The number of White teachers in America’s public school system who have little to no training in the area of cross cultural communication is staggering. Yet, one of the top reasons for students of color not finishing high school or choosing not to continue to post secondary education, if they did finish high school, is they didn’t feel their teacher communicated with them.
Next to my wife I love my sons more than anything on this earth. However, my wife is White, making my sons bi-racial. They have grown up in a White community. With all the love I have for them, I have had to work hard communicating with them. They listen to conversations while I’m on the phone with my Black friends and think we’re fighting. They sometimes look afraid when I’m passionate in my communication with them.
At first I used to get upset at them. How could they think I would ever mean them any harm? However, at some point I had to realize their fear was real. It didn’t matter what I thought. If I truly love them I would do whatever, it took to make sure my communication style was not getting in the way of them knowing I love them. No matter how much I explain to my wife and kids that the way I communicate doesn’t mean I’m upset with them, they still couldn’t change their response. They were conditioned to view my style of communication as negative. Even though my friendships with my Black friends were solid, despite what my family thought of our conversations, was not enough proof. So, I had to change the way I communicate with my family. I decided to teach them in small doses, that my communication style isn’t wrong, it’s just different.
I grew up in a house and a neighborhood where people spoke their mind. The only time there was a sit-down-shut-up and listen, situation was if I was in trouble or I was asked to explain something. Most of the time, communicating was a proactive process. Interruption was part of the process. Listening happened more within the thought process than it did as far as sitting there waiting for whomever it was speaking to me to stop, so I could speak.
This is the point I’m trying to make. I had to work hard at communicating with my bi-racial kids and my White wife, all whom I love. Even considering the fact I have taught communication skills for twenty years, communicating cross culturally had to be an on-purpose act between me and my own family. So the question has to be asked, what chance does a White teacher have in communicating cross culturally, with practically no training?
Without cross cultural communication training there will always be a significant percentage of students of color and low income students who will fall between the cracks. They will not receive the same quality of education as their White counterparts. A significant percentage of these students, that do manage to stay in school and not drop out, will not want to continue to postsecondary education, because of their negative communication experiences in high school, middle and elementary school.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
No man is an island
“No man is an island. No man stands alone. Each man's joy is joy to me. Each man's grief is my own. We need one another. So I will defend, each man as my brother, each man as my friend.” These were words from a popular folk song, from an age long since passed. The reason Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer wrote the song I’m not sure of, but it became one of the many battle cries of a generation of people who wanted to see change in our society. As a young boy I remember singing it in my elementary and junior high school choirs. I remember liking the words and what I thought they stood for. At the time I believe those words rung true in regards to which direction this country was heading. Now they don’t ring true any longer. While society has made some changes, we are light years away from the essence of the lyrics written above.
The advantage of living more than fifty years allows me to actually have comparisons. Like most people my age and older, I can actually see societal changes. There is no more evidence of the ability to see change as in observing the racial climate which seems to continually circumnavigate this country. In my lifetime I remember being called, Colored, Negro, Black, and now African American. As a youngster in Alabama, I saw Colored people who were afraid to speak their minds to White people. As I grew older, I’ve met and known Negroes who were proud and fought for basic human and civil rights. James Brown, said, “I’m Black and I’m Proud”. Then I watched young Blacks rebel against injustice and we become proud of the color of our skin. Then all of a sudden we began to lash-out at each other as if the enemy was within. Now I’m witnessing my people as African Americans prosper. However, prosperity has re-created an old separation within the ranks. It’s reminiscence of the old Field Negro verses the House Negro in the days of slavery. Prosperity by some African Americans has actually been the most affective weapon by Whites in getting Black people off track, in regards to freedom and justice for all. The old theory goes, give a few a lot and they will keep the rest of them off us. Or, in some circles it’s called the “spook by the door syndrome”.
Most educated Black people with a few years under their belt remember and understand this “spook by the door syndrome”. In the old days we always knew to be leery of the company that hired a Black to head human resources. Their job almost instinctively was to keep out other Blacks. They did this to preserve their own prosperous lifestyle. They guarded the door as if their lives depended on it. To be honest, it probably did. Today the same behavior can be seen with famous entertainers and athletes who never speak out against racial injustices, even when they have enough money to last a lifetime. These young African Americans become wealthy and are immediately befriended by seasoned African American haves, who still remember what it was like being Black have-nots. They seemed to be schooled on what not to say and nor to outwardly support. They seemed to be told not to risk what they have acquired, reaching out or back to help bring forward other potential Blacks, let alone speaking out on racial and social injustices.
