Don’t let technical jargon and opaque terms shadow the truth.  There is an idea floating around that Project GRAD does not improve graduation rates.  There is ABSOLUTELY no way to determine that.  First of all, a legitimate study done with a control group is not possible as there are no schools in the Knox County School district with a control group of students to compare to Austin-East and Fulton. Some have gone as far to believe that a student of color or an economically disadvantaged student in Farragut, Hardin Valley or any other school are the same and get served the same.  SERIOUSLY???  #FakeNews

First of all, if you are going to make decisions in the best interest of all students, then research should be done to know how to serve ALL students. Has anybody bothered to understand the challenges and impact of concentrated poverty.  All students cannot be served the same because they are not the same.   It is not about equality, it is about equity.  Equality is about giving everybody the same thing while equity is about giving everyone what they need. Concentrated poverty has an impact on student outcomes, so does high teacher turnover, number of cumulative teacher years in a building, constant and consistent administrative changes, curriculum without variety and exploration, number of AP and dual enrollment classes, school esteem and on and on and on. 

 I know that people use social media for a variety of purposes and primarily, that is their choice.  So, the following obviously just reflects my opinions. Social media is for social engagement, social entertainment, networking, promotions and keeping up with friends and family. Social media can be fun and funny.  I often turn to social media for a good laugh or inspiration.  Social media is not for glorifying violence or hatred. It can inform, but not reform. It should debunk, but not derail.

I see people posting the most inappropriate things, they openly argue with someone and a part of me says to each his own.  But, I do think it is disrespectful to post pictures or posts that announces a loss in someone’s family that is not your own.  Sometimes Facebook puts out the news before there has been time to contact the family.  It is an awful thing to learn about a family tragedy on Facebook.

And then, people post offensive pictures and such.  That is just messy.  Sometimes posts are just nasty and vulgar. But like I said, if you are okay with the whole world knowing that part of your taste, then so be it.  You have to remember that your social media posts are a reflection of your character. People have been fired over their social media posts.  People have lost scholarships over their posts.  Was it really worth it?

While I'm venting,  I have another suggestion, please consider using words you know. Don’t try to acquire an unfamiliar vocabulary to try and sound intelligent.  Just be yourself and keep it simple. Also, check the dates of your news stories and make sure you aren't contributing to spreading gossip and rumors found on satire sites. I'm going out on a limb here, but there are a lot of people that seem real thirsty for attention.  I just hope you are getting the right kind and not more than you bargained for.  I encourage you not to seek validation from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumbler or any other cyberspace celebrity club.

Finally, I am not ashamed to profess my faith as a Christian.  I sometimes read and share inspirational posts and I would like to believe my life and character align with things I share. I see people that are one way in the streets and reinvent themselves on social media.  Or, one minute they are telling me to hit "like" so that I will be blessed by God and the next minute, they are posting profane pictures or posts.  Or, pictures of them turnt up when they should be worried about being burnt up for being so shamelessly blasphemous.  How are you going to guide me to heaven's gates while you are sitting on Hell's porch.

So now there is a #noflagginchallenge that encourages people to snatch confederate flags even if on private property.  This is utter foolishness.  I have to share my following thoughts on this ridiculous activity and the issue of the flag at large.  My opinion is that the removal of the confederate flag from public spaces is appropriate because public spaces and places should be considerate and respectful of all citizens.  I do NOT, however, agree with infringing on freedom of speech.  Whatever I choose to wear on my personal body or have at my home is my business. If you are offended, then you don’t have to engage with me, be in my presence or visit my home.

I remember when I got my first fur coat.  People told me to be careful of the animal rights activist. I respect those that chose to fight for the rights of animals and they can march, boycott, picket, and put up billboards, commercials or whatever they want to do to promote their cause.  What they CAN’T do, is tell me that I can’t wear my coat.  And… I dare them to try to take it off of me or damage it. I have a right to express my opinions and I want my voice heard. This ridiculous challenge is bound to get somebody hurt. #iwishyouwould

We have devalued the issue that birthed the controversy of the confederate flag in the first place.  We cannot encourage an activity that gives value to the stereotypes we are trying to fight.  Let it be known that we collectively do not reside in such a state of mental deficiency.  This would make us idiots and I for one am not. 

