Question: is our educational system broken, or is it designed to do exactly what it’s doing?
The question is rhetorical in nature, but it is one of many topics that were covered at a conference (The 15th Annual White Privilege Conference (whoa now, don’t let the eyebrow raising name of the conference scare you away or cause you to prejudge what it is all about) that I attended recently pertaining to disparities, discrimination, prejudice and social biases in our educational system. My presentation at the White Privilege Conference, was in regards to “building international relationships with China and Chinese students”. Here is the link to learn more about the conference in general www.whiteprivilegeconference.com
The article that I m sharing today is about the new report http://news.yahoo.com/report-details-racial-gap-among-us-children-040302563.html that details the racial gap among US children, confirms and reconfirms the conversation that is been swirling around this issue for at least the last few decades. My presentation at the white privilege In my 30+ years of working with our “at risk and disadvantaged children” (of which I continue to do, even by attending an annual breakfast for the Fifth Annual A+ Youth Program here in Seattle scheduled for April 2), I still see so much work to do, and challenges ahead, as overall, the statistical data pertaining to our “students of color” haven’t changed much over the years.
My take is, “we all have our hands in this” and there is involvement on all sides of the equation in which we all can do better in.
One of the significant things that I see different in working with the international students from China and the various study abroad programs that I do, is that there is “buy in” from everyone concerned, ranging from the parents, school officials, government officials, teachers and, students. The expectation is “you will go to school, you will graduate, you will attend college (if by any means possible), you will graduate, you will move on to attain a meaningful career, you will circle back and take care of family/parents, and contribute back into the community.” So, there is a different set of “expectations”, that maybe we ought to look at adopting here in the US.
What is the “expectation” that we have for our students, no matter what color?
Most importantly, as as always been stated, “the children are our future, and we need to prepare them as best we can.”
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
[email protected]
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
