Black Students. Middle Class Teachers Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu

The Educator has finished reading Black Students. Middle Class Teachers. I really don’t know what inspired me to pick-up this book and the jury is still out on whether I will give it a two thumbs up.

This book takes a look at the relationship between African American students and Middle Class Teachers. He is not just talking about White teachers he includes Black teachers as well.

I happen to agree with Dr. Kunjufu on that. Some Black teachers are just as guilty, labeling Black students as slow learners, special Ed, discipline problems and handicapped just because they come from low income families. They set the bar at a different level, usually much lower than for their white students.

These are some of the points that Dr. Kunjufu discusses in his book.

He states that the most important factor impacting the academic achievement of African American children is not the race or gender of the teacher but the teacher’s expectations.

I would have to disagree with Dr. Kunjufu on that statement, from my experience African American boys in elementary schools perform better, when they have/had an African American male teachers, therefore leading me to believe that race and gender does matter.

There are many other points in the book that I totally agree with, like when he says that many white liberal teachers say they don’t see color, they see children as children, and they treat them all the same. However, when he visited their classrooms he saw predominantly all white “Dick and Jane” bulletin boards, library collections and lesson plans; yet they say they don’t see color. As he stated he believes they see it better than anyone else. These same liberal teachers also allow African American students to turn in inferior papers and reward them with unearned grades. They think they are doing them a favor because life has been too hard on them and they think by lowering the standards it will make life somehow better.

He goes on to talk about the master teacher, and has done a lot of research on how to improve education for African American students by helping teachers recognize the class and value conflicts that exist between middle-class teachers and the children they teach.

The most intriguing chapter in the book to me was “A Relevant Black Curriculum” here he discusses issues that are near and dear to my heart. He begins by describing what it takes to be a good teacher/learner, he states “True education transmits skill, a commitment to your race, a love for learning and adoration for God”. He asked the question I so often ask and answered it: Why are so many African American children bored? The answer: Large numbers give up expecting school to make sense in their lives. They don’t enter school bored, but the longer they stay the more bored they become. Teachers need to let students ask the question Why do I have to learn this? Let students take an active role in their education. Here are some of the questions he said every African American student should know: Who am I? Where did the history of my people begin? What is the difference between Negro and African History? What have my people contributed? When were the Pyramids built and by whom?

Chapter 7 in the book is were I strongly disagree with Dr. Kunjufu, he talks about marketing strategies for parents and how to get them to attend PTA meetings; when parent-teacher conferences should be held, and when a parent should be called. Dr. Kunjufu suggest you bribe parents with food and prizes to attend PTA meetings, Parent-teacher conferences be held at a more convenient time other than in the day and you should call a parent when a child makes a “A” also.

Now Dr. Kunjufu, I have to respectfully disagree with you on the above. Most Parents already feel like the Education of their children is solely the responsibility of the school and teachers. However, we both know that is not true. I feel like when you are considering having a child you need to seriously think about can you afford this child and am I going to be able to take off from work to attend meetings at my child’s school. Parents take off from work for so many other dumb reasons and you mean to tell me they can’t take off for their children. They also make the time to come to the school in order to “tell the teacher off” if they feel like the teacher has done something wrong to their child. As many responsibilities that teachers have and the limited amount of time they have to do it, do you really think a teacher has time to call a parent when a child makes an “A”. Come on Dr. Kunjufu you sound like those bureaucrats who sit in an office somewhere high on a hill and make policies and laws which teachers must abide by; and they themselves have never stepped foot in a classroom.

All in all the book is a worthy read for educators and parents alike the insight into the various teaching methods is very good information that can be used by both. So check out this book if you like. Let me know what you think.

If you would like to join The Educator in reading for the month of September, I will be reading: What I Know For Sure by Tavis Smiley.