June 11, 2023
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 28, Issue 21
FREE
African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
Smart’n Up Black Male Summit
By: Crystal LaShan
Is the Education System Failing our kids? By: Jeniece Thompson
It was Carter G. Woodson, author of The Miseducation of the Negro who said, “Philosophers have long conceded, however, that every man has two educators: ‘that which is given to him, and the other that which he gives himself. Of the two kinds, the latter is by far the more desirable. Indeed, all that is most worthy in man he must work out and conquer for himself. It is that which constitutes our real and best nourishment. What we are merely taught seldom nourishes the mind like that which we teach ourselves.” From our HBCUs to some of our school districts, is the education system failing our kids?
Literacy is very important as it gives us access to information. It is also a way of life. If you’re not informed, then you can easily be taken advantage of, misguided and so much more. During the slavery era, there were anti literacy laws that made it illegal for Blacks to read and write. These laws were created because if slaves were literate, they were considered a “threat.” Slave owners didn’t want slaves to escape or forge any documents declaring their freedom. These anti literacy laws were called “slave codes.” One of the laws was the Alabama Slave Education Code of 1833. on pg. 3
Young Black males are our diamonds in the rough that we must mold, support, and help polish to ensure the successful future of our culture. Black men are sometimes not given second chances if needed and often, society assumes the worse and expects the least from our young men. We know as a culture that our Black men are amazingly brilliant and talented. Our responsibility is to make sure our children have the knowledge, tools, and information to be their best self in the classroom, the public, and in any situation, they may find themselves in. I felt proud, excited, and grateful for the exceptional Black men who were a part of the summit and willing to share priceless knowledge with the young men in the room. Brother Deric Muhammad, the author of the empowering book New Rules, has captured the tools our young Black men need to survive and thrive in our world today. We can no longer depend on a society that doesn’t value our young For more visit Black males’ greatness. aframnews.com