RSSLeaders of the New School
Give me a popular rapper, a mention in a song, some product placement in a video and I bet you I can sell almost any new cell phone, vodka or clothing line to young people in this country. With that being said, we face an incredible challenge in America, one that even the best marketers have yet to tackle. How do we sell education to our kids?
Today, “Fuck school” is more than a saying on a cool t-shirt or bumper sticker; it’s a motto that too many of our kids live by.
Experts claim nearly a third of the kids who enter high school in this country won’t graduate. The numbers are even higher for Blacks and Latinos, landing somewhere near 50 percent.
Why is this? Aren’t we America?
Yes, we’re America and its our uniquely American culture that fuels our kid’s disregard and ignorance to the importance of education.
Think about it. Its not surprising that school is an after thought when many of our favorite celebrities promote the fact that they’ve dropped out and are still living the good life. It’s an after thought when many of us grow up in neighborhoods where the idea of fast money has conquered the notion of accumulating wealth. Why invest in educating ourselves when our culture tells us that our value as people comes from the things we buy?
While America neglects the cultivation of its future, kids around the globe are excelling. If this continues, we’ll all bear the burden as our nation implodes from the weight of globalization.
Yes, it’s sad that our corporations are selling us out to cash in on cheap labor. But it’s more sad that many of us don’t even realize it’s happening. There are large numbers of young people in America who don’t understand that kids in India and China are performing the jobs that once sustained their parents and grandparents. Global economy, what???
Also disheartening are the solutions being proposed by our “leaders.” According to them, we need less arts and more standardized test. When I hear shit like this, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. What we face is not about stripping kids of their extra PE time. It’s about culture. It’s about the messages we send concerning education.
We’ve proven to be very successful at selling wars to the citizens of this country, but we can’t do the same with education? Or maybe that’s the design of this whole shit?
As a nation we need to ask ourselves some tough questions.
How do we produce students that compete globally? How do we create a curriculum that engages America’s changing demographics? How do prepare teachers with the skills to educate kids whose parents don’t care? Better yet, how do we inspire teachers to care? How do we make parents understand that their job is not only the 9 to 5 that puts food on the table, but it’s also making sure their kids are learning? Otherwise, how are they going to put food on the table when they have a family?
Changing culture is a daunting task. But not as daunting as the predicament we’ll be in if we don’t create a shift in the way we sell education. It begins with us, the people who care, defining the purpose of not only school but of learning and knowledge in general. Once we do this, then we’ll begin on the task of selling the it to our kids. Holla back people!
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
TheHeartofthecity
I think that a big problem is that parents spend too much of their time emphasizing how their children are a burden, rather than embracing them as blessings. Therefore they spend all of their time working to provide for them, and then in return have resentment towards their children for having to do so.
And I agree with you 100% Mr. Troublman when you say that rappers, and entertainers can endorse the consumption of alcohol and not get paid for it, but don’t say a single thing about education. I believe it takes a village, but also understand the magnitude and impact that these icons have on our youth. So I would challenge the one’s who are in the lime light to lend us a hand towards making a change. And don’t worry, hip hop is at a state where it’s okay to be different and get in TROUBL….
So lets market the importance of education, I promise the rewards will exceed far beyond the price of a bottle of Cognac…
[Reply]
Q.
Good blog.. could be a very good debate as well..
the issues that i see are bigger than the global economy or even the focus on wars and being scared of pending wars.. that’s all BS to me, when it comes to education.. i think the only way we can really fight for education is if we make the reward seem that much better.. let’s face it, we now have to adapt to the situation.. the rewards for other things whether it’s dealing drugs, music or sports outweigh the rewards for a high school diploma or college degree.. and yes, i mean more financial gains.. there are a lot of intelligent people out there that are broke.. we have to give our youth some credit.. just like in sports, the odds are stacked against us making it.. people will grow up to be an engineer or an analyst, only to be laid off by Enron.. people will compete for the same job and get passed up, because the interviewer liked the other person’s smile..
fixing education, to me, means we have to fix the system that surrounds education.. in other countries, people are rewarded for being the best in their class by receiving GREAT jobs and big time acclaim.. more than the next Yao Ming.. the other countries place emphasis on things bigger than sports and entertainment.. the US doesn’t.. in the other countries, those things are extracurricular.. i remember going to Amsterdam, and seeing educated people just enjoy life.. all the other stuff was extra.. they would watch a soccer game after work and drink beer.. that’s about it.. they would talk about current affairs and all that good stuff..
let me stop..
