Earlier today, I witnessed President Obama deliver on yet another promise when he signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. Acknowledging the significant racial disparity present in our educational system, the president's order is a significant game changer for millions of black students, their families and communities suffering from the impact of inadequate opportunities. When endless research and evidence suggests that poverty, violence and crime are all correlated with access to quality education, it's incomprehensible that we would set up children for failure by denying them the foundation of intellect and knowledge. Thankfully, we have a president that recognizes this greatest civil rights challenge of our time, and more importantly, is leading the charge to combat it.
In 2009, not long after taking office, President Obama shocked many by inviting two individuals from virtually opposite ends of the spectrum to the White House to discuss education -- former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and me. Shortly thereafter, the president asked us to embark on a national education tour to highlight inequities, raise awareness and seek methods to resolve some of the most difficult challenges we face in leveling the educational playing field. Although we hardly agree on much of anything, Newt and I willingly participated in this effort because both of us understood that improving our schools and access to colleges/universities wasn't a left or right issue; it's an American issue.
My organization, National Action Network (NAN), and I have worked with the president and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan from the beginning of this administration. My unlikely ally, Newt, and I didn't hesitate to participate on this education tour upon the president's request because we wanted to see the next generation succeed. To now watch everything crystallized into a permanent initiative is a natural and necessary progression of this administration and we at NAN salute President Obama and will aggressively work with this new initiative.
The Executive Order creates a presidential commission on educational development for black students, and only strengthens his 2010 Executive Order to bolster the nations' Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that suffered extensively from decreased funding due to state's budgetary challenges.
For far too long, one's birthplace in this country has determined what sort of education he/she would receive and the likelihood that he/she would be able to pursue a higher education. In too many urban areas like Chicago for example, simply making it to school is a challenge, as the threat of violence overtakes certain neighborhoods. And when a child does make it to school in these disturbing environments, they often receive questionable education from schools that are lacking in resources and quality teachers. The chances of this very child going to college (let alone graduating high school) becomes slim to none. Without an education, job opportunities grow increasingly limited, and this individual is then often forced to do whatever is necessary to survive -- even if it is illegal. It's a vicious cycle that we as a nation MUST break. And education is the one equalizer that can effect the most change.
In the city of New York, a place that has watched far too many die at the hands of gun violence in recent months and years, one of the latest victims was an innocent 4-year-old boy named Lloyd Morgan whose only crime was enjoying an evening at a Bronx park on Sunday. This must end immediately; too many of our men, women, children, parents and grandparents are dying at the hands of street violence. We are in a crisis mode all across this nation. It is of the utmost importance that we not only deal with the immediate wave of gang violence, but do what the president did today -- specialize in building a solid foundation and future for those who need it most.
Education is the key, and it's time we unlock the gates to equality, advancement and opportunity for all.
Follow Rev. Al Sharpton on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheRevAl
When going to college, study a subject that will yield top financial results. Going to college should be about making money not debt. Next, opportunity must be present. I have two degrees, and those degrees have never opened the door for me to get a great job. My work experiences have shown me how far off balance everything really is. The economy/job situation is not going to change, because too much money is being at the top made by totally removing the American worker. Yes, education is still needed, but it is not enough. For so long, we have been programmed to be consumers rather than producers. We don't own anything. We have never been taught to work for ourselves, invest, invent, or make money for ourselves. The master plan is for us to just sit around the TV and get dumbed down and and buy, buy, buy while everyone else is sitting back and becoming super wealthy. Black people need to get their act together and learn how to work together. Stop giving your money away to businesses that can't even offer you a good job. If a company can't give you a shot at improving your life, then you need to give your money to businesses that will. There is no American Dream.
The only dream that exists is the reality that you create for yourself. Get Busy.
This is a pretty sounding name... What exactly is this Initiative going to specifically ???
The Executive Order creates a presidential commission on educational development for black students...
There are no specifics on what this program is actually about....
Sounds like Political Fluff for a specific voting block . Two articles in the last week with absolutely no details on what this program does.
This statement is very true.
It is interesting that in discussing difficulties the author references economic and not racial barriers to success. Yet, the commission is for african-americans, not needy-americans.
I think many kids know that they don't have much of a future, so why stay in school. The only jobs of the future are going to be high end jobs like doctors etc. Not that many people have the staying power and brain power to be doctors.
Lastly what are people like the good Rev going to do when there are no white people left to blame?
We Proud Black Americans at the NBRA have been sounding the alarm...Thanks for your insightful post...
Your argunment is weak.
You didn't balance your comment with the fact that it was the republicans and their corporate cronies in the for profit higher education business that is targeting minority students who they know are not ready for college course material but profits off the government loans these students receives. Most of these students don't graduate and then have no way of repaying thsoe loans.
Then there are students who attend regular colleges get good grades and yet are burden with the high cost of student loans. Even if the job market was good these students would still have a hard time repaying their loans.
Every president creates these "czars", panels, and so forth that are loaded with employment for those who are politcally connected to feed at the government table. The federal wagel, benefits and pension rolls expand all without any input or say from elected officals and or Congress who is mandated by the COTUS to hold the purse strings.
Obama ran the first time on cutting back government spending and curtailing the expansion of government via these methods but so far has created more czars than imperail Russia and not eliminated one EO created panel. In particular the man said he would get shot of George Bush II's "Office of Faith Based Initiative". Wrong! The man has not only kept the thing but expaned it as well.
Ron Paul is looking better and better every day.