Jackson Free Press

I was browsing through a copy of the Mississippi Link the other day, and I was hit with a startling reality. It was a moment of clarity like no other. I scanned the page several times over just to make sure that my eyes didn't deceive me. But alas, it was true. Pictures don't lie.

Of the 16 valedictorians and salutatorians at Jackson Public Schools' eight area high schools, only one was male. Now as a card-carrying member of the male sex, I've always been aware of the premise that women are smarter than we are. That thought notwithstanding, I had to ask myself: Is society encouraging our young men to under-achieve? Are we seeing a trend where male students consistently fail to make the grade?

My hat goes off to those bright young ladies who have graduated at the head of their classes. Obviously, the desire to achieve has been instilled in them. That drive will translate to great success in their future. When you're confident despite obstacles, encouraged in spite of the odds, you are set to become a leader. I just hope we haven't reached a juncture where our young men aren't being pushed to achieve academically. More specifically, I am concerned with young, African American males. (The one male was a white male from Murrah.)

The reality is that being "smart" is not seen as "cool" in young social circles. Raising your hand in class, turning in homework and making good marks on tests can make you a pariah in the classroom.

I see young males held to a ridiculous macho standard, where it's better to be proficient with your hands or feet than with your mind. You can become more popular for disrupting class than you can by excelling in it.

If you don't believe me, try being a fly on the wall at some of the schools where I speak. We've reached a sad state of affairs, folks. There are more African American men in prison than there are in college, and that negative conditioning starts early. When young males grow up in an environment where dope-boys are the mentors, many of whom have obtained wealth without education, that is a strike against us.

Our students attend a school system that gives star athletes preferential treatment. Plastering them on the front page of the paper, showering them with TV interviews and turning them into local celebrities while the star students get scraps is another strike. Add a few teachers who are more interested in drawing a check than motivating capable male students, and you've got strike three. We're out!

Just a few years back, there were no eligible candidates to be Lanier's valedictorian because no student in the school had the required GPA, yet they were basketball champions. We have to make sure that scenario is never repeated again.

Fellas, if any of you are reading this, we need to see more male forces as valedictorians or salutatorians next year. The ladies are making us look bad.

And that's the truth … sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

75020

Comment

Good job, Kaze.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-06-27T22:32:02-06:00

ID

75021

Comment

kudos to Kaz. I wish our young men would get it out of their heads they can become star athlete or singers and put more focus on studies. I wish some one sould come up with an explaination for this lack of AAM's who want to excell in academics. I know from personal experience of my baby son who has a real strong dad and mom who stayed on his case until he became an adult who could have been the top student but was to lazy to put the extra effort in. He knew better than to fail or fall below a B because the fear of father and god was put in him early. I guess we just have to keep pushing and praying some coaches and principles will think more of our boyus and only allow them to play if they study. LOL we know that will never happen. They are partly to blame for the some of these guys turning to drugs and crime. They don't tell them that only a few make it to the top so be prepared to take care of yourself if you aren't one of them.

Author

jada

Date

2007-06-27T23:33:30-06:00

ID

75022

Comment

wow. great column!

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-06-28T06:52:12-06:00

ID

75023

Comment

Kaze has once again turned in a very insightful column.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-06-28T07:41:26-06:00

ID

75024

Comment

Kaze has range. Lord knows the boys need to stop pursuing the drug game as an alternative since I haven't met a boy yet who knows anbody who got rich and had peice of mind without worrying about the polices and other drug dealers trying to kill them.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-28T13:25:23-06:00

ID

75025

Comment

Good Job, Kaze. Parallels with the lack of males in college shown in recent stats. Hey, Ray! Have anyone in mind in your last sentance above?

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-06-28T13:37:35-06:00

ID

75026

Comment

Chris, I used to ask every client I had and relatives who admitted to selling drugs to name me one true success story involving a drug dealer. Nobody has named one yet.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-28T13:56:06-06:00

ID

75027

Comment

You have nailed a big problem that no one should be ignoring, K. African American men themselves are impacted, of course, but African American women lose out on having cultural contemporaries of the opposite sex, and progressive men and women of all ethnic groups lose out on building friendships with AAM who are not living up to the potential they were given at birth. Your column reminded me of a book I read about a year ago. In an effort to balance my perspective on the world, I took up a friend's offer to read her Thomas Sowell's (himself an African American Male, though a very conservative one) _Black Rednecks and White Liberals_. I don't agree with Mr. Sowell but I do appreciate his desire to search for the fundamental reasons behind cultural norms or truth behind cultural myths. Sometimes he finds those reasons, sometimes he doesn't. If you get a chance, take a look at two essays in his book that address your points: "Black Rednecks and White Liberals" and "Black Education". (The other essays in the book also have somewhat inflammatory titles but have interesting, arguable points.) The first essay suggests that it is whites who are the source of the 'being “smart” is not seen as “cool”' mentality, and the second that the problem with 'black education' is attitude, not ability or economics. You can probably find it at a local bookstore and spend an hour reading both. I would appreciate your take on them if you feel like posting it. Perhaps others would also read it to further the discussion.

