Our schools have become “missionary type” schools as was in the days when missionaries went in countries and destroyed cultural systems that were in place and called the natives “savages” and what the natives were told reduced the love of themselves and they would later become haters of themselves/culture and began to emulate the cultural features of the missionaries.
We are a spiritually wounded People that continue to emulate a system to educate that is failing in large unreported numbers with outcomes that finds far too many school aged children in the court system or in the streets with no desire to learn. There were thoughts that “charter schools” would be the answer, but charter schools have a tinge of elitism and many folks shy away from entering their children. It seems that the school teachers are teaching or trying to teach what to think as opposed to how to think. Take back our system and rescue our children from the “neo missionary” style of teaching.
The missionaries were suppose to be “rescuing” those that were “savages” and bring them to GOD and then to teach them the right ways. Today, there is a need to look and then finds ways to remove the style of teaching, build a spirituality for learning. Far too many parents are just relegating the education of their children to the politically dominated Boston Public School system. Of course there are a few in the school system and outside that are fighting, but they do not get the support from their peers other than a smile that later turns into a frown. Many in the so-called leadership seem not to know the difference between opportunities for a few and disadvantages for the many. We cannot continuously allow ourselves to be “duped” that it is the fault of the powers that be. We must create a model to help ourselves and “seize” power as well as support in a big way for the leadership that supports changes that we must have. Having common sense like our Ancestors had was key then and should be today.
The days for having just one or two is over. The days for having many that are qualified is NOW!!! While I have earned a degree, a degree is not necessary for leadership other than the degree of how much quality leadership you are providing in the plan.
With ALL the years of getting degrees and PHDs, we as a People have no cohesive plan to address a failing school system with many saying/claiming that more funds are needed. Dignity and self-respect cannot be purchased. Getting a solid education was a badge of honor long time ago. Parents were involved and if the Mother was working, a family member would be at the school meetings when called to monitor the child’s progress. We need that back with modifications to begin a process for creating resources among ourselves and in the communities to reeducate not just the students, but the residents in order for saving our youth from deadly ends as in “dead spiritual development” that leads to chaotic futures and pain.