Are Black Children Too Stupid To Learn?

Posted on | October 15, 2012 | 50 Comments

Florida School System Gives Up on Black Children

Are black children really that hard to educate? Or are people who are supposed to be professionals, you know – experts at teaching, declaring that there’s an actual limit to black intelligence?

Are black children really too stupid to learn?

A nephew of mine believed he wasn’t as bright as Asians, and he was only in 2nd grade at the time. Who’s at fault for demotivating him from learning? If all black children hear is how stupid they are – why would they feel inclined to pay attention in school?

My mother pulled my brother out of a school system that declared him not-too-bright. She recognized B.S. and sent him somewhere else.

In high school, I was questioned as to who was writing my essays. Meanwhile, I was writing essays for my brother while he attended college. And he was studying to complete a degree in Mechanical Engineering, which is almost entirely nothing but complex mathematics.

Here’s the article source link: Florida Passes Plan For Racially-Based Academic Goals

A few excerpts from the news article:

The Florida state Board of Education passed a controversial plan to set reading and math goals based upon race.

On Tuesday, the board passed a revised strategic plan that says that by 2018, it wants 90 percent of Asian students, 88 percent of white students, 81 percent of Hispanics and 74 percent of black students to be reading at or above grade level. For math, the goals are 92 percent of Asian kids to be proficient, whites at 86 percent, Hispanics at 80 percent and blacks at 74 percent. It also measures by other groupings, such as poverty and disabilities, reported the Palm Beach Post.

JFK Middle has a black student population of about 88 percent.

… Florida Department of Education said the goals recognize that not every group is starting from the same point and are meant to be ambitious but realistic.

Robinson called the state board’s actions essentially “proclaiming racism” and said she wants Palm Beach County to continue to educate every child with the same expectations, regardless of race.

We all – especially mothers and fathers – should have the right to any and all learning alternatives. And these children should not be hostages to any group. The only pertinent issue is that they get an education which allows them to be self-sufficient and productive citizens.

This reminds me of the voter registration issue, where we are singled out as the only people too stupid to follow directions.

Frustrating, to say the least.

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Update: NY Times Article – Florida Defends Learning Goals

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November 4, 2012

Update: NY Times Article - How Do You Raise a Prodigy?

Money quotes:

There is no federal mandate for gifted education. But if we recognize the importance of special programs for students whose atypical brains encode less-accepted differences, we should extrapolate to create programs for those whose atypical brains encode remarkable abilities.

Once again, it falls to parents to advocate for their children’s needs, often in the face of a hostile or indifferent educational system.

Leon Botstein, president of Bard College, himself a conductor and a former wunderkind, remarked dryly, “If Beethoven were sent to nursery school today, they would medicate him, and he would be a postal clerk.”

Comments

50 Responses to “Are Black Children Too Stupid To Learn?”

Mikey Tandino
October 15th, 2012 @ 11:59 AM

I think its pretty clear that Florida hates the Blacks and pines for the days when we picked cotton and shined shoes. Simple solution for all you Floridians, pull your kids outta those schools and send them elsewhere.

They pull this crap on Black people because they know that they are handicapped in so many ways. One of which is exercising options and choices and using them wisely. Most Black folks could not pay for a private education if they wanted to.

Its more abuse and racism to say, you are not enough and quite frankly we dont expect much outta ya.

Its Black peoples collective faults though, being perpetual wards of the state unable to elevate and achieve on your own gives people the impression that you are incapable of doing so. Always whining and begging and looking for handouts leaves you as the eternal charity case. Le sigh.

And there is a new economy based on this. In Milwaukee or some other Midwest state they are developing text books based upon “ability”. Meaning, the same subject is taught to everyone in the class, but based upon your reading level you are given a textbook that explains it in the vernacular you can grasp. Aint shit done in this country without some dollars and cents behind it.

GoldenAh: It is the worse kind of racism to label black children stupid and then declare that they aren’t even going to make a half-assed effort to educate them. How is this an improvement on Brown vs. Board of Ed?

Those teachers retiring in the future are going to need productive workers in the future. Taxes pay their salaries now and taxes will pay for their retirement. Without a healthy sized group of working young people, retirees will see little or no money in their future. It’s about what the future may bring. An education is a tool set people need for life. It is a form of theft, if not handicapping, against children in not letting them learn at least basic math and reading. Dear Lord, these “educators” aren’t even pretending they want to get that right.

I am so through with people who label themselves “black leaders” or advocates on behalf of black folks, whose first argument is always about how we’re too stupid to function like other people. And we have a massive Amen chorus of black people who have no problem with this. School work is hard. For most people, learning is time consuming and difficult. That’s just how it is. People lack discipline and patience today. They want everything easy.
Queen of the Pen
October 15th, 2012 @ 1:32 PM

PLEASE DELETE MY PREVIOUS POST. IT WAS INCOMPLETE. THANKS!

@Mikey Tadino:

You said, “. . . They pull this crap on Black people because they know that they are handicapped in so many ways. One of which is exercising options and choices and using them wisely. Most Black folks could not pay for a private education if they wanted to.”

Therein lies the problem–Black folk are too stupid to know what’s good for them and their children. I do not subscribe to that nonsense.

I came from a family who criticized me for being smart and intellectual. I came from a family who encouraged me to drop out of high school just because I got pregnant in my senior year. I came from a family who did not believe me when I said I graduated high school and demanded I prove it.

The reason Florida has gotten away with this academic brutality is that those Black folk do not value education. I can guarantee you that if those same Black folk where told they couldn’t buy an iPod, iPhone, or iPad because they were too stupid to operate it, Jesse “Jip” Jackson and Al “Big Perm” Sharpton would be on the fastest jet to protest and hollering RACISM!

GoldenAh: Why don’t black people value education? Why aren’t we militant about the one thing that could absolutely, positively improve our standard of living? Is it because of that social safety net that encourages dropouts? Are people satisfied with the bare minimum with which to live? This cannot last for long if half the population isn’t contributing to society. Everybody needs to do their part.

You are right, QP, they wouldn’t be so blatant in dissing black people if they did not know they could get away with it. Sad.
Eva
October 15th, 2012 @ 1:58 PM

I think the problem is that many children, no matter what race, believe what they have been taught. I was never brought up to believe that I was stupid; I went to a school where everybody was smart and it was assumed that not only were you smart, but you were definitely going to college.

If you teach a child that they are stupid, that they can’t learn they will believe it. Someone once told me, it’s not what you do, it’s what you think.

GoldenAh: That’s what makes this so heartbreaking, Eva. I think of my nephew (and I used to tutor him to help him along). And no matter how young, this stuff sticks with them. Children don’t miss much. This is so ridiculous. How in good conscience, can an “educational system” blatantly come out saying that black children can only reach so high and learn just so much? They should all be fired. If they cannot teach, educate, or help these children, they need to find some other work to do.

And to think we have a black President. Shows how much it makes no difference.

The one thing that must occur is that black parents have the right to send their children anywhere to receive a decent education. They cannot be held hostages to certain groups of people who only use them for political cannon fodder.
ZitaPearlZitomihr
October 15th, 2012 @ 2:09 PM

Oh my goodness. I cannot believe this. This frustrated me and this allows black children to be dumb and have as low standards as possible, because its ‘realistic’. What happen to striving for the best? Florida needs a slap in the face. NOW I am so tired of this.