A case in point would be Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. I’m a pretty aware individual, but to my knowledge neither Jordan nor Woods has publicly denounced racism and hatred. The reason is because the majority of their audience and galleries is White. They don’t need Black people approval in order to make their money. Can you imagine the affects of a campaign against racism would be like with either or both of them featured?
Man, has learned to be an island. The White man has taught the African American man to stand alone. This stand alone mentality is the opposite of a heritage which gave our Colored and Negro forefathers the courage to change society enough so we could become African American. Brothas we need one another. So we must defend, each man as our brother, each man as our friend.
The advantage of living more than fifty years allows me to actually have comparisons. Like most people my age and older, I can actually see societal changes. There is no more evidence of the ability to see change as in observing the racial climate which seems to continually circumnavigate this country. In my lifetime I remember being called, Colored, Negro, Black, and now African American. As a youngster in Alabama, I saw Colored people who were afraid to speak their minds to White people. As I grew older, I’ve met and known Negroes who were proud and fought for basic human and civil rights. James Brown, said, “I’m Black and I’m Proud”. Then I watched young Blacks rebel against injustice and we become proud of the color of our skin. Then all of a sudden we began to lash-out at each other as if the enemy was within. Now I’m witnessing my people as African Americans prosper. However, prosperity has re-created an old separation within the ranks. It’s reminiscence of the old Field Negro verses the House Negro in the days of slavery. Prosperity by some African Americans has actually been the most affective weapon by Whites in getting Black people off track, in regards to freedom and justice for all. The old theory goes, give a few a lot and they will keep the rest of them off us. Or, in some circles it’s called the “spook by the door syndrome”.
Most educated Black people with a few years under their belt remember and understand this “spook by the door syndrome”. In the old days we always knew to be leery of the company that hired a Black to head human resources. Their job almost instinctively was to keep out other Blacks. They did this to preserve their own prosperous lifestyle. They guarded the door as if their lives depended on it. To be honest, it probably did. Today the same behavior can be seen with famous entertainers and athletes who never speak out against racial injustices, even when they have enough money to last a lifetime. These young African Americans become wealthy and are immediately befriended by seasoned African American haves, who still remember what it was like being Black have-nots. They seemed to be schooled on what not to say and nor to outwardly support. They seemed to be told not to risk what they have acquired, reaching out or back to help bring forward other potential Blacks, let alone speaking out on racial and social injustices.
A case in point would be Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. I’m a pretty aware individual, but to my knowledge neither Jordan nor Woods has publicly denounced racism and hatred. The reason is because the majority of their audience and galleries is White. They don’t need Black people approval in order to make their money. Can you imagine the affects of a campaign against racism would be like with either or both of them featured?
Man, has learned to be an island. The White man has taught the African American man to stand alone. This stand alone mentality is the opposite of a heritage which gave our Colored and Negro forefathers the courage to change society enough so we could become African American. Brothas we need one another. So we must defend, each man as our brother, each man as our friend.
Why Have A Black History Month?
Living in Idaho for over 30 years, I’ve heard many objections to having a Black History Month. Some objections were spoken with a hint of foresight. However, most were spoken from a deep seeded air of superiority. None were spoken after investigating truth. This country has a rich history. Unfortunately a lot of America’s truth history is inaccurate, left out and sometimes flat out made up. Sadly, a lot of the inaccuracies put one or another minority group down, while allowing Whites to be depicted as bold, brave and true Americans.
For instance, James Loewen wrote a book ‘Lies My Teacher Told Me’. He examined twelve history books used in schools across America. One of only four of the twelve history books used tells the truth about President Woodrow Wilson. The man was am openly racist President. He believed Blacks were inferior. He ordered Black and White federal workers be segregated from each other. I’ve read more information and found, our former President of the United States Woodrow Wilson had a long history of hatred towards Blacks. Yet, because he was a President history doesn’t tell the truth about him. So, students, especially Black students, all around this country attend schools named “Woodrow Wilson High” or “Woodrow Wilson Elementary” not knowing he was a very hateful man.
