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Thread 9343

Thread ID: 9343 | Posts: 11 | Started: 2003-08-27

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kminta [OP]

2003-08-27 21:55 | User Profile

The Sad Truth of Racial Stereotypes in Memphis City Schools

By William K. Richardson [url=http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=7996]FrontPageMagazine.com[/url] | May 26, 2003

Since the myriad of diversity and tolerance organizations tell me that black stereotypes are merely vestiges of America’s racist past and do not exist, then I must be, like the speaker in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven,” delusional, seeing things daily that clearly are not there.

I began teaching in the 87 percent black Memphis City Schools in 1991, logging time at a south Memphis middle school and my current post at Westside High School in the Frayser section of the city. From my first day in the classroom in October 1991, I have seen behavior that is intolerable at best and criminal at worst. Said behavior is eerily similar to the most vile of black male stereotypes: violent, criminal, anti-intellectual, lazy, shiftless and promiscuous. How can this be? I mean, such things do not exist, right?

The U. S. Department of Education reports that, nationally, 33 percent of the students expelled from public schools are black, even though blacks only make up 20 percent of total students in public schools. Ironically (or not), these figures mirror those of the U.S. Justice Department that show in some cities one in three young black males is connected to the justice system, either in jail, on parole or awaiting trial. Author Earl Ofari Hutchinson believes many young black males do live up to (or is it “down to“) stereotypes, writing, “Many young blacks further validate racial stereotypes by aping and exulting the thuggish bluster and behavior of gangster rappers…” Mr. Hutchinson also writes that many black males “…measure their status or boost their self worth by demonstrating their proficiency in physical fights or the sexual abuse of black women, and of course, by creating havoc in the classroom.”

Mr. Hutchinson could very have been a fly on the wall of my classroom the last dozen years, for he aptly captures my workday.

“Phillip,” (not this little “darling’s” real name), embodies the whole “black male as ignorant thug” thing. A seventeen year old ninth grader, Phillip is a unrepentant hoodlum who is proud of his dismal school record and gang membership. When he is not on suspension or in jail - which, thankfully, is not often - he saunters into class (always late), no materials in sight and no intent to do anything but sit and disrupt. Phillip speaks whenever he feels like it (usually some loud profanity laced “check” or gibe at one his classmates), tries to intimidate the younger students (especially the females) and openly defies direct orders, eventually offering, “Well, just send me to the office. I am tired of this s--t!” Phillip openly brags of his lengthy criminal record, gang membership and drug abuse. To call him stupid would be an insult to bags of rocks which are truly stupid. Socially promoted since middle school, Phillip is gleefully ignorant by choice. He has failed my class twice, with number three coming in June, when final report cards are issued. The only use he has for a book is to throw it at someone. This is sad, but so true. I only wish Phillip was an isolated case.

The peer pressure for many young black males to be a stereotype (read thug) is enormous at my school. Students who try to perform well in school are accused of “acting white,” while students who get involved in school activities are called “sell-outs.” Some of our athletic teams struggle to field teams, not because we do not have the students, but because there is little interest. If hard work or commitment is required, many students at Westside High simply will not do it. Yet if we had an “auto theft” team, I imagine we would have to hold tryouts and cut folks for this likely championship “team.” Such are the interests at Westside.

I remember once (but certainly not the only time) admonishing a class of mine about their work and study habits, as well as their behavior in class, only to be met with, “Coach, you just want us to act like white folks!” I guess linguistics professor and author John McWhorter is right: “To be culturally black, sadly, almost requires that one see books and school as a realm to visit rather than to live in.”

It is my twelve years in the Memphis public schools that has made me admire and appreciate the handful of students I have taught and coached who have done well. Despite the taunts, the extreme peer pressure and the negatives all around them, these young men have persevered and thrived, leaving their former classmates behind, mired in the swamp (of their own making) of ignorance, poverty and criminality that is sadly their lives.

These kids, who shook off the “ghetto mentality” - Anthony, Daniel, Leavy, Courtney, Lozie, Chris, Antonio, Demarkus and others - deserve much applause and credit. Allow me to be the first to laud their efforts, character and toughness.

Another day lies ahead for me tomorrow, a day when I will see what is not there and hear what is not being said. Boy, I can hardly wait.

DakotaBlue

2003-08-28 19:35 | User Profile

I think it was Wm. Buckley who noted shortly after the civil rights movement got underway, and I'm paraphrasing,...we thought we were getting the civil rights negro and what we got was this, (referring to the Black Panthers and new breed of ghetto-black).

Interesting how the highest achievements and lowest criminal rates among young black men came during a time of so-called white oppression. As soon as they were given complete freedom by white legislators and courts to work, live, eat, sleep, travel, date, f*ck, whenever and wherever, they revert to some sub-human classification. Maybe a sociologist could explain how a culture regresses in 40 short years after being handed everything they asked for and more. I'd like to hear any reasonable explanation.

MadScienceType

2003-08-28 20:20 | User Profile

I'd like to hear any reasonable explanation.

No negative selection pressure...