GoldenAh: That word they use is so insulting, “realistic”. I mean, in the 21st century, these people are saying they cannot figure out how to “teach” children? Children are hungry to learn until something happens to turn them off. Telling them they are stupid and incapable will only make this situation worse.
jubilee
October 15th, 2012 @ 2:24 PM

What we should ask is:Why are asians doing so much better than blacks, etc. Welll asians are doing better than whites BECAUSE THEY USUALLY COME FROM 2 PARENT HOMES, AND ‘MAMASAN’ MAKES SURE THEY STUDY FIRST!! I’m not surprized on how black kids are doing–70% illegitimacy? will hurt any kids especially boys of all colors.–Many girls are outperforming them because of no strong male influence, and most women want guys who are at educated like engineering or business to marry—OH, BTW, sometimes it does depend on the style of teachers. My daughter was struggling in school until she was 10 years old, her sisters didnt do good in school either and went towards ‘boys’ etc. My daughter is only half black–I moved somewhere where the public schools were good, and they TEACH THE KIDS HOW TO STUDY–now she is a senior in High School and has a 3.7 GPA in a good highschool–she will be going to college

GoldenAh: Yes, everything you say is true. It is right there in front of us. Year after year, we see what works and what does not. And yet, nothing changes.

It does start with the home, the traditional structure and culture of the family, the interests of the parents, and whether the children are prodded to do better. My Dad always wanted to see my report card, and both my folks came to the parent / teacher meetings.

And as you say, on the flip side, is whether the school themselves are doing their part. Lots of people come from broken homes that went on to do well, because the schools were superb. I feel that even if the home life sucks, since a child is in school nearly 6 plus hours of the day – the quality of education should be exemplary. We have no excuses in this country. Even 3rd world countries with a budget that is only a tiny slice of our poorest schools, outrank American schools in math, reading and science.

This kind of insanity cannot continue indefinitely.
Tiffany
October 16th, 2012 @ 8:50 AM

As much as I want to be angry at the Florida Department of Education, I can’t. I only have to look tothe value system that the modern black community has chosen to embrace as a reflection of how those numbers came to be. Depending on the government and the schools to provide is and always was a failing strategy; yet, the black community keeps pushing hard for interventions that it could implement itself.

GoldenAh: I agree with your points about dependency, but that’s now a cultural aspect that I don’t see some elements of the “black community” ever moving away from. Even if the kids come from ignorance loving dysfunctional homes – the schools are their only chance of survival. And the system just told them point-blank: we can’t help you. If that’s the case these schools need fresh blood. Everybody deserves to be fired. Can we imagine any other publicly funded org. getting away with this?

Black people raised holy hell over much more trivial issues. Well educated kids aren’t about just benefiting the children – we’re supposed to benefit from it as well. These “educators” writing them off hurts society at large. They’re just unwilling to care.

Great to hear from you, Tiffany.
Tiffany
October 16th, 2012 @ 8:52 AM

GoldenAh, back in my day, kids in my neighborhood were held accountable for their grades. Not only did our parents see our report cards, the elders in the neighborhood wanted to see them as well. They didn’t let mediocrity and trifling-ness go.

GoldenAh Today, not only has the black family dwindled down to single mothers and men with various children from many different women – the solid neighborhood folks could depend on for support has dissolved. We’re watching a 30-40 year social experiment – on par with the syphilitic epidemic – that no one wants to solve, because it’s about watching where this disaster leads to.

And Mikey makes a great point. There’s money involved.

Maybe when I’m feeling brave and a bit more hale, I’ll write about patriarchy being a fact of life. And that matriarch society in the “black community” doesn’t exist and cannot.
ZitaPearlZitomihr
October 16th, 2012 @ 11:33 AM

Shouldn’t this be illegal? This is not equal at all. This allows black children to pass without having the required work to. Everything is getting worse and people are allowing it to.

GoldenAh: I cannot believe it is legal. Although I bet that all black children are labeled as “special needs” and “disadvantaged” just to avoid bias lawsuits.

I bet this has been going on for years. This is probably the first time they were blatant about it.
Oshun
October 16th, 2012 @ 1:56 PM

This is sad and sick. Muslim Bushido talked about this- how other folks love to experiment with black folks- and black folks let them.

I am disgusted with education from PreK all the way to post secondary. The way things are run – are we deliberately trying to make sure that we are no longer globally competitive?

I am cosigning on many of the comments above. First follow the money trail. Nothing happens on this scale without someone getting a payoff.

Second I am upset at anti education black folks. This attitude has caused us to lose so much of what out ancestors fought and died for.

Third single parent households. When its only momma and she has to work 2 jobs – nevermind that her education is probably sketchy – she is not going to have the time to sit and check homework, go to parent teacher meetings etc. She is too busy focusing on survival issues.

I wish I had a spaceship. Emigrating to another country is not enough. I need to be beamed to another planet. One of the new ones with water.

Aside- 36 first generation immigrants (mostly Asian and Hispanic) are now running for Congress in both parties. Only two I think are black, more specifically Carribean. Muslim Bushido called it.

GoldenAh: Our colleges seek and favor international students, because they can pay full fare, as opposed to American students who are suffering under a truck load of debt. Unfortunately for them, in this economic environment, it is becoming nearly impossible to pay those loans off. My understanding of debt relief is that people cannot declare bankruptcy to escape student loans. Some are even being repaid from Soc. Sec. payments. So that debt will last forever, unless the student can prove extreme hardship. And who goes to college to become broke and destitute?

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Oshun. Are the brilliant educators / leaders who are shaping our school system(s) doing everything they can to shortchange the children? In the past, we can find so many stories of great men and women who went to rural / urban schools, came from broken households, and still succeeded because everything was in place to help them along.

I’m at the point where I don’t care if black boys and girls are taught separately from one another (going against the feminists). Whatever works they need to try. There’s enough money. Schools need to be flexible and be based on how kids learn. Because the cost of failure is a generation of boys carted off to jail. Or we’ll continue to have this vicious cycle of man-childs running around having all these kids they cannot pay for, and young black women trying to do it all herself with a sub-minimum-wage job.

Speaking of another planet – I bet that if a company could successfully build a colony – they’d have enough investors, even among the non-adventurists, they could pay off the national debt in a week. I would love to visit!

NY Times: Average Debt for College Students
MsMellody
October 17th, 2012 @ 2:09 PM

Yes indeed Khadija called this one as well!!!

Hi Betty, great post. I sat straight up from my chair when I read this post. I would just like to add this bit of info;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppositional_culture

This in a nutshell defines and describes that certain something that WE ALL know exists in the overwhelming numbers of the all black enclaves across America. And it finally has a name that we can actually wrap our minds around.

I think without a shadow of a doubt that if we EACH make individual choices to UPLIFT our own individual selves – those that do engage in this form of empowerment will not be counted in those numbers of the Oppositional Culture “community”.

