What a wonderful way to start your class every day: affirmations from your teacher about your character. Kevin Jennings begins each day chanting with his African-American boy students, “I am focused. I am ready to learn. Let’s turn it up!”
Students in Oakland, California can opt to take the course “Mastering Our Cultural Identity: African-American Male Image) in 20 schools that throughout the district. The class is taught by black male instructors, not the normal white female instructors, who are able to share their own experiences and perspectives with their male students.
The course began unofficially in 2012 after the Department of Education began investigating the disproportionate suspension rates of black males. The course teaches …show more content…
Ferree stated that stereotyping of black boys begins in childhood. She discussed how both black and white teachers interpret bad behavior of black and white boys differently. Black boys’ misbehavior is seen as a sign of criminal in the making while white boys who misbehave are seen as boys being boys. (Ferree p 90) With black boys having so many cards stacked against them from childhood, it is refreshing to hear there are teachers out there willing to go the extra mile to help these underprivileged students understand there is a better life out there for them if they can resist the many challenges of growing up in a neighborhood with many road blocks for their higher education. Students in Oakland Hills have a very different childhood compared to those living in East Oakland. Many students in the Manhood Development classes do not live with both parents and by 10th grade, two-thirds have witnessed a shooting. These results are staggering to think that today’s youth are surrounded by such violence. Some commit crimes to keep from being the next victim. Being violent and unfeeling allows some to gain the respect they so desire. (Ferree p
Students in Oakland, California can opt to take the course “Mastering Our Cultural Identity: African-American Male Image) in 20 schools that throughout the district. The class is taught by black male instructors, not the normal white female instructors, who are able to share their own experiences and perspectives with their male students.
The course began unofficially in 2012 after the Department of Education began investigating the disproportionate suspension rates of black males. The course teaches …show more content…
Ferree stated that stereotyping of black boys begins in childhood. She discussed how both black and white teachers interpret bad behavior of black and white boys differently. Black boys’ misbehavior is seen as a sign of criminal in the making while white boys who misbehave are seen as boys being boys. (Ferree p 90) With black boys having so many cards stacked against them from childhood, it is refreshing to hear there are teachers out there willing to go the extra mile to help these underprivileged students understand there is a better life out there for them if they can resist the many challenges of growing up in a neighborhood with many road blocks for their higher education. Students in Oakland Hills have a very different childhood compared to those living in East Oakland. Many students in the Manhood Development classes do not live with both parents and by 10th grade, two-thirds have witnessed a shooting. These results are staggering to think that today’s youth are surrounded by such violence. Some commit crimes to keep from being the next victim. Being violent and unfeeling allows some to gain the respect they so desire. (Ferree p