Black Issues: Instructional Implications
Philosophy at Yale with Tamar Gendler | Justice at Harvard with Michael Sandel
Black Students Who Are Taught Racial Pride Do Better In School
by Britni Danielle | January 3, 2013
According to new research published in the Journal of Child Development, affirming a black child's desire to learn about their race does more than just give them a personal boost, it helps them academically as well.
The study, conducted by Ming-Te Wang and James P. Huguley of the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University respectively, found that "racial socialization"- teaching kids about their culture and involving them in activities that promote racial pride and connection-helps to offset the discrimination and racial prejudices children face by the outside world.
Wang explains: "Our findings challenge the notion that 'race blindness' is a universally ideal parenting approach, especially since previous research has shown that racially conscious parenting strategies at either extreme -either 'race blindness' or promoting mistrust of other races- are associated with negative outcomes for African American youth. "When African American parents instill a proud, informed, and sober perspective of race in their sons and daughters, these children are more likely to experience increased academic success."
Wang and Huguley's study surveyed 630 adolescents from middle class backgrounds to explore how racial discrimination and prejudice in school affects their G.P.A., educational goals, and future aspirations. They found racial pride to be the single most important factor in guarding against racial discrimination, and discovered it had a direct impact on the students' grades, future goals, and cognitive engagement. Despite fewer instances of multicultural and inclusive learning in school and the increased frequency in which black students are treated more harshly than their peers, the study shows that teaching kids, especially black children, to take pride in their culture is an integral part of their success.
The authors sum it up: "Our study provides empirical evidence that the longstanding practice in the African American community of cultivating racial pride and preparing children to face racial bias in society should be considered among appropriate and beneficial practices in parenting Black children."
Click Here to Read Full Study
by Britni Danielle | January 3, 2013
According to new research published in the Journal of Child Development, affirming a black child's desire to learn about their race does more than just give them a personal boost, it helps them academically as well.
The study, conducted by Ming-Te Wang and James P. Huguley of the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University respectively, found that "racial socialization"- teaching kids about their culture and involving them in activities that promote racial pride and connection-helps to offset the discrimination and racial prejudices children face by the outside world.
Wang explains: "Our findings challenge the notion that 'race blindness' is a universally ideal parenting approach, especially since previous research has shown that racially conscious parenting strategies at either extreme -either 'race blindness' or promoting mistrust of other races- are associated with negative outcomes for African American youth. "When African American parents instill a proud, informed, and sober perspective of race in their sons and daughters, these children are more likely to experience increased academic success."
Wang and Huguley's study surveyed 630 adolescents from middle class backgrounds to explore how racial discrimination and prejudice in school affects their G.P.A., educational goals, and future aspirations. They found racial pride to be the single most important factor in guarding against racial discrimination, and discovered it had a direct impact on the students' grades, future goals, and cognitive engagement. Despite fewer instances of multicultural and inclusive learning in school and the increased frequency in which black students are treated more harshly than their peers, the study shows that teaching kids, especially black children, to take pride in their culture is an integral part of their success.
The authors sum it up: "Our study provides empirical evidence that the longstanding practice in the African American community of cultivating racial pride and preparing children to face racial bias in society should be considered among appropriate and beneficial practices in parenting Black children."
Click Here to Read Full Study
Prominent Black Scientists
Benjamin Bannaker
One of the very prominent first black scientists (1731-1806). As mathematician and astronomer, Bannaker, to a large extent, taught himself; but learned basic reading, writing and arithmetic from his free grandmother and a Quaker school teacher. He created the first striking clock in the U.S.; he also published an almanac based on his calculations and astronomical observations.
Learn more about other scientists...
One of the very prominent first black scientists (1731-1806). As mathematician and astronomer, Bannaker, to a large extent, taught himself; but learned basic reading, writing and arithmetic from his free grandmother and a Quaker school teacher. He created the first striking clock in the U.S.; he also published an almanac based on his calculations and astronomical observations.
Learn more about other scientists...
Dr. Rebecca Cole
Dr. Cole was born in Philadelphia, PA (1846-1922). She was the second black woman to graduate from medical school. She practiced medicine for 50 years. She was well known for her intelligence, energy, and outstanding clinical skills. In addition, she devoted much of her time to teach women in poor neighborhoods hygiene, health management, and proper childcare practices.
Learn more about Dr. Cole...
Dr. Cole was born in Philadelphia, PA (1846-1922). She was the second black woman to graduate from medical school. She practiced medicine for 50 years. She was well known for her intelligence, energy, and outstanding clinical skills. In addition, she devoted much of her time to teach women in poor neighborhoods hygiene, health management, and proper childcare practices.
Learn more about Dr. Cole...
Dr. Mae Jemison
She is a multi-talented woman, a physician, a NASA astronaut, and the first Black woman to go into orbit suing Endeavor the space shuttle in 1992. She served in the Peace Corps just before working with NASA. She was born in 1956 in Alabama, but grew up in Chicago, Illinois where she started dreaming of pursuing a career in science. Learn more..
She is a multi-talented woman, a physician, a NASA astronaut, and the first Black woman to go into orbit suing Endeavor the space shuttle in 1992. She served in the Peace Corps just before working with NASA. She was born in 1956 in Alabama, but grew up in Chicago, Illinois where she started dreaming of pursuing a career in science. Learn more..
Prof. Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Born in 1958, Tyson is one of the well known astrophysicists, authors, and science speakers. He hosted NOVA ScienceNow on PBS as an educational science television show. Currently he is the Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space.
Learn more...
Born in 1958, Tyson is one of the well known astrophysicists, authors, and science speakers. He hosted NOVA ScienceNow on PBS as an educational science television show. Currently he is the Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space.
