YAWN,here we go again-two very well to do black media superstars rhetorically masturbate to the joy of all liberal AND conservative intellectuals.
BETCHA they never actually GO to the hood they pontificate about so much!
But I do.Every day.And the Boyz and the Girlz in the hood could give a flying fart about what EITHER Cosby or Dyson say about their situation.Ditto with their parents.They are NOT going to go back to the old fashioned values.They are NOT going to stop calling each other the N,MF and B words.They are NOT going to turn off Ludacris and Kellis and listen to Brahms or Ella Fitzgerald.They are NOT going to go steady,get married and have three children who are the paragons of genteel manners.Thats just NOT reality.
Don't get me wrong.Most of these kids are VERY likeable.They are clever,witty and full of life.Contrary to what a lot of people think,they are NOT anti-white.Its been ages since I have been called a honky or white MF.They are very durable and adaptable.Some of them will break free of the madness of ghetto life and "come up"the right way.Yet their success will have everything to do with that special teacher or mentor or the rare parent or relative that has their back.
I think both liberals and conservatives are barking up the wrong trees.The liberals think that everyone in the hood are poor,oppressed and waiting for their enlightened souls to show them the way out through the usual government give a way programs.Way too many conservatives seem to think that young black and Latinos,especially the boys,are this great Menace to Society out to get "whitey".
Neither portrayal is accurate.But people love the great debate on these cultural issues.Problem is that NOTHING ever really changes.
"Neither portrayal is accurate.But people love the great debate on these cultural issues.Problem is that NOTHING ever really changes."
You don't happen to live in N'awlins, do you?
Wow, you seem a little negative. And you sure did generalize about what the kids will and won't do... bottom line is, some one has to model new ways and living, thinking and being to the kids in the hood. We have to stress that it is up the the individual to make something of themselves. It is not always easy to go against the grain but it can be done with determination. I used to live in the hood, my parents got me out of the hood and my hood mentality went away. Now I'm going to generalize... everybody and I mean every body wants the white picket fence, 2.5 kids and dog. We all dream about it. Its our job to let the kidz know they can have that dream too.
Riverman you must be a public school teacher or something. Sound just like my sister too. I have to agree with you except for the fact that it's never too late and those kids may well pay more attention to you than Cosby or Dyson. Personally, I try my best but the mentality is pretty badly entrenched thanks to the parents, or lack thereof.
"Yet their success will have everything to do with that special teacher or mentor or the rare parent or relative that has their back. "
I'm not sure I can take this statement as something you really mean or are you justifing your job?
From all I know about kids once they are about 11 years old the peer group takes over as the prime molding factor in thier lives. Having schools that lack discipline and academic objectives only help kids become more uncilivized.