Dubois's philosophy not only shows nihilism in the black race during this era but it also shows the same lack of progression in the black community in 2011. It reminds us of the lack of harmonious solidarity as well as the lack of intellect, high morals and spiritual insight affecting the Black masses today. His piece brings up an array of valid points on why the black community is its own worst enemy when it comes to building a new infrastructure of educational, historical and financial knowledge of self like the Jewish, Asian and Indian cultures. Dubois says “It is the problem of developing the best of this race that they may guide the mass away from the contamination and death of the worst, in their own and other races. Now the training of men is a difficult and intricate task.”(Dubois 1) I personally think that the contamination of most blacks today is from out dated teachings, some churches, politicians and most importantly, the entertainment business.
Payne stated that students should learn the “hidden rules” of the middle class from their educators so that they have another set of rules to use if they choose to do so. Impoverished students, compared to students of middle or upper class, often have a lack of proper funding, thus, a lack of appropriate resources to use in their education. Due to this, they are often unprepared for school, not having the money to purchase books and other educational tools. Both authors realize this, but argue that the responsibility lies on different shoulders. Payne states that impoverished students face inequality at school, insinuating that the school should be responsible for helping to provide for these students so that they can have a better education.
I actually think that the white teenager wouldn’t be able to see why the colored boy was hurt, they would just brush it off and give an explanation like “oh the teacher didn’t mean it like that”. Secondly, I feel that because history has had such segregation, either by race, religion or by class, people feel as if they would be going against the norm and what society wants from them. History has taught us that the black people go here and the white people go there so that is what is ingrained in our minds. Also we are taught from a young age to marry our own kind and have the same colored children, for example, look at Barbie and ken dolls; they are the perfect white couple, and do you ever see a five year old white girl holding a black baby doll?. So because people are exposed to segregation at such a young age, when a intermarried
The eye of the storm When reading the article on how interracial roommates can reduce prejudices, it seemed to me that the researchers were inferring that African-American students cannot do well academically without being accompanied by white students. Even though these are actual results from a study, I do not believe this to be true. To me it’s almost like saying that when African American students are amongst each other in a predominately black school that their academic standings are poor. I am not saying that this is the case, but I am entitled to my opinion. At Indiana University, “the study found that whites pre-existing negative racial attitudes predicted which roommates arrangements would break-up.” I seem to find to this finding true.
Diverse is just a word that schools throw out to make their school look better and welcoming to every race. Students in extremely segregated areas feel that they are thrown into any building, no matter what the conditions are of that building, and it is considered a school. Many believe they are not given the adequate learning environment that they deserve. Schools that cater to predominately white children are not in such poor conditions. They have better learning facilities.
The high purpose of history is not the presentation of self nor the vindication of identity ..." He points out that the reinforcement of such a separatist concept of black identity through such slanted or inaccurate history, coupled with a complete dismissal of the history of black people in America over the past 300 years, can only result in the "...fragmentation, resegregation, and tribalization of American Life". In addition to the manipulation of history, Mr. Schlesinger raises concerns over the multiculturalist indoctrination of America's children through the public school system. Using once again the example of black Americans, he chronicles the imposition of the reportedly bogus historical accounts of the black
It widens their separation from the rest of the community and postpones the great day of reconciliation which is sure to come!” (pg 166). While whites were getting the best education possible, the “lower class” blacks were being taught under poor circumstances, with inferior materials. This placed invisible barriers in all facets of life for the black community, which in turn caused some to become complacent, just accepting what was without question. Times needed to change for the benefit of black youth the most. William Lloyd Garrison thought along similar lines.
In fact, Blacks were denied education. It was not until after the Civil War that Black people began confronting the issue of illiteracy. In modern day society blacks have low test scores. The ability to articulate words the same as educated Anglo-Saxons has bridged a wedge in recognizing written words. The Black community, as well as teachers needs to understand, that although they have come far from slavery the English patterns learned created a new dialect amongst the African
“Realistic Dreams” African Americans in professional sports are failing as role models for our young black students. Far too many of our young African American students aspire to be like our celebrity black athletes for more wrong reasons than the right ones. I. African American athletes have to be held to a higher standard by themselves, as well as the communities they serve. i. Our black athletes are placing our young students at a disadvantage by not informing, motivating, and encouraging them about the importance of education.
This quote really speaks to the hardship and reality that sets in when I.M is looked at for his skin color; not what he is thinking and feeling. He believed at school his color wouldn’t determine his whole life. I.M is now starting to change his outlook on himself as a person and other people in the black community as well. He is no longer being thought of as a person but a black thing. For any young person this is extremely hard to hear and process.