[Peace] CNN Coverage on Being Black in America

[Amy Clay]

You might also consider how "irrelevant" (and I'm definitely using that word
with a grain of salt because i don't think it's all irrelevant)  much of a
liberal arts education could be to Black Americans. Much of what we learn in
our liberal arts educations are the histories, geographies, governments,
languages, philosophies and literatures of the Anglo culture. As White
Americans, we can see ourselves and our values in the books we read and the
lessons that we are taught in schools from age 6. Except for the token
"sections" of courses or books on syllabi, I wasn't really exposed to much
in the way of African American culture or orientation (outside of February!)
until I went to college, where I pursued those courses by choice. There is a
whole school of thought (see Maulana Karenga) that suggests that a
distinctively African American orientation exists in nearly every major
field of study (as least within the Liberal Arts). That even the methods of
teaching and learning in our school systems are anglo-centric.

If the reason we pursue an education (aside from a vocational interest) is
empowerment, then how does learning about white history, culture,
philosophy, etc, from a white point of view, in what is an inherently racist
school system (not that everyone involved is racist, per se, but that
institutional racism exists), empower black youth in America. When I was
little, I got excited by Amelia Earhart, Madame Curie, Harper Lee, Laura
Ingalls Wilder and Louisa May Alcott, for instance. These women helped me to
believe that I could do anything. I saw myself in my education. I even got
excited by Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln (especially Abraham
Lincoln!). I saw myself in them to an extent as well. Who are we teaching to
young black students that might excite them? Really? Why take an interest in
a world that has dispossessed you?

I'm interested to check out the CNN clips when I get home from work. I'm not
sure what I'm saying is even related, but...when we're talking about
education. We do have to think about whose education it is and why it
empowers us. It's not simply that knowledge is power. It's knowledge that we
can be agents in our own worlds that empowers.

Just something to think about.

Peace,
Amy

On Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 10:41 AM, Jenifer Cartwright <jencart13 at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Of course it's a complex issue, but the economic factor is a biggie, and
> perhaps (hopefully) it indeed gets the coverage it deserves in other
> segments. Not surprising to me that CNN would choose to feature one that
> puts the blame on blacks for discriminating against those w/ darker skins
> and allowing -- even encouraging -- those w/ lighter skins to advance.
>
> My cable plan doesn't get CNN, so -- unless someone will tape the show for
> me (any volunteers??), I'll just have to check from time to time on my
> computer.
>  --Jenifer
>
> --- On *Fri, 7/25/08, Marti Wilkinson <martiwilki at gmail.com>* wrote:
>
> From: Marti Wilkinson <martiwilki at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Peace] CNN Coverage on Being Black in America
> To: "John W." <jbw292002 at gmail.com>
> Cc: jencart13 at yahoo.com, "AWARE peace" <peace at lists.chambana.net>, "cu
> citizens" <discuss at communitycourtwatch.org>
> Date: Friday, July 25, 2008, 10:29 AM
>
>
>  *It's not news that the drop out rate in schools in low income areas is
> high, particularly among males of color. If there were decent jobs waiting,
> there would be an incentive to stay in school, and more would choose to do
> so*.
>
> I think the situation facing black youth is far more complex than that and
> it's not something that I'm well equipped to address. Like John I understand
> what it's like to have an education and still be struggling to make a living
> wage.  That being said I still wouldn't trade my education - because I do
> believe the payoff is something that is far more important than money.
>
> The CNN website has several links to different stories that addresses the
> topic of what it's like to be Black in America. This documentary is also
> going to be aired again on Saturday and Sunday night.
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 4:45 AM, John W. <jbw292002 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>  On Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 4:24 AM, Jenifer Cartwright <jencart13 at yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>    Sure, reading and writing have long been prized and sought after
>>> by those deprived of the opportunity to learn those skills. But we're
>>> talking apples and oranges here: Education is compulsory in the US, and has
>>> been part of (just about) every person's life from age 6 on. And it has not
>>> been seen as intrinsically valuable to everyone (for a variety of reasons).
>>> It's not news that the drop out rate in schools in low income areas is high,
>>> particularly among males of color. If there were decent jobs waiting, there
>>> would be an incentive to stay in school, and more would choose to do so.
>>>   --Jenifer
>>>
>>
>> I'm with Jenifer on this one.  A liberal arts education has much intrinsic
>> value, but that's hard to appreciate when your bills aren't getting paid.
>> I'd trade half of my education for a livable income, and never blink an
>> eye.  Oh, but this isn't about ME, is it?  :-)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
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>
>


-- 
"...that human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers
give birth to them, but that life obliges them over and over again to give
birth to themselves."
-Gabriel García Márquez in
Love in the Time of Cholera
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