Dedicated to the Black Experience
In this episode of Culture Connection, Brother Malcolm talks about why we must bring a critical eye to the works we create and support. For questions or comments about this episode, call our hotline at (323) 455-4219!
Photo by Anna Mae Lam Photography
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Now that it is my second year in college, one could say that I’ve gotten the hang of the college life. I’ve managed to keep my GPA at an A- average, get involved in school, and even gain experience in my chosen field of study. This past year has been difficult academically and personally, but college is not meant to be easy; instead it is a time of preparation for the future. But even with all of the new experiences, nothing has been more challenging lately than juggling college and the work force. As of July 2nd, 2012, I received my first job as an “Outreach Ambassador”. An Outreach Ambassador assists new students in registering for classes and reaches out to our community about the benefits of attending El Camino College: Compton Center by visiting churches and local high schools. My first day at work, I realized, by hearing co-workers speak amongst themselves, that working and going to school is not only a privilege for most students, but a responsibility.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2007, nearly half (45%) of “traditional” undergraduates (students between the ages of 16 and 24) worked while attending college full time. In addition, 80% of traditional undergraduates worked while attending school part time. Since 2007, the numbers have increased, full time students working from 45% to 57%. Before I started working, I would have found these numbers to be extremely outrageous. But now that I am, I understand the reasons of stress behind the students and the pressure of attaining jobs during this crucial time of our lives. In today’s society, most college students decide to work while attending school not because they enjoy it, but for economical reasons and the higher expectations of our generation. As my friend Briana told me one day, “for me, working right now is a necessary evil.”
Economically, most college students depend on their part and full time jobs to support them. With the financial aid and loans students have on the community college and university level, the minimum wage jobs we can find close to campus give us some security to provide the basic necessities. Also, working and attending school simultaneously assists us with getting jobs we will attain in the future. My boss always tells us, his student workers, “By working here, I’m helping you develop skills that will be crucial in the future.” Isn’t that what college students need? We plan to get career related jobs once college is done. But the world wants us already “established as a writer” or “have experience working with kids” in order to get hired for the jobs we studied about in college. The expectations for getting hired these days are higher than ever which makes working while being educated a necessity.
Whether it be a big name university or the local community college, working has become the basis of responsibility for college students. Being employed and being educated at the same time is a part of the experience and maturity that will continue to prepare me for the future. Although working these past few weeks has added stress and keeps me going to bed early, it’s important. I take pride in the necessary evil that is being an employed college student.
This past weekend was the 37th family reunion on my maternal side, and I was shocked to see how much our numbers have dwindled over the years. I had to admit my own responsibility to this change: it had been at least 10 years since I’d last attended so I shouldn’t have been surprised at the lack of 30-somethings in attendance. However, I was – and was confronted with a banquet filled with elders and children. So many members of our family who were central to reunion planning had transitioned in recent years, that the committee had gone from 30 to 6 – what would happen to this tradition if we didn’t step up?
I immediately recalled my childhood and the large packet that would arrive every spring announcing where this year’s reunion would take place. I eagerly anticipated the road trips we would take and the family and American history I would soak up on each trip. I thought about the cousins from New York and Detroit that I would kick it with every year, and how much we shared in common in spite of our regional differences. I remembered the feeling of sitting with my grandmother’s cousins and listening to them chat about their childhoods, breaking into roaring laughter at their memories at times, and how priceless those stories were. I had to accept how far removed I’d become from it all, letting work and other events of life get in the way.
There’s nothing like our families, but too often our time together is spent at funerals and weddings only, and not spending time talking about our history and culture. The family reunion is the one event where we can say, “Look at how far we’ve come” and celebrate our collective experience together. Without the reunions, the ties that bind aren’t strong and it’s easy to only spend time with immediate family, never knowing the background and foundation for how things came to be. The reunion traditions are an important part of our history, one that my generations’ lack of participation in showcases just how much the world has changed in the last decade.
This week, I’m starting a Facebook page for my family reunion group, in hopes of getting more people of my generation involved in the planning. We can’t leave it on the elders to take care of everything – at some point we have to pick up the torch and let them rest. I’m looking forward to introducing my son to his family around this nation and elsewhere, and helping him learn the value of attending this annual event. One day, it will be his turn to take the reins and I want to lead him to that place, by setting an example for him to follow – the same way all the generations before have done for me.
Make time to spend time with family today – tomorrow is not promised.
We’ve been hinting that BI friend, Craig Stewart had written a hot, little memoir and a few of us here at Black Is couldn’t wait to get our hands on it after reading an excerpt Craig sent us to whet our appetites. As it turns out the book in its entirety did not disappoint, and though steamy at points, it is moreso gut-wrenchingly honest.
Words Never Spoken is Craig’s journey into adulthood as he grapples with accepting the fact that he is a gay man. It takes us through his life starting in his hometown of Baltimore, MD, to his college experience at Hampton University and finally to Atlanta, where he begins his career as a writer of stage plays and music.