This country distorts the historical truth, even when it comes to the Bible. Charleston Heston plays Moses, in the Ten Commandments. He’s White and his wife is White. The Bible clearly states in Numbers 12:1, “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.” When is the last time a church pastor talked about Moses’ wife being an Ethiopian woman? There are some so-called modern day biblical scholars, such as those who wrote the Harpers Study Bible who, in the first place, use the word Cushite, instead of Ethiopian in their Bible. Then in their footnotes contend that it’s debatable whether or not Moses’ Ethiopian wife was Negress. This insinuates that maybe Ethiopians weren’t dark skinned people. However, turn to Jeremiah 13:23, where it asks “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard his spots?” This proves to me that the Ethiopian’s skin was noticeably different. Ethiopians were Africans and still are today. Black Americans are mostly descendants of Africans, therefore we have heritage even in the Bible. However in this country, when it comes to religion, we’re made to feel like stepchildren. It’s as if White America is saying, “even though you’re not included in the Bible, God loves you anyways.”
Here’s another example of history happening right before our eyes. Picture a woman in a grocery story. She has a shopping basket full of food. There’s one child in the basket and two more following her around. Once in line you notice the food in her basket. There’s steak, beer, and cigarettes. You’re hard pressed to find anything in the basket for the children. Then she pulls out food stamps or vouchers to pay for the food. Depending on what part of the country you live in, most people would admit the woman they see in this situation is a Black woman. That’s because the television news always uses people of color when they do stories on welfare or welfare reform. Television has conditioned people to see Blacks whenever they hear the word welfare. I researched welfare in this country. The truth is there are almost ten times more Whites on welfare, than there are Blacks. That’s because there are ten times more Whites in this country. So, the truth of the matter is, Blacks are not abusing the welfare system. The truth of the matter is Whites need to get off welfare too.
A lot of farmers in this country, including Idaho farmers owe there livelihood to a Black man named George Washington Carver. He came up with ways a lot of ways to use peanuts, including peanut butter. When’s the last time one of the peanut butter companies mentioned that in their advertisements? Carver introduced crop rotation to southern farmers. Crop rotation allows farmers to get the maximum use of their land. He also came up with many uses for barley. Farming is an important part of America’s history. Yet, when we think of hard working farmers, we rarely envision Blacks or George Washington Carver.
In a relationship between two people truth has to be the foundation. From truth the relationship can build and become healthy. America and its history are rich because of the many differences in its people. We can improve America by improving the relationships between its people. History is important because it makes people feel like they have a stake in the building of this country. Until we are able to tell the truth, starting with the truth regarding Native Indians (original Americans) and slavery (It was about money not hate). I toured a city underground, in Pendleton, Oregon. Asians who help build the railroads had to live in this underground city, because they weren’t allowed in the city after dark.
So, until we dig deep pass superiority, to the truth of the past, I’m for Black History Month. However, I do pray for the day when American History includes all who helped build it. I’ll be happy to give up Black History Month when history books truly begin to investigate. Walsh (a White man) and Burrell (a Black man) remind us in their book ‘The Other America’ of a man who owned hundredths of slaves and actually is responsible for lying about the bravery and skills of Black soldiers. Even when this general had to use Black soldiers because three thousand of his White soldiers deserted him, he would never give the Black soldier credit. By the way when this General is depicted crossing the Delaware, it never shows Prince Whipple and Oliver Cromwell, two Black men who were on the very same boat. That man is called the Father of our Country, George Washington. How many of us were taught these facts in our American History classes?
For instance, James Loewen wrote a book ‘Lies My Teacher Told Me’. He examined twelve history books used in schools across America. One of only four of the twelve history books used tells the truth about President Woodrow Wilson. The man was am openly racist President. He believed Blacks were inferior. He ordered Black and White federal workers be segregated from each other. I’ve read more information and found, our former President of the United States Woodrow Wilson had a long history of hatred towards Blacks. Yet, because he was a President history doesn’t tell the truth about him. So, students, especially Black students, all around this country attend schools named “Woodrow Wilson High” or “Woodrow Wilson Elementary” not knowing he was a very hateful man.
