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Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1747
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 10:00 pm: | 
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NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=8898739
Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts talks about his series, "What Works?" where he asks his readers to present him not with problems, but with solutions for improving the lives of black children in five specific areas: self-esteem, violence prevention, education, fatherlessness and poverty.
Guests:
Leonard Pitts, Pulitzer prize-wining columnist; author of Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood
Wilton Harris, case worker in the XY-Zone in Austin, Texas
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8877
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 01:12 am: |
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Yvettep,
Sounds like an excellent program Pitts is engaged in. Towards the beginning of the interview, Pitts ask a obvious question that no one ever really answers: "If it works, why not apply it all over??"
I read Pitts' "Becoming Dad". Poignant, honest yet very hopeful book about Black fatherhood. I definitely recommend that Black men (and women) read it. |
Yukio
Veteran Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1997
Registered: 01-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 04:49 am: |
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hmmmm...i can say work he attempts to do is laudable; but it is already going on around the country; the fact of the matter is, one standard doesn't work in all places; thus, at many of these teacher/social workers/ etc...professional organizations they learn a variety of programs that work, that do not work, and that work in different areas with different demographics, region, etc....I know professionals in higher education, social work, academia, attorneys, MDs, MBAs, etc....
the fact of the matter is, that these issues are structural, and without changing structural factors, these programs can going only but so far, and they will make blacks and whites feel better because they will have a few more blacks w/a nuclear family and speak standard english.....
And he knows this...he himself has said that racism is the elephant in the room.... |
Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1749
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 08:39 am: |
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I agree, Yukio. And he does, as you say, mention this. But the fact is--talk to anyone in your parents' or grandparents' generation. Surely there was racism then--out and out, in your face racism as well as structural. Yet we managed. So in that respect, I understand his frustration at wanting to do something. Especially if you begin to think (as I do, the older I get) that trying to "end" racism may be a fool's game.
Structures are powerful, and often hard to change. But they can be changed. How do we go about doing that? I do not think he is talking about "either-or." (He may have even said this, too.) In fact, the type of groundswell, "tipping point", grassroots change he is talking about here might be one type of force that can begin to make a dent in structures.
ABM, his book sounds interesting. Maybe I'll buy it for my husband for Fathers' Day! |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8883
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 10:46 am: |
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Yvettep,
I highly recommend it. It's very poignant because Pitts' is very open and honest about his troublesome relationship with his father.
You feel how, in spite of everything he's accomplish, Pitts still laments not being as loved and honored by his father as a son requires and desires. |
Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1760
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 11:26 am: |
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Thanks! I'm definitely gonna get it. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 7841
Registered: 01-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 12:43 pm: |
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Self-esteem is a 2-edged sword. Too many people think it's something that can be bestowed on a child. But it's really something that has to be earned. The school of thought that children had to be coddled and stroked with praise while ignoring their shortcomings, produced a generation of children who when they grew up experienced shock and indignation upon going out into the real world and discovering that their high opinon of themselves didn't coincide with the impression they made on others especially if they couldn't measure up performance-wise. (This is the linch pin of the American idol auditions. LOL) Children should be loved and told to be the best they can be and to always do their best and but unless they are gifted they shouldn't be told they can become anything they want to be. The rejection takes its toll later in life when they fail to meet their high expectations. A hard lesson to learn.
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3907
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 02:30 pm: |
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the fact of the matter is, that these issues are structural, and without changing structural factors, these programs can going only but so far, and they will make blacks and whites feel better because they will have a few more blacks w/a nuclear family and speak standard english.....
(This is it. We fail to admit that what is happening to the black family, the black male, the black community is what is SUPPOSED to be happening.
It's just a bandaid without a change in the way this country runs.
I ain't holding my breath till that happens. Even the victims of this system dig it.
If only, they think.
If only I win the lottery.
If only I get a record deal.
If only I get in the NBA.
If only I can sell enough dope.
If only I can sell enough p******
If only somebody I know can do it.
If only Jesus will come back.
Yeah, they want change. They want it for themselves, not for anybody else.
And so it goes. |
Yukio
Veteran Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1999
Registered: 01-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 10:26 pm: |
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Yvettep: I suspect that you know this about me, but if you dont, I am very suspicious of anecdotes. Thus, of course, when we speak to older folk, they will compare their past with the present. Oftentimes, they will say kids these days don't have manners, no respect, no class, and consequently, we have high rates of out-of-wedlock children, etc....
but if you look at some of the historical studies of the years during which my parents and grandparents experienced their youth, their elders made the same criticisms about their generation. Indeed, i say that the visual absence of racism allows some of to refocus on what was always there.
furthermore, jim crow was legally conquered at the same time that this country deindustrialized [actually this process began during wwii; see thomas sugrue's the origins of the urban crisis]. There was a time when blacks [and whites] in philly, chi-town, pittsburgh, and other areas could depend on obtaining a job in a factory, mill, etc...this is not the case now. people need advanced degrees...not everyone, but it is more competitive now! the labor movement is also weak; alos, we are also competing in a global economy....
in addition, schools are almost, some studies say, as segregated NOW as they were in the 1950s. my parents and grand parents can't appreciate this because they dont see the jim crow signs anymore and dont have to call white folk sir and misses, and they see alot of black people on tv and in high places, and so to them that means something...and it is something, but it aint really!
