Are America’s Youth Disinterested in Learning History?

A few weeks ago, at my job at a summer camp at a Philadelphia rec center, I overheard a conversation that, word to Krs-One, still has me thinking very deeply. The conversation was with a bunch of my male African American coworkers who are mostly high school students. None of them are older than the age of sixteen.

The discussion was about how one of the workers was unfamiliar with the writings of the renowned writer, Maya Angelou. In fact, he claimed to have never even heard of her. The other workers were stunned by the young man’s ignorance. After all, Ms Angelou is one of the most highly regarded figures of not only African American culture, but also of American culture as a whole.

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Marvin DeBose Jr

Happy Birthday?

July 26, 2010 would have been the 23^rd birthday of my late Cousin Michael Lamont Johnson. Instead, on December 10^th, 2005, Mikey, as he was known by most (and so many others names to so many others) was slain by gun violence at the age of 18. When I logged into Facebook this morning, I saw a post from my sister and she had changed her profile picture to one of Mikey and my oldest niece. Since she was only two years old at the time, it is not likely that she will have any vivid memories of him. It occurred to me as I was looking at the picture however, that she, as well as my younger niece and nephews who were yet to be born while he was still alive, will be affected by his life and death.

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Kwesi Low

DJ’s Video of the Day: “Snotty Doctor”

Hello world my name is DJ AKA kidd GALAXY and I am the youngest to post on 99problems! Every couple of days I’m going to post a blog about the funniest YouTube videos that I’ve seen that day.

And here’s the first one! If you listen at 0:09 seconds you can hear this adorable little girl say a very bad word. This is the funniest video of the day until next time!

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DJ

Are You Really Interested In Helping Us?

The violence is increasing in Columbus.  There has been 33 percent more murders in Columbus than a year ago, 61 at this point compared to 46 at this time last year.  It’s the end of July 2010 and the year is only halfway out. The most significant thing I feel that needs attention is the dramatic rise in homicide in the city of Columbus.

Katrel Parker was the latest victim of gun violence this year, and his being 16 years old is sadly not uncommon with the recent trend that has left a streak of families mourning these adolescent boys. What is even more disturbing than the rise in young violence is the collective response being proposed by our city officials.

On the front page of the Friday, July 23rd issue of the Columbus Dispatch, there is an article about the late Katrel Parker and the article was written with a journalist’s analysis of the violent summer in general. The title of the article reads “Mayor, police chief announce new ‘community response teams’ to combat growing violence.” I am baffled of how “combating” violence can be an effective strategy to stop the blood shed that has become common place. When I think “combat” the only thing that comes to mind is even more blood shed and incarcerations. The report appeared to remove the human element from the social conditions that leads to violence such as poverty and joblessness.   The manner in which this phenomenon has been reported leads me to believe that maybe the reporters, law enforcers and city officials are just as lost as the young men who are being plagued with violence.

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Kwesi Low

Can Everyone Be Reached?

I get a personal joy from registering young people to vote for the first time. I am always excited when I come across 17 year-old young people and I get to let them know that they can vote as soon as they turn 18.  Since President Barack Obama has been elected, it seems as if the consensus among young people has changed from apathy to excitement.  This leads me to believe that the political and social change we envision is happening with the young people. Yesterday, I realized that half the people that I spoke with and registered were under the age of 20.  In several years, these young people will be the policy-makers, legislators, and law enforcers.  On the other hand, those who choose not to engage will be the victims of the process. My job is to remind them that even being a victim is a choice.

I realized then that the political process can start with voter registration and dialogue about the political process.  From the conversations that I have had with various young people, I have realized that they are not regularly in practice of speaking about the political process or what is encompassed in the realm of politics.  Based upon my conversations with young people during the voter registration campaign, I realized that young people are not being engaged on their level by policy makers or adults who understand the process. They are, however, being engaged by music videos and popular culture. I am curious about how to blend the two because the ones who resist engagement are the ones who embrace the false reality created by pop culture and mainstream media. My question is this: how do we as community organizers engage the young people who are in opposition to the very process that determines the projected quality of life for us all?

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Kwesi Low

TRUE Skool Comes Under Fire For Promoting Art!

A mural created over the weekend during an event organized by TRUE Skool, a group in Milwaukee that works to empower at-risk youth through cultural projects, was this morning after coming under scrutiny by local officials.

Ald. Bob Donovan is calling for an investigation of the group and wants to “see why precious grants and resources are being used to ‘educate’ young people on how to create graffiti,” according to a statement released this morning.

“In my opinion this outfit is nothing more than a front for propagating and endorsing graffiti,” Donovan said in the statement.

The mural, emblazoned with the words “Raw Love” and created with a group of students under the direction of professional artist Jay Sterling, who also goes by J. Bird, was designed to be temporary and was going to be removed today at 1 p.m., said Sarah Patterson, executive director of TRUE Skool. Things got heated at the site this morning, which Patterson said could have been avoided with if Donovan had simply called the group.

“I just think it is ridiculous when young people in the community see our aldermen go on TV irate…when they try to do something positive and are being called criminals and vandals,” said Patterson, who said Donovan attended the group’s block party last year.

“It is really sad – we still have those who view art as not valuable,” she said.

Read more of this story at the jsonline

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The Editor

LYVEF Hits Up Tucson to Train Local Youth!

This week the League of Young Voters Education Fund will be in Tucson, Arizona training young leaders ages 13-21 to stand up and be the change that they want to see. The training is being presented by the NonViolence Legacy Project of the Culture of Peace Alliance.

Yesterday, Jayme Montgomery-Baker (Wisconsin State Director) and I were greeted by the Tucson community with song, food, and open discussion about the issues affecting Arizona. Gang Violence, SB 1070, Dream Act, Voter registration, and HB2281 were some of the issues discussed at the circle. The LYVEF is honored and humbled for the opportunity/invitation to inspire, educate, and train Arizona’s young adults during such historical times. You can feel the excitement, emotion, and passion in the air; The Federal Government has filed a lawsuit against the state of Arizona, protests are taking place on the streets, McCain is running for reelection, and LYVEF is here doing what we do best!

The young people that we have had the pleasure to meet are some of the most passionate and dedicated of this generation and definitely operating from an “Opposition to Proposition” state of mind.

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CJ

I’ll take college for one please. . .

According to a recent study done by Louisiana State University, there has been a rise in college and university enrollment.  The study assumes that young people are choosing to pursue college as an alternative to lingering joblessness in our tough economy. Getting a High school diploma may not be making the grade and it looks as if America’s youth are choosing higher education.

Research from The Pew Research Center showed that there is an increase in diversity which could lead to new conversations about diversity and university admissions and selection. The Government released number s showing a 6% increase in enrollment for minority students equating to an estimated 2.6 million minority students in colleges and universities around the nation. The largest jump has been with Hispanic students. The findings show Freshman enrollment of Hispanics in higher education jumped by 15 percent in 2008, compared to 8 percent for blacks, 6 percent for Asians and 3 percent for whites.

The research further describes the increase as the highest since the Vietnam war where students could avoid the military draft. 99 problems and college could solve them all?

Posted by:

Christina Sanders