[Reply]
Malia
I have to give you a little family history. I was bribed to finish college. I was a single parent and three-quarters on my way to a BA in Business & Communications Sciences when I was ready to give up. My mother told me she would pay my off my car note (a 1991 Hyundai) and I complied. My aunt did one better with her two sons. She promised a $5,000 cash reward upon graduation. Needless to say both of them have their degrees. They aren’t making the money that drug dealers, pimps, playas,hustlas, mac, slangas are making but they sleep well at night as do I. I’m not saying bribery is the way to go but when asked by a group of 8th graders if they got paid $100 for every A they got all of the students raised their hands and said they would give much more effort.
Also, our curriculum sucks big time!!! They haven’t up-graded the curriculum since Genesis and alot students who think they’re smart realize they aren’t so hot when they get to college and have to compete with students from other countries.
What any of us REALLY learn in school is basically what we put into it. I LOVE English therefore anything in written word compels me. One thing we should start out doing early is an analysis of strengths and weaknesses and find high paying careers in those genres in which our kids excel. My son is Autistc but extremely high functioning, he excels in math and wants to be a video game designer so I nuture those interests and research schools that specialize in that.
There are also public service announcements by alot of “caucasion” entainers saying, “What’s the latest movie out?, Who’s the highest paid athlete?, blah, blah blah…..then it hits home when the actor/actress says, What’s you child’s teacher’s first name?” HMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!
*scratching head*
[Reply]
Diana
Being a graduate student in the field of education, this blog hits close to home for me. You’re right, the statistics out there are more than disheartening. The issues kids are facing outside of school are getting worse and school is becoming less of a priority. One of our basic needs, according to Abraham Maslow is a sense of belonging. When our youth says “fuck school” and turns to gangs and the streets they are simply filling in one of our basic human needs. A lot of parents are too caught up with the idea of as long as I work hard all day and provide for my child/ren then there is no reason they should fail. Believe it or not, a lot of our youth wish there was another option for them, another raod they could go down. But too often youngsters need to provide that emotional support to themselves and again school is pushed back. What can we do? I wish I knew the answer. I know a lot of educators do what they do wholeheartedly and really hope to make a change. I believe it’s bigger than that. Our eductaional system needs to wkae up and realize that we are failing a lot of our kids, parents need to realize that without that support and love at home their children are going to suffer, and each and every one of us has to constantly be an advocate for what we believe. It’s funny that they call America the superpower becuase the only power I see in America is the artificial and superficial bs. The determining factor to how cool you are at school is how you look and which clique you hang out in, not on how intelligent you are. As a matter of fact, getting good grades and being a good student is often looked down upon and your peers begin teasing you. Cmon people, how long can we play this stupid game? Q, your right about the youth in Europe. Everytime I travel there I am amazed at how well educated, well traveled and just well rounded the youth is. They are aware of world issues and not worried about where or who britney spears or paris hilton was with last night. They seem happier, more knowledgable, more wholesome, and enjoy life more. You turn the tv on and out pops another reality show about on of these young celebrities who hit it big and are living the life. Just a few days ago I heard about Snoop Dogg’s reality show. What are we teaching out youth? Why can’t we get a tv show about those youngsters who beat all the odds and educate themselves and become somebody striving to make a difference. Becuase its not entertaining enough, it wont give us seomthing to laugh about and forget all our miseries. I guess i can go on forever so ill cut it short. We definitely have a problem at stake and need to come together to make change. Starting from the family system to our neighborhoods to the eudcation system and the system itself we are missing something big. A leader is a person or thing that leads and quite frankly our society is lacking them. So get up and go out there and recruit our leaders of tomorrow. America can only stand so much more before going from superpower to no power at all..
