Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Page 1 of 5
that our youth arent the only ones who need to study more. Yes, Id love to
see the dropout rate down to 0%; but that shouldnt preclude us from
celebrating what we have achieved. I think it would be wonderful if none of
our young women became pregnant in their teenage years, but I am proud of
what they have done. The high-profile prophets of black negativity, who are
so geared up to impugn our youth, could not be found to herald their triumphs
just as enthusiastically.
When teasing and peer pressure are looked at as being greater factors to
black student achievement than who is teaching our children and what is
being taught, I consider that type of thinking just as pathological as gang
activity or fatherlessness. Further evidence of this need to falsely indict
ourselves, are the comments Spike Lee made on the Tavis Smiley Show
(Thursday, July 22) when he insinuated that blacks dont embrace and
support dramas as much we should citing the lack of turnout for movies
such as Antwone Fisher. Interestingly, Denzel Washington (producer &
director of Antwone Fisher) was on the program the following day. Tavis put
the question of whether or not blacks supported dramas as they should and
Denzels answer was: Well dramas, first of all, dont do as well, period. Black
or white, they dont do as well.
After watching the interview I decided to research to ascertain which claim
was true. I found that of the top 100 highest grossing movies of all-time, there
were only 6 dramas (and a few of those were not what I would call true
dramas Titanic, Gladiator, to name a couple). I also looked at the top
grossing dramas that were released during the summertime (summertime
being important because thats when dramas usually do the worst studios
like to roll out the action flicks) since 1982. Out of the 59 dramas that were
listed, 9 were either produced or directed by African Americans (Do The Right
Thing, Boyz-N-The Hood, Mo Better Blues if you havent noticed, two of
these movies are Spikes); had a predominately black cast (Whats Love Got
Do With It) or one or more of the leading roles were portrayed by African
Americans (Corrina Corrina, Courage Under Fire, 187). I know to some this
may seem trivial, but I dont happen to think so. Spikes indictment serves as
yet another example of how quickly we condemn ourselves. Of how
something that is endemic to society or humanity as whole, is portrayed as
unique to the Black community. A side note: When Antwone Fisher was
released on DVD and video, it sold one million copies in 3 days.
I have had the opportunity to speak to several white reporters and journalists,
and I flatly refuse to answer any of their what do you think is the problem
with the black community questions. It is not because I am in denial, nor is it
because I have a problem with tellin it like it t-i is. It is for the same reason a
general doesnt answer to a private, or a publisher to a journalist or a
principal to a teacher superiors do not answer to subordinates. By this I am
not saying that whites are subordinate, but in an equal society (and Brother
Senator Obama said there is no white America or black America) why should
I have to answer questions about the supposed deviant behavior of the black
community, when whites do not have to do the same? The minute I answer
one question, I am saying: I am inferior. For me, it is absolutely that simple.
Page 4 of 5
Do we, in the black community, have real concerns? No doubt about it. Can
we do better? Yes, most definitely. Misconceptions, miseducation and
misleading stereotypes do not offer any real answers. The Christian
scriptures tell us that you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you
free. As we, as a community, declare war on irresponsibility, ignorance,
crime, poverty and the vast number of concerns that we face; we must be
circumspect. I would think that we, who live in present-day America, would
know exactly what it means to declare a war based on flawed and unproven
information.
Dr. Edward Rhymes, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a consultant in the
areas racism, equity & diversity, education and adolescent development. He
is also a Visiting Asst. Professor at the University of MassachusettsDartmouth. Be sure to check out the Rhymes Reasons page on his website,
Page 5 of 5