Because I believe that those from that culture will surely be extinct in the very very near future. As the world steadily marches forward – technology, advances etc have made away with low unskilled labor, the kinds of jobs that USED to feed an entire household, and put the kids through school etc. No those days are slowly but STEADILY winding away.

Please people, let those of us who have decided to separate away from the Oppositional Culture people –continue to do so. Don’t look back, that noise you hear is just the falling of the buildings, the falling of the old guard, just keep moving and don’t look back.

You have been warned. And yes it is real!!!!

GoldenAh: I attended schools (K thru 12) with kids who had no interest in learning, didn’t want to learn, were quite proud of being ignorant (the ones who liked to say “black people can’t and don’t fill-in-the-blank”), and did everything they could to interfere with those who wanted an education. I couldn’t understand that mindset. Never did then. Honestly, I cannot now.

Oh, thank you for that link, MsMellody: Oppositional Culture is the perfect description. I think I wouldn’t mind these folks if they were a small portion of the population, like less than 5-to-10%, but thanks to our political system, every generation is metastasizing. They may be on the cliff of a majority. As you say, menial jobs involving working with hands is dwindling away. This kind of labor goes to low wage illegals. Since no one wants to make distinctions among black people, we all get slapped with the same – and least positively descriptive – broad brush.

Heck, look at how some of us cannot Tweet or write our opinions on Facebook that goes against the faux “black community”. Everybody has to step in line and follow the latest ignorant “black think police” dictates. That’s the first sign of a dead culture. A suicidal cult. It doesn’t allow analytical or critical thinking, because ignorance has been embraced from the get-go. Ever notice how the media goes to our least educated to ask them, “What black people think?” That’s no accident. In the eyes of our so-called “allies” and “supporters”, we are one mass of stupidity that moves like a school of fish on every issue they dictate.

It shouldn’t be that black people, in order to be themselves, have to exert so much effort just to get by or be seen as an intelligent, doing-their-own-thing, individuals. It shouldn’t be such a struggle – just to be normal. Every black kid should feel free to be as non-conformist as s/he pleases. We need sincere admiration of black nerds, geeks, scientists, out-of-the-box thinkers, and eccentrics.
GoldenAh
October 17th, 2012 @ 8:49 PM

Interesting article in US News: blacks feel less empowered (conservative or religious one)
JK
October 18th, 2012 @ 12:48 AM

GoldenAh,
You hit the nail on the head with your last comments.
We teach our children that it’s cool to be smart and that nerds have good careers and lives when they grow up.

Don’t get me started on the “black (no) thought police.”
I was very upset by the outrage and hate thrust upon Stacey Dash, a black actress, because she voiced support for Mitt Romney.

A few months ago I wrote in my journal, “Stick a fork in us (the BC) because we’re done!” This was in response to a couple of articles I read on Huffington Post Blackvoices. One was about a black, female conservative who had been selected as a spokesperson for the Tea Party. The other article was about National HIV/AIDS day.
The comments regarding the conservative black woman who numerous and venomous. (There were 521 to be exact)! The HIV/AIDS article discussed how these diseases are black diseases today based on statistics. Now how many comments did this article garner?
A grand total of 4, but only 1 of which was posted for reading. HIV/AIDS are REAL problems worthy of our thoughts and concern, but no 521 comments on a sister who stepped out of line and was doing her own thing!
It’s over! Btw, the one comment said something to the effect of “love yourself tomorrow not promised whether you are positive or negative.” SMH

GoldenAh: That black woman, who happens to be conservative, is a lost resource. The Tea Party (most likely) will have picked someone with a good education and high income / net worth. She’s an escapee from the “black community” or Blackistan. That’s one less black woman who can be used by the parasitic minded. A lot of black people really do believe that black women are public property. We have no rights.

So, HIV / AIDS can be something that people still believe the gov’t is controlling or exaggerating, even when it’s nearly 100% about personal responsibility. No one wants to discuss that. It is sexier to think about that black, female conservative hanging out with like minded white men (and other non-black men), which I guess, is an oxymoron to the “black thought police” crowd.

Speaking of smart kids. I mean, I saw this cute little black boy with those old school glasses (looking like a little dark brown Malcolm X) and he looked so serious. Adorable. And he was walking hand in hand with his Daddy. Made me smile.

Yes, it has to be okay for black children to be smart and nerdy. Thank you for stopping by, JK.
Valerie Smith
October 18th, 2012 @ 1:18 AM

While I think what Florida education system is doing is wrong. Black parents have to take responsibility for their children. We Black people have come a long way.

We have to monotor what our childre are watching, the company they are playing with, and it is so hard, when we as parents make bad decisions about who they mate with, where we end up and our opportunities are so limited.

People make so much money for degrading us, no-one likes intelligent black people, you can’t make a fool of them.

Black parents have to be on the school system, their children’s homework, how their children are doing and call their own children intelligent, and parents stop watching mindless television programmes, set an example to their children, because children are watching us.

GoldenAh: You are right Valerie. It starts in the home. And if the school system is getting the message that the parents don’t care, why should they? It is an all around effort to feed and nourish a growing child. In this day and age, it takes more effort. But we have people who seem to think that they can drop their kids off at school and someone else will do all the work. Or the TV set at home could finish the job.

Why have the children if no effort is being made to raise them? Are they just talking pets keeping folks company?
Sapphirewolf
October 18th, 2012 @ 1:51 AM

This is quite disturbing to hear, I was born and raised in Central Florida, what disturbs me more that I haven’t heard this in the local news channels.
MsMellody
October 18th, 2012 @ 11:52 AM

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/345820/description/Delaying_gratification_is_about_worldview_as_much_as_willpower

When you factor in the study/experiment above, and include this paragraph from this study-

“Children who had been disappointed by an experimenter waited for an average of about three minutes before eating the marshmallow, while those who got what was promised lasted 12 minutes. After an unreliable encounter, only one of 14 kids waited the full 15 minutes for the second marshmallow, compared with nine of 14 kids assigned to a reliable experimenter.

Findings consistent with Kidd’s study go back 50 years, Mischel says. In 1961, for instance, Mischel reported a preference for immediate rewards among 8- to 9-year-old boys without a father in the home, relative to boys with a mother and a father.”

And you can fully see that -children who come from STABLE homes ( with two intact parents ) fare better in life- on the overwhelming PREDOMINANT probability scale.

This is easily transferable to a child’s ability to sit in a classroom and learn, and perform and do homework and participate in the classroom. And in effect give back to his/her environment, teachers etc. The ability to delay or forgo gratification in order to get the rewards of hard work.

I know that the “rewards” of being accepted by your peer group is all encompassing to children/teens…why wouldn’t parents make sure that their children/teen are surrounded by other children/teens community that values hard work, uplift, community building, emulating what they see in their homes with other intact parenting. Oh I forgot, that comes as a result of women making CONSCIOUS choices about whom they date, mingle with and eventually marry….

Sorry about that – I forgot some women are too busy being directed by the ABC crew, being beat down for speaking out against the dysfunctional community that praises Oppositional Culture activities. Sorry about that, I shouldnt have raised the question – when I already know the answer.
MsMellody
October 18th, 2012 @ 12:04 PM

Wow!!! Did you see this??? Did you see this?
This is nothing new…this so called phenomenon…

“Findings consistent with Kidd’s study go back 50 years, Mischel says. In 1961, for instance, Mischel reported a preference for immediate rewards among 8- to 9-year-old boys without a father in the home, relative to boys with a mother and a father.”