RUN AND TELL THAT! 

There is a lot of conversation around the “plight” of being young and black in America. I may as well put in my two cents of sense. Let me start by sharing some information and debunking some myths when it comes to our young men of color.  Although African American males are overrepresented in our penal system, research reveals that there are actually more African American males in college than in jail among the comparative age group. Many of these young men are accomplishing great things and stunning the statistics.  They are conquering challenges as college graduates, entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, doctors, politicians and educators.

Although many are avoiding the school-to-prison pipeline, unfortunately, on a national level, African American male students in grades k-12 are 2 ½ times as likely to be suspended as their white peers.  The process of steering kids toward juvenile and criminal justice systems through disparities in suspensions, expulsions and arrests is disproportionate and interrupts equitable educational opportunities.

So once again, this becomes personal when I think of my black son.  When I think of someone demeaning him, threatening him or harming him physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually I leave my space of being polite and professional.  I forget that I am refined, reserved and dignified.

I go there! 


It is like an out-of-body experience when I go in to my “Momma Bear” mode. The pain of having to explain the word “nigger” and why he got reprimanded for doing the same thing done by his white classmate whom received no consequence. It angers me to have to constantly push him to be better than good to get the same opportunities as others that are less than good. Let me be clear, I am not happy and a bit disgruntled. How long can anger be bottled before the lid blows off?  How much pain is bearable before you self-medicate?

Now I ponder a few questions.  How will we ever know the possibilities of our youth if they are killed or locked up before they mature into their full potential? How much proof is needed to prove worthiness of equal rights and equal opportunity? So what do we tell our young men? Do they need to be constantly aware of perceptions and biases? Do they need to try and dress, talk, and behave in a manner that will diminish suspicions about their character and their worth? Do they need to be conditioned to make others less afraid of them? More importantly than any of those questions is what is that we need to do as a community to support, encourage, protect, strengthen, and restore our young men? In the words of Billie Holiday, there is a strange and bitter crop.

Three points to consider:
1.       Racial profiling, stereotypes and misjudgments block the country from truly knowing the value, potential and greatness of our young men of color
2.      While we are busy telling our young men what they need to do, we need to take time and listen to them.  Successful young men can share wisdom to guide the success of their peers. Our young men need us to believe in them regardless, support them regardless and love them regardless.
3.      While we are looking to change the negative impressions on young men of color and trying to teach them to be positive, productive, and powerful, we can’t forget to celebrate the many of them that are already on the right track and doing the right things.  We can’t leave those that are achieving and beating the statistics to remain  in the shadows of our conversations

I am well aware that ALL lives matter, but the fact is as an African American with an African American son, I have to pay particular attention to the value America places on the lives of people of  color.  I am unapologetic about my concerns, my worries and at times my outrage.  The frequent occurrence of police misconduct and brutality that seems to often to target African Americans is disturbing and heartbreaking.  When I think of the possibility of a diminished quality of life handed to Black youth, I become sad...then mad. 

and.... I CAN'T BREATHE!

There is a lot of research and fact searching around the accuracy of the data that depicts an almost calculated assault of men of color at the hands of law enforcement, but at the end of the pile of papers and dismantled databases is the fact that black deaths are disproportionate in comparison to their white peers.  I have read the articles and studied the charts.  I have cross-referenced and calculated all the data I could handle before my eyes grew weary and teary.  My son and all sons deserve fair treatment, fair opportunity, fair access and fair judgement.  All citizens should have equivalent value and should matter equally in treatment, dignity and significance.  


How is that police and citizen misconduct that often leads to death can continuously and consistently go on without accountability or acknowledgement of wrongdoing?  Is there a collective mindset that allows this to keep happening?  Is there a secret society that protects the wrongs of those that violate human rights?  Any way you look at it, through the eyes of any race, religion or economic status, the facts and patterns of behaviors that are unjust, unethical, immoral, corrupt, indecent and vicious are glaring and apparent.

Let's talk about it...