education vs poverty

[Gary Beulah]

The debate in education vs. poverty is a longstanding and certainly 
controversial proposition. Past and current myth's still persist in the 
education community that minorities (African Americans) need special = 
pedagogy needs.  The unfortunate circumstance we find ourselves in is that 
we're educating our children from the same concepts and material that 
prepared us for the industrial age.=20

Change is slow and constant and a renewed interest in our children's 
education must take place if they are to succeed. Discipline, self-esteem, 
persistence are just a few of the main ingredients needed to rise above 
poverty and educational issues. Growing up I was taught a strong work 
ethic as well as educational disciplines. Communities where much stronger 
and typically rallied together when threats invaded: racial disparities, 
segregation, police brutalities etc..  We've marched, fought and burned 
down cities all in the interest of freedom and self-preservation black and 
white.

I often visit the neighborhoods of impoverished area's and when I see the 
parents of children holding down the corner  I ask myself how are we going 
to uplift the children in the hood.  Fortunately, exchanges such as YL and 
other community organizations have created a medium to share ideas and 
concerns that will ultimately change your communities and uplift the youth 
within. But, more importantly society has to generate more role models in 
diverse area's of occupation, gender and ethnic background that reflect 
our communities diverse make-up.

<p>Gary Beulah
Soft Blue, Inc.
garyb at softblue.com
www.softblue.com
Developers of diverse educational software.

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