Author

Leland Jr

Date

2007-06-28T14:22:44-06:00

ID

75028

Comment

Kaze, just a correction from a Lanier Grad (a few years back): It was reported that no young man was eligible to be crowned Mr. Lanier because of the grade requirement. However, there were 2 young men eligible, but uninterested in running for the position. As Student Body President that year, we had a really hard time getting the local media to report the real facts (which included the fact that the Student Government Association as well as the Administration was not willing to lower the standards just so other people would be able to run for the position). If I am not mistaken, whoever has the highest GPA (whether that is a 1.5) will be named Valedictorian of the class. As far as I can remember, our Valedictorians always carried GPAs of 3.5 or better. I totally agree with your point though. Young men need to stand up.

Author

Melishia

Date

2007-06-28T14:27:08-06:00

ID

75029

Comment

Leland, I'm going to check those out as well. Thanks. I suspect he goes further down the "economics isn't responsible" road than I would prefer. While I can see that point, the problem is that these issues are never mutually exclusive. Certainly, with a lot of poor whites I grew up around, a big part of the reason that education wasn't always valued went straight to our economic situation. If something is seen as inaccessible, the defensive response is to make fun of people who have something you don't. And good job setting the record straight on Lanier, Melishia. How many times have you had to do THAT over the years? The assumptions about Lanier by the general community, including white people and people who run media, are a huge part of the problem. Anybody needs to believe in themselves, and a lot of our young people are believed to be "lost" before they ever get a chance to choose a different direction. I was lucky that my own mother, who never went to school, was dead set on my getting a good education, whatever that was. The fact that I was white made it much easier for me to get some of those bootstrap opportunities that are then needed. I might have been a poor redneck, but it wasn't assumed that I couldn't be something other than an athlete or a musician.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-06-28T14:45:19-06:00

ID

75030

Comment

Thomas Sowell is a very smart man. So too is Walter Williams (Rust Limpbaugh's friend), Shelby Steele who I happen to like some, Larry Elders, and Clarence Thomas. Personally, I haven't been able to read or listen to them too long without wanting to take them behind the house and shoot em in the legs. I'll check out Sowell's book you mentioned. I tried one of Elder's books but the garbage can kept begging me for it after one chapter. I'll admit reluctantly that we need to consider other options and avenues for solutions to our problems since the ones we've been counting on are falling us. I do it very cautiously though.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-28T14:46:55-06:00

ID

75031

Comment

I never trust any "thinker" who starts with a premise that poverty doesn't lead to crime and other societal problems. I also don't believe the earth is flat. Call me radical.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-06-28T14:51:18-06:00

ID

75032

Comment

My best friend in elementary school, for whose son I am now godfather, and I read and loved the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings together in the sixth grade. His mom was a bank teller and his dad a line manager at a local plant. He is undoubtedly bright enough to have done well at any graduate school in the country. On the first day of seventh grade in our rural MS public school, he was pressued to sit with the black kids (which included seniors on down to our age) and his potential slowly got blown out of him. Today, he has two kids, never married, a felony conviction, and does not own his own home. He could absolutely be a married, father of two attorney living well. Believe me, I want to find something to do something about the world that makes such a change happen.

Author

Leland Jr

Date

2007-06-28T14:58:32-06:00

ID

75033

Comment

Not saying that it is the right thing to do, but among my classmates, there are alot of young men who sell drugs to pay for college. Seems to be some kind of trend. I am starting to see that the focus of some young black men is changing. College is cool. Having a real job is cool. I can't deny that more people need to embrace those ideas. I know a guy who is getting his masters from JSU and he has admitted that selling drugs made his college education possible.

Author

Melishia

Date

2007-06-28T15:01:46-06:00

ID

75034

Comment

Also, you should not knock that book before you read it. The essay about the Germans describes the intrinsic cultural values of a region in the southern part of a particular country that gave rise to extreme xenophobism (to say the least). Reading it, I was quite struck by how the traits of that region seemed awfully familiar. And how the promises of a leader requiring exceptional power being necessary for 'security' reasons led to terrible consequences. I read the book *because* I don't usually agree with Mr. Sowell's columns. I sometimes listen to god-awful Lars Larson when I am driving because I like the chance to form my contrary arguments ahead of time before I end up in a real-live debate. But there was enough in this particular book to get me to think, and I would appreciate Kamikaze's perspectives on those two essays at least.