[Reply]
Malia
Sorry to play devil’s advocate but I have to speak on behalf of the parents. I don’t think parent’s think their children think their children are burdens and I truly am BLESSED by being a mom and having two awesome kids even if they do get on my nerves every now and then. I’m sure we get on God our Father’s nerves all the time too…..lol…lol…lol…:)
First of all, alot of kids are con-artists in the tru sense of the word and they have their parent’s believing that the homework is done and they haven’t even been told about the science project that’s due in two weeks. Some kids will even have their parents drive to the front doors of the school just to leave as soon as they’ve driven off. Parent’s have it hard!!! Kids often do these things because they’re BORED! The school curriculum is so outdated that these kids don’t have the patience to learn about the Boston Tea Party. Let’s teach them about Hewey Newton and the Black Panther Party!!! COME ON NOW!!!
And Diana, I’m sure that you are truly devoted to your job but MANY (…..and I do mean many……) teachers and professors have been teaching the same curriculum for so long that they do it by rote!!!! Their bodies are present but they could care less about the students they’re teaching. As I stated before I have an autistic son so I’ve been through THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD process of Regional Centers, Speech Therapists, Special Education Specialists, Psychotherapists and I have to tell you - it was an eye opening and DISHEARTENING (as you say) experience!!!! Many in the education field are too absorbed in their own intellectualism to see the real problems. With an estimated 20% of our nation’s youngsters diagnosed as learning disabled, there is an overwhelming need for private specialists of all types. I went to every IEP meeting and every PTA meeting and I went so far as to write a book called Parent’s Resource Guide for Special Children to aid other parents in their search for facilities and services in their area. The book listed private services including: psychologists, diagnosticians, specialists, full day and residential schools. Also included in the 500-page book iwas information about national support organizations, educational journals and magazines, and a book list. Unfortuanately because I didn’t have PHD behind my name it was only self published but it was a blessing to many people. Please don’t take offence Diana, but may I ask……since you DO have the accolades and the respect that go along with it - what are you and your colleagues doing to better our schools?
[Reply]
Charles
Tackling underachievement and a “culture of low aspiration” among young black kids does start with better curriculum Malia - I definitely agree. The things they are learning in school hold no validity to this generation so they don’t vibe with it.
Of course, they need positive role models and I think we should start welcoming youth ministers!!!!!!
Communities, local agencies, parents and the Government can improve the life chances of young black kids by putting God back into their lives!!!!! We need HIM to be our kids Role Model and HE would encourage positive heroes for young people, rather than those that glamourize crime, guns or gangs. Putting God in their lives would advocate stronger relationships between family first, then parents, then schools to improve educational aspirations.
And Malia you are absoluely right about the educational system failing. They need be provide greater consistency in the way schools are inspected to ensure all schools seek to close the academic gap between public and private schools
[Reply]
TROUBLMan
It’s hard on parent and teachers. Both are battling for the minds of our kids. Much of the problem lies in the inconsistency our parents and teachers. If my mom is totally involved in my education, but none of my friend’s parents are, the weight of peer pressure becomes overwhelming. While my mom may push me to do well, none of my friend’s parents are and my friends counteract my mom’s influence.
It’s similar with teachers also. You have some who care some who don’t. The ones who care catch the attention of a few bright minds, but then they go to other classes, where the teacher is just collecting a check, and they tune out.
If there were consistency our push for education would become indoctrinated as a culture. Instead it’s a few here, a few there.
[Reply]
Barefootsoul
I’m with you on that Troublman most def!!! Parenting and teaching takes not only sacrifice and energy, but also CONSTANT consistency. Good parents and teachers don’t just happen by accident.
[Reply]
Malia
Wow Charles!!! See now that’s what I’m talking about! The old adage rings true: A FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER!!! It starts first at home!!! We have to give our children something to believe in instead of Snoop Dogg. I pray for angelic protection over my children EVERY morning and I KNOW they are protected but not all children are so lucky. They are unarmed against the devil who roams the earth seeking whom he may devour. Our kids are on the front lines fighting a spiritual battle everyday!!!!!! Great idea about the youth ministy!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
Reply to “Leaders of the New School”
SEE ALSO
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♦ TROUBLMan - Kill Famous
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♦ TROUBLsome - Post Baccalaureate Bullshit
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