Reply #7: to continue this

[Dan]

As a parent - do not hesitate in being proactive in supporting your child. Make it a point to discuss every school day - what happening (always in just a friendly, parental way - without pushing). As long as you have open lines of communications with your son - it will help him reach his potential.

As someone else said - don't focus on the color - there will be teachers/people of various genders and colors - that will help your son succeed or provide good advice - and your son will discover them. You might be surprised to discover who your son might choose to listen too and learn from.

As this person indicated just because a person is Black doesn't mean that that person might be a good model for your son. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Blacks that will do everything they can to promote failure in your son. From the education/talking/high performing is white to the attempts to get him involved in dysfunctional behavior (illegal) and the ever present attempts to just beat the hell out of him - (two goals: beat him up and get him identified in the system as a potential criminal).

Then, even worse - you have to be aware of good intentioned friends of his - that as he grows older will want to show him the 'bright side of street life' - I can assure you, those that could escape the 'bright life of the street life' left long ago.

If you find or discover that he become moody, leary of certain school activities - social settings, or certain friends - don't push, but become proactive in finding out why. Besides the friends, there are just teachers that will promote the view that a Black male shouldn't be doing certain gifted things, or is acting outside of his place. Beware the smiles of pretend friendships and well meaning - your son (if lucky) will develop the gift of seeing behind the smiling faces (and maybe his parents too).

Do not be afraid to stand up for you child - to protect him - because if you don't, who will?

But as long as your son keeps his goal in focus - and understands that his primary objective is to obtain a good education - and let no obstacles stand in his way...then his chances of success are higher.

Being young gifted and Black - is never a crime, never a white person only characteristic, and never a rejection of self. But rather, prior to integration (not blaming the Civil Rights Era activities) it was actively promoted (high achievement and educational success) as what was expected of each of us as a necessary criteria to ensure success. The thuggery stuff that has become the main selling points of TV, movies - was never acceptable and should not be acceptable today.

Good luck and much success.