And yes, I said it ..I said “Oh I forgot, that comes as a result of women making CONSCIOUS choices about whom they date, mingle with and eventually marry….” Boom goes the dynamite.

Women are still the ones held RESPONSIBLE for the reproduction in any society. Yes, harsh but it’s true. This is and will always be a Patriarchal society. And us women will always hold the key to our ability to reproduce. Make your choices and deal with it.
Oshun
October 18th, 2012 @ 1:17 PM

@ GoldenAh

“Our colleges seek and favor international students, because they can pay full fare”

I noticed this when I first got to grad school, but didn’t know the reason why. I used to tell my mom – forget a white or black person- I will be so glad just to see an American. There are so many Asians and people from the Middle East in my classes it is not funny.

“as opposed to American students who are suffering under a truck load of debt.”

This makes me so mad. First jobs- now education. How do you value others over your own people and I mean Americans?

“Unfortunately for them, in this economic environment, it is becoming nearly impossible to pay those loans off…. And who goes to college to become broke and destitute?”

I have heard the horror stories. But I think there will be a violent backlash. In all areas- from student debt, to no real relief for the foreclosure crisis, to not prosecuting bankers, outsourcing jobs, unchecked immigration, HB1 (sp) visas for professional jobs, suppressed wages, cities and counties going bankrupt etc..The pot is boiling. Right now people are pointing fingers at parties, but when the crap hits the fan and people feel they have nothing else to lose – blood will run in the streets. They won’t care about the bullets and the tear gas and knightsticks.

I have a friend on disability who is thinking this way now. She keeps talking about protesting and she keeps saying – I don’t want to be beaten or arrested, but she keeps mulling it over…

“I wholeheartedly agree with you, Oshun. Are the brilliant educators / leaders who are shaping our school system(s) doing everything they can to shortchange the children? In the past, we can find so many stories of great men and women who went to rural / urban schools, came from broken households, and still succeeded because everything was in place to help them along.”

Yes….It makes me angry…because the doors for mobility are closing for everyone and our society will be worse for it – but especially black folks.

“I’m at the point where I don’t care if black boys and girls are taught separately from one another …..”

Desperate measures call for whatever works.

“Speaking of another planet – I bet that if a company could successfully build a colony – they’d have enough investors, even among the non-adventurists, they could pay off the national debt in a week. I would love to visit! ”

I never thought I’d say that, but it upsets me so to think I may have to flee my home country. At first some planning/thoughts were exciting, but now it seems there is no alternative.
Oshun
October 18th, 2012 @ 1:27 PM

@MsMellody

“Because I believe that those from that culture will surely be extinct in the very very near future.”

Cosign. I think black people are going to be decimated.

“As the world steadily marches forward – technology, advances etc have made away with low unskilled labor, the kinds of jobs that USED to feed an entire household, and put the kids through school etc. No those days are slowly but STEADILY winding away…”

Those days are gone! I think a lot of black people and some whites have been hoodwinked by this sole focus on work with your hands/blue collar.

I see a tremendous lack of sympathy (or maybe jealousy) from many people regarding the student debt situation. The popular refrain is not everyone is meant to be educated- be a plummer, electrician, machinist etc But what these people don’t get is that it is hard for those careers. I hear people in these careers complaining all the time.

1. competition is fierce among hispanics for these jobs.

2. people may need a new roof or septic system, but if they don’t have the money – you won’t be getting the job/getting paid

3. these jobs are hard on the body

4. Some of these jobs can be outsourced too look at the Bay Bridge
Oshun
October 18th, 2012 @ 1:32 PM

@ GoldenAh

“Heck, look at how some of us cannot Tweet or write our opinions on Facebook that goes against the faux “black community”. Everybody has to step in line and follow the latest ignorant “black think police” dictates.”

This is also what I think has hurt us politically. The 36 immigrants running for congress are poised to move into both parties. It looks like they are positioned to get whatever they want or need no matter whose in power – unlike black folks.

@Valerie

It is too late. That is the right thing to do, but it won’t be done. We have too many single parent homes headed by women who have sketchy education at best. We have multiple generations who just don’t have the knowledge, skills, and resources to turn this around. Maybe there can be some damage control moving forward, but in my eyes its a done deal.
GoldenAh
October 18th, 2012 @ 3:45 PM

When all else fails, they’ll drug the kids to make them pay attention in school.

NY Times article: Doctor Prescribes Pills for Low Income Children
Oshun
October 18th, 2012 @ 4:24 PM

This woman needs to be beaten:

“Jacqueline Williams said she can’t thank Dr. Anderson enough for diagnosing A.D.H.D. in her children — Eric, 15; Chekiara, 14; and Shamya, 11 — and prescribing Concerta, a long-acting stimulant, for them all.”

All of them- for reals? I am sure no one knows what the long term effects of this are mentally.

GoldenAh: It doesn’t make sense to give minors medication just to pay attention. I’ve always been bored, restless and shifty at school, corporate meetings, you name it. Anytime I have to sit for a long time through anything – esp. long plane rides – I’m ready to go nuts. It’s not a learning disability to be easily bored. I can barely tolerate a 1 hr 40 min plus movie: I’ll try to show up just as the credits roll. Sometimes I watch DVDs at speeds of 2x.

Why can’t schools set up classes or group students by attention span? I don’t see that as having anything to do with intelligence. I believe the school system can be flexible in this area. Not all kids learn the same. That’s how it was in my school system: slow learners were grouped together. And back then they weren’t receiving the kind of funding that these “educational centers” get today.
Oshun
October 18th, 2012 @ 4:38 PM

And to finally shut up all negro males once and for all about what black single mothers need to do…

Drumroll please…

“Knowing that kids feel loved by their father is a better predictor of young adults’ sense of well-being, of happiness, of life satisfaction than knowing about the extent to which they feel loved by their mothers,” Rohner said. He and his colleagues detailed their findings in May in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Review.”

“Dads may also be responsible for endowing their kids with “stick-with-it-ness” that serves them well in life. In a study of two-parent families published Friday (June 15) in the Journal of Early Adolescence, Brigham Young University researchers found that dad’s parenting style is more closely linked to whether teens will exhibit persistence than mom’s parenting. A persistent personality, in turn, was related to less delinquency and more engagement in school over time.”

http://www.livescience.com/20997-science-fatherhood-fathers-day.html

“Paternal communication about sex correlated consistently with adolescent sexual behavior….”Our review makes clear that fathers have the potential to uniquely influence adolescent sexual behavior”

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-fathers-independently-teen-sexual-behavior.html#jCp

Now the white folks done gone and studied it – let the negro mens debunk and refute that!
MsMellody
October 18th, 2012 @ 8:08 PM

Just found this out through Reddit. Companies are now doing hiring by video. Yes, let me repeat that…there are brand name companies out there now doing hiring by video!!!

