How Can We Address Anti-intellectualism in Our Communities?

[sakano]

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

From OP:

How can we make them realize that education (intellectualism) 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.

I would also encourage you to watch the videos in the OP to get a better understanding of what I'm talking about.

 

[sakano]

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.

Good observation.

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

From OP:



I would also encourage you to watch the videos in the OP to get a better understanding of what I'm talking about.

So you're saying that as a whole, the "community" is devoid of critical thinking skills and innovation?

I stopped about 6 minutes into the first video because they were discussing standardized tests as if that is a barometer for being bright....

 

[FTBS]

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

You used college enrollment and matriculation to support your stance though. That's why I asked.

Let's not act like all or even the majority of young black men who aren't going to college are just out here on some grown man shyt and passing on college because they have their shyt in order and just want to go another route. I wish that were the case but we all know it's not. It's impossible really to use stats here. All you really can go on is experience and anecdotal evidence. I have been working with kids for a decade and that shyt is a fukking epidemic man.

 

[sakano]

So you're saying that as a whole, the "community" is devoid of critical thinking skills and innovation?

I stopped about 6 minutes into the first video because they were discussing standardized tests as if that is a barometer for being bright....

No, that is not what I'm saying.

I would encourage you to watch both videos in their entirety. The guest, Theodore McClendon, readily acknowledged that standardized tests are not perfect. He also discusses illiteracy, high incarceration, the lack of fathers, unemployment, etc.

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

You used college enrollment and matriculation to support your stance though. That's why I asked.

Let's not act like all or even the majority of young black men who aren't going to college are just out here on some grown man shyt and passing on college because they have their shyt in order and just want to go another route. I wish that were the case but we all know it's not. It's impossible really to use stats here. All you really can go on is experience and anecdotal evidence. I have been working with kids for a decade and that shyt is a fukking epidemic man.

Sooooo basically, since a working baseline definition of "intellectualism" hasn't been established, we're just throwing around words so we can negatively mislabel the youth?

The premise of the thread is that the "community" is against intellectualism, not that a lot of poorly parented kids from harsh conditions seem to have issues...

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

No, that is not what I'm saying.

I would encourage you to watch both videos in their entirety. The guest, Theodore McClendon, readily acknowledged that standardized tests are not perfect at all. He also discusses illiteracy, high incarceration, the lack of fathers, unemployment, etc.

So tell me, who implemented these social factors that could influence these high illiteracy rates and incarceration.....When you say that the community is against anti intellectualism, you're in essence saying that we as a whole have a mental character flaw because we dismiss academia and embrace ignorance.....when actually, that is not the case at all......If the video delves into the historical social conditions\disenfranchisement\discrimination\etc, that helped shaped some of these ills you've listed, then I may give the rest of the videos a listen....

 

[FTBS]

Sooooo basically, since a working baseline definition of "intellectualism" hasn't been established, we're just throwing around words so we can negatively mislabel the youth?

The premise of the thread is that the "community" is against intellectualism, not that a lot of poorly parented kids from harsh conditions seem to have issues...

I was only responding to what I thought was your definition. I am not trying to mislabel anybody just calling things how I see them. Can't speak for anybody else, only me and where I am coming from.

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

I was only responding to what I thought was your definition. I am not trying to mislabel anybody just calling things how I see them. Can't speak for anybody else, only me and where I am coming from.

Oh I feel ya...Trust me...Some of these kids(too many) aint gotta shot.....As harsh as that sounds, I'd bet my next big check on it. But its mainly because of the situation they were born in, not that they're against learning or being curious about the world

 

[DEAD7]

Its a double edged sword you are wielding. When you point the finger at cacs and blame them, they become the enemy, and mimicking them in any way is seen as a negative. "uncle tomming" "c00ning" etc... unfortunately, mimicking cacs includes not only many of the characteristics of intelligence, but many of the tools to success. By rejecting these(under the guise of being pro black) we handicap ourselves.

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

Its a double edged sword you are wielding. When you point the finger at cacs and blame them, they become the enemy, and mimicking them in any way is seen as a negative. "uncle tomming" "c00ning" etc... unfortunately, mimicking cacs includes not only many of the characteristics of intelligence, but many of the tools to success. By rejecting these(under the guise of being pro black) we handicap ourselves.

I'm not pointing the sword personally, but to leave out their contributions to us being 60 yards behind in a 100 yard race would be intellectually dishonest...

 

[sakano]

Its a double edged sword you are wielding. When you point the finger at cacs and blame them, they become the enemy, and mimicking them in any way is seen as a negative. "uncle tomming" "c00ning" etc... unfortunately, mimicking cacs includes not only many of the characteristics of intelligence, but many of the tools to success. By rejecting these(under the guise of being pro black) we handicap ourselves.

Good point, DEAD7.

bell hooks wrote about this very thing. I will try to find the book for you; I think you might be interested in it.

 

[DEAD7]

I'm not pointing the sword personally, but to leave out their contributions to us being 60 yards behind in a 100 yard race would be intellectually dishonest...

In your opinion, at what point, or what indicator, do you look for to say we are no longer behind? Or is it handicap we will will always have?

If the latter, what should be done to compensate if anything?

 

[sakano]

@DEAD7

Here's the book: We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity

 

[Wild self]

I blame teachers for making knowledge such a chore to learn. Many teachers in America lack the passion of teaching certain subjects effectively and interesting, while parents don't care for their kids' humanity or their individually. Knowledge comes out of the love of learning, not to brainwash kids to become employees.

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.