Post by LejaOMG on Dec 14, 2011 9:02:00 GMT -5
Has anyone read Gene Marks' opinion piece in Forbes entitled "If I was a Poor Black Kid?" In it, he elucidates all the problems in African American youth culture and deftly prescribes solutions to each of them. Thoughts?
Pertinent Quotes:
If I was a poor black kid I would first and most importantly work to make sure I got the best grades possible. I would make it my #1 priority to be able to read sufficiently. I wouldn’t care if I was a student at the worst public middle school in the worst inner city. Even the worst have their best. And the very best students, even at the worst schools, have more opportunities. Getting good grades is the key to having more options. With good grades you can choose different, better paths. If you do poorly in school, particularly in a lousy school, you’re severely limiting the limited opportunities you have.
The author then goes on to detail the plethora of resources available on the internet and how if he were a poor black kid he would get his hands on a free or cheap computer, learn how to write code, then Google his way into a magnet or charter school, or even a need-based scholarship to a private school. Once that’s done, he’d develop a close relationship with a guidance counselor and get himself into a good college.
“Because a poor black kid who gets good grades, has a part time job and becomes proficient with a technical skill will go to college. There is financial aid available. There are programs available. And no matter what he or she majors in that person will have opportunities. They will find jobs in a country of business owners like me who are starved for smart, skilled people. They will succeed.”
“Technology can help these kids. But only if the kids want to be helped. Yes, there is much inequality. But the opportunity is still there in this country for those that are smart enough to go for it.”
Pertinent Quotes:
If I was a poor black kid I would first and most importantly work to make sure I got the best grades possible. I would make it my #1 priority to be able to read sufficiently. I wouldn’t care if I was a student at the worst public middle school in the worst inner city. Even the worst have their best. And the very best students, even at the worst schools, have more opportunities. Getting good grades is the key to having more options. With good grades you can choose different, better paths. If you do poorly in school, particularly in a lousy school, you’re severely limiting the limited opportunities you have.
The author then goes on to detail the plethora of resources available on the internet and how if he were a poor black kid he would get his hands on a free or cheap computer, learn how to write code, then Google his way into a magnet or charter school, or even a need-based scholarship to a private school. Once that’s done, he’d develop a close relationship with a guidance counselor and get himself into a good college.
“Because a poor black kid who gets good grades, has a part time job and becomes proficient with a technical skill will go to college. There is financial aid available. There are programs available. And no matter what he or she majors in that person will have opportunities. They will find jobs in a country of business owners like me who are starved for smart, skilled people. They will succeed.”
“Technology can help these kids. But only if the kids want to be helped. Yes, there is much inequality. But the opportunity is still there in this country for those that are smart enough to go for it.”