Kafele discusses three crises that black male students are faced with in their lives. The three major crises he discusses are the community crisis, the family crisis, and the self-crisis. These three aspects of a a black students life can be affected and influenced in many ways and from many different people that may be involved in their lives. The community is something that we as administrators need to be involved with on many different levels. When I think of community involvement I think of businesses and people in the community making an effort to help out schools and I also see it vice versa where the schools are out in the community making a difference as well. Kafele states that adults in the community and in the schools need to hold our students accountable for their actions. He also mentions how in the "old days" students were respectful to adults and everyone in the community knew each other. I feel communities that have this sense of safety and involvement will produce better results on a consistent basis. It seems that these days people are not near as polite and outgoing when out in the community. The key here is collaboration. Administrators, teachers, parents, and any other stakeholders need to collaborate and strive to offer the best possible situation for our students and our community.
There is a high percentage of black males that are lacking a male role model and/or father figure in their household. Although many numbers do a wonderful job at raising their children without a man in the home, in some way or another the lack of a male in the house will have some sort of effect on the black male student. Kafele offers the information in the reading that many times black males will look to their schools or their streets for something that they may be lacking at home. We need to be aware of this in our buildings and need not be afraid of reaching out to these students when we feel some support may be needed.
One responsibility we have as administrators is to help out black male students with their self-crisis. They need to be able to look at themselves and know that they can succeed. We need to take that extra step and show our students that they can succeed and give them routes that they may take to better themselves as students and as citizens of the community. The more support they receive from us at school the more control they will become over their lives and they will learn to respect themselves. Once all of these things are achieved by our students we should see direct results.
3 ethical considerations
1. Collaboration- I feel that as professionals we need to to a better job of collaborating as a whole so that we can achieve success in our schools and in our communities. It seems that too many people in education do not work together properly and there is a lot of tension between subject areas or even between schools in the same districts. It is imperative that we take the steps needed to build our communities and to help them grow.
2. Male in the Home- Black male students not having a father or male in their home sounds heartbreaking and seems to put them at a disadvantage. Part of me thinks that situations like this gives great reasons for these students to pursue excellence and make their lives be as successful as possible. I am one to notice how things are in certain situations and depending on what is going on for the most part it could make me work harder to make the situation for myself better. I feel that black males can learn from these situations and possibly be more involved with their families when they are grown and have their own families.
3. Self-Respect - The black males in schools need to be offered the support needed so that they can start to respect themselves for who they are. A school that gives constant support to their students and offers activities and whatever else to help out their students is a school that makes a positive difference in the lives of others. Black males have started to gain momentum and will continue to turn the corner as long as we make the effort to show them their importance and we continue to respect them and teach them to respect themselves and others.
I agree with the importance of collaboration between our schools, families, and communitites. It is so important for everyone to work together in educating our black males about who they are, and helping them realize all the potential they possess. Kafele said our young black males without a male figure in the household look to their mothers, the schools, and the streets for guidance and to be a role model. We, as educators and instructional leaders, play such an important role in our students self discovery. We can have such a positive influence on our students. We need to use this opportunity to educate ourselves about who our students are so that we can help them discover who they are so they can reach their full potential.
ReplyDeleteMany of the issues Brandon brings up about the community and lack of a male role model remind me of a student I taught in my second year. He was a transfer student from Philadelphia; he came to live with his grandmother becuase of some trouble he had gotten into up north. His grandmother had little to no control over this young man. He would certainly have been labeled "thug" by many who saw or spoke to him in the halls. He appauled a coworker one day when he walked in her room and called her "baby." In the class, he would always share his strong opinions. When we wrote essays, he always wanted to tie his writing to something about how racist the people were dwon here in Virginia; he missed his northern city life. I developed a great relationship with this young man. After reading his first essay, I was blown away. He talked about how one of the changing billboards in the local area had one advertisement with the confederate flag on it. He pointed out how he believed this should not be allowed because of what it stood for. I was reading this well written and well thought out essay by a young man who I had never heard use proper grammar when speaking and who referred to himself as a "G," a "thug," and a "gangsta." Here was a very intelligent young man who simply had no direction in his life. However, he was pushed, encouraged, and disciplined by many during his two years here. He met regularly with one of our assistant principals, although they all knew him by name. I recall him telling me once that his biggest problem with students and teachers in school was respect. He said he could let some things slide, but he would never let someone disrespect him. In talking to him, this clearly came from his previous experiences in Philadelphia; he knew nothing else. But suddenly, he found himself in a rural