Akindele Unleashed: Moving Historically Black Colleges and Universities Into The Silver Rights Era by Akindele Akinyemi

Akindele Unleashed: Moving Historically Black Colleges and Universities Into The Silver Rights Era by Akindele Akinyemi

He writes:

There is STILL a need for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. However, the way we run and support these institutions need to change for the better.If you take a look at the Catholics they support Georgetown and Notre Dame. The Mormons support BYU. The Seventh Day Adventists support Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. The Lutherans-Missouri Synod support Concordia University. Most White Americans support and give back to the public institution they graduated from. However, when it comes to Blacks in this country we do not support our own institutions. After all, here in Detroit, most of the businesses are owned and operated by Arabs and Chaldeans even thought Blacks make up 90% of the total population in our city.However, HBCUs can serve as an incubator to develop 21st century leadership through a silver rights perspective.

The main problem is that we still have HBCU presidents that operate on a 20th century civil rights perspective. For example, why do we continue to beg the federal government for money to run OUR institutions? This is OUR responsibility to fund and manage first. Our ways of innovation must be creative.An example of innovation for these HBCUs is creating a social business incubator that will help divert funding to the HBCU of our choice. A social business is one which aims to be financially self-sufficient, if not profitable, in its pursuit of a social, ethical or environmental goal. Speaking of social business HBCUs do not offer social entrepreneurship programs to help eradicate poverty in our community. Our way of thinking must change and our way of doing business must be global.

For private HBCUs like Howard and Morehouse we have not done a good job in holding our faith based and non-profit communities accountable for not supporting quality education in these HBCUs. The major fund we have for the HBCUs is the United Negro College Fund. I dislike the term "negro" because it is outdated. Again, this is the Silver Rights Movement not the Civil Rights Movement. Our way of thinking must change and our way of doing business must be global. We need more than just the UNCF and Coca-Cola giving out scholarships to poor Blacks going to a HBCU. We need public-private partnerships working on improving the financial status of these HBCUs, creating a financial mechanism that will bring in billions to these universities by developing new global initiatives that will place these HBCUs in direct competition with other traditional colleges and universities.

The K-12 educational program at the HBCUs must be different also. They should offer teacher certifications in areas such as African-American History (which should not be looked upon as an elective), financial literacy and physiology to go into the most distressed urban areas to prepare our children for the 21st century.In a silver rights perspective we are in the business of generating wealth on these HBCUs by developing challenging programs, curriculums, and research facilities that will prepare our students in the 21st century. Some HBCUs are already doing this such as Tenneessee State University.HBCUs serve as the custodians of the record of the struggle of Black people in this country to achieve the very highest levels of contribution to our society. There are many ways to ensure these institutions are preserved.However, American society has written off HBCUs as irrelevant. More importantly, Black people has written off HBCUs off their list as well. This is why it is important to know your history before you write anything off. These HBCUs can very well be the change agent in urban communities across America.

My response:

I actually agree with Akindele on this one. Click the link above to read the entire blog post. Good stuff.

The Black Divide on School Choice

The Black Divide on School Choice

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Fla. Hopes For Better Schools Are Erased

Gov. Charlie Crist's promise to boost money for Florida's schools has been shattered by the state's worsening economy.

New forecasts show that the values of homes, businesses and condos continue to slide dramatically, especially in Southwest Florida.

And with the slide in real estate values comes less money in property taxes for school districts - as much as $1 billion less.

That all but wipes out Crist's pledge to spend $183 more on each student next year.

And it is one more sign that Crist's optimistic budget is crashing against economic realities, rendering his proposed $66.5 billion spending plan irrelevant to the GOP-controlled Legislature.

My response:

I just refuse to give in to the doom and gloom. We'll be ok. Most of the stuff we spend money on is stupid anyway. The first thing we need to cut are those ignorant teachers who can't string a decent sentence together but have the nerve to try to teach English. Get rid of low performing teachers and pay high performing teachers better. Then tell these Teacher Unions to kick rocks.