Click the link,

http://hirevue.com/

This means that if you dont have the MINIMUM of internet proficiency and therefore the MINIMUM of internet connection then you may not be able to even INTERVIEW for a job.

GoldenAh: A profile on linkedin.com is nearly de rigueur these days. There are also job postings via Twitter. So social media is a place to go.

Folks should make sure they have a “clean” profile when they go job hunting. Employers will do a search on your name in Facebook, et al. And they use any excuse they can find to eliminate people from their prospective employee pool.

Thank you, MsMellody for your link. This is very helpful.
MsMellody
October 18th, 2012 @ 8:21 PM

Here’s an organization that travels from school to school to promote STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to low income areas.

Worth looking into – especially if you are a parent, an educator, an aunt, an uncle or just someone interested in reaching out to low income students. Just like the ones who are now medicated and just about written off.

One last hurrah!!!
MsMellody
October 18th, 2012 @ 10:09 PM

Here is the link;

http://mindtrekkers.mtu.edu/

GoldenAh: That is a wonderful link, MsMellody. Thank you so much.
Oshun
October 19th, 2012 @ 8:49 AM

@MsMellody

I could have seen that coming re video interviews. Now you can’t even apply for a job except online. They had a job fair in my area for service jobs and thousands showed up and event though recruiters and HR were onsite they directed applicants not to paper applications, but to their websites.

@GoldenAh

I am so disturbed by the whole medication angle. This is going to have a bad end. I really wish that parents/mothers would really think about this. Ms. Williams in the article is probably going along with this because it makes her life easier – with the byproduct of turning her children into zombies.

They are giving young (potentially healthy) developing brains chemicals that can permanently alter brain chemistry. I think about how mental illness is handled in this country. Particularly with respect to race. Those with healthcare and from other groups get treatment. Black folks get stigmatized and end up in prison.

I am at a loss as to how people can allow this to happen.
Mikey Tandino
October 19th, 2012 @ 9:23 AM

That whole medicating them because its easier to change the child than the environment? Yikes. This country is going down the tubes because no one looks at the end game. How is having a whole generation of kids with drug addicted brains going to push us forward? Heres the short answer, it isnt. This is just pure laziness on behalf of these parents to put the work in.

And may I add, if they had to pay for these drugs out of pocket, Jr would just be a failure or mom would be on their ass like white on rice to get the grades up. No one sees that they are ganking the system?

Everyone in so called authority isnt to be trusted.

GoldenAh: You got it. If these nebulous “disabilities” were not being funded by the rest of us (taxpayers), people would work hard (like they did in the past) to focus on how to get their kids to learn. Nothing is easy, but that is not how people want it today. An overly perky kid requires a different learning environment, not drugs.

And no one knows how these drugs affects a developing mind. The experts are quite certain that marijuana retards mental development, yet these drugs are supposed to be good because it comes from big pharma? It’s all an experiment until they find out how the kids turn up as adults. My bet is they aren’t going to be doing so well.

I read a number of years ago that Ritalin was a gateway to harsher drugs, which is probably why I don’t see it getting pushed as much. It used to seem like 2 out of every 5 kids was on the stuff.
Mikey Tandino
October 19th, 2012 @ 9:44 AM

@ Oshun. They gonna refute it because de ebil whiteys did that study. We cant trust them, they believe in all Black peepels genocide.

Im sure you know that there is no logic or reasoning with these people. It just isnt true because they said, no matter how much proof states otherwise.

Majority of Black folks are DUNZO. They are being drug willingly, the males who create babies walk away, they are being told that they cant be educated like everyone else, work ethic and personal responsibility/pride isnt being taught. And overall the Black women in the Black community serves as punching bags (literally and figuratively), while simultaneously paying for every deadbeat and neer do well to eat and live.

I give the Black community another 10 years tops.
truth p
October 21st, 2012 @ 6:14 AM

Wow this is HORRIBLE on so many levels.The comments are also extremely sad and very eye opening.It makes me happy that I was able to be apart of the discussions over at Sojourner’s Passport and Muslim Bushido.
We all saw the writing on the wall years ago and were given a lot of good advice on how to prepare and save ourselves.I’m truly thankful that those sites,along with this one,exist.

Low expectations,inadequate teachers,inadequate parents, along with the abuse of a few well intentioned teachers and black students in the public school system is nothing new.I’m sure we’ve all heard about the studies over the years about how black children,more specifically black boys, who can’t read by 3rd grade will likely go to prison.I’m sure black girl children that can’t read by 3rd grade don’t fare much better.

This plan is not meant to help black children.This is not something that happened by chance.Somebody has to keep the judges,prison guards and court appointed lawyers employed.And someone has to be willing to do FREE,not cheap,labor answering phones for companies,putting computers and tv’s together etc. and as long as you have foolish women who are content to depend on government programs in the place of fathers to co-parent and provide for their children things like this will continue to happen.

I take no pleasure in hearing any of this and I am not sure there is anything that I can do to help the children that will suffer because of this.But I am going to look more into this and hopefully make some calls to some folks in Florida along with contacting some of the wanna be Black Leaders via social media to bring light to this issue.Making people aware and getting people on board to at least speak out against this mess is the least we can do.

I’ll add for the black women in Florida that may come across this post who foolishly think this plan is a good thing for their children that 2 of the best things that ever happened to me as a student and now as an adult is 1.being expected to know the curriculum or my job and be on par with everyone else.
2.NOT being passed on or given raises and higher positions when I didn’t meet the criteria.For many reasons that I’ll have write about later.

Some of you may think that a child failing a class and being made to do it all over next year is the worst thing in the world.
You may not want your children to suffer teasing because they “stuck” in whatever grade.
The suffering your child will do as a child being left behind until they are at the correct reading level and can understand whatever is required is a walk in the park compared to how many of them will suffer later on as adults.

Furthermore,understand that teaching and learning does NOT start or stop at school.
I hope you all are educating yourselves so that more of you can educate your own children.
I’m glad that I grew up in a household where my mom taught me how to count and read BEFORE I entered school.I sometimes learned more from my mother than I did at school.A week I was out of school sick with strep throat, went back to school on a Friday and got an A. The highest grade in the class, on a test I hadn’t studied for and didn’t even know was coming.
This definitely helped my self esteem.Being knowledgeable about certain things helps to eradicate those inferiority complexes many black children deal with.

GoldenAh: You brought up something I had forgotten about: how schools don’t leave kids behind anymore, making the situation worse. People end up graduating not knowing how to read their diplomas. I’m gonna say that failing is good, it should motivate students. Shame, punishment and reward needs to make a comeback (in some areas). Kids can be rather hardheaded, along with their parents.

I didn’t get serious about school, I mean I was doing well, but being ambitious or competitive wasn’t my thing, until I had my high school teacher and guidance counselor asked me why I wasn’t doing more. They challenged me. And I started to feel competitive. I also didn’t like the bullying dimwits trying to tell me what I could achieve.

