Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 December 2002 — Page 7

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13,2002

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A7

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AIMTWOIME FISHER INSPIRED HY A TRUE STORY

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We need to change the negative perception of the Black male

Education

Does

Matter

By Uroy Robinson

ANTWONE FISHER OPENS IN INDIANAPOLIS JANUARY 1

REPORTER NEEDED

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“I pledge to uphold the name of the African-Ameri-can man. I will do so by striving for academic excellence.” Considering the very low academic achievement level of our young African-American men, who could possibly be the author of this pledge? The: large disparity in academic achievement between

white students and students grade point average, as junof color is turning out to be iors they become MAC Scholthe most critical issue facing ars. our country today. Racial dis- Each week they meet, or if parities in achievement lev- they cross each other outside els and disciplinary actions of the weekly meetings, they are becoming more common exchange a firm handshake place in the public school sys- and recite the above pledge, tern. To get our young men to In each grade level, from shake someone’s hand in the K-12, white students are proper fashion and to regreatly out-performing mi- member something uplifting, nority students in every rather than some booty shaksingle category. The only ar- ing rap lyrics is an improveeas that minority students ment in itself, lead in are disciplinary ac- “These guys have the tion, suspensions, and expul- grades, the respect and the sions. Every test score, school girls,” says Raji Bey, a senior report, and statistical data who went through the proshows our young people are gram as a freshman. He confailing in the academic and tinues, “Who wouldn’t want social behavior arena. And to be like them?” guess who is on the bottom The view that many of our of the bottom? African- young people have regarding American boys fair worst ev- academic success and selfery time and in every single discipline is that of “acting category. white.” The American culture But there is hope! The in general, and the Africanpledge belongs to a group of American culture in specific, African-American male stu- does not value education in dents at Shaker Heights High the same manner as the JapaSchool, in Shaker Heights, nese or Chinese Americans. Ohio. Pur values are more aligned These young men are with what we see on televimembers of the SHHS Mi- sion and in celebrity maganority Achievement Commit- zines. Those African-Ameri-tee, or MAC. The MAC pro- can students who value the gram started in 1990 and was above value system are ridicreated by-'a group of high culed for acting ini ijwiAMer achieving Black male stu-' that is other than “Black.” dents who show those fresh- Harvard development spemen that were struggling that cialist, Dr. Ronald Ferguson, being smart is cool. Those conductedasurveyofthestuselectedtojoin are called po- dent attitudes at SHHS. tential scholars and once they When students were asked raise their scores to a 2.8 the question, “What does it

take to be popular?” the white

students gave the highest marks to having an outgoing personality. Blacks gave higher marks to “being tough.” “That tough kid is going to be more standoffish toward authority figures,” says Ferguson. “And that social requirement works against academic achievement.” Af-rican-American students will always be labeled the “hardest” and “baddest” in the school. This is a label that many cherish and wear as a badge of honor because they cannot let anyone “diss,” deeboe,” or “punk” them. They have to represent their “hood” or their “block.” Many of our young people are taught at a very early age to defend themselves at all times and get physical with anyone who “crosses you.” At the end of the first grading period, the MAC scholars met with the AfricanAmerican males in the freshman class. The young newcomers were sitting in the auditorium laughing and playing when the MAC mentors arrived. “You think Ds and F§ are funny?” says one senior, to a grinning 15-year-old.“That is mediocre,” says another. “Mediocre doesn’t cut it for a Black man.” ‘ The upperclassmen teach the freshman study habits, test taking skills, and the importance of succeeding in school. The MAC scholars push the younger students to succeed through encouragement, motivation, and by setting a good example. This is indeed what we need more of ... good examples. It would appear that the scales of balance are weighed in favor of negative role models. This “perception” may not be the reality. The reality is that we have many students

and young adults who are successful and carry theniselves in a very positive mahner. Unfortunately, the focus tends to be on the most negative aspect of our culture. The images that are presented to us in the media shape the “perception” of our culture. This perception is not only shaped by our community, but by those outside of it as well. We are fed daily doses of rappers and athletes and “how they are living.” The media sensationalizes those very few who happen to run afoul of the law. Little attention is ever given to the large majority of African-American male entertainers who are educated family men, who have mor^ als and values, and run successful businesses. Do you know why? Because this is not the image that the deci-sion-makers want our young boys to see. No attention is given to the educated and successful men who are family oriented and live their lives being teachers, lawyers, doctors, business owners, and parents. The media downplays the very existence of such an Af-rican-American experience. These are the role models that come from the AfricanAmerican culture that is made up of positive and successful human beings. The MAC scholars are out to change this unhealthy perception and convince the World that “mediocrity doesn’t cut it for a Black man.” M ' r ‘ * For speaking engagements or education workshops, contact me at: education doesmatter@ hotmail.com or write me at: 9701 E. 63rd St., Indianapolis, IN. 46236. My contact number is 317-502-0272.

Warren Central ‘Voices of Unity’ Gospel Choir [A 0hi

The Warren Central High School “Voices of Unity” Gospel Choir performed at the Indianapolis Police Department’s “Year End Honors Program” on Dec. 12 at the Police Academy at 10 ,1, and Post. This was the second year that the choir has been honored by being asked to perform. The

“Voices of Unity” are an inspiration to all and were enjoyed by Mayor Peterson, the Public Safety Director, the honorees and all the families and friends that were in attendance. Malyrie Wells, a senior at WarrenCentral, performed theNationalAnthem. The choir is tuning up for

the 8 ,h Annual Gospel Explosion entitled, “A Celebration of Hope,” scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7, in the Warren Performing Arts Center. For further information, contact J.P. Smith, Counseling Services Center at Warren Central, at 532-6297.

All Saints Catholic School receives Indianapolis Families Cosat Award

The Indianapolis Recorder 2901 Notih Tacoma Avenue • Indianapolis, IN 46218 • 317-924-5143 eqNres Jaft/2003

All Saints Catholic School, located about a mile west of the Indianapolis Zoo, has received an Indianapolis Families Count Award from the Central Indiana Community Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. All Saints was nominated

in the category of Schools or School-Based Programs. This is the first year that All Saints Catholic has been nominated for the award. Ten Marion County organizations received $5,009 each from the second-annual Indianapolis Families Count Awards,

held recently at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Nearly 250 individuals or groups nominated 90 organizations that provide support and assistance to families in Marion County. For more informs contact Sarah Batt at; 636-3739 or* 'scatholie.org.