THE BLACK HOLE OF AMERICAN EDUCATION AND THE ANONYMITY OF THE BLACK SCHOLAR

The anonymity of "Black Scholars" are too common, and the result is that the average black person cannot name three black significant figures in literature.

In preparing the "Majority Opinion" in the landmark Gaines case. Chief Justice, Charles Evans Hughes wrote one of the clearest statements of the "Negro", in higher education in the south prior to 1938.

He outlined in considerable detail the essential issue:

"The process by which "Negroes" were denied access to professional "Education" in their own states."

Black Scholars have been uprooted from the minds of Black Students and having thoughts of such a thing as a Black Scholar are virtually non-existent.

There are no literary or cultural roots of Africa running through the veins of the American Public School System.

The plight of the black race in America has always been difficult, but through the intellect of one Black Scholar, Haki R Madhubuti: The Negro Philosophy of Life is outlined below.

. Ignorant of self, filled with self-hatred and had no idea of who he or she is. Runs from knowledge that may alter such feelings.

. Believes that white people follow their own laws, rules, ethics, pronouncements, and declarations. However, the Negro will follow white laws, rules, ethics, pronouncements, even to his own detriment.

. Believes that the answer to the Negro problems is lots of prayer, and "au-ho-you know". Trust white people and believe that most of them are fair-minded on the race question.

. Believes that a job/position with a fortune 1000 company is security and progress, and that those who do not have such are either lazy, lacking ambition, or living in the sixties.

. Believes that true democracy exists in the United States, and that capitalism is the best economic system.

Now, I only gave five (5) of which I thought were the most significant of the ten (10) Negro Philosophies. If you're interested in the other five, read the book. "Madhubuti's generalized view of Black America. Fighting in the Dark: The Negro Philosophy of Life.

In the Negros's long and litigious route to full access to public institutions "William LaBov", a noted linguist once said of the use of the Black English, "It is the goal of most Black Americans to acquire full control of the standard language without giving up their own culture."

Well, I'm not sure of Mr. LaBov's race, but if the good linguist is going to present Black "People" in America from the standpoint of culture, then the first thing he should understand is that Black "People" in America have no established culture.

If there is "No" Black History being taught, let alone "No" African History, how can there be "authentic" culture?

If a school system of predominately Black students is not the proper place to start teaching these kids about their true existence, then where?

"Black English" has been categorized because the race as a whole has been displaced, while "English" refuses to look at the Black/African American "People" as a race with a separate dialect.

And please, we are not talking about "Ebonics". But, to the teachers/educators who tried to introduce "Ebonics" as an alternative, you should be commended! Because you recognized the need for a change in the system.

You were willing to make the effort for change for the future of "Our" children. Because "Our" children are "Not" developing anywhere near their potential. As a whole our children have struggled to reach their full potential... so did we as the parents.

The argument can be made that the inner city/rural area Public School System has failed the African race in America. There are several court rulings in favor of Black "People" going to school with White "People" to learn the history of the America, as only seen through the eyes of the white "European" race.

Black "People" have battled in courts to be able to go to schools, Black "People" have worked like dogs to afford school, Black "People" have been escorted by national guards to school, just so they could go to school.

All these different changes to learn something in "School" that has absolutely nothing to do with the Descendants of the African "People" that now reside in these United States of America. And yet, there are some who are actually grateful for the opportunity.

Although the consciousness of the African race in America is almost non-existent, there was a time when Black "People" would come together and root for the struggle of their Blackness to exist above everyone and everything else.

Maya Angelou, another Black Scholar, gives the Black race some inconspicuous fight. Some fight that is seldom shown by the Black race concerning school:

"THE FIGHT"
"A quick jab to the head. A left to the head and a right and another left." Some, bitter comedian on the porch said, "That white man don't mind hugging that niggah now, I betcha."
"The referee is moving in to break them up, but Louis finally pushed the contender away, and it's an uppercut to the chin. The contender (White America) is hanging on, now he's backing away. Louis catches him with a short left to the jaw. another left, another left. Louis is saving that mighty right. (The untold righteousness of the Black race) and that's the bell for round three."
"Ring." "He's got Louis against the ropes, and now it's a left to the body and a right to the ribs. Another right to the body, it looks like a low blow..." (The Public School System in these years past pre-2000's and beyond to present day has been a low blow and continues to be to the Black race.)
"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the referee is signaling and warning. But the contender (White America) keeps raining the low blows on Louis (Black America). It's another illegal blow to the body and it looks like Louis is going down."
In Maya Angelou's word "My "People" groaned". It was our "People" falling. It was another lynching, yet another Black man hanging from a tree. One more Black woman ambushed and raped. Another Black boy whipped, maimed, and raped. It was hounds on the trail of a Black man running through the swamps. It was a White woman slapping her Black maid for being forgetful."
This is White America at some of her finest moments. This part of White America is not glorified or taught to Black America in its history books.
These things are taken for granted every day and are not considered important enough to embed in a young Black mind in order to reach for something better. To aspire to become something greater in life.
"If Joe Louis were to lose this fight, we might as well be back in slavery, beyond help! It would all be true. The accusations that we are lower types of human beings. Only a little higher than the apes. True, that we are lazy, stupid, ugly, dirty, and unlucky. And worst of all, that God almighty hated us and ordained us to be hewers of wood and drawers of water forever and ever, world without end."
..."He's off the rope's ladies and gentlemen. He's moving towards the center of the ring. And now it looks like Joe is mad. Joe catches Carnera with a left hook, to the head and a right to the head. It's a left jab to the head, and another left to the body. There's a left cross and right to the head."
"The contender's right eye is bleeding, and he can't seem to keep his guard up. Louis is penetrating every defense. The referee is moving in, but Louis sends a left to the body and it's the uppercut to the chin, and the contender is dropping. He's on the canvas ladies and gentlemen." Here's the referee, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven." "Is the contender trying to get up?" All the Black men in the corner store listening to the radio shouted, "No!" "Eight, nine, ten. You're Out!"
"The Winnah and still Heavyweight Champeen of the World... Joe Louis."
Champion of the world. A Black boy. Some Black woman's son. He was the best fighter in the World. The dreams of a "People" riding on the heart of a fighter.
There is a serious problem within the "Educational" system in America. Black boys and girls cannot grow up to be strong Men and Women if their foundation is not strong.
Black men have no reason to believe in themselves, if past accomplishments of Black men do not exist in White history books. Black women have no reason to have respect for themselves, when it is represented, that respected women lived in castles and were queens and princesses from Europe.
One can start with "History" when speaking on the relevancy of the school system. "Black English", and the overall thinking process of the Black race in America. As long as Black "People" are being examined by White interpretations on any level, there will continue to be a number of Black Scholars unmentionable, a void, and a constant black hole in the American Educational System.
Written by: Sherman Shepherd!