What I love most about this book is that (similarly to James Baldwin), Craig asks us as a community to confront homosexuality head on. So often our ignorance and or homophobia is cause for loved ones to stay closeted, on the down low, and estranged from family members. His honest exploration of his own experience as well as others around him who dealt with various level of acceptance and banishment gives a clear understanding of how gay Black men view themselves in light of how society treats them.
I implore anyone who is having a hard time dealing with a homosexual family member to get a copy of this book, read it and share it with others, so that as a community we do a better job of taking care of our own, in spite of our differences. Listen in as Craig and I discuss his process for writing this book and why he believes this story is so important to humanity at large.
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The year was 2011 and I had just graduated from high school. I wanted to be prepared for my fall semester of freshman year, so I signed up for summer school. One day a woman by the name of Rebeca Mason walked into one of my classes last summer and introduced the class to the First Year Experience program (FYE). The FYE program is designed to help students be successful in their first year of college by providing a supportive, caring environment of educational and career services.
The 2011 program began with 100 students, but as the year went on, the program participation dwindled, leaving only 35 students to finish the program. All 100 of us had the chance to successfully complete the FYE program; yet only 35% did. Only 25 of the FYE students were African Americans to begin with! Attending the culmination ceremony for FYE, I only saw about four African Americans out of the 35 that completed the program, which is about 11%.
At the program culmination ceremony, all I could do was stare at the empty seats around me and wonder where those students were who once filled them. How do people start off strong and then just stop? Circumstances? Lack of motivation? Peers? At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter why. They just quit.
It is disappointing, how African Americans have the highest drop out rate, which is the result in not earning a college degree. According to the website, blackdemographics.com, the average number of African Americans that have at least a bachelor’s degree increased one percent in a decade. This however is still ten percentage points lower than the national average. As a college student, I am adamant about finishing school and encouraging others to do the same. In these hard economic times, we should take advantage of opportunities such as the community colleges that give us a chance to be competitive and competent in the work-place and save money as college students. While one part of me is still confused about why African Americans quit school, the other part of me already has a clue.
When the FYE program offered priority tutoring and assigned cohort tutors for each community, there were no African Americans who showed up to receive any assistance throughout the entire school year. Academic help aside, I also witnessed different students of color who made facetious comments about joining the FYE club, designed for FYE students to be more involved in the school and the events the club held as a commitment to the bonding of all FYE cohorts. Even with all the assistance the FYE program gave to us, why do we quit school? Pride. We don’t know how to ask for help. We always want to be seem cool and knowledgeable.
But that’s what college is for! College is about learning about the world and discovering your purpose within it. The uncertainties we have during our college journey are not to be answered alone. But until African Americans understand this, we will continue to miss out on the great opportunities and support within our reach to help us succeed and instead, just quit.
Shelby White is a new intern for Black Is and is on her way to becoming a successful journalist. Check back in for more articles penned by her!
The Brothers Lehman recap the NBA Draft, discuss LeBron James’s place among the greats, and the new four team playoff in college football. Demetrius Harris, an ESPN producer, is the special guest in the happy hour.
Twitter: @BrothersLehman; Email: thebrotherslehman@gmail.com; Hotline: (323) 455-4219
Music: FLYamSAM – The Offbeat; J Cole – Blow Up; Dilated Peoples – 20/20; Flying Lotus – …And The World Laughs With You
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The Brothers Lehman discuss the end of the 2012 NBA Finals, the upcoming NBA Draft, the retirement of LT, Roger Clemens and the Steroid Era, and the Sandusky trial. 
Twitter: @BrothersLehman; Email: thebrotherslehman@gmail.com; Hotline: (323) 455-4219
Music: Def Dee – Know My Name; Open Mike Eagle ft. P.O.S. – Why Pianos Break; Asher Roth ft. Action Bronson – Choices; D-Styles – Diabolikal
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Listen in as KC chats with her favorite podcasters from around the nation about black men’s do’s and don’ts when it comes to bedroom antics. Podcast guests include Burberry Jones of the The Burberry Lounge, Mr. Moody of Mr. Moody’s Neighborhood, Darryl Frierson of From Ashy to Classy and Straight Outta Lo Cash podcast, Rod of The Black Guy Who Tips and finally, Chris Lehman of The Brothers Lehman Sports Happy Hour.
A special shout out to LDB Cosmetics for sponsoring this week’s episode! Check them out at ldbcosmetics.com for all your makeup artistry needs!
Got an opinion on this week’s topic? Call our hotline and leave a message about today’s show! You can reach us at (323) 455-4219!
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In this hilariously funny episode of Culture Connection, Malcolm Darrell lists the top ten things we need to know about theatre etiquette. Listen up before you attend your next live performance to avoid embarrassment! Enjoy!
Photo by Anna Mae Lam Photography
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Listen in as Chris and Jonathan Lehman discuss the Western and Eastern Conference Finals, and the state of the Lakers and Clippers. Finally, the brothers have a difference of opinion on the NBA Draft Lottery. For comments/questions, email them at thebrotherslehman@gmail.com or call the hotline at (323) 455-4219!
Tracks played:
14 KT – