"Gifted Black males:

[mzteris]

understanding and deational reports overwhelmingly reinforce the well-known and unfortunate reality that Black males face incredible barriers as they strive to achieve in school and social settings. One of the most potent and pervasive barriers is that of social injustices that effectively undermine their potential, self-perception, and opportunity to achieve in academic settings. The toll that is taken on Black males shows up in all economic, social, and academic areas--more than all other males and females; Black males are over-represented in special education, under-represented in gifted education, over-represented among dropouts, over-represented among students who are underachievers, and over-represented among students who are unmotivated and choose to disengage academically (Ferguson, 2001, 2002; Ford, 1996; U.S. Department of Education, 2000). These dismal realities hold true at all levels of the educational pipeline, from preschool to college and they hold true for Black males at all levels of academic ability or skill. In other words, being identified as gifted does not necessarily preempt gifted Black males from encountering barriers to their achievement. As described throughout this article, like Black males in general, gifted Black males are also at high risk for failing to reach their academic potential. "

-MORE- MUCH MORE!! -

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Gifted+Black+males:+understanding+and+decreasing+barriers+to...-a0211804442


*********

I wanted to get this out there to the teachers. For those who know some of those teachers have me on - er - ignore - please please please forward them a link to this article.

As the parent of a very bright African American male, this is a subject of great interest to me. As a student in a Spanish immersion school there is a lot of cultural diversity in the classroom and the curriculum. This may have something to do with his willingness - eagerness - to be a "good student".

As we get ready for him to move to middle school next year, there will be very different dynamics going on. The good thing is, the school system is developing an "immersion house" within the middle school. There'll just be our group of sixth graders, mixed with the gen pop of 7th & 8th graders. The next year it'll be our 7th graders and immersion 6th graders with the general population of 8th graders, until the third year and the "house" within the middle school will be all immersion students.

Even with the "house" design of middle school (I hope yall know what I'm talking about here), there'll be interaction with the three other houses of the school which will be just general population students. Within that is a significant AA community. I'm a little nervous about his maintaining his pride in "being smart". I think the clustering with the other immersion students will help with this, but as we all know - middle school is a time of significant pressure to "fit in". It helps that he is also a very good athlete in addition to being smart, so maybe there'll be a little less pressure on him for by those who accuse of him "acting White" (see the article).

I think I am going to look into a "Big Brother" type program and see if there are some Black men for him to be paired with. And, as we prepare the new immersion program for middle school, I'm going to see if I can push for some Black male teachers. That would be great! Of course some of his coaches are black, as is his hip-hop teacher (who is also a ballet dancer), but I'd dearly love to have some more 'academically oriented' role models for him.

He has wanted to be a veterinarian since he was 4 yrs old (he's ll now) and that seems to be a driving force in his desire to do well in school. Of course, having a gifted older brother doesn't hurt either - although he's white. My younger son has been raised in a household where "being smart" and academically oriented is just - expected, so maybe that's a factor as well.

At any rate - sorry for the long ramble. Please read the article, it's long - and densely written - but maybe it'll be of interest/help to the teachers of African American males out there.

[cap]

1. being gifted and black is sometimes even worse...

you get known as "uppity" and it becomes blatantly obvious to people that you really shouldn't be overlooked, yet they can't get over his skin color... so they really don't know what to do.

Having your kid learn people skills, negotiating, and leadership skills is very important. Also, how to recognize and combat discrimination.

[noamnety]

2. broken link

can you try pasting it again?

[mzteris]

5. oops! i'm sorry - LINK

There's a symbol imbedded in the link that DU recognizes at that "clown face"..... aaaggghhhh....

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Gifted%20Black%20males:%20understanding%20and%20decreasing%20barriers%20to...-a0211804442


Took forever to try and figure out how to fix this!

[rucky]

3. Sounds like you're doing all you can

under some pretty challenging circumstances. FWIW, I got an M.A. in middle childhood education + a couple years of urban school experience. I've taught at schools where the students' needs are very high, and sadly the resources for the gifted are last priority.

The immersion program seems interesting, but could go either way. On one hand, you know he'll be challenged, academically, and that's really important. On the other hand, the peer influence is really really strong at that age. Sixth graders are a bit more timid. Seventh and eighth graders - not so much.

I agree that getting him in front of some black male role models is the key, here. Reality is, parents only have so much direct influence at this age - but I don't think I have to tell you to keep working at it and stay involved no matter what.

If you have a better link to that article, I'd love to read it.

[mzteris]

6. I just posted a fixed link ...

My son is big for his age (and getting bigger every day!) so he's not easily intimidated - not that anyone has ever really tried. Don't get me wrong - he is one of the nicest kids you'd ever meet and a very gentle soul.

It was kinda funny last year when he started playing football. I overheard one of the dads who knows my son tell another dad, "...yeah, he's a pretty good size, but I don't think **** has that 'killer instinct'. He's just too nice!"

Funny thing he still did try to "be nice" on the field but was very - er - effective anyway, "Mom, I wasn't trying to hit them very hard!" :rofl:

[notadmblnd]

4. I think you might find that other black adult males may attempt to hinder him too

as is the case in my son's school, which is very affluent. The assistant principal is a black man and it's been my experience that he attempts to stand in the way of students of color at every opportunity. He makes it a point to call white boys who have adopted the hip hop fashion style down to the office and lectures them about how they are not black and how they shouldn't have anything to do with the students of color. He accused my son of rape (my son was 15, of mixed race and not at the age of consent at the time,) and when I pointed out that the young lady (who was sooooo traumatized by it,that she came back a second time for sex) was 17, and asked him again who the victim was- he dropped it, but it wasn't until I had received a visit from a local detective (which could have ended my sons very promising future) who told me that he understands teenagers and if I told him the situation was resolved then he'd go no further with the complaint.

Anyway, I'm just telling you that you might want to keep a keen eye on those adult black males that you seek to mentor your child. They are often filled with loathing for members of their own race. If you truly want your son to succeed, don't let the color of his mentors skin be an obstacle, rather choose his mentors by their character.

[Dan]

7. to continue this

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.

[notadmblnd]

8. Thanks Dan, I didn't finish the article

However, I'm glad to see that it confirms what I pointed out.

[Dan]

9. Didn't read the article

Experience helps

[Ignoblesolid]

11. role model should have similar characteristics

Not a big fan of role models , but if a parent insist on
having a  role model for their child, I would try to get a
role model who shares very similar intrinsic personal
interests and personality traits with the child so that they
will relate to them better which would make the bond between
the two a whole lot more easier. I also don't think that a
role model just has to be an adult. 

[mzteris]

10. who in the f'in hell

would unrec this thread, except a racist?

:nuke: :grr: :nuke: :grr: :nuke:

[Hannah Bell]

12. Maybe people who think that giftedness has nothing to do with worthiness?