Always a pleasure hearing from you, Truth P. Awareness is the best weapon we have on hand against these situations.
Shirl
October 21st, 2012 @ 9:02 PM

I was born, raised and went to school in Florida. Years ago, my mother told me my teachers thought I was “retarded” just because I didn’t speak. I could speak, read, reason just fine, but because I chose not to talk, I was thought to be “retarded”. At first I laughed, then I realized how damaging that could have been if my parents haad bought into it. What I now believe, is that some people have lower expectations for black kids. They are doomed when teachers AND parents don’t expect much from them. I was fortunate enough to have parents who had extremely high expectations of me and I listened to them. I feel really sad for kids who don’t have the support they need to propel them forward and upward. This country is full of it when it’s says it cares about children and education. Well, results tell the real story. Kids in this country continue to fall further and further behind.

GoldenAh: The policy of the govt is to IMPORT the brains, because the school system is so damaged. Will it stop when the population reaches half a billion or a billion? That’s a lot of idle people with nothing to do hanging around. Long term that helps no one. Even with the massive importation of people, this country is running a shortage of well educated people: doctors, nurses, medical assistants, engineers, etc.

Yes! Parental expectations or somebody who believes in the kid, means everything.

I was a late late bloomer in school. I enjoyed it, but I had no idea what was going on until the last year of junior high. I was the playful, jokster type. Everything was fun and games.
Eva
October 22nd, 2012 @ 7:58 AM

@Oshun: I noticed this when I first got to grad school, but didn’t know the reason why. I used to tell my mom – forget a white or black person- I will be so glad just to see an American. There are so many Asians and people from the Middle East in my classes it is not funny.

If it weren’t for Asian and people from the Middle East there would be no one around to do medical research, think about that.
Eva
October 22nd, 2012 @ 8:02 AM

Put a fork in this country, we’re done, seriously.

GoldenAh: It’s another hurdle against black progress. And what’s crazy is how blatant it is.
Miriam
October 23rd, 2012 @ 4:04 PM

Hello Ms. Chambers,
My name is Miriam and I’m a resident of Virginia. Virginia has just enacted this same policy [If I’m not mistaken I believe Florida followed us]. Virginia is also the home of the Home Schooling Legal Defense Association and home to the highest population of Black American Home Schoolers. Although I am in the midst of a separation, I’m seriously considering Home Education as an alternative to private school.
My apologies in advance but there are allot of “black pain pimps” in the public school system of both races ma’am.
Thank you,
Miriam

GoldenAh: Hello Miriam! No need to be so formal: Betty or GoldenAh is good enough.

And how are you? Hope everything is fine in VA. In NJ, I’m literally sitting in the direct path of Sandy, so I’m hoping to get most comments answered before a potential power outage.

It is awesome that there are Black home schoolers. I love the idea. I heard in some states, even if home schooled, a child can still attend some classes, gym and get involved in sports. Far as I’m concerned, it’s the parent who decides these things, and they should be able to let their kids learn in any manner they please, since the school system has given up.

Yeah, I hear you on the “pimps”, Miriam. It should be illegal for anyone to use black children as Exhibit A of being unable to learn like other kids, etc. Either more effort is allocated or folks lose their jobs…
Aisha
October 26th, 2012 @ 10:45 PM

This is absolutely heartbreaking and strengthens my resolve to have home schooling as a viable option when I do have children. And as someone who has lived in that backwards swamp of a state known as Florida, there is something truly wrong with that place and I’m glad I got the hell out.

GoldenAh: It is scary. Imagine the number of schools that don’t come out and state this policy? A couple of years ago, there was a big scandal with the Atlanta School System. Turns out the kids were coached by !!award winning!! Principal of the Year, Teacher(s) of the Year or Something of the Year for cheating on exams.

Aisha, take heart. Today, you can easily find quality schools online. You may also be able to ferret out where and what they are doing with the “minority” and “disadvantaged” kids in these school systems. They are quite sneaky with pulling them out of the “good” school stats. Here in NJ, they routinely list the top schools in the state, which includes the colleges they get in to. If you are able to move into the right district, you are half-way there. A little tutoring, getting your children study guides or extra online courses should help with the rest.

Based on how WE are measured – if you can get your child to be 2 levels higher than the current reading / math levels of his / her grade – you are good to go.
GoldenAh
October 27th, 2012 @ 8:18 AM

Asian students have no trouble passing admissions exams for elite schools. Credit is due to their families and the stable, supportive environment they provide.

As usual, complaints are made on behalf of the “stupid” kids: Exhibit A always begins and ends with black children.

NY Times has the following article: Asian Students Success in Passing Grueling Admissions Exams

Question I’d like to ask is: How come none of the “advocates” for black children ever argue for raising them up to pass the exam, as opposed to making it easier?

I’ll answer it anyway: I’d say by default, “professional educators”, black folks and the school system have decided “Black Children Are Too Stupid to Learn”.

Not an exact example, but this makes me think of the grief Jeremy Lin got for being a great ball player. (Yes, I’m biased, I adore the guy! He shows great sportsmanship too!) And it was interesting to watch black ballers suddenly be interested in everyone being up to their idea of par (for the NBA). Black ballers seem to believe they are supermen on the basketball court and no one else can match them. Yet, I bet if they had to pass the same exams Jeremy Lin did to get into Harvard, in order to play in the NBA, they’d be pleading for “affirmative action”. Lin is more than good enough for the NBA without an “affirmative action” standard. And he worked himself to play up to par. He never asked for exceptions.

Black people cannot continue to ask for exceptions. We cannot do this to black children. They are being shortchanged and it will harm them for the rest of their lives. I honestly believe they can do as well as Asian students, unfortunately the schools system and perhaps most of society does not.
FoxyCleopatra
October 27th, 2012 @ 3:16 PM

Omg, this is actually the 3rd time i’m reading through this post but I end up not writing any comment because I get to annoyed. I’ve got few things to say.

1. I cant even blame the powers that be anymore. They are looking out for themselves and know that in the future, America will need a steady stream of ‘blue collar hands’ and have decided that those people are going to be today’s black children. Its so funny how Khadija (muslimbushido.com and sojournerspassport.com) predicted a lot of things, and even though at the time, they might have seemed unlikely, a lot of them have come true. Even this nonsense of using black children and black folk in general as experiments is nothing new. Where however, do black folk get off complaining about this phenomenon when blacks have not only tolerated it but in fact, celebrated it and labelled it ‘forward thinking’? Anyone who raised any criticism is labelled racist or a self-hating uncle Tom.

2. Where are the so called black leaders speaking up against this? Do they even care? I’m sure most of them would probably even see this as a good thing. After all, they’ve been pushing for blacks to be measured on a curve for decades now.

3. The black fools and parents who agree with this bs, do they actually believe the result/end game is going to be good? How exactly is this supposed to help black children? This simply means that a higher proportion of black kids coming out of high school are going to be under-qualified, unprepared, under-performing and less competitive than their non-black peers!

4. I think it is time that a lot of black parents are en masse called out on what is obviously lazy and failed parenting. I’m not even going to mince my words anymore. Whether it is the useless males that impregnate women and don’t bother staying round to take care of, provide for, instill proper values in and raise their kids, or the (lets be frank here) incompetent women who CHOOSE to have kids with useless males, constantly want and expect others to make excuses for their tear away poorly raised children, and expect the government or others (most likely other black women) to do the job their children’s fathers have refused to! I believe that part of the reason oow has grown to such ridiculous levels in the bc is because it has not only been tolerated but now accepted as the expected norm. Some of these single mothers now feel entitled to help and assistance from everybody else.

