Reconcile our relationship with Education Part 1
Do you know that feeling of being unwelcome? The idea that this place is not for you. The idea that this place is designed to break you? This is how I felt about school. In first grade, I was held back – nobody bothered to figure out I was dyslexic, whoops! I never felt welcomed or accepted in education, even while pursuing my master's degree.
Now, a few years out of grad school and with some time in therapy under my belt, I am starting to realize I wasn't the problem. The system was, and has always been, designed against people like us. Blacks, more specifically Black boys, are not welcome in education. This is a subject I would like to write a lot about. But, in this blog, I want to discuss:
– How did the education system get to this point?
– What's the damage to Black men's mental health?
– How can we Black boys and men thrive in an education system biased against us?
Black man, it's not all on you. How did the American school system become racist? That's the wrong question. American education has always been racist.
Here are some quick facts:
Black students started to integrate in the 1960’s. My father was done with his schooling by then.
Black students are 54% less likely than white students to be recommended for gifted education programs. (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/11/cover-inequality-school)
In 2022, "more than a third of students attended a predominantly same-race/ethnicity school where 75 percent or more of the student population is of a single race/ethnicity, and 14 percent of students attended schools where 90 percent or more of the students were of a single race/ethnicity." (U.S. Government Accountability Office documenting the 2021-2022 school year)
Eighty percent of students who attend low-income schools are Black or Hispanic. (U.S. Government Accountability Office documenting the 2021-2022 school year)
Segregation and unequal access have downstream effects on students for a lifetime. Yes, it has gradually improved in the last 60 years. Today, We have laws and policies formally prohibiting overt discrimination and, in some cases, punishing a school official if racial discrimination is proven in a court of law. However, these laws are skirted or outright ignored and can not protect students against implicit bias by school educators and administrators. Meanwhile, many Black students and their families don't understand how to navigate the inequities and politics of surviving in an unfair system.
How School Can Affect Your Mental Health
School is where we learn about who we are and what the world thinks of us. The stories we are told during this period can significantly affect our mental health. Personally, my interaction with teachers has distorted how I see myself and influenced my damaging self-talk practice.
Here's one example:
In eighth grade, I needed to go to summer school. I deserved to attend summer school because, at that time, I was distracted by my peers, and I earned most of the poor grades I received that year. However, while attending summer school, one of my teachers, an older white man who taught my summer school American History course told us - the four black boys in class - "If you learn to do better and behave, maybe you can become janitors. Because that's the best you can ever do if you don’t go to jail." He also said America would never have a black president. He was wrong on both counts, but the belief that I can’t achieve or don’t deserve success has been a hard habit to break.
How to win Black man
The following advice is for older students in college. Remember, Black man, you are paying for this education, whether with loans, grants, scholarships, etc. You HAVE POWER! Much of the following advice can be used by a parent to help give their child the best educational experience. I am not an expert, but I want to share the pearls of wisdom I have gained from making every mistake in the education system. This information helps guide you on your path to success.
Don't believe the negative story.
Know that negative narratives don't define who you are.
We have options.
You don't have to tolerate bad behavior. You can always go to the HR department or student affairs. No education is worth taking abuse. We must protect our mental health.
Consider a transfer if your concerns aren’t taken seriously.
A grade is just a letter.
It doesn't determine your value or become a meter for your future success. You chose those things for yourself.
Remember what you're here for
You are here to get the necessary accreditation and skills to prosper in your career. Faculty will come and go; don't place your worth in their approval. Lastly, remember what the mission is. School does not have all the answers. If you can stay focused, you can thrive.
Reflecting on my journey through the education system, I've realized that the sense of unwelcome I felt wasn't a personal failing but a symptom of a deeply rooted systemic issue. From elementary school through my master's degree, the educational landscape seemed designed to break rather than uplift individuals like me, specifically black boys. Armed with the insights gained through therapy and a few years beyond academia, I want to use the Black Boy Healing Project to explore this pervasive problem. This blog post delves into the historical trajectory that brought the education system to this point, examining its toll on the mental health of black men. Together, let's uncover strategies for thriving within a system that often seems stacked against us and, crucially, brainstorm potential solutions to mend its inherent flaws. As we embark on this discussion, remember, black man, it's not you; it's the system, or at the very least, it's not all your fault.
How have you survived racism in college or grad school?
As a community, how can we serve black men and boys through the educational system? Can the system be fixed, and if so, how? Black educator, what tips and strategies do you employ to maximize impact? Dear black men, please share your experiences. How did you survive racism in school?
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