county and a completely different school environment. Although he had his share of discipline issues, I believe he had never been so comfortable letting his intelligence show in the classroom. I could see the surprise on other students when he spoke, and I could see the pride in his face at the same time. My two years with this young man serve as an example of how things can change for young black males. Sometimes it is the environemnt, sometimes it is a new relationship, sometimes it is more discipline, and sometimes it is a combination of both. An assistant principal shared with me that this young man called her last year and thanked her for the constant attention and talks (many times leading to him being in trouble). He was married with a young child, and he was wroking full time and doing well. He thanked her and others at the school for "staying on him" she said. We must take this example as eveidence we can make a difference, and we must use the stories that end sadly as motivation as well to do all in our power to not let it happen to another one of our students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brandon's statement that as administrators it is our duty to help black male students with their self-crisis. Brandon talks about how black males need to be able to look at themselves and realize they can succeed and as educators we need to take the extra steps to show them they can succeed and provide them with the necessary tools and skills to succeed. According to Ornstein, Levine, and Gutek, “The problems experienced by the young black males have escalated enormously" (347). They continued to say how the growth in female-headed families in urban poverty areas relates directly to the high rates at which Black males drop out of the labor force and sent to jail which reduces the number of men to participate in stable families. Kafele suggests having all students create goals in the beginning of the year and develop strategies for achieving those goals. Goals help students achieve success. They help provide them with direction and guidance. The black male is so capable and has potential for such greatness, but they first must be made aware of who and what they are. They must connect with their past and one way according to Kafele is through reading. He suggest having students read books that show the accomplishments of the black male throughout history besides just sports. Each year when my students have to write research papers or complete various presentations I encourage my black males to choice individuals who represent strong black role models in society.
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Brandon mentions the diabolical factor of many African American homes may be rectified by correcting the mindset of our students so that they in turn will grow up knowing the importance of having a positive male figure in the family. If only it were that easy. Dubois notes that the black family structure was destroyed during slavery whereas parents and children were simply split up and sold to various plantations like kittens picked from a litter. As a result, not only was the structure of family destroyed but a poisonous ideology was perpetuated and can still be seen in today's culture. The role of the black male was undermined as he was not head of household, but rather lacked the authority to govern or protect his own family. He then had to witness his wife serve as master's concubine while no one reared the children because black mother was busy rearing children who were not her own. Yes, people are in awe that this mindset continues to cripple the thoughts of many black males today who still cannot figure out their role in the family unit, while the black female prefers to dominate the household because that has traditionally been the case. When people say slavery was a long time ago, surely the effects are not seen today. I quickly point out the speech of black students. They have attended public school since they were four or five, why do they speak as they do? Can the problem be rectified, surely it can. Just like the speech of black teenagers, with persistence and hard work it, like the black male's quest to find his purpose in he family structure can be edified. Will it be a simple task? No.
ReplyDeleteBrandon mentioned that collaboration can help us achieve success in our school and communities. As instructional leaders we need to collaborate with parents, teachers, and other administrators. Working together can bring about school and community reform. Research indicates that when students work together it has a positive impact on interpersonal/social goals. It can build self-esteem, provides peer support for academic goals, forms interracial friendships and reduces prejudices (Hoy and Hoy pg. 136, 2009). I feel this is true for adults. As educators, we have to share a common vision of success for all students. When teachers form personal learning communities they are able to share ideas and different ways of presenting our curriculum.
ReplyDeleteMany of the undesirable behaviors brought into the school by students are repercussions from their home/community life. We need to form positive relationships with parents and involve them in their children’s education. Kafele mentions in chapter 2 how he would visit students at their homes and build relationships with their parents. He also conveyed to them his expectations of their children. Parents can provide support at home by reinforcing goals and lessons. Research has shown that when parents stay involved in their children’s schooling, grades and test scores will improve (Hoy and Hoy 2009). Joyce Epstein recommends finding ways for families to share information with the school about the child’s cultural background, talents, and needs. We can learn a wealth of information from parents to assist our students in school. (Hoy and Hoy 2009).
Collaboration with all stakeholders is clearly a vital part of the role of an instructional leader. Along with Amanda and Christy, this point stood out for me. Sending home communication throughout the year is a great way to bring in parental support. This communication should continue throughout the year and Jenson (2009) suggests giving parent recognition at a year-end assembly where parents share a special moment with their children (p. 98). Tying in with Kafele’s culturally relevant curriculum, Jenson also suggests bringing in parents to share in cultural backgrounds. This not only strengthens the community support for the school, student achievement improves when they are aware that they are a part of that community with teachers, parents, and administrators who truly care.
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