Ilyasah Shabazz
The past week in the Black Minds Matter course offered a series of high profile guest speakers who are committed to improving the education of Black boys and men. Their searing critiques of injustice, suggestions for change, and passion for a better world have motivated thousands to participate in the publicly streamed course.
Lending her voice to this effort was Ilyasah Shabazz. Shabazz is an esteemed educator, advocate, and the daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz. She advocated for urgent incorporation of cultural relevance in the classroom, “we have to be able to see ourselves in this equation, in this story.” Shabazz discussed the lack of representation of Black life and culture in the curricula in our nation’s schools, colleges, and universities. Her comments revealed this lack of representation is a function of White supremacy, “It’s important to educate and teach the truth to our children! There is no superior or inferior group.”
During her talk, Shabazz discussed a range of topics including the contemporary politics, organizing communities for change, and most centrally – the plight of Black boys and men in education. She argued that the best path forward and opportunity to improve student success resides in the power of students themselves. “Student need to understand their power and the value they bring to the table.” However, Shabazz also urged those engaged in direct action to be results-driven. She noted her father (Malcolm X) never engaged in an effort without strategy to achieve the end-goal. Shabazz advised the next generation of advocates to do the same – claim their power and be results oriented.
Bestselling Author States that Literacy is the Civil Rights Issues of Today
Her guest appearance was buttressed by guest lectures from Drs. Jawanza Kunjufu (Founder of African American Images) and Chance W. Lewis (Distinguished Professor of Urban Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte). Kunjufu also extended a number of powerful comments. A defining moment of his talk was his perspective on the contemporary civil rights movement. He argued literacy is one of the most important civil rights issues of today.
Kunjufu is the author of numerous books on Black males including the bestseller Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys andUnderstanding Black Male Learning Styles. In addition to being an author, Kunjufu is also a book publisher and noted one of his largest markets are Black men in prison. He stated, “you shouldn’t have to go to prison to learn to read and to learn about yourself.” Kunjufu argued this is too often the case, as a result of innumerable issues in our education system beginning with low teacher expectations for Black male success. He stated low expectations can have a more negative influence on Black student success, indicating “more African American children are affected by the expectations of their teachers compared to any other group.”
Echoing Ilyasah, Kunjufu extolled the importance of culturally relevant teaching noting the “Black Minds Matter because the Greeks studied Egypt, not the other way around.” Shabazz and Kunjufu’s guest appearances on Black Minds Matter helped to center the conversation on Black male success within the tradition of Afrocentrism.
Black Minds Matter is a public course designed to raise the national consciousness about issues facing Black boys and men in education. Led by Dr. Luke Wood of San Diego State University, the course provides information to educators, parents, and researchers on how to better improve outcomes for Black males in education. In particular, the course draws parallels between the pervasive criminalization of Black men in society and shows that similar patterns occur in education.