Jaw Dropping Disparity

[funkStrat_97]

A new report has found that black boys lag behind their white counterparts in reading and math to an even greater extent than previously thought.

[under13]

Thats hardly jaw dropping.

[lordluvr]

The conclusions that they draw are ludicrous. 

[under13]

The conclusions that they draw are ludicrous. 

Can you please expound?

[funkStrat_97]

Thats hardly jaw dropping.

The fact that the academic disparity between young black males and their white counterparts is even worse than thought doesn't concern you?  Or are you saying that this doesn't surprise you?

[under13]

The fact that the academic disparity between young black males and their white counterparts is even worse than thought doesn't concern you?  Or are you saying that this doesn't surprise you?

Of course it concerns me, but it  does not surprise me. Look at how many black men are in college compared to black women. Look at some of the parents you know and how they ignore their kid's education and expect the school to teach them everything. 

[berbie]

We have spent too many years blaming every thing and every body for the disparity, seemingly ignoring the most important factors that were suspect in the matter. The family, the neighborhood, and the student. That is why after all the money spent, the schools built, the books bought, the meetings held, little progress has been made.  We, as black people will find the solution only if we look at ourselves with a mind to adjust and correct.  At the age of 73, I can recall when there were severe external constraints to blacks in their effort to get a proper education.  Even though it is not perfect now, nor will it ever be, the change has been from night to day. Something went very wrong, though, even as things were being made right. The way I see it, we need to open our eyes, because we're burning daylight.  A new generation of students started in school 2 months ago. 

[funkStrat_97]

We have spent too many years blaming every thing and every body for the disparity, seemingly ignoring the most important factors that were suspect in the matter. The family, the neighborhood, and the student. That is why after all the money spent, the schools built, the books bought, the meetings held, little progress has been made.  We, as black people will find the solution only if we look at ourselves with a mind to adjust and correct.  At the age of 73, I can recall when there were severe external constraints to blacks in their effort to get a proper education.  Even though it is not perfect now, nor will it ever be, the change has been from night to day. Something went very wrong, though, even as things were being made right. The way I see it, we need to open our eyes, because we're burning daylight.  A new generation of students started in school 2 months ago. 

Clearly, it has to do with family.  When black men decline to be the men of their homes....or, more to the point, when many of our brothers decide to live in disobedience to God's word and bring children into the world without the benefit of anything that even resembles a stable family environment this is the result.  Unfortunately, men of all races do this but it seems to be more prevalent among black men.

[under13]

Clearly, it has to do with family.  When black men decline to be the men of their homes....or, more to the point, when many of our brothers decide to live in disobedience to God's word and bring children into the world without the benefit of anything that even resembles a stable family environment this is the result.  Unfortunately, men of all races do this but it seems to be more prevalent among black men.

And women don't have a part in any of this?

[csedwards2]

And women don't have a part in any of this?

uh oh, somebody done got you started

[LaylaMonroe]

Wait, Berbie... uhhh... MR. Berbie... did you just say "at the age of 73"?? Did I read that wrong?? Who's 73??

[funkStrat_97]

And women don't have a part in any of this?

Well it takes two to tango, but here is the issue.  Since many of these young girls never had a role-model as to what a good (or at least half decent) man is, they end up making bad decisions later in life that have life-altering consequences.  Again, you can't break God's commands and not suffer in some way...in this instance, it's having a devastating impact on entire generations of people.


Here is a more detailed (ie; longer) article about the initial topic.

Now I also think that depending on where you live, you may have a different perspective on this.  In the DC region, for example, I think you'll find more examples of black men who are actually doing pretty good.  A lot of us have here have some kind of post-secondary education, training, or something going on so that we can make a decent living....not that we don't have our share of rif-raff too. 

[SavnBass]

Of course it concerns me, but it  does not surprise me. Look at how many black men are in college compared to black women. Look at some of the parents you know and how they ignore their kid's education and expect the school to teach them everything. 

ding ding ding!!!

But the have XBoxes, MP3 players and phones...

[under13]

Well it takes two to tango,

Thank you. No further questions.

ding ding ding!!!

But the have XBoxes, MP3 players and phones...

Exactly. When I was a kid we could only play video games on the weekends, and they werent the latest systems either. Many black people will also buy their kids $200 Air jordan sneakers and thousands of dollars worth of clothes even though they do poorly in school. They will also argue and fight with the teachers and defend their failing kid when the teacher punishes them. I never got that.

uh oh, somebody done got you started

yeah, let me stop. lol

[funkStrat_97]

Thank you. No further questions.

Actually, maybe it wouldn't be so bad if all it took was two.  But no, we got to be greedy and get all we can get resulting baby-mamma-drama raised to the 2nd, 3rd, and even higher powers!