by Aminisha Black,The Parents Notebook We’re familiar with the enthusiasm of a three- or four-year-old. They are eager to explore and learn. They are confident that they can do anything. Reality is not a concept they embrace.Notice how few of our children are still that eager or confident at 12 or 13? What happened? Chances […]readmore
By Akosua K. Albritton The saying, “Children are the future”, is heard in many quarters of society, from church pulpits to school auditoriums, to City Hall chambers. Not only are they the future, but they are people living now. Unfortunately, some parents are not paving the way to a solid future for them when they […]readmore
African-American youth comprise the largest numbers in youth-related stop-and-frisks, arrests, suspension from public schools and victims of gun violence. Since the future of African-Americans depends on today’s youth, it led me to create the phrase “The transformation of a Nation begins in the homes of its people.” Today – Black History Month 2014 – acknowledging […]readmore
Being a grandmother of 12, my primary focus these days is what future generations are inheriting and what preparation they need to not only survive but thrive. During earlier years, I saw the major problem in the plight of African-Americans in this country was racism and the denial of equal rights to Black people. As […]readmore
“If we are ever to have real peace in the world, we shall have to begin with the children.” Mohandas K. Gandhi This week’s news has been flooded with bringing to surface the incredibly negative conditions facing parents and caretakers of our children. While mainstream media keeps the “Drama in DC” on their wires along with natural […]readmore
For many years during and after slavery the first priority of African American parents was making sure their children stayed alive. This gave rise to the attitudes that “Children should be seen and not heard” and “Spare the rod – Spoil the child”. These survival practices are still being used today. Having survived to some […]readmore
Nelson Mandela has been a hero for many years, an example of one with an extremely high sense of self-esteem. He has always been grounded in his life’s purpose; he has not shown anger about the past, including being imprisoned for 27 years. He did not exhibit anger about apartheid, just a determination to end […]readmore
By: S.E. Anderson Ed Activist Folks, Just a note to say that I attended our little counter charter school rally this morning. By “our” I mean the Coalition for Public Education. It appeared that no other progressive education activist group was in attendance to point out the fact that by law, charter schools are supposed […]readmore