Recent Posts
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Monday, January 16, 2017
Posted by
Dr. Dwight McBride
This is where my psyche is taking me these days:
Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing. Believe in yourself. And believe that there is a loving Source - a Sower of Dreams - just waiting to be asked to help you make your dreams come true.
-Sarah Ban Breathnach
Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing. Believe in yourself. And believe that there is a loving Source - a Sower of Dreams - just waiting to be asked to help you make your dreams come true.
-Sarah Ban Breathnach
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Posted by
Dr. Dwight McBride
Thinking about the verdict the other day, It really made me think how two wrongs did not make this right.
-Dwight McBride
Walter Scott, Walter Scott
What does this mean
Mistrial, Mistrial
Injustice indeed
Let’s do this again
For all to see
Justice for all, just not me
One runaway juror
Could not see
Eight flying bullets
In the back of me
No Taser, No Taser
In my hand
One planted on the ground near my hand
Let’s do this again, for all to see
Justice for all, just not me
Justice for all, why not me.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Monday, November 7, 2016
Posted by
Dr. Dwight McBride
On the eve of what is being sold as the biggest election of our lifetime, I am predicting Hillary by a landslide. That is if the turnout is greater than 45%.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Count Down to the Academy Awards
Posted by
Dr. Dwight McBride
Count Down to the Academy Awards
As I sit here about an hour or so before the Oscars is about to be broadcasted, I am thinking about the Academy’s first African American President, Cheryl Boone who is propelled into a spotlight of controversy is not much different than Gregory Peck in the 70’s. Both were forced to step up and demand a change in the membership of its members. The academy consists of 51 members. We know a majority is white and male. It would imply that they are only going to vote on white issues. That I am not sure of, I think that they vote on what is available. There are just not a lot of stories being told reflecting the multicultural canvas of America. This is a direct result of the movie-making machine. There is no outcry about the people that actually green light what is produced, and what and whose story will be told. The decision makers of filmmaking are on the other extreme of the Academy members. They are young and white with a bottom line mentality.
All educators that work with children can tell you that the face of the winner matters. So is this action one of bias. I think many assumptions are being made as to what it considered the best. If you ask my son what movie should win he would tell you Star Wars or any of the Marvel superhero movies. When I look at the list of nominees I would change or add to the list is Idris Elba for “Beasts of No Nation”, and Ryan Kyle Coogler, director of "Creed". Nevertheless, I am thinking of a winner where the outcry is simply for a nomination. I believe that Selma directed by Ava DuVernay for directed Selma should have been nominated last year.
I like what Ice Cube said in an interview. “We made this movie for the people, to hell with the Oscar’s.” I thought the movie “Straight out of Compton” was one of the best movies that entertained me, but I don’t necessary agree it was an Oscar contender. Maybe the soundtrack because the music was a major change in how the voice of inner city black’s was using music to express themselves with the treatment of African Americans in contemporary times. However, this is my opinion and only my opinion. I feel if you are going to make a docudrama or a movie about a music group that literally reflected systemic racism, I feel the was the movie did not go far enough into the lives of the groups and tell more truths about the members. That to me hands down would be an Oscar contender. I will be honest with you, when Spike Lee did not get the award for Malcolm X. I was done with the Oscars. I don’t expect a lot of Black nomination just like to don’t expect to see a lot of White Americans in the NBA.
But this year is different because the of the amount of African American’s involved in the production of the Academy Awards. The president Cheryl Boone is African American. The producer Reginald Hudlin is African American and the host is Chris Rock is African American. That in itself is a first and with this, change in the future of the Academy is evident. However, obviously, not fast enough. When Jada Smith made a short video clip protesting the lack of diversity of nominees it what like the shot heard around the world. Everything that was perceived to be wrong with the voting methods overshadowed the award ceremony. This is a case of someone saying what no one wanted to say. There was the discussion that everyone of color should protest the Academy. Chris Rock should quit in protest. That to me seem counter productive. Why? Because the show would go on with or without them.
The cynic that I am feels that with the demand to for protest is in some ways just what the academy award shows needs. Remember, for years, the show’s African-American audience has been declining for years. It seems that there was no entertainment value that would draw the community back. Well except now with Chris Rock as the host who can be a comedian that can tell a racial joke that not only makes you laugh but makes you thank. This is a Madison Avenue dream come true. It is like watching the news and they tell you to turn away because the next clip may be graphically offensive. What will be the response of the audience, not only look, but to turn the sound up. This is what Chris Rock is for the Academy Awards. He is expected; yes, he is now expected to take the conversation over the top. I would suggest that the show’s African-American audience would increase for tonight’s show. What I am hoping is that it does not become the focus point of the show to the point where the nominees have to feel guilty about winning. If the question is truly about diversity then it is not just a Black thing it is a lack of a female thing, it is a lack of diversity thing, not just in the filmmaking but in those that make the decision what films are made. This is beyond the Academy. As for the academy members, I feel that they should be required to see the movies, all the movies that have the potential to receive a nomination. What was positive is that Ms. Boone expedites the planned changes to the membership system without waiting for the members to voice opposition to her plan.
