What I took away
from the film was that there are so many factors at play while a child is
growing up and in school, I feel very lucky to have had a positive experience
with my public school. I feel like the system is at place to put the poor in a
disadvantage, which is unfair. Laws and policies are set up to where not enough
opportunities are given to public schools without resources. Another thing that
I took from it was that individual factors play a strong role as well. Many of
the families were invested in the school and depended on the school for the
future of their kids. I think that it would be hard in a school where everyone
deals drugs and it is hard to be commended for your schoolwork by peers.
I think that the
differences between whites and black are very different for a variety of
factors which effect the achievement gap. I feel like the artcle somewhat
targeted blacks in a negative aspect in some ways. Blacks typically are not the
majority of their school, which can be an advantage to whites, there are many
less black teachers, and sometimes the black students may not feel as
comfortable with themselves or in the classroom. Many blacks can ignore the
negative influences on their education but not always.
Acting white was
definitely something that I had to overcome as a high school student. In middle
school I had mostly black males as my best friends, once I reached the end of
middle school to the beginning of high school, I found myself distancing myself
from many of the other black males that I associated with because they were
more worried about basketball and football, whereas I was more worried about my
school work. Many times as I got into more advanced classes, they would say
that I was “acting white” or somewhat whitewashed because I was in classes with
more white and asian students than normal track classes. My parents were a
strong influence on encouraging me that they did not understand how important
school was which was a huge factor in my well being. As I continued throughout
high school and reached an academy associated with my high school, I met other
black students who had the same goals. People telling me that I was “acting
white” did not phase me.
I agree with you in regards to laws and policies not being in the best interest of many poor communities. We talked a little about it in class but policy makers don’t have to worry about their children not getting the best education, the people that matter to them are voters. I guess for policy makers to care the African American community has to voice their opinios and vote.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true that the boys from Baraka were lacking a lot of resources that oftentimes we have. As for the achievement gap, Black students are definitely not the majority so the findings are skewed a lot in this aspect. Black students often are facing stereotypes pitted by society that teachers may be carrying it out therefore completely denying them the education that they need.
ReplyDeleteGeorge,I really enjoyed hearing your personal story. More guys like you are needed in encouraging young black males to take school seriously and to tell them that school is for everyone and not just whites. I hope that you have had the opportunity to mentor young boys or will have the opportunity to do so in the future. You are a great role model. Stay encouraged. :)
ReplyDelete