Black Students Who Are Afraid of 'Acting White'

Larry Meeks
Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0800
Lifestyle

Dear Larry: Thank you for your recent article titled "My Wish for Black America," especially the part about how black students who do well in school are accused of "acting white." I felt that I should write to you because of the experiences both my husband and I have had in the school system with black parents and youths. I think that these examples support the premise of your article.

Before I "retired," I worked in a very large school district as the secretary in the Highly Capable (gifted) Program. We worked very hard to increase the number of black children in the program.

However, during my four years in the program, I realized that every year, the majority of black parents were turning down the opportunity for their children to be served in the gifted program. Asians and Hispanics were jumping at the opportunity, but not the parents of black children. These parents were passing up a great experience for their children, and instead of giving them a huge boost in a fine educational environment, they were leaving them in the general classroom, where they would be less challenged and less stimulated. The district officials met every year and tried to figure out why there were so few black children in the classroom. Eventually, the district lowered the criteria, thinking that might help. But still, the parents turned down placement. It was beyond frustrating to me and still is.
Updated: Fri Jan 14, 2011

Dear Larry: Thank you for your recent article titled "My Wish for Black America," especially the part about how black students who do well in school are accused of "acting white." I felt that I should write to you because of the experiences both my husband and I have had in the school system with black parents and youths. I think that these examples support the premise of your article.

Before I "retired," I worked in a very large school district as the secretary in the Highly Capable (gifted) Program. We worked very hard to increase the number of black children in the program.

However, during my four years in the program, I realized that every year, the majority of black parents were turning down the opportunity for their children to be served in the gifted program. Asians and Hispanics were jumping at the opportunity, but not the parents of black children. These parents were passing up a great experience for their children, and instead of giving them a huge boost in a fine educational environment, they were leaving them in the general classroom, where they would be less challenged and less stimulated. The district officials met every year and tried to figure out why there were so few black children in the classroom. Eventually, the district lowered the criteria, thinking that might help. But still, the parents turned down placement. It was beyond frustrating to me and still is.

My husband is a principal at a high school in the same district. We were attending a play in which a young black man was performing. He has a wonderful voice and not only acts but also sings in one of the school choral groups. As we listened to him perform in the play, my husband leaned over and told me this student had dealt with bullying in middle school from his fellow black students. They accused him of being "too white." In spite of the student's middle-school years, my husband says he is doing very well in high school.

My husband also has spoken of black students with great potential who have been singled out for programs aimed at encouraging their intellect and advancement to college. The biggest hurdle that the teachers in these programs have had is with the students' own fear of standing out and doing well. Just as many black parents will not encourage their children to push themselves beyond the norm, these students choose not to rise to a higher level of education out of fear of being mocked and ridiculed.

I will admit that when I see a young black man or woman who is successful in life and working hard and using his/her God-given abilities in a productive way, I am grateful. I want to hug the person and let him/her know how proud I am of him/her. I want to thank the person's parents for encouraging it. I'm even more grateful for those children who fight the good fight and stand up against those of their culture who believe that the only way to live is in poverty and with dependence on the government.

I admire your willingness to state your opinion. I hope that you can reach even one of those whom you seek to help. And more than that, I hope that you do not experience vitriol and animosity from the exact people whose eyes you are trying to open. Keep up the good work. — Stephannie

Dear Stephannie: Thank you for the encouragement. Letters like yours are what keep me going and help me believe in the future. You are right about the vitriol from people who do not share my opinion. As I have said many times, the greatest sin a minority can make is not to uphold the liberal "black-think." The hate mail from angry blacks is truly staggering.

I am sad to say that your and your husband's experiences are far too common. I have spent a lifetime in community service trying to make a difference. I have lost many qualified young people because they were unable to break the pressure of their peers. Just last week, I counseled a black 11th-grader who scored 95 percent or higher in all areas of a standardized achievement test. He is dropping out of school to hang with his friends. So far, I am having limited success.

I refuse to give up.