After the Inauguration

We often commence a major activity with much fanfare; whether it is graduation or ascending to the highest elected office of a jurisdiction or organization. Whichever the case, the investiture is celebrated in a manner befitting the respective entity.

Such is the recent case of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the United States of America – we celebrated the ascension of the 33rd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in the same week our country celebrated the ascension of the 44th President of the United States; and both were celebrated with fanfare befitting their respective roles. Now that the celebratory aspects of the respective installations have concluded, where do we go from here?

According to the Boston-based Schott Foundation for Public Education’s 2008 report – “Given Half a Chance: The Schott 50 State Report on Public Education for Black Males” – provides particulars of how a racial achievement gap exists in this country. The report provides data supporting the notion that school districts serving a large proportion of African-American students, fail to provide proper education to the bulk of the Black male students. (Sidebar: the Schott Foundation is led by Dr. Bro. John H. Jackson – former candidate for 32nd General President.)

We’ve heard time and time again the statistics regarding African-American males and the dropout or incarceration rates. We’ve heard, and witnessed, time and time again the stories of bias and unfair treatment facing our black boys – in and out of schools. We’ve heard time and time again, as stated in the Schott report that “Black males are disproportionately suspended and expelled, and least likely to be admitted to gifted programs.”

However, those who’ve been a part of this social movement to abate the discrimination towards African American males, know the details of the Schott report only support what has been well-known since the first printing of Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu’s “Countering Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys;” where Dr. Kunjufu addresses the questions of why more black boys are in remedial and special education classes than girls or when a boy becomes a man – thus providing a bridge to the significance of rite of passage-type activities.

Knowing all of that, what now?

For Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, it is now time for us to move or launch forward with the urgency and vigor needed to resolve this crisis. General President Mason chosen for his administration, the theme “From the High Chair to Higher Education” – what some see as a contemporary update to Alpha Phi Alpha’s “Go to High School – Go to College” national program.

Since his election, and during his inauguration, Bro. Mason has sounded the bell and made the clarion call regarding the importance of ensuring Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is a vanguard in providing viable solutions to guarantee our boys are educated.

While some may be stand aside waiting for a directive on how to accomplish such an ominous task, members of Alpha will do as we have always done; provide direction and solutions while all others scurried about. As the old adage states, “how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Its is important that we first tackle the issue of educating African-American boys at home, by making certain our sons, grandsons, nephews and cousins are guided in the right direction. We must not accept the notion that any one of them is too hard headed, or will not listen. The expectation of excelling in academics begins in the formative years, and must be done by the positive male figure in their lives – the alternative is bleaker than they deserve.

After “retaking” control of our families and home, we must then move to our neighborhood – the boy next door or down the street. We must return to those days of being disciplined by the neighbor, and then again by the parents when they arrive home and hear the news of unacceptable behavior. From the neighborhood we can then move on to the city, the state, the country, etc.

To some this prescription may appear a bit optimistic; however, when men of color stand up and become attentive to home, family and neighborhood, the task of tackling the issues within our respective communities becomes that much easier. There are far too many organizations and efforts being put in place to address an issue that is easily resolved by ensuring the “Man of the House” (figuratively and literally) stands up and takes responsibility for what’s going on.

Let us all take the feeling of exhilaration experienced from the two recent inaugurations and convert it into the energy necessary to ensure our sons, grandsons, nephews and cousins are enrolled in pre-k; or consistently instilled with the expectation and notion of a college education; or that they learn how to be a man from the positive examples they see on a regular basis. Let’s not ever allow anyone to infer “college isn’t for everyone.”

We can ensure our African-American boys get “From the High Chair to Higher Education,” by properly setting the expectations to which they will excel.