The United States

Destiny shows up to her first day of school thirty minutes late, with an empty stomach and wearing a hand-me-down uniform. Her mother struggles to work three jobs to take care of her and her siblings. She has no idea who her teacher will be this year. In Destiny's school district there is a shortage of qualified teachers, classrooms are crowded and in desperate need of repair, teachers and administration are overworked, school funding is inadequate, and as a result inexperienced teachers (some still completing their certification) are recruited. As Destiny waits alone in the office, she notices all but one new face as a result of the high turnover rate of teachers. Destiny soon learns that she must repeat the third grade for a third time; she missed too many days of summer school and failed the assessment test necessary for promotion. With tears in her eyes, confusion, and disappointment she asks, “What did I do wrong?”

She is now a foot taller than her classmates and gets made fun of by students her age. As a result she now bullies younger classmates, openly disrespects the teacher, and turns in unfinished, illegible work. Inexperienced administration's blanket solution: suspension, after which she is placed in special education classes. Destiny learns to check out and give up. Destiny and students like her return to school angry, frustrated, and jaded. Although the government fails to see, she has indeed been left behind.

The above illustration represents a common situation plaguing black youth. Everyone can complain about the sub par conditions of the public schooling system in the United States; everyone can blame the government, the school districts, and teachers; but until we realize that we are all connected, and are also a part of the problem, we will not reach a solution. We are complementary parts of a whole, and need each other in order to function properly and to our fullest and most productive selves.

What some citizens have done is to take matters into their own hands, and create their own schools, but with minimal resources and support, a few end up helping very minute populations while several end up having to close. Individualistic ideals have been embedded into our psyches, and many have forgotten that we as a collective people are powerful. My actions affect your outcome.

We are complementary parts of a whole.

You are the teacher and these are your students, you are the parent and these are your kids, you are Black and this is happening in your community.

What are you willing to contribute?

Ghana

In the summer of 2006, for approximately 22 days I received the opportunity to travel and study abroad in Ghana, West Africa. Our group consisted of eight individuals: six students, one professor, and one administrator. We traveled along the coast, visiting communities and cities like Accra, Kumasi, Ho, Akosombo, Aburi, the Volta Region, Cape Coast, and Aboasa. What we witnessed was an amazing and remarkable outpour of support in communities that could not afford electricity and running water. Within Aboasa, one of the smallest communities visited, we found Peace International School, a private school that provides a quality holistic educational environment for the members within their community.

So amazed with the intricate inner workings of Aboasa, with the little we had, we felt both compelled and honored to contribute to what they had started. We gave Peace International School a wide array of school supplies, clothes, and monetary donations. The Elders, Queen Mother, Chief, teachers, parents, and students showed the utmost gratitude when they acknowledged their African-American brothers and sisters for bringing them and their community one step closer to achieving greatness in education.

Through our small gesture we confronted the misconception that one has to be wealthy in order to invest in their community. Experiencing their humble settings was astounding.

After providing us with a ceremony of thanksgiving, we were asked to walk throughout the classrooms, and again I was speechless. The children were not only learning at an advanced level, but they had a keen understanding of the importance of their academic achievements.

I began to contemplate what force could be causing the differences in black adolescent education in the United States compared to Ghana. What I realize is that it has little to do with the material wealth of a community, but rather the sense of communalism within that community. Communalism determines how a people’s resources are dispersed to achieve the highest overall success because we are in tune. I see your needs as my own, your successes are mine, and I also claim your failures, and therefore will not turn my back towards you or close my eyes so I can no longer see you struggling. Regardless of if my hands are empty; they are open and willing to give. I thrive off of your positive vibes, and work hard to reciprocate your energy because I know you are a reflection of me.

Destiny’s experience represents, not all but several, black communities in the United States who suffer from a disconnection; a break down of the essential sense of communalism that propels a society. Reclaiming the sentiment that we are designed with; a desire to supply each other where are lacking, will lead us to the solution.