How Can We Address Anti-intellectualism in Our Communities?

[sakano]

From another board:


According to Wikipedia, anti-intellectualism is defined as "mistrust of and hostility toward intellectuals and academia. Anti-intellectuals often view education, science, literature, and philosophy as impractical, irrelevant, and/or contemptible."

Earlier this year, I watched Garrard and Theodore McClendon--two African-American community activists--discuss how anti-intellectualism is harming the black community (see below).

What do you think? I realize that anti-intellectualism exists in all segments of the American population. But why does it seem to be a greater issue in our communities? And what can be done on a grassroots level to remedy this?

In other words, how can we make our children understand the relevance of learning and deeper appreciate it? How can we make them realize that education is not just about going to school, earning good grades, and getting a degree? But it's also about ennobling the human spirit, being ever curious about the world around you, honing critical thinking skills, and then using what you've learned to produce, solve, and/or innovate. After all, we live in a knowledge economy.

 

[Slang]

Labeling is anti intellectual in it's most honest form.

 

[88m3]

All you have to do is read a few threads in Higher Learning

 

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

I think as not only a nation but the human race would be so much further advanced as a species if we weren't so skeptical or hostile towards intellectualism.

 

[88m3]

I just wanna buy another rollie, I just wanna pop another band

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

From another board:


Per Wikipedia, anti-intellectualism is defined as "hostility toward and mistrust of intellects and academia. Anti-intellectuals often view literature, education, science, art, and philosophy, as impractical, irrelevant, and/or contemptible."

Earlier this year, I watched Garrard and Theodore McClendon--two African-American community activists--discuss how anti-intellectualism is harming the black community (see below).

What do you think? I realize that anti-intellectualism exists in all segments of the American population. But do you think that it is a greater issue in our communities? If so, why is that the case? And what can be done on a grassroots level (with minimal government/outside intervention) to remedy this?

In other words, how can we make our children understand the relevance of learning and deeper appreciate it? How can we make them realize that education is not just about going to school, earning good grades, and getting a degree? But it's also about ennobling the human spirit, being ever curious about the world around you, developing critical thinking skills, and then using what you've learned to produce and/or innovate. After all, we live in a knowledge economy.

Someone disagreed with him and now he labels the "community" as anti intellectual

 

[Handsback]

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
-Isaac Asimov

 

[bzb]

it's like the epidemic of low achievement in inner city schools created a monster in the communities. for the younger generation getting good grades or striving to be successful is sure way to be made fun of, picked on or even ostracized by peers. parents and the community in general have to stay invested in their kids lives and let them know that some people won't like it that they're striving to be educated or intellectual. you almost have to guide them to reserve it for the right audience, but help out peers when they see the opportunity. it's a shame that it can be so complicated.

these cats really out here on some dmx in belly...'fukk a book. shorty can't eat no books'

 

[DEAD7]

I think as not only a nation but the human race would be so much further advanced as a species if we weren't so skeptical or hostile towards intellectualism.

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

Nerds get picked on regardless of race....Not intellectualism

 

[sakano]

Nerds get picked on regardless of race....Not intellectualism

"I realize that anti-intellectualism exists in all segments of the American population. But is it a greater issue in our communities? If so, why is that the case?"

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

"I realize that anti-intellectualism exists in all segments of the American population. But is it a greater issue in our communities? If so, why is that the case?"

I don't think its an issue at all....You're talking about a "community" that used to risk life and limb just to gain access to certain secondary institutions....

That doesn't sound like anti-intellectualism to me. Some studies show that college enrollment for black women has went up 30% since 2000....

Basically, 1 out of 10 sisters right now are getting some type of secondary education...Doesn't sound like anti intellectualism to me...

What is your definition of anti-intellectualism?

 

[Mr. Somebody]

Well the media made heroes out of anti intellectual demons and most of yall are heavily entrenched in the media. Its only natural. Sadly, many parents have failed their children by giving them to the world and allowed them to feel normal living under demonic filth.

Its so demonic, friends.

 

[FTBS]

I don't think its an issue at all....You're talking about a "community" that used to risk life and limb just to gain access to certain secondary institutions....

That doesn't sound like anti-intellectualism to me. Some studies show that college enrollment for black women has went up 30% since 2000....

Basically, 1 out of 10 sisters right now are getting some type of secondary education...Doesn't sound like anti intellectualism to me...

What is your definition of anti-intellectualism?

What about the brothers though?

We are a couple of generations removed from the risking of life and limb for education that you mentioned.

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

What about the brothers though?

We are a couple of generations removed from the risking of life and limb for education that you mentioned.

A lot of brothers aint feeling college....Hell, college enrollment\retention for white males has dropped over the last 10 years as well....

If we're saying college = intellectualism(it doesn't), then someone can make a weak argument for this particular stance.

However, there is no way that you can prove that a brother who would rather earn money sans a degree is against intellectualism