Lastly, does affirmative action really work?

GoldenAh: Sorry for annoying you. {{big grin, chuckling}}

I like your bullet points.

1. I think the era of regarding black people as reliable or employable blue collar workers is gone. America gets 1 million LEGAL immigrants a year, along with an unknown who become illegal by overstaying their visas. I’ve known a few (legal or illegal) immigrants who could EASILY find jobs that used to go to citizens.

On another note, a large portion (don’t know the stats off the top of my head, I recall reading it from a book by Mark Penn) of EDUCATED, middle class black folks work for the local, city and federal gov’t. That is where we are and will still be needed in the future. I think in some respects, black people (esp. women) work so seamlessly (perhaps more like invisibly?) in keeping the gov’t going that no one notices them (or wants to).

I agree with you in this respect about the promotion of this “forward thinking”. If the media is going to use those “all black people are needy, poor and stupid” arguments with their “black experts”, at least have someone to engage them with a vastly different viewpoint. A good number of us do know how to fill out forms, put on our underwear first before putting the pants on one leg at a time.

2. This NY Times article focuses on the criticism of the President, an angle which doesn’t interest me, but it does reflect what you’ve been saying, What happened with the critics who pretend to speak for us?

3. True and depressing. I’ve also known people who have tried to do something to help their kids and have been stymied by the system. Sometimes people cannot afford to home school, remove their kids from the current school system or move. The best they can do is study, get tutors, and thankfully in this day and age – go online for more information / schooling.

4. Life is hard. And despite the easy promises, no gov’t program will (in the long run) make it easier. You have me thinking about this: Does anyone ever ask the poor what they want? Some people are quite satisfied with their lives. So we cannot always assume that they have a problem with what we might see as their crappy condition.

It’s just the kids I feel sorry for. Whether we like their parent(s) or not, the kids deserve better considering what we get bilked in thousands of dollars in taxes to pay for.

Lastly, does affirmative action really work?

I don’t know. That’s an excellent question.
Oshun
October 28th, 2012 @ 2:29 PM

@ Mikey
I agree, but I was hoping that some BW/BGs would pick up on this and maybe it would stop them from making a bad life decision.

@GoldenAh
I thought Affirmative Action was not about lowering standards, but about ensuring equal opportunity for qualified individuals,that came from groups who faced both past and current discrimination (at that time in the 1960s when it was passed).

GoldenAh: In my humble opinion, outside of African Americans, who have family roots going back maybe 5+ generations, and real Native Americans (not fakers like Elizabeth Warren), those are the ONLY people who should have benefited from Affirmative Action. And I say this as someone who is a dual citizen and was NOT born here.

I’m okay with America’s current “diversity” efforts, but I don’t see that as actually making sure that AAs get a respectful and decent fair shake. It just looks like everyone else can get in front of the line, and be the latest “cause” or favored group of a certain exploitative political party. They are looking at Latinos now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years all political parties go, “What black people?”

The 1960s was not the first time the American gov’t tried to address the wrongs done towards black people. The first effort was back in the late 1800s, when the US Congress back then wrote some of the most dramatic Civil Rights legislation. I invite folks to read about the Reconstruction Period and the aftermath. Enough to make you weep. Enough to make you think, “What could have been….”
Neecy
October 29th, 2012 @ 3:13 PM

I don’t see the problem. All that means is *GASP* Black parents and people are going to actually have to do something more than wait for the government and teachers to be 100% responsible for educating Black children.

When i was growing up, at age 3 and further out my mother had all kinds of reading games and learning things in the home that SHE made sure to do and play with me. And it helped me in school where I was constantly getting good feedback for my “brightness” (despite me being mouthy lol). My point? She did not wait for my teachers, schools and such to be the bulk of my education. Teachers have a whole host of kids to attend to and teach in school. They cannot be bothered with helping particular groups of kids play “catch up” b/c their communities and parents don’t give a flock. Education does not begin and end on school grounds. if it is not being honed in the home then expect kids from communities like that to not do well overall and be deemed “too stupid” to learn like the rest of kids from communities who value and teach education in the homes.

Sorry but looks like Black people are going to have to start taking up the slack here. The issue is simple no matter how we slice and dice it: Black people do not value education as a whole and as a result our kids DO suffer in academia. Its clear that the gov’t and education system is tired of trying to be both the parent and teacher to Black children and is making accommodations based on the REALITY that Black kids underperform.

The reason why Asian over perform is b/c they do not sit and wait for everyone else to raise and educate their kids. Its starts and continues in the HOME.

Until Black people *GET IT* and stop always depending on everyone else to teach their kids and give them passes all the time, things like this will continue.

Sorry can’t say I’m mad. I know waaay too many Blacks who don’t see the value in education for me to get worked up about this.

GoldenAh: You offer tough love, Neecy. And it’s tough love that’s true.

I’m wondering if we’d be as neutral if the “Black People are Stupid” thing gets absorbed into hiring practices. We already know that names like LaQuandisha or D’Marquavellous (no offense intended, I bet Momma felt creative at the time) showing up on resume oftentimes will be ignored. Yet, this kind of BPAS stigma, which I know has always been there, eventually trickles its way up into other areas of our lives.

I think it is the pointblank matter-of-fact labeling that I find shocking. I shouldn’t be surprised by anything anymore, but stories like these can still irk me.

Thanks for the feedback, Neecy.
Oshun
October 29th, 2012 @ 7:22 PM

Hi GoldenAh,

Thanking of you. Hoping that you are staying safe with the storm coming your way.

GoldenAh: Thank you so much, Oshun. I’m thankful the wind went past the house, as opposed to hitting it. I’m used to most storms having the wind and intense rain rattling the windows, but this one seemed to go above and around the properties in this area.

I was a little bit inconvenienced, but overall, I have no complaints. I certainly feel for the people whose homes were completely wiped away. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I went through that.
Aven Heaven
October 30th, 2012 @ 12:31 AM

I feel sorry to hear that.Why should the black children be stupid?All people are the same.
If you want to seek interracial love,come to mixedcenter.com
MsMellody
October 30th, 2012 @ 10:54 AM

Hi Betty!!

Sending you prayers and well wishes. Hope that you and your family are safe and sound.

GoldenAh: Thank you, MsMellody! I’m about 45 minutes plus from the shore. I’m closer to the middle curve of this kidney shaped state (NJ). I had the power go out for about 24 hours, and then it was back to business. And my folks were good: the power stayed on and they slept well. After listening to the roar of that train (the hurricane) for a few hours, I fell asleep and woke to a very quiet morning.

I saw the pictures of the aftermath of all the places in NYC and NJ I’m familiar with, and it’s totally shocking. It’s gonna be a long time before everything is back to “normal”.

Thank you again, for your well wishes.
JaliliMaster
November 1st, 2012 @ 1:11 AM

I do not put this on the teachers AT ALL! Afterall, many black folks have been arguing that they and their children should be judged on a lower standard than others, so I guess they are now getting what they want. I am not one of those people who believe it to be the teachers job to be a part-time parent during the school day. The teachers job is just that….to teach! If a large proportion of the black students come from backgrounds where education is not encouraged, discipline is not taught, and the whole concept of work hard before reward is not instilled, it is no surprise that things go wrong.