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Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1767
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 09:54 am: |
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Your first two paragraphs are right on the money. One of my favorite books is by a historian who demonstrates that the "good old days" of families (e.g., "Leave it to Beaver") never really existed outside of some folks' memory.
I am not trying to downplay structural constraints--including institutionalized racism, or personal racism as factors we must face as Blacks. Like the journalist, however, I recognize that small pockets of success are happening all over the country, mostly run by every day folks. Yes, racism is a problem. (Even the problem.) I think it will always be a problem. So what do we do in the meantime?
One answer is to try to take these neighborhood success stories "to scale" by replicating and adapting them to other situations and communities. Before we can do that we have to know they exist in the first place. And that is where I am excited about this effort.
There are other solutions at change that can and should be tried concurrently. But at this stage of my life I have little patience for just pointing out what is wrong, preferring an analysis of problems along with an outline of possible solutions. That's just me. I am happy that there are others who are engaged in consistently and loudly pointing out the faults.
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Yukio
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 2005
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 11:11 am: |
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well, i think the majority sees it as an individual problem not a structural one, as I stated above. So if thats the case, its about making sure that The problem is pointed out.
some programs do work, and i am for that, but to "take these neighborhood success stories 'to scale'," requires alot of work. i just attended [last month actually] a meeting of black teachers here in the pacific northwest. They explained a conference in Florida, where there was a tour of the progressive and successful schools. They said that the schools were excellent, and that they wanted to implement some of the programs.
The problem is, they now need to consider the demographic differences. in florida, the majority of the students were black. here, blacks are a minority in these schools. also, they said that while the programs were nice, the facilities here in the worst schools are comparable to the better schools there. thus, they said, it seems like there are no problems here, and it is difficult for them to get support because those with money, backing, etc...compare their situation to the larger urban cities with large black populations.
now, of course, this doesn't mean that they can't implement some of the program, but they have alot of work to do, and once the demographics, different regional political styles, etc...are considered, what if it still doesn't work...again, it doesn't mean it shouldn't be tried, but it is something to consider, to think about....
i am african american, and as a black person my ancestors are victims of racism, as are africans and west indians, but the racism in africa and the caribbean is different, and therefore the proscriptions necessary to address racism in these different places requires different answers....so is this the case with black communities...different demographics, different political economies...if we are talkin about teaching kids how to read and write, study habits, vocational training, etc....this, for the most part, can be standardized, but little else.
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Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1769
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 11:24 am: |
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to "take these neighborhood success stories 'to scale'," requires alot of work
Definitely! AND, a lot of money often. But taxpayers often aren't tryna hear that this process involves upfront cash at just the research stage! But it's like in doing anything else where you're going from a small scale example to "mass production." A car maker or toy maker might invest a huge sum of money to produce just a handful of prototypes, then another huge sum in research and development to see how to produce it to meet needs of folks in different situations, then still another huge sum to actually bring the scale model to market...
Anyway, that meeting sounds interesting. Are you a teacher Yukio? (I was, but got out to go to graduate school.) Your comment about majority/minority is interesting. Do you find that communities where you live are more conducive to progressive programs than maybe in majority-"minority" communities? I get that sense here (Minnesota) and I am trying to figure out why. Because we are not populous enough to be considered a "threat"? I don't know, but it is something that has always interested me. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8906
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 11:40 am: |
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Yvettep,
I believe you're right that the degree to which others are considered a threat to you will affect how empathetic you are to them and their situation. |
Yukio
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 2007
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 12:18 pm: |
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not a teacher, but i respect them a whole lot.
Remember, I said demographics and regional political styles.
in this community, it seems, the white population is progressive as compared to the nation. but, as i see it, their politics at the end of the day effect the same results as the conservatives. they are multiculturalist[cuisine, music, etc...] to the point that the relations of power are never disrupted. so that the issue is about representation not structural change. again, for some black people that is enough because they have a good job and everything seems copesetic.
but for some of us, it is a problem, because that form of progressism is stifling, sort of what MLK stated about the white christian community in the letter from a birmingham jail:
I had also hoped that the white moderate would reject the myth concerning time in relation to the struggle for freedom. I have just received a letter from a white brother in Texas. He writes: "An Christians know that the colored people will receive equal rights eventually, but it is possible that you are in too great a religious hurry. It has taken Christianity almost two thousand years to accomplish what it has. The teachings of Christ take time to come to earth." Such an attitude stems from a tragic misconception of time, from the strangely rational notion that there is something in the very flow of time that will inevitably cure all ills.
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