Introduction In my first memo, I focused on the core elements of my research topic, African-American males in higher education. Since our last meeting, I have taken time to reflect on your suggestions, and think about how to revamp my research questions and purpose statement. Most important, I have taken time to do self-reflection. Self-Reflection In a somewhat different approach to my first memo, I started this memo with my reflective thoughts. I took this approach because it lends to the process of discovery, me discovering myself in the research. Therefore, I find it necessary to tell my story, not all of it, but some of the key components. I am taking QUAL 8410 with Dr. deMarrais, and in a recent meeting with her, we took a deep …show more content…
I had feelings of guilt because I had always been told “it’s your civic duty to get involved”. This notion is particularly the case within the Black community. Well, at least it was in mine. Now comes my story on being involved in the church. I originate from a rather large and prominent church. My church congregation was comprised of: educators, lawyers, doctors, and a ton of awesome musicians, I being one of them. Within the leadership of our church, there was fierce competition. On any given Sunday if you were involved in the production of the morning service and did not bring your “A” game, you would be asked to step aside and let someone else take the reins. Now, given my personality, type-A, I am all for excellence. However, as a member of our music ministry and pastoral staff, the constant “jockeying and vying” for a position I experienced at my church, took a toll on my confidence. I will now refer to my original statement regarding my assumptions. As an African-American male, my membership in a marginalized group has an influence my lived experiences. Much of my story encompasses microaggressions, and various racial injustices, which I could justify as the reason for my research interest. Conversely, the focal point of my research interest is my story of transformation which freed me from my past assumptions of having to measure up. Through the process of transformation. My process of transformation lead me to understand that my previous
The first main point the authors’ introduce is to recognize black males’ lived experiences. Black males have an experience unique to just them. Black men’s experiences of racism impact their education. They even face consequences for pursuing education. Those consequences could be social, educational, and economic. To understand these key issues, you must first look at the past. Black men have always had to overcome great obstacles. Low literacy, limited employment, high incarceration rates, have predisposed many black men to never being able to escape poverty. Further, being impoverished means a less chance that these men will go into higher education. Higher education is so expensive these days, and the underfunding of financial aid and other
Over the years there has been a significant decrease in the percentage of African American male success in higher education. Not only does this effect society as a whole, but more importantly this effects the African- American community as well. The high percentage of uneducated African- American males will result in increased crime rate, shortened life span and overall hard life. However this epidemic can be stopped by looking at the contributing factors of why there is a decrease in African-American male success in higher education and how to change it. Throughout the paper I will be addressing the issues as to why there are not more black men in higher education, by looking at the contributing factors such as environmental
Today's education is often viewed as failing in its goal of educating students, especially those students characterized as minorities, including African American, Hispanic, and Appalachian students (Quiroz, 1999). Among the minority groups mentioned, African American males are affected most adversely. Research has shown that when Black male students are compared to other students by gender and race they consistently rank lowest in academic achievement (Ogbu, 2003), have the worst attendance record (Voelkle, 1999), are suspended and expelled the most often (Raffaele Mendez, 2003; Staples, 1982), are most likely to drop out of school, and most often fail to graduate from high school or to earn a GED (Pinkney, 2000; Roderick, 2003).
“The Black Studies Program: Strategy and Structure” was published Fall of 1972 in The Jounal of Negro Education. It’s contents are a relection on the years before when colleges and universitys were allowing African Americans to attend , but did not provide curriculum about or for African Americans.