Greg Howard Can Keep His Job

MARIANNA­ ---A 3-2 vote by the School Board to uphold Jackson County Schools Superintendent Daniel Sims’ recommendations for disciplining a middle school teacher for writing a racial slur in class nearly caused an uprising Thursday night.

Nothing appeared to divide Jackson County’s families and School Board members more than what type of disciplinary action teacher Greg Howard should receive.

Howard is the Marianna Middle School teacher who wrote a racially charged comment on an erase board in his seventh grade social studies class. Howard altered the commonly used phrase from presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign from the word change to “C.H.A.N.G.E. – Come Help a (N-word) Get Elected.”

Sims recommended Howard receive a 10-day suspension without pay – worth about $2,500 and a written reprimand. Howard is required to write letters of apology to students, give up his coaching duties and any pay associated with coaching and take diversity sensitivity training. The vote was taken despite strong comments from the audience.

My response:

I don't really know how I feel about this. I mean, from everything I know about this incident, the man was joking. It was in poor taste, for sure, but it was a joke nonetheless. In fact, I received a text message from a friend with the same information in it. I laughed 'cause it was funny. The difference is, my friend is black so I wasn't offended. I don't know enough about this to say more but I will say this. Some people just want the spotlight and they will hop thier behinds in it no matter who they destroy in the process. Why don't we attend board meetins over the fact that our children are still scoring lower on standardized tests than their white counterparts. Why don't we stop allowing teacher's unions to lie to us and tell us that vouchers, charter schools, and other methods of school choice is bad for our kids when in reality it's only bad for them. This looks too much like the blind leading the blind. Yeah...I said that. Whatever.

Sherraye Speaks: Excellence is the key

Today, the Honorable Judge Nikki Clark, Circuit Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit here in Tallahassee, Florida, spoke to a group of students at the FSU College of Law. She was dynamic! She was articulate, poised, personable, confident and she was practical. She gave us all some very practical advice. I want to share some of that advice with you.

First, she told us all to be the best lawyers we could be. She told us to represent our profession well. Preparation, she said, was key. So many attorneys go into court unprepared, barely knowing their case, don't know the rules of evidence...

She said some other things but the main thing that stuck with me is that she encouraged us to carry ourselves in the spirit of excellence. That advice can be applied to any area of life. No matter what you set your hand to do, you should always walk in the spirit of excellence.

Now, that I am writing this post, I wish I had taken notes because she said so many good things.

Thank you, Judge Clark, for your wisdom and your time.

Democrats for Education Reform? OMG!!!

I tell ya, this internet thing is alright.

So, I was reading through some blogs today and came across this website. You should check it out for yourself, but here's a statement that I like:

"A first-rate system of public education is the cornerstone of a prosperous, free and just society, yet millions of American children today – particularly low-income and children of color - are trapped in persistently failing schools that are part of deeply dysfunctional school systems. These systems, once viewed romantically as avenues of opportunity for all, have become captive to powerful, entrenched interests that too often put the demands of adults before the educational needs of children. This perverse hierarchy of priorities is political, and thus requires a political response."

They are saying some good stuff. I particularly like one of the statements about how teacher's unions undermine charter schools. I hate the NEA and their cohorts. They make me sick. They don't care anything about children. And they really don't do a whole lot for teachers. Make me sick.

FSU retaining and graduating black students

Tallahassee, FL.: "Florida State and the University of Florida have long run neck and neck in the race to see who could graduate a higher percentage of black students within four to six years. This year, for the first time in nearly 10 years, FSU has come out ahead. FSU has retained and graduated 70.9 percent of the black students who came in as freshmen in 2000, according to the Florida Board of Governors."

My response:

Well, that's good. Personally, I don't understand why anybody black would send their children to the University of Rosewood...I mean, the University of Florida. But, hey, that's just me.

Go Noles!

Altered grades at FAMU

Tallahassee, FL.: "Florida A&M University administrators have confirmed that an investigation is underway regarding unauthorized grade changes. FAMU spokeswoman Sharon Saunders said Thursday that several grade changes were made to student records. A campus police investigation is underway, and it could lead to criminal prosecutions."