This country distorts the historical truth, even when it comes to the Bible. Charleston Heston plays Moses, in the Ten Commandments. He’s White and his wife is White. The Bible clearly states in Numbers 12:1, “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.” When is the last time a church pastor talked about Moses’ wife being an Ethiopian woman? There are some so-called modern day biblical scholars, such as those who wrote the Harpers Study Bible who, in the first place, use the word Cushite, instead of Ethiopian in their Bible. Then in their footnotes contend that it’s debatable whether or not Moses’ Ethiopian wife was Negress. This insinuates that maybe Ethiopians weren’t dark skinned people. However, turn to Jeremiah 13:23, where it asks “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard his spots?” This proves to me that the Ethiopian’s skin was noticeably different. Ethiopians were Africans and still are today. Black Americans are mostly descendants of Africans, therefore we have heritage even in the Bible. However in this country, when it comes to religion, we’re made to feel like stepchildren. It’s as if White America is saying, “even though you’re not included in the Bible, God loves you anyways.”
Here’s another example of history happening right before our eyes. Picture a woman in a grocery story. She has a shopping basket full of food. There’s one child in the basket and two more following her around. Once in line you notice the food in her basket. There’s steak, beer, and cigarettes. You’re hard pressed to find anything in the basket for the children. Then she pulls out food stamps or vouchers to pay for the food. Depending on what part of the country you live in, most people would admit the woman they see in this situation is a Black woman. That’s because the television news always uses people of color when they do stories on welfare or welfare reform. Television has conditioned people to see Blacks whenever they hear the word welfare. I researched welfare in this country. The truth is there are almost ten times more Whites on welfare, than there are Blacks. That’s because there are ten times more Whites in this country. So, the truth of the matter is, Blacks are not abusing the welfare system. The truth of the matter is Whites need to get off welfare too.
A lot of farmers in this country, including Idaho farmers owe there livelihood to a Black man named George Washington Carver. He came up with ways a lot of ways to use peanuts, including peanut butter. When’s the last time one of the peanut butter companies mentioned that in their advertisements? Carver introduced crop rotation to southern farmers. Crop rotation allows farmers to get the maximum use of their land. He also came up with many uses for barley. Farming is an important part of America’s history. Yet, when we think of hard working farmers, we rarely envision Blacks or George Washington Carver.
In a relationship between two people truth has to be the foundation. From truth the relationship can build and become healthy. America and its history are rich because of the many differences in its people. We can improve America by improving the relationships between its people. History is important because it makes people feel like they have a stake in the building of this country. Until we are able to tell the truth, starting with the truth regarding Native Indians (original Americans) and slavery (It was about money not hate). I toured a city underground, in Pendleton, Oregon. Asians who help build the railroads had to live in this underground city, because they weren’t allowed in the city after dark.
So, until we dig deep pass superiority, to the truth of the past, I’m for Black History Month. However, I do pray for the day when American History includes all who helped build it. I’ll be happy to give up Black History Month when history books truly begin to investigate. Walsh (a White man) and Burrell (a Black man) remind us in their book ‘The Other America’ of a man who owned hundredths of slaves and actually is responsible for lying about the bravery and skills of Black soldiers. Even when this general had to use Black soldiers because three thousand of his White soldiers deserted him, he would never give the Black soldier credit. By the way when this General is depicted crossing the Delaware, it never shows Prince Whipple and Oliver Cromwell, two Black men who were on the very same boat. That man is called the Father of our Country, George Washington. How many of us were taught these facts in our American History classes?
The Movement needs Heroes behind the Scene
Years ago I listened to an interview with Harry Belafonte. The interviewer eventually began to talk about the involvement Belafonte and several other well known Blacks had in regards to helping Dr. Martin Luther King. It because evident that behind the scene Belafonte and this group of well known Blacks, financially supported Dr. King. According to Belafonte, Dr. King’s job was to continue to wage war against the forces of discrimination, hatred and the unfair treatment of the downtrodden. Not only did he wage war for the rights of Black people, but he fought against all human discrimination.
Because of Harry Belafonte and those well known Blacks Dr. King did not have to worry about putting food on his family’s table. Perhaps there were a number of not so well known people of color and maybe even Whites who financially supported Dr. King. The truth of the matter is, without them perhaps there would be no equality when came to Blacks being paid at the same rate as Whites in say, for instance sports. If not for the people who supported Dr. King, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Alex Rodriguez who were and are the best in their sports may have had to accept that Larry Bird, Phil Mickelson and Cal Ripken would always be paid more money than them. I think some people of color in high places forget that fact. They’re too busy making sure they don’t anger White people.