DakotaBlue

2003-08-28 21:41 | User Profile

Originally posted by AntiYuppie+Aug 28 2003, 14:22 -->

QUOTE* (AntiYuppie @ Aug 28 2003, 14:22 )

<!--QuoteBegin-DakotaBlue@Aug 28 2003, 19:35 * ** I think it was Wm. Buckley who noted shortly after the civil rights movement got underway, and I'm paraphrasing,...we thought we were getting the civil rights negro and what we got was this, (referring to the Black Panthers and new breed of ghetto-black). Interesting how the highest achievements and lowest criminal rates among young black men came during a time of so-called white oppression.  As soon as they were given complete freedom by white legislators and courts to work, live, eat, sleep, travel, date, f*ck, whenever and wherever, they revert to some sub-human classification. Maybe a sociologist could explain how a culture regresses in 40 short years after being handed everything they asked for and more. I'd like to hear any reasonable explanation. ** An analogy can be made with domestic animals. When kept in line for generations by intelligent human masters, animals such as pigs, dogs, and cows are docile and even useful. When freed from the restrictions of domestication, they revert to a feral state and become dangerous and aggressive animals much like their wild boar, wolf, and buffalo ancestors. You see much the same thing with the "emancipated" negro, who when freed from the supervision ("oppression"??!!) of whites in America and Southern Africa, returns to his natural state. In every respect, the ghetto negro is scarcely different in nature from his counterparts in the Congo jungles? ** To Anti- I would agree except for one thing. The negro slave and the S.African negro had little to fall back on when the plug was pulled. They weren't allowed to create the cultural infrastucture necessary to sustain them in a free world nor were they permitted to prepare themselves for entry into this new world. Not so the American black. During the turn of the century black enclaves thrived in major northern cities, even in DC. A middle class developed and some blacks attended black colleges. Their achievements in the entertainment field were being recognized. A small professional class began to emerge. As they pushed north, Harlem became a thriving economic mecca for hard working negroes to become shopkeepers, dentists, photographers, etc. as they served their own community exclusively. Even during the Depression, American blacks managed to keep family together and random crime while not unheard of in these black neighborhoods, was enough to spur backyard gossip and some fear. So what the hell happened? DakotaBlue 2003-08-28 21:44 | User Profile Sorry about that post folks. I haven't quite figured out how to add just the last quote to my response and how to edit. Can someone help me out. Thanks. na Gaeil is gile 2003-08-29 08:35 | User Profile Originally posted by DakotaBlue+Aug 28 2003, 15:41 --> QUOTE (DakotaBlue @ Aug 28 2003, 15:41 ) Even during the Depression, American blacks managed to keep family together and random crime while not unheard of in these black neighborhoods, was enough to spur backyard gossip and some fear. So what the hell happened?* A serpent slithered into their garden dripping honeyed poison. It was a busy little snake with a special brand of poison for each group it visited: Negroes, women, decadent White college kids. Regardless of the brand the poison is slow acting but lethal - completely fatal - only one known antidote. <!--QuoteBegin-DakotaBlue@Aug 28 2003, 15:44 * Sorry about that post folks. I haven't quite figured out how to add just the last quote to my response and how to edit. Can someone help me out. Thanks. I don't know if the edit feature is available at your member level, if it is there should be an edit and a delete button between the report and quote buttons just above your posts. DakotaBlue 2003-08-29 21:21 | User Profile Thanks for the help. It wasn't enabled. Nice to know I wasn't goin' nuts. Not just yet anyway. Your allegory is correct and we all know who the serpent was/is. Curious. What's your antidote? na Gaeil is gile 2003-08-30 11:35 | User Profile Originally posted by DakotaBlue@Aug 29 2003, 15:21 * What's your antidote?* Hitler once remarked on his policy for social progress that he would nationalise the people not industry. There is little to stand in the way of a people who possess a fundamental belief in themselves and their destiny, the Jew bacillus only infects weakened systems. If the spirit of our people is restored than the Jew will have little choice but to pack its carpet bags and slither elsewhere. I think 95% of us here are in agreement on the symptoms and the disease but are divided on the means of distilling the antidote. Personally I believe some form of populist nationalism offers a viable alternative to the current faux partisan political rot. prozak 2003-08-30 12:58 | User Profile Originally posted by MadScienceType@Aug 28 2003, 14:20 * ** > I'd like to hear any reasonable explanation.* No negative selection pressure... ** There is no desire to evolve within the Africans - this is why they remained in Africa while others went exploring. Importing them here was racist. The Jewish media of course ONLY shows images of successful Africans except when there's no way out of it. They do not report on the majority of them being, like Africans in Africa, inclined to certain behaviors - there's no money in it. prozak 2003-08-30 13:01 | User Profile *Originally posted by AntiYuppie@Aug 28 2003, 14:22 * ** In every respect, the ghetto negro is scarcely different in nature from his counterparts in the Congo jungles? ** I highlighted this line because I think we should stop overthinking issues in general, and this issue to me is simple: evolution is real. Germans, English, etc. evolved differently from 'groes and Asians, and thus have different standards and levels of behavior. DakotaBlue 2003-09-03 02:08 | User Profile *Originally posted by na Gaeil is gile@Aug 30 2003, 05:35 * ** Hitler once remarked on his policy for social progress that he would nationalise the people not industry. There is little to stand in the way of a people who possess a fundamental belief in themselves and their destiny, the Jew bacillus only infects weakened systems. If the spirit of our people is restored than the Jew will have little choice but to pack its carpet bags and slither elsewhere. I think 95% of us here are in agreement on the symptoms and the disease but are divided on the means of distilling the antidote. Personally I believe some form of populist nationalism offers a viable alternative to the current faux partisan political rot. ** **Trouble today is, people of European descent are becoming de-ethnicized at an alarming rate, while at the same time a Jewish minority and non-Jewish elite are exercising full power to contaminate the gene pool. Was a time on TV when black men and white women never were shown in a sexually intimate way. That's about as passe as Lincoln's stovepipe hat. If this continues, no semblance of nationalism will remain behind for anyone to remember much less defend. 95% of us feel as you claim, but that doesn't measure up to the 75% of the population out there who have been conditioned to view this kind of talk as racist. Just imagine, talking about the preservation of a culture, the salvation of a once great country against a pack of jackals is now considered hate-talk and punishable by varying degrees of pseudo-justice. **