THE MIS-EDUCATION OF BLACKS

It's time to take care of ourselves

Raynard Jackson, Guest Columnist

In the Black community there is always talk about how White people have miseducated us in order to keep us in mental slavery. But at what point do we take responsibility for ourselves?

Nationwide, only 68% of all students graduate from high school (this does not include those who earn a GED). Among White students, the rate is 75% and around 50% for Black, Latino, and Native Americans. The rates are even lower when you isolate males from these three groups - the rates are 48%, 47%, and 43% respectively.

Why are these numbers so low? Bush's No Child Left Behind law is not the problem. Money is not the problem, and it's definitely not racism. The problem in the U.S. is "us."

It can be traced back to the late 60's and early 70's when Black women bought into the feminist agenda which told them that "if it feels good, do it; you don't need a man; your career is more important than being a stay at home mom." Now, these women have children who are having children, and each successive generation of kids are less able to function in our society.

They have a kid and within 3 months, they begin to ship them off to babysitters so they can go back to work. They work such long hours that they don't make time to be involved in their children's education. Most have little, if any, contact with their children's school or its staff.

There is no inherent, constitutionally protected right for a woman to have a child. It's a choice! And if you choose to have a child, you should first be married. Then, once you are married, you and your husband should be financially able to afford to have and raise a child-meaning that one of the parents should be willing to stay at home with the child during the first few years of the child's life. This simple act alone would go a long way towards dealing with the high school drop out crises within our community.

I am aware that my view will be controversial, but you can't blame White folks for your decision to have a baby you can't afford or for being a bad parent. Kids in the context of marriage brings stability into a child's life, gives incentives to parents to be more responsible, and has proven to be a positive influence in the child's mental and intellectual development. Yes, there are successful single parents, but I am not arguing the exception - I am arguing the rule.

Parenthood is not like a chicken laying an egg. It's like a pig giving bacon-a total commitment! Too many parents view having a child as a pit stop on the road of life-have a kid, send to day care, and get on with "my" life. When you decide to have a child, your life STOPS!! Your whole focus should now be put into your child. This involves going to school activities, meeting the teachers and principal, going to school to pick up grades. Notice that none of this has to do with more money for schools, Bush's No Child Left Behind, or racism.

This is all about parental involvement. All the money, the best buildings, the best neighborhoods, the best curriculum mean nothing without involvement from parents in their children's lives.

Now, there is definitely a legitimate role for the government to play in education, but I put more of the onus on the parents. The government can do everything right, but if it is not reinforced and nurtured at home, then it's a waste and that's a parental problem, not a governmental issue. To think anything else proves the miseducation of today's parents.


Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates Inc., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm. You can reach him at: Raynard@raynardjackson.com
www.raynardjackson.com.