But for hell's sake: As a retired middle school educator who taught young men from ages 10-18 in grades 6-8; a big sister, and an auntie, and community leader, let's do a quick survey around our homes and communities.
Can your/our American Black boys and young men from ages 10-25:
understand that there is a systemic, documented planned erasure of Black American boys and men?
read a page from a book that has at least 20-50 lines?
write more than 1-2 sentences to explain their thoughts or positions or anything?
sign their names - not print but write their signatures?
draw comparative analyses between one item, issue, or person to another?
speak about any political, social, or cultural issue or offer an opinion on one of these?
wipe their butts without leaving much excrement in their underwear or boxers?
tie their shoes?
express a genuine issue in solving a problem or issue?
begin to understand what commitment to anything or anyone may mean or exemplify?
understand the difference in the balance between their emotional, physical, and mental health?
understand the power and difference between consent and the word or act of "no"?
respect their families, friends, communities, teachers, etc.?
explore educational and/or workforce options that may include college or technical training but does not include athleticism, entertainment, or notably, streaming/gaming?
complete a chore and/or assignment with more than 2-3 instructions?
understand that they have the power to be technological, scientific, agricultural, financial, or any other industry-wide success or geniuses?
If you are not adding to our boys' and men's ability to achieve one or more than these, but you've complained about it in your communities in ways that match what others say, maybe we need to revisit our anger. If you have contributed to their success in one or more of these areas, keep going. It is difficult as hell but you are doing incredible work and what others seem to have forgotten to do as they complain.
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u/Michere1 2d ago
But for hell's sake: As a retired middle school educator who taught young men from ages 10-18 in grades 6-8; a big sister, and an auntie, and community leader, let's do a quick survey around our homes and communities.
Can your/our American Black boys and young men from ages 10-25:
understand that there is a systemic, documented planned erasure of Black American boys and men?
read a page from a book that has at least 20-50 lines?
write more than 1-2 sentences to explain their thoughts or positions or anything?
sign their names - not print but write their signatures?
draw comparative analyses between one item, issue, or person to another?
speak about any political, social, or cultural issue or offer an opinion on one of these?
wipe their butts without leaving much excrement in their underwear or boxers?
tie their shoes?
express a genuine issue in solving a problem or issue?
begin to understand what commitment to anything or anyone may mean or exemplify?
understand the difference in the balance between their emotional, physical, and mental health?
understand the power and difference between consent and the word or act of "no"?
respect their families, friends, communities, teachers, etc.?
explore educational and/or workforce options that may include college or technical training but does not include athleticism, entertainment, or notably, streaming/gaming?
complete a chore and/or assignment with more than 2-3 instructions?
understand that they have the power to be technological, scientific, agricultural, financial, or any other industry-wide success or geniuses?
If you are not adding to our boys' and men's ability to achieve one or more than these, but you've complained about it in your communities in ways that match what others say, maybe we need to revisit our anger. If you have contributed to their success in one or more of these areas, keep going. It is difficult as hell but you are doing incredible work and what others seem to have forgotten to do as they complain.