Education in the Black Community
The family’s role in socialization and education is crucial for any racial or social group, especially in a multi-cultural democratic society. The writer emphasizes that the current educational system seems disinterested in providing quality education to Black children, pointing to examples like North Forest and HISD. The historic and consistent miseducation of the Black community is seen as a significant societal problem in modern-day America.
Dr. Roderick Paige, a former superintendent of HISD and the first Black U.S. Secretary of Education, is praised as an exceptional leader. The core purpose of education is noted as drawing out the best in individuals, but the public education system in the 21st century is believed to bring out the worst in students, teachers, administrators, trustees, parents, and some taxpayers.
The writer questions the motives behind the push for vouchers and parental choice. They speculate whether it is genuinely about educational development for children or merely about money and maintaining segregated public schools. The responsibility for education is shared among various stakeholders, including parents, the government, school boards, teachers, and administrators.
The importance of effective public-school education is stressed for the well-being and survival of multi-cultural democracy, with the acknowledgment that the home environment serves as the first school. There’s a call for parents, especially Black parents, to instill the cultural value of education and reading as the foundation of learning, emphasizing the spiritual significance of these principles.
The passage concludes by urging parents to spiritually teach and exemplify self-love, self-development, and positive life goals to their children throughout their early education and developmental stages. Children are seen as a precious gift from God and should be nurtured with love and spiritual guidance.