Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 20 August 1992 — Page 2

The Muncie Times, Thursday, August 20, 1992, Page 2

Editorial

Parents should be involved in children’s education

Summer is almost over. So it’s time to hit the books again. It is important that young people realize from the beginning the value of a good education and its value as a foundation to a potentially better life. As young people return to school many of them will be worrying about boyfriends and girlfriends, gossip and who is wearing what kinds of labels on his or her clothes or shoes. All that is trivial and frivolous. Young people should realize that they are going to school to learn, not to compare attire. That should be the priority-to get as much education as they can so that they can prepare to play more productive lives in society. To do that they need a well-rounded education,

whether they are seeking academic or vocational or technical routes to success. But to get a good education also requires sacrifices. It demands that one should work hard, reduce the time spent watching television or talking on the phone, do homework regularly, spend time in the library and often give up on an active social life. Nothing comes cheap in this world. There are no short cuts to real success. As soon as the first school bell sounds, it is time to buckle down and get the work done. Procrastination is a danger. If you put off the work that has to be done until later, then you suffer and so does your work-because education is incremental. It depends on building upon what has

IJtTtltWft TO THTEDITOR The Muncie Times accepts and publishes "Letters to the Editor" under the following conditions: The letter must include the writer's name, address and phone number where the writer can be reached during the day. Addresses and a phone numbers will not be published. If the writer wants the letter to be 1 published under a pseudonym, that wish will be honored. However, the writer's full particulars must still be Included on the letter, along with the suggested pseudonym.

Letters must be brief, preferably no more than 300 words long, and should, if possible, be typed and double-spaced. Hand-written letters will also be accepted. The Editor reserves the right to edit all letters for brevity, accuracy, taste, grammar and libel. All correspondence should be addressed to: The EDITOR. The Muncie Times. 1304 N. Broadway. Muncie. In 47303. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned UNLESS the writer Includes a pre-addressed envelope and the correct postage.

Publisher. Bea Moten-Foster Managing Editor. John T. Lambkun Consultant Doc Carney Contributors. Harry C. Alford, Phyllis Bartleson, Tony Brown, Doc Carney, Tim Carney, Dr. W.J. Duncan, Dee Harris, John Jacob, T.S. Kumbula, John Lambkun, Judy Mays, George McGinnis, Bea Moten-Foster, Cynthia Reed, Raushanah Shabazz, Michael T. Wright Advertising. Bea Moten Foster, Marlene EUingwood, Layout/Paste-up. Tim Carney, Michael T. Wright The Muncie Times is published twice monthly, for now, at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, Ind. 47303, phone (317) 741-0037. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond and Muncie. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Managing Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304N. Broadway, Muncie, IN.

been learned before. Education is also a partnership. Children who get positive reinforcement at home usually turn out to be better students than those lacking parental backing. Children who are given self-esteem at home are likely to feel much better about themselves and are likely to achieve more in the classroom setting. Therefore parents need to be involved with their children and their children’s education. They should take time every day to talk to their offspring about what happened in school, about homework, about problems that the children may be facing. If you take the time to talk to them you also reinforce the idea that you think education is important. If you instill self-esteem in the children by hugging them, praising them and telling them that you love them or care for them they are likely to become much better students. They will also try harder to succeed and to please their parents. Parents need to be involved

by attending Muncie Community Schools Board of Education meetings. Too many times accusations are leveled at the African American community that its members are complacent, apathetic and don’t seem to care about their children’s education. There needs to be a change in direction. If we want to make changes or if we want to have input in the education of our children then we have to become active in school issues. This means voting for Board of Education members, attending candidates’ forums, pushing for district (rather than atlarge) elections. It also means going regularly to the Tuesday evening Board of Education meetings so that board members can become aware of our interests and concerns. Education should involve cooopertion among students, teachers, parents, administrators,churches, business and the community. When even one of these groups fails to par-

ticipate the process suffers. If children are the protectors of our legacy then we owe it to ourselves to become involved and to ensure that our children are exposed to the best education possible and that it reflects the multiculturalism of our society. Therefore, as the 1992-93 school year starts we should pledge to become involved and to stop sitting back while others take center stage. We should emphasize to young people the value of a good education and the recognition that few of them will become athletic or entertainment stars. Therefore, they should get a good education and learn skills that will help them get jobs. The time to start is now. Hard work and perseverance can pay off. So can parental support. Teachers and administrators can’t do it by themselves. We have to back them. We have to encourage them. And we have to make sure our kids understand the value of an education.

Letters to the Editor...

The Times lauded by Indiana Black Expo

On behalf of the board of directors and entire staff of the Indiana Black Expo (IBE), we’d like to thank you for your participation in our 22nd Annual Summer Celebration. IBE experienced a record year in all facets including attendance, celebrity turn out, and corporate participation. IBE’s mission is to foster educational, economic, and spiritual growth in the community, and this year’s theme “Screen Images Shaping America,” focused on positive inroads, as well as the stereotypes of Afri-

can Americans in film. Celebrities such as Mario Van Peebles, Phyllis Hyman, A1 Jarreau, Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder to name a few, joined us and truly made this years Summer Celebration a gala event. In keeping with our motto “Working Together Works,” Indiana University’s Black Film Center/Archive, joined IBE in it’s 22nd Annual Celebration, to present the national filmmaking conference titled, “In Touch with the Spirit.” Film industry professionals from

around the nation attended this national conference. The conference featured such guests as Donald Bogle, a noted New York film historian, who presented an enthralling historical overview of Africans Americans in film. Other guests included Warrington and Reginald Hudlin, producers of “House Party,” “Boomerang,” and “BeBe’s Kids.” Also, the I.U. film Center/Archives premiered “Sarafina” starring Whoopi Goldberg, as well as 14 con(cont. on pg. 6)