improving test scores of the nation's children and documentaries are
made about the laxity of our education, it's making fun of education in
both black and white communities that most impedes progress.
In the white community it is the
notion that being too smart or too educated is "acting better" and
somehow not understanding the issues facing ordinary folk. So "you
betcha" becomes the style of speech not just for daily talk but for
formal conversation. Not knowing American history or international
relations when one is running for a major political office is excused,
and the question becomes the offense. But it's a widespread phenomenon
in ordinary talk to minimize one's intellect in favor of being one of
the boys (or the "girls.)
In the African American community it's the phrase "don't act white" which has put education in trouble.
John Winston, presently Medical
Director of the Outreach Medical Center in Natchitoches, Louisiana is a
trained educator who worked in the public schools and at the University
as teacher and administrator. He tells us the message
kids
give each other “don't act white” has put education in trouble. He says
that this message causes young people to downgrade learning from early
grades. He also maintains it keeps people hating each other.
Winston,
a former principal of Parks Elementary in Natchitoches, is deeply
concerned about the consent decree in education and its lack of
fulfillment. He maintains, "Many problems are associated with the black
community and the message children get from each other. First they hear
their parents negative talk about white people, just as white people
get the same talk at home in many places."How does this happen? Winston explains. " Sometimes the speech is
subtle" , he says, "but subliminal messages on race go on all the time.
Young people in the African American community pick up negative speech
and resist being like white people, education being identified with
teachers and professionals their parents have seen discriminating
against them. That's the legacy of prejudice, that children who would
otherwise get along don't. It will mean trouble ahead for our children, regardless of race, because putting down education cuts across racial lines "
Winston said all kids should get the message of success and parents
should have dialogue about their differences or schools will continue to
fail.
Winston's take on education is one that commands
attention in the community of Natchitoches where racial issues continue
to be part of the debate on education and the aims of the community.
'The solution to a solid education, and meeting
the standards of education, requires knowledge of the subject being
taught, support of the community and love from the teacher," Winston
reminds us. He says, "Too many teachers have forgotten to love and
where love inspires in classrooms. Years ago when children were hungry,
teachers fed them. When they lacked clothes, a coat was found from
someone's closet. If teachers look at all children as effective learners
and love them, taking them where they are, however they come, that will
help change many lives. It has been done at poor schools, integrated or
not." In fact Winston said that integration didn't bring better education and
that the emphasis should be on loving all the children, getting parents
to dialogue, and changing social relationships and building communities
of support. All the same, he says, "Parents should communicate all the
time, and regularly, that the message “don't act white” simply puts
people further behind.
"
a former principal of Parks Elementary in Natchitoches, is deeply
concerned about the consent decree in education and its lack of
fulfillment. He maintains, "Many problems are associated with the black
community and the message children get from each other. First they hear
their parents negative talk about white people, just as white people
get the same talk at home in many places."How does this happen? Winston explains. " Sometimes the speech is
subtle" , he says, "but subliminal messages on race go on all the time.
Young people in the African American community pick up negative speech
and resist being like white people, education being identified with
teachers and professionals their parents have seen discriminating
against them. That's the legacy of prejudice, that children who would
otherwise get along don't. It will mean trouble ahead for our children, regardless of race, because putting down education cuts across racial lines "
Winston said all kids should get the message of success and parents
should have dialogue about their differences or schools will continue to
fail.
Winston's take on education is one that commands
attention in the community of Natchitoches where racial issues continue
to be part of the debate on education and the aims of the community.
'The solution to a solid education, and meeting
the standards of education, requires knowledge of the subject being
taught, support of the community and love from the teacher," Winston
reminds us. He says, "Too many teachers have forgotten to love and
where love inspires in classrooms. Years ago when children were hungry,
teachers fed them. When they lacked clothes, a coat was found from
someone's closet. If teachers look at all children as effective learners
and love them, taking them where they are, however they come, that will
help change many lives. It has been done at poor schools, integrated or
not." In fact Winston said that integration didn't bring better education and
that the emphasis should be on loving all the children, getting parents
to dialogue, and changing social relationships and building communities
of support. All the same, he says, "Parents should communicate all the
time, and regularly, that the message “don't act white” simply puts
people further behind.
"
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