In 2007, I attended a speech by Rev. Jesse Jackson. He talked about having barbecues with Dr. King. I had never thought of Dr. King in terms of eating ribs, potato salad and drinking some grape Kool-aid. At some point he had to have kicked back with friends and shot a little pool. I’m guessing he appreciated their support. January 2008, I had the pleasure of attending a lecture. The Rev. James Lawson was the speaker. He was a friend of Dr. King’s. It was interesting hearing him talk about the behind the scenes things involved with Dr. King’s rise to prominence. He reminded the audience that Dr. King went to Memphis, Tennessee to help out the sanitation workers. Therefore Dr. King wasn’t all about fighting wars only for Black People.
Who are they?
There are two important questions that must be asked and answered. Who are our civil rights leaders today? I’m not talking about people who seem to show up for the big ticket events. I mean the people who are in their communities fighting skin color and cultural hatred and discrimination. I’m talking about the fighters who work at a job all day. They deal with hatred and discrimination on the job, in their neighborhoods and at church, yes church. They don’t get raises or promotions because they won’t allow systems to operate, business as usual, without constantly yelling in about injustice and inequality.
I consider myself a civil rights fighter. I started off teaching reconciliation of people in small churches, in the back roads of Idaho. There was a time, I’d go to towns and I’d be the only Black person in town. I’d tell the congregation how God meant for us to love everyone, including those who had different color skin. After several years I added a weekly news column, in the religion section of a local newspaper. In my column I talked a lot about how Christians should lead the way, in regards to equality. I took a fulltime job helping low income students stay in school and go to college. After being on the job for a while I became very vocal about the communication gap between White teachers and students of color and students from low income backgrounds (including low income White students).
While I was trying to get the so called right people to listen to me, I kept hearing people say I didn’t have a Ph.D. So, a few years ago, I put my life on hold and went back to college. I studied hard for three and a half years. While working a full time job and teaching once a week as an adjunct instructor, I attended an average of two classes a week at night during the fall and spring and summer. In that time I made it a point to never miss a class, rain or shine, healthy or sick. I got “straight A’s”. At fifty years old I graduated with a Ph.D. My dissertation, ‘Teacher Communication with Students from Diverse backgrounds’ won recognition at two separate American Educational Research Association Conferences (2006 & 2007). Now, I’m told my passion and my degree makes me too intimidating. So, I started the ‘Idaho Center for Racial Sensitivity’. One day The Center will become more than me driving around in a 1999 Jeep, begging the educational system to allow me to help White teachers communicate better with students of color and students from diverse backgrounds. One day I’ll convince the educational system, teaching teachers better multicultural communication skills is the quickest and most efficient way of helping poor students of all colors, get a more equal education, which could lead them out of poverty.
Where the modern day Harry Belafonte’s?
There are people like myself all over this country. We need the wealthy to get behind the scenes, in front of the scenes or wherever. They just need to find us. We have been put through the ringer and came out ready to work. We’re doing the best we can with what little support we get. Research us and see if we’re the real deal or not. Invest, donate or pass our names along to your friends. Organize yourselves and send your people out to find us. Better yet, show us how to find you. Who are and where are the wealthy people of color who will replace the Harry Belafonte’s?
It’s been depressing to watch people of color, locally and nationally, care only about their bank accounts. It’s almost as if they feel they must be approved by Whites. With a bank full of money they seem afraid to speak out against not only skin color discrimination, but any discrimination. For instance when did it become wrong to speak out for kids of color who are getting treated unfairly in the public school system? When did the rule become wealthy people of color are not allowed to help kids of color unless they help White kids? I don’t see expensive, predominately White country clubs across the country, building computer rooms and hiring tutors in the intercity. Having made that statement, I have to be honest. There are some White wealthy people who understand the situation. I’ve helped several poor students of color get the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship. Even though Mr. Gates has other scholarships for students regardless of their skin color or culture, he has no problem saying the Gates Millennium is only for students of color. I guess being the richest man in the world allows you to see truth and do something about regardless of what others may think. Shouldn’t the fact young people of color are dealing with unfair treatment bring out the same wisdom and boldness in wealthy people of color?
Because of Harry Belafonte and those well known Blacks Dr. King did not have to worry about putting food on his family’s table. Perhaps there were a number of not so well known people of color and maybe even Whites who financially supported Dr. King. The truth of the matter is, without them perhaps there would be no equality when came to Blacks being paid at the same rate as Whites in say, for instance sports. If not for the people who supported Dr. King, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Alex Rodriguez who were and are the best in their sports may have had to accept that Larry Bird, Phil Mickelson and Cal Ripken would always be paid more money than them. I think some people of color in high places forget that fact. They’re too busy making sure they don’t anger White people.