"We have a zero tolerance for this kind of behavior," FAMU President James Ammons said in a written release. "We must find those responsible and make sure that they are prosecuted."
Saunders said the investigation has been going on since Sept. 18.
"We don't know what course of action is going to be taken or if any course of action is going to be taken," Saunders said.
Phil Kiracofe, spokesman for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said the agency is assisting FAMU Police Department in the investigation. However, Kiracofe declined to elaborate on the investigation and referred all questions to FAMU police.
Kiracofe said FAMU police are the lead investigators. FAMU police Chief Calvin Ross, who is out of the office, couldn't be reached for comment. Deputy Police Chief James Lockley also declined to comment, saying he would prefer that information come from the FAMU public-affairs office.

My response:

Well, you know some FAMU students are real upset about this story being reported. Apparently, no bad press is ever released on FSU. The white man only reports negative news on FAMU.

I'm rolling my eyes as I type.

Racism exists. It does. But everything is not racism. Some stuff is just...well...true. So what we have to do is just accept responsibility for our actions and strive to do better and be better because we know better.

That being said...um, I changed grades when I was in junior high school. Cheated on some tests too. Tee hee.

I support you too, Oprah

Despite allegations, Oprah's school supported - CNN.com: "A mother whose daughter and granddaughter attend Oprah Winfrey's school in South Africa considers the talk-show host heaven-sent, despite allegations of abuse being investigated there."

"Oprah is an angel, she is God-sent," Masechaba Hine said Wednesday from her small home in gritty Soweto township. "She came to my rescue when my husband was not working."

Hine's daughter Palesa and her granddaughter Alebohang, both 14, were among the 152 students chosen to be the first class to attend the high-tech, high-profile Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls when it opened in January. Her faith remains unshaken by the news that South African police have opened a criminal investigation into allegations that a dorm parent mistreated students at the school.

Hine said her children "have no problems about the school, they are happy about everything."
Investigators declined to provide details of the alleged abuse, but the academy's CEO, John Samuel, said in a statement issued earlier this month that an internal inquiry was launched based on a claim of misconduct involving a dormitory parent.

My response:

It is unfortunate that this is happening at the Academy, but I certainly do not believe it is Oprah's fault and I definitely don't believe she condones it. I've read other blogs on this issue and some people are so quick to judge. Whatever. Do what you do, Oprah. I am still sending my financial contributions because I believe in what you are doing. That's real.

T.I. wants out of jail

MUSIC NEWS: T.I. Proposes Release Terms: "Lawyers for T.I. have asked that the rap star be released on a $2.2 million bond backed by his record label, record executives and the equity in both of his homes. They've also proposed that the rap star be on house arrrest with 24-hour monitoring. They presented the package to U.S. Magistrate Alan Baverman today in the Richard B. Russell Federal Building and Courthouse in Atlanta. According to CNN reporter Rusty Dornin, both Atlantic Records' CEO Lyor Cohen and Chairman Craig Kallman appeared in court to back the embattled rap star, pledging their financial support. "

My response:

I just have to tell you that I am so mad at T.I. right now. Seriously. I'm mad at him because I like most of his music. Some of his tracks have wayyy too much cursing in them for me. I really thought he had more sense than this.

Clifford, let me tell you something. You need to get it together. Leave some of those people alone that you are hanging with and surround yourself with people who have some sense. You are too talented, too gifted, and yes, too intelligent to get caught up in this foolishness. It's time to get smart.

Say That!

Booker Rising: "'Thus, lawyers have secured the right of topless dancers to perform, but have banished prayer from public life. They have won the right for indigents to take over public spaces, even our children’s libraries, and for the mentally ill to live on streets and shout obscenities at passersby. Legal advocates have guaranteed the right of students to be ignorant by opposing competency tests, and ignored their brazen possession and use of weapons in school. '

— Janice Rogers Brown, federal judge and conservative Republican"

Wise angers board with call for member's ouster

Wise angers board with call for member's ouster: "Duval County schools Superintendent Joseph Wise on Friday publicly called for School Board member Brenda Priestly Jackson to resign, claiming that she does not live in the district she represents.

