact, there are several black males in our schools that serve as the epitome of role models; however, they are still disrespected. Though several played football for various colleges, the middle school black male seems to view their role as “feminine” or “gay”. The disrespect level heightens. Students are not tracked by race; therefore, I don’t think that is an issue. The motivation must change from within. Unfortunately, in the areas of reading, the idea by males is that reading and writing are now known as feminine. See the book Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys. I think the solution seems simple, but complex. Many students will not be inspired by a teacher if they have no desire to be future educators. We must all work to change the image of education. Every career. As teachers, it is hard to compete with the image of actors, rappers, etc. This is what students are motivated towards. We must all work together for this image. It can’t be merley teachers.