Homeschooling is not an option for most of these black children. The majority of them come from single mother homes, with their mothers lacking in any real education, and quite frankly, any true sense of responsibility. They had no business having children, hence the reason most of them do such a poor job as mothers. We need to stop seeing this as purely the result of black male irresponsibility. These women are just as irresponsible as the males who impregnated them. It is not these sort of folks that will be able to properly home school their children.

The fact is that there are those that will fall by the wayside. It is unfortunate but true. Until the conversation changes from blaming the govt, and talking about ‘corporate/community responsibility’, and instead, emphasising personal responsibility and meritocracy, things will never change. It is just frustrating that the only people that are ever asked for their opinion amongst black folks are these self-appointed ‘leaders’ who have their own agenda. They make a living from black disenfranchisement. They know that if the pool of suffering blacks decrease, it affects their own bottomline.

GoldenAh: Yeah, I gotcha. Teachers have to follow the curriculum or standards set forth by their overlords, which is the Board of Ed and the govt. I don’t see the topic being about them. It is about the people who set the guidelines and, as you say, those who probably had a hand in pushing for these lowered standards. I suspect that labeling kids dumb helps them receive additional Federal funding. And black people are happy to accept this stigma for a check, while I’m sure others (with any sense) would be horrified.

I cannot imagine how any black organization, among those that pretend to represent us, tolerating this from any private company or organization. So, although we are paying the same price as, if not higher than, others we will only receive half the amount of services or products? We’d collectively lose our minds.

And I hear where everyone is coming from: black folks not only accept this substandard treatment when it comes to education – we invite it. No argument from me.

Glad to hear from you, JaliliMaster.
Neecy
November 6th, 2012 @ 4:42 PM

HEY BETTY!! I’m glad you are OK with the storm and back to blogging!!

YOU SAID:
I’m wondering if we’d be as neutral if the “Black People are Stupid” thing gets absorbed into hiring practices. We already know that names like LaQuandisha or D’Marquavellous (no offense intended, I bet Momma felt creative at the time) showing up on resume oftentimes will be ignored. Yet, this kind of BPAS stigma, which I know has always been there, eventually trickles its way up into other areas of our lives.
I think it is the pointblank matter-of-fact labeling that I find shocking. I shouldn’t be surprised by anything anymore, but stories like these can still irk me.

NEECY:
Yeah I understand it does get tiring constanly hearing these kinds of stories b/c in this day and age we should n’t have to be having these discussions based on race. BUT….

And yep its already being pushed in the working world. Certain names trigger racial prejudices with hiring managers and recruiters and they get tossed aside in pile and overlooked.

I have a g/f who experienced this even though she had a very good resume. The minute she did an expirement and shortened her name (which was a more common version of her longer name) she started getting calls from hiring managers and recruiters.

That is the reality.
MsMellody
November 24th, 2012 @ 7:27 PM

I’ll just leave this here…
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/11/23-6

GoldenAh: Maybe the federal or local government(s) should give up dealing with public education or schooling, since they are such sterling failures at it. And no matter what, the answer is to increase funding, give them more power, increase the allocation of resources, and watch the school system(s) get worse. I’m starting to think this is being done on purpose.
BWMM
November 24th, 2012 @ 11:38 PM

http://floridaunschoolers.webs.com/

GoldenAh: This may be the only answer.
BWMM
November 27th, 2012 @ 11:53 PM

I hate when BP accept that crap about black children need to sit next to or do better when sitting next to white children. Uhh… so, what about white children? They forget to take into account that during segregation even when the black schools were overcrowded, or dilapidated black children were learning just fine. These folks managed in dire circumstances. Then you have the top tier black schools like Anderson High in Texas (Blue Ribbon school at that) that was closed down during desegregation instead of having white children going to that school or Cuervo and many great black schools that had the same thing happen.

These black children managed to excel yet I’m supposed to believe that black children are so slow that sitting by a white child will make them smarter? Black people need to ask does the same apply to white children? If not, then why not?

And if folks keep saying this crap then you need to take them out of that system. These folks keep showing their asses to black people, but folks keep their kids in using the civil rights/brown vs. ed. etc. Our parents/grandparents etc. fought hard for the right to go to school. No, they fought the right not to be discriminated against (which many did in the past and that sure isn’t learned about as well)That was already fought for during reconstruction by black congressmen. An education doesn’t mean public school, doesn’t mean you have to take it for the team etc. It means a right to an education which could be home schooling, private school, public school etc. There are so many things black people could do that it’s ridiculous.
BWMM
November 28th, 2012 @ 1:24 AM

You know when I think about it, it’s funny that when black students started surpassing white children in grades/test scores all of a sudden folks want to pull this crap!

I at times think it’s odd that the party that was part of the KKK, slavery, Lynchings etc. black people are now voting for just because a man who voted down the Civil Rights act in the 50′s signed it into law later.
Dave
December 29th, 2012 @ 12:45 AM

Of course blacks are less bright. Their ave iq is 8o in USA and 70 in sub sharan Africa. They are gifted athletes but inferior academically. Just look around its staring u in the face. Blacks are stupid compared to whites n Asians. Thx

GoldenAh: Please leave my pure blooded African brothers and sisters out of this discussion. You’re being deliberately provocative and it is not cute. Once they leave the continent, Africans have the highest rates of graduation from schools in the US and other western countries. There are a lot of improvements that need to be made in sub-Sahara Africa. However, they are not part of this conversation.

Thomas Sowell wrote a book, which cites a lot of these studies about black, white and Asian IQs. He found that northern blacks in the USA had higher IQs than southern whites. Asians at one time had lower IQs, but thanks to nutrition and a dedication to learning they overall improved their rates.

I never hear people talking about giving up on teaching learning disabled, mentally challenged white children. Why, folks always speak about sparing no expense.

And what passes for black culture in America may be stupid, but the majority of children certainly are not. Regardless of the inherent bias of the people dealing with innocent black children, they still deserve every form of assistance in learning. Even selfish, racist bigots will benefit from well educated black children.
bretagne
January 18th, 2013 @ 2:32 AM

We can never have these discussions without re-inscribing tropes about Asian achievement…

I liked this comment. I decided to make it a separate discussion in this post: Are Black Children Too Stupid To Learn? Part II: Black and Asian People
Truth P.
March 30th, 2013 @ 2:55 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/3-dozen-indicted-atlanta-cheating-scandal-214241949.html

Some people think so.I feel bad for the students and the teachers in this situation.Black women must educate their children and themselves.And many black women simply need to stop teaching at public schools or where there is majority black students and more of a mixed environment.It would likely be best for the students,teachers and parents

GoldenAh: I just saw that on NY Times website: Atlanta School Chief Indicted. Public schools are slowly destroying themselves. Wont be long before all schools K thru 12 will have an admissions policy similar to colleges. And I bet that part of that policy will require a declaration of commitment from the parents to match those of the teachers. It cannot go in only one direction.