In 2007, I attended a speech by Rev. Jesse Jackson. He talked about having barbecues with Dr. King. I had never thought of Dr. King in terms of eating ribs, potato salad and drinking some grape Kool-aid. At some point he had to have kicked back with friends and shot a little pool. I’m guessing he appreciated their support. January 2008, I had the pleasure of attending a lecture. The Rev. James Lawson was the speaker. He was a friend of Dr. King’s. It was interesting hearing him talk about the behind the scenes things involved with Dr. King’s rise to prominence. He reminded the audience that Dr. King went to Memphis, Tennessee to help out the sanitation workers. Therefore Dr. King wasn’t all about fighting wars only for Black People.
Who are they?
There are two important questions that must be asked and answered. Who are our civil rights leaders today? I’m not talking about people who seem to show up for the big ticket events. I mean the people who are in their communities fighting skin color and cultural hatred and discrimination. I’m talking about the fighters who work at a job all day. They deal with hatred and discrimination on the job, in their neighborhoods and at church, yes church. They don’t get raises or promotions because they won’t allow systems to operate, business as usual, without constantly yelling in about injustice and inequality.
I consider myself a civil rights fighter. I started off teaching reconciliation of people in small churches, in the back roads of Idaho. There was a time, I’d go to towns and I’d be the only Black person in town. I’d tell the congregation how God meant for us to love everyone, including those who had different color skin. After several years I added a weekly news column, in the religion section of a local newspaper. In my column I talked a lot about how Christians should lead the way, in regards to equality. I took a fulltime job helping low income students stay in school and go to college. After being on the job for a while I became very vocal about the communication gap between White teachers and students of color and students from low income backgrounds (including low income White students).
While I was trying to get the so called right people to listen to me, I kept hearing people say I didn’t have a Ph.D. So, a few years ago, I put my life on hold and went back to college. I studied hard for three and a half years. While working a full time job and teaching once a week as an adjunct instructor, I attended an average of two classes a week at night during the fall and spring and summer. In that time I made it a point to never miss a class, rain or shine, healthy or sick. I got “straight A’s”. At fifty years old I graduated with a Ph.D. My dissertation, ‘Teacher Communication with Students from Diverse backgrounds’ won recognition at two separate American Educational Research Association Conferences (2006 & 2007). Now, I’m told my passion and my degree makes me too intimidating. So, I started the ‘Idaho Center for Racial Sensitivity’. One day The Center will become more than me driving around in a 1999 Jeep, begging the educational system to allow me to help White teachers communicate better with students of color and students from diverse backgrounds. One day I’ll convince the educational system, teaching teachers better multicultural communication skills is the quickest and most efficient way of helping poor students of all colors, get a more equal education, which could lead them out of poverty.
Where the modern day Harry Belafonte’s?
There are people like myself all over this country. We need the wealthy to get behind the scenes, in front of the scenes or wherever. They just need to find us. We have been put through the ringer and came out ready to work. We’re doing the best we can with what little support we get. Research us and see if we’re the real deal or not. Invest, donate or pass our names along to your friends. Organize yourselves and send your people out to find us. Better yet, show us how to find you. Who are and where are the wealthy people of color who will replace the Harry Belafonte’s?
It’s been depressing to watch people of color, locally and nationally, care only about their bank accounts. It’s almost as if they feel they must be approved by Whites. With a bank full of money they seem afraid to speak out against not only skin color discrimination, but any discrimination. For instance when did it become wrong to speak out for kids of color who are getting treated unfairly in the public school system? When did the rule become wealthy people of color are not allowed to help kids of color unless they help White kids? I don’t see expensive, predominately White country clubs across the country, building computer rooms and hiring tutors in the intercity. Having made that statement, I have to be honest. There are some White wealthy people who understand the situation. I’ve helped several poor students of color get the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship. Even though Mr. Gates has other scholarships for students regardless of their skin color or culture, he has no problem saying the Gates Millennium is only for students of color. I guess being the richest man in the world allows you to see truth and do something about regardless of what others may think. Shouldn’t the fact young people of color are dealing with unfair treatment bring out the same wisdom and boldness in wealthy people of color?
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