However, in the end, if this is done with any class it should be one on the best and most entertaining ceremonies. If it becomes too offensive, I believe even the audience that the show needs to revenue will bow out. This is where Chris Rock comes in, there is no one that I think could deliver the joke with a slight taste of venom and move on to keep the show alive.
As I sit here about an hour or so before the Oscars is about to be broadcasted, I am thinking about the Academy’s first African American President, Cheryl Boone who is propelled into a spotlight of controversy is not much different than Gregory Peck in the 70’s. Both were forced to step up and demand a change in the membership of its members. The academy consists of 51 members. We know a majority is white and male. It would imply that they are only going to vote on white issues. That I am not sure of, I think that they vote on what is available. There are just not a lot of stories being told reflecting the multicultural canvas of America. This is a direct result of the movie-making machine. There is no outcry about the people that actually green light what is produced, and what and whose story will be told. The decision makers of filmmaking are on the other extreme of the Academy members. They are young and white with a bottom line mentality.
All educators that work with children can tell you that the face of the winner matters. So is this action one of bias. I think many assumptions are being made as to what it considered the best. If you ask my son what movie should win he would tell you Star Wars or any of the Marvel superhero movies. When I look at the list of nominees I would change or add to the list is Idris Elba for “Beasts of No Nation”, and Ryan Kyle Coogler, director of "Creed". Nevertheless, I am thinking of a winner where the outcry is simply for a nomination. I believe that Selma directed by Ava DuVernay for directed Selma should have been nominated last year.
I like what Ice Cube said in an interview. “We made this movie for the people, to hell with the Oscar’s.” I thought the movie “Straight out of Compton” was one of the best movies that entertained me, but I don’t necessary agree it was an Oscar contender. Maybe the soundtrack because the music was a major change in how the voice of inner city black’s was using music to express themselves with the treatment of African Americans in contemporary times. However, this is my opinion and only my opinion. I feel if you are going to make a docudrama or a movie about a music group that literally reflected systemic racism, I feel the was the movie did not go far enough into the lives of the groups and tell more truths about the members. That to me hands down would be an Oscar contender. I will be honest with you, when Spike Lee did not get the award for Malcolm X. I was done with the Oscars. I don’t expect a lot of Black nomination just like to don’t expect to see a lot of White Americans in the NBA.
But this year is different because the of the amount of African American’s involved in the production of the Academy Awards. The president Cheryl Boone is African American. The producer Reginald Hudlin is African American and the host is Chris Rock is African American. That in itself is a first and with this, change in the future of the Academy is evident. However, obviously, not fast enough. When Jada Smith made a short video clip protesting the lack of diversity of nominees it what like the shot heard around the world. Everything that was perceived to be wrong with the voting methods overshadowed the award ceremony. This is a case of someone saying what no one wanted to say. There was the discussion that everyone of color should protest the Academy. Chris Rock should quit in protest. That to me seem counter productive. Why? Because the show would go on with or without them.
The cynic that I am feels that with the demand to for protest is in some ways just what the academy award shows needs. Remember, for years, the show’s African-American audience has been declining for years. It seems that there was no entertainment value that would draw the community back. Well except now with Chris Rock as the host who can be a comedian that can tell a racial joke that not only makes you laugh but makes you thank. This is a Madison Avenue dream come true. It is like watching the news and they tell you to turn away because the next clip may be graphically offensive. What will be the response of the audience, not only look, but to turn the sound up. This is what Chris Rock is for the Academy Awards. He is expected; yes, he is now expected to take the conversation over the top. I would suggest that the show’s African-American audience would increase for tonight’s show. What I am hoping is that it does not become the focus point of the show to the point where the nominees have to feel guilty about winning. If the question is truly about diversity then it is not just a Black thing it is a lack of a female thing, it is a lack of diversity thing, not just in the filmmaking but in those that make the decision what films are made. This is beyond the Academy. As for the academy members, I feel that they should be required to see the movies, all the movies that have the potential to receive a nomination. What was positive is that Ms. Boone expedites the planned changes to the membership system without waiting for the members to voice opposition to her plan.
However, in the end, if this is done with any class it should be one on the best and most entertaining ceremonies. If it becomes too offensive, I believe even the audience that the show needs to revenue will bow out. This is where Chris Rock comes in, there is no one that I think could deliver the joke with a slight taste of venom and move on to keep the show alive.
Friday, July 13, 2012
The One Educational Conversation No One Wants To Discuss
Posted by
Dr. Dwight McBride
Part 4
This
is an extension of part three. This
section discusses social issues that influences student learning and classroom
interaction. These problems affect entire families and communities.
FEMALES:
The Sadker study found indications that African-American girls fare even
worse than white girls in classroom interaction. Although black girls try to initiate more
teacher contact than any other group, they are frequently rebuffed, and usually
receive less teacher reinforcement.
