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August 26, 2004
Parental obligations
Countless “Back-to-School” advertisements
create the impression that academic preparation is primarily a
sartorial function. The message seems to be that students who
are fashionably dressed will be good students.
Unfortunately, African Americans and Latino students rarely hear
the important message. Too many students from the inner city do
not understand that their future success as adults depends upon
the quality of the education which they receive as youngsters.
The only way that children can acquire the proper understanding
of the importance of education is from their parents. Older generations
of African Americans understood this fact. Decades ago the opportunity
for a quality education for racial minorities was rare. Nonetheless,
the elders continued to encourage youngsters to acquire all the
education they could, and families sacrificed so that their children
could go to school.
Over the years this enthusiasm for education faded. This change
is hard to understand because fifty years ago a sound education
did not assure well-educated blacks a promising job. Back then
many black college graduates had to work as Pullman porters, postal
clerks or restaurant waiters in order to support their families.
Racial discrimination in employment was rampant.
Now with opportunity so abundant, too many blacks and Latinos
lack the academic qualifications for professional jobs. The values
of their families and their cultures have not carried them to
academic success. Too many youngsters focus on careers in sports
and music, opportunities which are very rare.
Parents have an important role to play in heading their children
in the right direction. There is nothing wrong with having a career
as a professional athlete, but be sure your children understand
the odds. There are only about 1,400 black athletes in major league
baseball, football and basketball combined. On the other hand,
according to the 2000 census, there are 31,000 black physicians,
33,000 black lawyers and 5,000 black dentists.
It is also important to remember that an athletic career is short.
A quality education will provide greater opportunities once the
playing days are over.
Bill Cosby is frustrated by the failure of blacks to respond appropriately
to the expanding opportunities. Quite correctly, he placed the
onus of this failure on dysfunctional black families. Unwilling
to face reality, some black activists have objected. They would
prefer to place the blame on the racial discrimination that continues
to exist in the country.
The problem with that criticism is that it is actually demeaning
to blacks. It is insulting to African Americans to suggest that
they are so docile and incompetent that they are unable to organize
their society to take advantage of the many opportunities which
exist in this country.
It is the responsibility of parents to help their children develop
a plan for academic success. Every child is capable of attaining
academic proficiency. Parents must help them get there. “Back-to-School”
preparations are actually a call to mobilize parents to become
involved in developing a plan for their children to succeed.
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