My response:

I reserve comment at this time but the letter is below.

Ms. Brenda Priestly Jackson

5089 Andrew Robinson Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32209

Dear Ms. Priestly Jackson:

I write this letter with profound sadness, and with deep regret. In recent months, you have exhibited behaviors that have been both divisive and destructive, and your actions have substantively eroded the community confidence in the School Board and in this district. What troubles me more, however, is the impact your conduct has had on our ability to meet the needs of our children; your behaviors have begun to demonstrate a contempt for the rules by which we live, and for the taxpayers who support the work we do.
I thought long and hard before writing this, but last evening I received information thatndependent of your behaviors in recent monthseaves me as secretary to the Board no alternative but to request your resignation from the Duval County School Board.

I have received data evidencing that you do not reside within the nominating district within which you have claimed to reside.[1] It appears you have not resided there in some timepparently even before your last election. Under FL Statute 1001.38, your resignation is required for this statutory violation alone.
But this statutory violation is not an isolated issue. Nor is it the sole basis of the request for your resignation. In the period I have been superintendent, I have attempted to accommodate aberrant behaviors in an effort to prevent disruption affecting our students and teachers, and to ensure a stability I felt was crucial if we were to achieve genuine reform in this District to benefit kids. I realize now that this accommodation was a mistake. In sum, here are some of the additional reasons I am compelled to request your resignation from the Duval County School Board:

1. You have attempted to use your position to influence the placement of your husband, an employee of the district, into a position of higher pay and apparent status for which he was not best qualified. You subsequently persisted in repeated reprisals following my refusal to honor your wishes relating to the employment of your husband; this conduct continues, and includes inexplicable false assertions that I am a racist, claims that I have targeted your husband for retribution because of your statements directed at me personally, and assertions that I have engaged in some sort of impropriety by remaining on the boards of nonprofit organizations.

2. You attempted to use your position to circumvent the school choice/magnet program by directing staffnd then meo place two of your children in magnet schools for which there are extensive wait lists, and for which you had failed in any manner to comply with rules governing placement. You stated that you were exercising your oard member prerogative. When it was explained to you that what you soughtolely because of your position and status as a Board memberould not be equitably provided, you alleged members of the District senior staff had been shown the favoritism you were seeking. Inexplicably, when an investigation of your allegation was initiated, you expressly and in writing refused to cooperate. This defiance on the matter was troubling, and telling.

3. You continue to refuse to reimburse the school district for taxpayer funds you expended to subsidize your family vacation. On June 20, 2007, you elected to drive rather than fly to attend a School Board-related function in New York City; you acknowledge you took your family and billed the school district for two hotel rooms a night in Florence, South Carolina and a suite in Piscataway, New Jersey. Despite the Office of General Counsel letter to you of July 31, 2007, explaining the requirement that you reimburse the school district, you have to date refused to provide the reimbursement.

I can provide additional examples of these aberrant behaviors if you sense providing more would in any manner assist you.

When you and fellow Board members voted unanimously to hire me, we discussed how we as a team would work together: targets would be set, and the Board would hold me accountable for ultimately reaching those targets. I was led to believe that you trusted my judgment, and that the primary reason you hired me was to exercise that judgment. Since my refusal to yield to your personal wishes shortly after arriving here, I have been obligated to sustain repeated and inexplicable behaviors on your part; behaviors, I must now acknowledge, that are radically interfering with my obligation to do the work I have been retained to do for the children and employees of this District.

As in every contract, there is an implied duty imposed upon each party to act in good faith. Brenda, regrettably, we have reached a point where I can no longer remain silent about your breach of that duty. Your behaviors, initially disturbing and distracting, are now something more: they are destructive. And they can no longer be ignored if the work, necessary to make a difference in our kidslives, is to get done. Respectfully, I submit this letter as a formal request for your resignation from the Duval County School Board; it is necessary if we are to restore Board and employeesfocus on meeting our studentsneeds.
Sincerely,

Joseph Wise

Superintendent

Civil Rights Betrayed

According to Walter E. Williams, predominately black public schools are out of control.