Even, the odds of a young white women being a murder victim
are 1 in 369; for a young white man 1 in 131; for a black female 1 in 104 and
for a black male, 1 in 21. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (CDC) reported that among
females, blacks had higher homicide rates than other racial/ethnic groups;
however, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) women aged 30--49
years also had high rates. These findings indicate heightened risk for females
during adulthood, which might be indicative of intimate partner--related
homicide. These findings also are consistent with a study that reported high
rates of intimate partner-related homicide among black women aged 20--39 years
and another study that estimated that one third (30.7%) of AI/AN women aged ≥18
years had been physically assaulted by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Although the
1999--2007 homicide rates were highest among blacks, their rate for 2007
represents a substantial decrease compared with the early 1990s. In 1991, the
homicide rate among non-Hispanic blacks peaked at 38 deaths per 100,000
population, which was nearly twice the rate reported in 2007. Similar decreases
from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s were observed among the other
racial/ethnic minorities.
MALES:
Approximately 1 in every 3 black males teenagers is unemployed
and those who are working take home paychecks with 30% less salary that white
workers. It has been reported that in major cites like New
York, Chicago, and Milwaukee unemployment can be as high as 68%.
It’s estimated that
25% of black youths’ income results directly from crime and 1 in every 6 males
is arrested by age 19. When you live with this much blight, it is difficult to
fine hope in your environment. It becomes difficult for a teacher to tell their
student to excel in education when their family and community that consist of
the educated and the non-educated are equally unemployed.
The CDC's study indicates that during 2007, homicide rates were highest among persons aged 15--34
years, and the overall unadjusted rate for males was approximately 4 times that
of females (9.8 versus 2.5 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively).
Unadjusted homicide rates were highest among blacks (23.1 deaths per 100,000),
followed by American
Indians/Alaska Natives (7.8) and Hispanics (7.6), then whites (2.7) and Asian
and Pacific Islanders (A/PIs) (2.4).
Additional analyses by age, race/ethnicity, and sex revealed
that black males aged 15--34 years were at greatest risk for death by homicide.
Based on the available data, black females also had the highest homicide rates
compared with females in other racial/ethnic groups within each age category,
with the exception of women aged 30--49 years. Homicide is the leading cause of
death for young black men. In New York City, about 3 out of 4 black males never
make it to graduation. In Milwaukee, 94%
of all expelled students are African-American boys.
Suicide:
Reflecting on
my prior posting that conclude with the issue of suicide. In 2006 , 1954 African Americans completed suicide
in the U.S.. Of these, 1669 (85%) were males (rate of 8.8 per 100,000). The suicide rate for females was 1.4 per
100,000. In 2006, there
were only 285 African American female suicides.
The ratio of African American
males to female was 5.85 to 1. The
suicide rate among African American females was the lowest of all racial gender
groups. As with all racial groups, African
American females were more likely than males to attempt suicide and African
American males were more likely to complete suicide.
CDC indicated suicide
was the third leading cause of death among African American youth (ages 10-19),
after homicides and accidents. The suicide rate for young African American
youth was 2.62 per 100,000 (n=182). For
African American youth, the rate of male suicide (4.34 per 100,000) was 5.1
times higher than that of females (0.85 per 100,000).
African
American youth suicide rates were generally low until the beginning of the
1980’s when rates started to increase radically. Between 1981 and 1994, the rate increased 78%. Since then, the rate has decreased
significantly.
The American Association of Suicidology states that males accounted
for 90.5% of African American elderly (65 and older) suicides. Firearms were the predominant method of
suicide among African Americans regardless of gender and age, accounting for roughly
52% of all suicides.
So I ask the
question again, what can be so wrong in someone’s life that they are willing to
commit suicide. The answer in many cases
is nothing. There is nothing wrong; however there can be biochemical factors
that can be contributing factors. An article
written by Dawn Turner Trice of the ChicagoTribune about a high school student name Duane Christopher Peterson Jr.
who lost his fight with depression by committing suicide.
Junior Seau a man that also had everything to live for also took
his own life. I spoke with a someone about the
passing of Junior Seau. They refuse to acknowledge
that in the mist of a wonderful life that maybe he (as we all do to some degree)
was facing some demons in his life. Their
response was that it just seems fishy that he would do this. I attempted to explain with my limited
knowledge of suicide that one who commits or even contemplates suicide does not
necessary think about life the same way as someone else. Duane Peterson is an example of how biologicalfactors played a role in his death. In
Junior Seau case, there is growing
conversation that head injuries that football players incur may be a contributing factor.
Just recently, Jon
Bardin of the Los Angeles Times wrote about a study of the
T.gondii parasite that could contribute to the attempt of suicide. Researchers estimate that T.gondii is carried by 10% to 20% of Americans, who can get it by changing
litter used by infected cats or eating undercooked meat from an animal carrying
the bug. Whatever the cause, it seems that we shy away from the
conversation of suicide for various reasons including religious beliefs. In this rapidly changing world we need to learn how to be sensitive to this
ailment and find ways to help students
to cope with mental ailments.
Image a student in a classroom trying to make sense of their world who may
be suffering from daily thoughts of do I live or is it time to die. Remember
this student is someone’s child and that child might be sitting next to you
right now.