key markers of a tense Black racial history, the introduction of the BA in postsecondary
Savings the lives of african american boys and men requires providing them role models whose behavior habits represent the traits necessary to lead morally successful and honest lives. Role models for young african american men are not hard to find. These three young african american leaders in education, business, and religion are committed to being role models for the community and expanding the image of black male relationship. They may not be household names but through their efforts they are transforming the lives of young african american men throughout the country. These men use their subject matter expertise to provide life lessons for young men in need of assistance. Their commitment to service is a critical asset in saving lives of young african american boys and men.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities were established for African Americans during a time of strict segregation. During slavery, to keep African Americans afraid and submissive, White Americans had laws in place making it illegal for them to learn how to read and write. “For most of America’s history, African Americans who received a college education could only get it from an HBCU. Today, HBCUs remain one of the surest ways for an African American, or student of any race, to receive a high quality education.” The first Historically Black College and University to be established is formerly known as the Institute for Colored Youth founded by Richard Humpreys in 1837, approximately 26 years before slavery ended. “Today, this school is better known as Cheney University of Pennsylvania, the oldest African American institution of higher learning.” Two other institutions that were later established prior to the Civil War are Lincoln University founded in 1854 and Wilberforce
“Double consciousness describes the individual sensation of feeling as though your identity is divided into several parts, making it impossible to have one unified identity”(Understanding W.E.B DuBois, n.d.). This proposal was brought forth by W.E.B Bois. He believed that African American’s were struggling with these repressed feelings of not knowing who they are; they could not combine their African background with their now developed American identity. This concept was developed in 1903, but is still very relevant today; one may be able to relate the relevance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to this theory/ conclusion. At a Historically Black College or University, an individual has the ability to further their education. I decide to attend Virginia Union University to gain a better understanding of my history, to bond with others within the black community, and to profit from the HBCU experience.
For blacks, the history of higher education typically points to segregated education. Before the Civil War, the social system promoted the belief that blacks wouldn’t get return on their time spent in higher education. Brown and Ricard (2007) noted that most North institutions were reluctant to allow black enrollment in colleges and universities, and in the South, where slaveholder’s were still powerhouse businessmen, slaves would never be allowed to become more educated than their owners. The reluctance of the White leaders to allow blacks to formally be accepted into higher education programs held blacks back from achieving what many aspired to, and were fully capable of, experience.
Thesis: Even with the creation of Black Studies as an academic discipline, the culture and influence of white dependency still seem to block people of color’s mental potential, and inherently their ability to progress as a group.
Year after year, the college graduation rate of African Americans has risen and fallen; however, most of these students that begin college have every intention of graduating. It is very unfortunate how high the percent of first year college dropouts is because many people think that African American students just sit there and don’t learn anything at all but, in fact, they do try very hard and sometimes put in more effort than their white peers. Due to the mentality that most people have, some of them think that the only reason African American students drop out of college is because their grades, but this is far from true since most students drop out due to causes such as financial pressure and health problems, along with mental, emotional,
Historically black colleges and universities, otherwise known as HBCUs, have played an integral role in advancing the education of underprivileged black teenagers since their inception after the American Civil War. They have had students extremely well known in their fields today, such as billionaire entertainer Oprah Winfrey, the first African American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. Though their graduation rates tend to be around 1 in 3, they have produced a majority of successful African American professionals. For the continued advancement of African Americans, HBCUs are necessary for offering educational opportunities that their students had been historically denied and presently out of financial reach, while promoting strong family values and equality that may be lacking at traditional schools and displaying positive African American role models in their alumni and staff.
The Memo will directly address my growth as a writer throughout my time in EH 101-13. It will also highlight my current strengths and weaknesses in my own personal writing style.
The mission of the students around the country who fought for an education that would shed light on African Americans. The progress the students created is seen today in American Universities ,and also HBCUs, where (AAS)African American Studies is implemented into the curriculum. Before, the dissection the formation of AAS, it should be noted that without the sacrifice from others I undoubtedly would not be writing about AAS ,or reflecting on the significance it has created for generations so far.
Hello, I am first year student at California State University, Los Angeles. Recently in my Pan-African Studies class I have read your article “Black Study, Black Struggle”. Overall your work shined some light about the struggle that many black students enrolled in universities face. I would like to comment on your description of black students, mentioning those who feel under or misrepresented on college campuses in addition to those who have even received threats from other colleagues. This has opened my eyes to not believe what is presented on the surface of a university because that is a false perception of what truly happens on campus and to start looking within the student body. You mention in your debate that, The modern university,