Well, duh!

I'm not making fun of him, I'm simply pointing out that he is stating the very obvious.

"Much of what's seen today is a result of harebrained ideas and a tolerance for barbaric behavior. Kathleen Parker cited such an example in her May 16 syndicated column. The case concerned teacher Elizabeth Kandrac, who was routinely verbally abused by black students at Brentwood Middle School in North Charleston, S.C. A sample of the abusive language: white b----, white m-----f-----, white c---, white ho. Despite frequent complaints, school officials did nothing to stop the abuse. They told her this racially charged profanity was simply part of the students' culture, and if Kandrac couldn't handle the students' cursing, she was in the wrong school. Kandrac brought suit alleging a racially hostile work environment, and the school district settled out of court for $200,000.
People with such a tolerant mindset are in effect saying that blacks are not to be held to civilized standards of conduct and academic expectations that might be enforced for others. That's a disgusting and debilitating notion. I guarantee you that years ago, such nonsense would not have been tolerated, and a person making excuses for barbaric behavior by black students would have been considered a lunatic.
What has been allowed in predominantly black schools is nothing less than a betrayal of the struggle paid with blood, sweat and tears by previous generations to make possible the educational opportunities so long denied blacks that are being routinely squandered today. Blacks who lived through that struggle and are no longer with us wouldn't have believed such a betrayal possible.
There's enough blame to go around for each to have his share: students who are alien and hostile to the education process, parents who don't give a damn, and the education establishment and politicians who accommodate and excuse this tragedy of black education."

I could not agree more. Read the entire article here: https://http//www.townhall.com/Columnists/WalterEWilliams/2007/10/03/betrayal_of_the_civil_rights_struggle

Separate and Unequal Uniformity

One of the reasons why my posting is so slow and sporadic right now is because I am working my fanny off and I also have a research paper due. I thought, however, that I would take the time to let you see what I've written so far. I shed a little tear when I finished the intro.

This is the first draft but it is the gist of what I'll be turning in.

Enjoy!

I. Introduction

On January 5, 2006, mostly Black and Hispanic children living in Florida suffered the worst legal blow since Plessy v. Ferguson. In Bush v. Holmes, the Florida Supreme Court, struck down the Florida Opportunity Scholarship Program which allowed parents to use vouchers to send their children to a public or private school of their choice if their children’s assigned school was underperforming. A school voucher or education voucher is a means by which parents are given the ability to pay for the education of their children at a school of their choice, rather than the public school to which they were assigned. But on January 5, 2006, the Florida Supreme Court dashed the hopes of more than 700 students of obtaining a “high quality education” much to the delight of the teacher’s unions, the National School Board Association (NSBA), and other anti-voucher groups. Consequently, these approximately 700 children are resigned to finding a way to pay their own tuition or returning to the segregated, over-crowded, academically complacent schools that failed them in the first place.

Florida, however, is not the first state to deal with the voucher issue on the legal front. There have been several challenges to vouchers in other states with varied results. Early cases challenging the constitutionality of school vouchers have addressed issues such as the Establishment Clause. Other cases have referred to the infamous Blaine Amendments.

Despite the fact that research has shown that the Florida Opportunity Scholarship Program provided an educational boost for academically disadvantaged students, particularly non-white students, traditional civil and human rights advocates have rejected the voucher system as a means to give all students access to equal educational opportunities. This unholy alliance by mainstream civil rights organizations and high powered teachers unions has left many other Black and Hispanic people to wonder, “What in the world are these groups thinking? Even Malcolm X understood that “Education is the passport to the future.” If non-white students are not adequately prepared to compete in a society where the educated have most of the advantages, then what kind of future do they have? It would be interesting to know how many of the Florida Supreme Court justices, political leaders, teachers and others who oppose vouchers would continue to send their own children to an underperforming public school in the name of “uniformity.” Most of them would exercise their choice to move their children to a better school, public or private because they have the economic means to do so. But what about the parents who don’t? What hope remains for them?