Learn more...
Majora Carter
As environmental activist, she redefined the field of environmental equality, starting in the South Bronx at the turn of the century. Now she is leading the local economic development movement across the USA.
She created the Majora Carter group to work with communities and policy makers to change the environmental reality of people devastated by environmental challenges. She gave an outstanding TED talk on Greening the Ghetto [min. 11:19 (or 14:30) - 16:00]. Learn More
As environmental activist, she redefined the field of environmental equality, starting in the South Bronx at the turn of the century. Now she is leading the local economic development movement across the USA.
She created the Majora Carter group to work with communities and policy makers to change the environmental reality of people devastated by environmental challenges. She gave an outstanding TED talk on Greening the Ghetto [min. 11:19 (or 14:30) - 16:00]. Learn More
Prominent Black Leaders and Philosophers
Fredrick Douglass
He conferred with Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and recruited northern blacks for the Union Army. After the War he fought for the rights of women and African Americans alike. "I would unite with anybody to do right; and with nobody to do wrong." Read about Douglass fight for women suffrage “In respect to political rights, we hold woman to be justly entitled to all we claim man. We go farther, and express our conviction that all political rights which it is expedient for man to exercise, it is equally so for women. All that distinguishes as an intelligent and accountable being, is equally true of woman; and if that government is only just which governs by the free consent of the governed, there can be no reason in the world for denying to woman the exercise of the elective franchise, or a hand in making and administering the laws of the land. Our doctrine is, that “Right is of no sex."
He conferred with Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and recruited northern blacks for the Union Army. After the War he fought for the rights of women and African Americans alike. "I would unite with anybody to do right; and with nobody to do wrong." Read about Douglass fight for women suffrage “In respect to political rights, we hold woman to be justly entitled to all we claim man. We go farther, and express our conviction that all political rights which it is expedient for man to exercise, it is equally so for women. All that distinguishes as an intelligent and accountable being, is equally true of woman; and if that government is only just which governs by the free consent of the governed, there can be no reason in the world for denying to woman the exercise of the elective franchise, or a hand in making and administering the laws of the land. Our doctrine is, that “Right is of no sex."
Angela Davis
I think the importance of doing activist work is precisely because it allows you to give back and to consider yourself not as a single individual who may have achieved whatever but to be a part of an ongoing historical movement.
Read PBS FrontLine Interview conducted in 1997
I think the importance of doing activist work is precisely because it allows you to give back and to consider yourself not as a single individual who may have achieved whatever but to be a part of an ongoing historical movement.
Read PBS FrontLine Interview conducted in 1997
W.E.B. Du Bios
"In my own country for nearly a century I have been nothing but a nigger."
"One thing alone I charge you. As you live, believe in life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader and fuller life. The only possible death is to lose belief in this truth simply because the great end comes slowly, because time is long."
"In my own country for nearly a century I have been nothing but a nigger."
"One thing alone I charge you. As you live, believe in life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader and fuller life. The only possible death is to lose belief in this truth simply because the great end comes slowly, because time is long."
John Hope Franklin *Duke University - Quotes
“Nor could I fail to recall my friendship with Howard K. Beale, professor of American History at the University of North Carolina. Paul Buck, whom he knew at Harvard, had told him to look me up. He wanted to invite me to his home in Chapel Hill to have lunch or dinner and to meet his family.
After I moved to Durham, he invited me each year to give a lecture on “The Negro in American Social Thought” in one of his classes. One day when I was en route to Beale’s class, I encountered one of his colleagues, who greeted me and inquired where I was going. I returned the greeting and told him that I was going to Howard Beale’s class to give a lecture. After I began the lecture I noticed that Howard was called out of the class. He returned shortly, and I did not give it another thought. Some years later, after we both had left North Carolina, Howard told me that he had been called out to answer a long-distance phone call from a trustee of the university who had heard that a Negro was lecturing in his class. The trustee ordered Beale to remove me immediately. In recounting this story, Beale told me that he had said that he was not in the habit of letting trustees plan his courses, and he promptly hung up. ”
― John Hope Franklin, Mirror to America
“Nor could I fail to recall my friendship with Howard K. Beale, professor of American History at the University of North Carolina. Paul Buck, whom he knew at Harvard, had told him to look me up. He wanted to invite me to his home in Chapel Hill to have lunch or dinner and to meet his family.
After I moved to Durham, he invited me each year to give a lecture on “The Negro in American Social Thought” in one of his classes. One day when I was en route to Beale’s class, I encountered one of his colleagues, who greeted me and inquired where I was going. I returned the greeting and told him that I was going to Howard Beale’s class to give a lecture. After I began the lecture I noticed that Howard was called out of the class. He returned shortly, and I did not give it another thought. Some years later, after we both had left North Carolina, Howard told me that he had been called out to answer a long-distance phone call from a trustee of the university who had heard that a Negro was lecturing in his class. The trustee ordered Beale to remove me immediately. In recounting this story, Beale told me that he had said that he was not in the habit of letting trustees plan his courses, and he promptly hung up. ”
― John Hope Franklin, Mirror to America
Find out more about other phenomenal Black Leaders
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Listen to programs by these leaders on Alternative Radio by simply searching for their names.
Teaching about Black Issues using Literature
- Use stories that highlight excellent black protagonists.
- Hang posters that show prominent black people.
- Discuss ancient African civilizations (e.g. ancient legendary cities: Timbuktu, Mombasa, Bamako. Empire of Mali).
- Talk about black community achievements (e.g., The Black Star Project).
- Use black dolls in the classrooms.
- Talk about race (Beverly Tatum's books are excellent).