Author

Leland Jr

Date

2007-06-28T15:04:04-06:00

ID

75035

Comment

Melishia, I wonder if those boys realize they're playing russian roulette with going to jail. I further wonder whether they're prepared to live with a criminal record in the event they get caught. In that event they couldn't ever sit for various examination necessary to practice certain crafts. If they survive jail and finish college, I wonder what stories they will have to tell other young lads. I wish them luck and won't be surprised if they fail and end up in jail.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-28T15:13:15-06:00

ID

75036

Comment

Heh, I remember when I was an undergrad 2 guys that went on to med school that payed their tuition with cocaine sales. Campus cops caught them once but that never seemed to stop them. These were white guys. And the pressure to not stand out academically isn't a black thing-it was a long time ago that I was in high school but the guy that stuck his hand up first in class was a nerd by default, unless you were in one of the "advanced" classes where it was socially acceptible to do so. We have to be very careful about what we label as racial characteristics, kids are kids by and large, and when they fail its we as a society that fail, not just one segment.

Author

GLewis

Date

2007-06-28T15:24:13-06:00

ID

75037

Comment

Point well taken, GLewis. And I have to agree.

Author

Melishia

Date

2007-06-28T15:35:23-06:00

ID

75038

Comment

I'm not surprised those white boy drug dealers got away free after being caught since the war on drugs is largely a war on black folks. Lots of white folks buy and sell drugs. The drug use problem is far beyond the black community and always has been. I believe most white folks hide their drug involvement. As long as they don't sell on the streets and use reasonable caution the polices will look the other way, and the courts will forgive, for the most part. Then they can do like Paris Hilton and say they never used drugs until caught again.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-29T08:56:06-06:00

ID

75039

Comment

There's Ray and his "Drug Cartels of Eastover" theories again. Proof, Ray. Otherwise it's rumor and gossip.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-06-29T08:59:00-06:00

ID

75040

Comment

Denial and self-imposed blindness, Iron, is a terribly debilitating disease. You must know very few people, and live in a shell or hole. Otherwise, you wouldn't believe black folks want revenge for slavery. Oh yeah, society is inundated with proof of your theory on this. You aren't open to any proof that the drug war has been largely a war on black folks; otherwise, you would have already seen much proof. You wouldn't believe it no matter how much proof I provided, just as you wouldn't believe there is high drug use in the white community for the same reason. I wasn't thinking of Eastover at that point, I was was thinking generally. I don't exempt any place though. I have interacted, Iron, with lots of white people and have seen as much abuse of alcohol with them as with blacks. I have personally seen way more white professionals pull out hard drugs than any black folks period. And I know some drug dealers who say they wouldn't have any clients or money if they had to rely on black folks for purchases. Who buys the large quantities of drugs, Iron? Do you mean Rumor and Gossip like the claim of remaining racism, blue skies, clouds, wind, oxygen, trees, grass, cars, etc. Cheers, Iron. You're still my friend!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-29T09:18:58-06:00

ID

75041

Comment

About what I expected, Ray. Lot of talk and no proof. Unless Donna makes an issue about the hidden drug lords of Madison County, I'm not taking your word on it. No offense. :)

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-06-29T12:12:35-06:00

ID

75042

Comment

I understand, Iron. I got what I expected, too. However, arguments, data and claims are plentiful that the war on drugs have been largely a war on us. I know it's not enough for many though. I'll send you some information on this. I was just joking, white folks don't use or buy drugs!!!!!???? It's a black thang.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-29T12:21:34-06:00

ID

75043

Comment

Iron, there is a column on Black America Web today written by Earl Ofari Hutchinson (a person whose columns are often printed in the JFP) entitled, The Hutchinson Report: America's So-Called War on Drugs is Nothing More Than a War on Black People. I'm too dumb to post it here so maybe LW or Donna will link it. Read it and tell me whether you think it has any validity whatsoever. Cheers.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-29T12:42:13-06:00

ID

75044

Comment

Here you go, Ray.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-06-29T12:45:54-06:00

ID

75045

Comment

I agree. Lanier must never be allowed to win the state basketball championship again. Let's go Mustangs! That was your point, right?

Author

laughter

Date

2007-06-29T16:40:54-06:00

ID

75046

Comment

I hope to get to use this one in a classroom :P Love it! There was an actor/author on Oprah today promoting "Letters to a Young Brother." http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200705/20070531/slide_20070531_284_101.jhtml Essence will be in NOLA next week raising money for after school programs. Those are my random facts for the day :) YES! White folks do drugs. And in college! I know some who sold drugs to offset college costs. I also know some white boys who lost doctorates when there college "phase" continued into adulthood. Yeah, some going to prison too. Just a warning. Ray's absolutely right on that risk factor.

Author

emilyb

Date

2007-06-29T17:45:13-06:00

ID

75047

Comment

There was an actor/author on Oprah today promoting "Letters to a Young Brother." Yeah, Hill Harper. He spoke at the Tougaloo commencement exercises last month.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-06-29T19:32:01-06:00