Urban Education Symposium

[williamjackson]

Urban Education Symposium 2012
http://www.fscj.edu/mydegree/news-events/urban-education-symposium/

Attended by:
Malcolm Bloodsaw of Holiday Hill Elementary
S J Hannan of Andrew Robinson
Elementary
William Jackson educator w/ DCPS and
Edward Waters College

The Symposium’s focus is on Reclaiming Young Black
Males for Jacksonville’s Future. Malcolm and SJ, the many
young Black men in attendance and the thousands that
reside in Jacksonville the Symposium was directed at them.

Malcolm a 5th grader asked, “why did the people let it get
so bad?” There is no direct answer to this question only
speculation and discussion on societal and economic changes.
The direction of the Symposium was to bring about awareness,
gather support and redirect possible challenges that could lead
to potential and continued failures in school and society by
young Black males.

The community focus for the success of young Black males
was discussed and the realization that this is a national
challenge notjust in Jacksonville. Young Black males are
affected more by unemployment, academic challenges and
societal challenges that may lead to criminal involvement.

The discussion brought about several realities;
young Black males are written on referrals more in school,
young Black males are suspended more from school,
young Black males are incarcerated with longer prison sentences,
young Black males are more prone to come from single parent
homes,
young Black males do not have the necessary skills to gain
employment and only make minimum wage salaries,
young Black males need to see more male teachers, especially
Black male teachers that can relate and are qualified and
certified educators
Businesses that are interested in hiring young Black males
find that the problem attracting young Black males cannot
meet the qualifications of being employed. This is not just
a educational problem, but a social problem where skill
sets are not being taught or reinforced.

In Duval County Public Schools Black male teachers make
up only  5%of teachers. This constitutes a travesty when
so many young Black males need the support and attention
of teachers that can relate and understand the path and
mentality of Black males. The involvement of the Black church
was discussed, and how influential Black churches were in
the past to education. Now many are not involved in the
educational systems as they were of the past. Several churches
have after school programs, mentoring programs and support
academic excellence. The declining influence of Black churches
can be seen in neighborhoods and the decreasing influence
in emphasizing the importance of education. Many use to
provide scholarships, and support travel for their members
children, but these even have ceased.

SJ a 5th grader stated, “there are too many young Black
males without fathers and fathers need to step-up and
take care of their families and their children.”
The wisdom and vision of youth is sometimes overlooked,
but in this case it should be heeded and listened to.
As a teacher I see the potential of our young Black males,
but they need support from their fathers, mentorships
help, but nothing compares to the love of an involved and
dedicated father.  Young Black men are shouting out for
help and support by their actions and the choices they
make. There is too much lip service and a wait and see
attitude to wait and see what others do. The Black
community cannot wait for someone outside of the
communities to come in and try to make changes in
Black families. Blacks must stand up for themselves,
helping themselves, their families and their children.

The longer people wait another generation becomes
a statistic, more young Black males will drop out of
school, more young Black males will be involved in
criminal behavior and more young Black males will
not go to college, but go to already overcrowded
prisons, serve longer prison sentences to be made
a example of. Black males will be denied educational
and social services. There must be a stop to
generational and societal deficiencies by working
together and learning again how to help families
with more engagement, prioritize education and
social involvement.