Unfortunately, blacks, as is the case for all races perhaps, are identified by the extremes when considered by others. From my experiences in education, I have seen a steady increase in the victimhood used to excuse the lack of academic effort and self-control where disciplinary matters are concerned. The real victims are those black students who strive to excel as students and citizens. They are looked upon as "Uncle Toms" by their peers who attempt to drag them back into the crab pot.
The communities that many of our black students come from are miniature versions of the Chicagos and Baltimores that we read and hear about. Poverty, drugs, crime, and urban decay are the norm. Law enforcement is lambasted for not being able to do anything about the crimes, but no one ever sees what goes on to provide assistance. The only consistent meal many of the kids get is at school. There is little to no pride in the communities and homes in which many live. The US government is often the largest "employer." It is a vicious cycle that can be impossible to escape.
There are obviously many factors that affect the plight of blacks. I don't know what the experts might think is #1, but my personal opinion is the lack of responsible males in the family dynamic. I've seen hundreds of parents in thirty years of dealing with student issues, but almost exclusively it is a mother, grandmother, or aunt. There rarely is a male parent in the picture. Imagine the effect this has on the children, especially the young men. There is no one to provide them with a positive role model; thus, they seek acceptance and guidance from wherever they can find it and the reinforcement is all too often negative.
I don't know exactly how to effect a consistent positive change. I know that it is not impossible to overcome the aforementioned lack of positive male influences. I am a product of a single parent home and have been able to overcome that deficit. It was not without struggle or stigma, but it was made clear to me early on that there would be no one paying my way and if I was going to make it, it was up to me. I was fortunate to have grandparents that helped provide morals and a work ethic along with teachers and coaches who showed some interest. The latter two are available today, but they seem to pale in comparison to the many paths of least resistance. The bottom line is that the best way to not be a victim is to...not be a victim. But it still requires enough positive influences and these seem to be scarce in many communities these days.
