(ThyBlackMan.com) The importance of literacy and comprehension is paramount for Black children to be successful academically. Black children must have strong skills in literacy and comprehension to compete in school and life. What good is reading words if you do not understand the meaning of words and cannot apply them in a learning environment, an intelligent and meaningful conversation?
Black children will not be able to compete for jobs, enroll in higher education, and will have challenges for a successful life, if they cannot read, comprehend what they read; this is the reality. Look at challenged schools and the reading levels of Black students in the school districts across the county. Reading develops a mindset to gain new knowledge, allows previous 
knowledge relevancy, and bolsters cognitive enrichment, the application of critical thinking skills that are found on many state assessments. Parents are crucial in providing reading materials that are age, grade and cognitively appropriate.
The exposure to reading resources, the types of reading genres maybe abasement at home, but books need to be present and encouraged to be read. Even if the parent is not a strong reader this should not deter parents and guardians from working to build an appreciation and respect for reading in their children. Parents can use the free resources in their neighborhoods; the public libraries, school libraries and online reading content.
Instead of Facebook, Youtube, and other Social media entertainment, Black children should be reading. Why is it that our youth can manipulate Facebook and Youtube, Social media but are not on grade level in reading and math? Our youth can be superstars playing Wii games, but failing in reading and math, and struggling on tests, this needs to change. Having free resource as our libraries and not utilizing them is a public travesty; public school libraries have a diverse mix of multicultural resources to read, how many parents have ever visited them?
Our Black youth need to be empowered with knowledge; knowledge will guide, empower and encourage academic and societal success. Black children’s identities will not be so easily redirected to what the media displays as perceived mental and moral limitations and retardation in the entertainment industry. Reading will encourage the building of strong ethics, morals and unlimited mental capabilities that are positive and productive. Everyone cannot play in the NFL, NBA, NHA or become famous rappers or dancers. Inside many of our can be doctors, surgeons, teachers, scientist, inventors and business men and women.
Appreciating knowledge and the empowerment of reading is KEY in how Black children will grow. Ironically, Blacks were beaten and killed for learning to read, lynching occurred if Bibles were found in shacks that slaves lived in. The first books that slaves learned to read were the Bible. How paradoxical for slaves to read about Moses, Egypt and Israel’s children and to live a similar life in the colonies of the United States. Knowing they could be killed simply because they had books in their hands. Realizing this historical fact I wonder would this change the mindset and importance of reading to more Black children and families. The quote, ”If you think education is expensive – try ignorance”, Derek Bok.
Black families should not be caught up in the materialist misperceptions of designer clothes, designer hair styles, designer shoes and designer ignorance for education that Dr. Michael Eric Dyson discusses when talking about education. He has mentioned Blacks taking responsibility and ownership for their education not blaming “the White man” for lack of educational attainment when education is free in America. There are too many African Americans in the 21st century who blame the “system” or “the White man” for their lack of success instead of recognizing their personal lack of value for education, lack of self respect and lack of respect for their culture. Black families need to embrace the knowledge that can be gained from reading.
Quote, “If the Negro in the ghetto must eternally be fed by the hand that pushes him into the ghetto, he will never become strong enough to get out of the ghetto”
Carter G. Woodson.
How many of our Black families have a reading library along with a DVD movie or gaming library? How many fathers and mothers read to their infants and toddlers, working to build their literary skills in dialogue and conversations? Many great, great grandparents were not blessed to have free public libraries to check books out, but struggled to gain an education. Dr. Dyson spoke with truth when he stated that Blacks seem to become comfortable with poverty and ignorance. They seem to welcome their educational and social displacement. The value of education cannot always be measured by monetary gains, accumulation of personal possessions nor fancy clothes, but the gaining of self respect and self confidence in personal abilities and talents. There should be more success stories than failures in our education system; it is ultimately up to Black people to change perceptions that society has of our young Black children. Education is the key to open employment doors, the ladder to help climb out of poverty, the power to move from the ignorance of darkness to the light of understanding.
“Without education, you’re not going anywhere in this world.” Malcolm X,
I’m a Black teacher and graduate of an HBCU, I encourage Black families to use the resources that are free to Educate, Empower and Encourage children (E3 Motto).
Parents need to talk to teachers, administrators and guidance counselors to get help if needed. Parents are accountable when we look at graduations and see more White faces than African American faces receiving diplomas. The first teacher is a parent or guardian. They influence graduations, so for a Black families lack of involvement graduations will become lighter and lighter with smatterings of Blackness.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
Also check out; http://www.About.Me/WilliamDJackson
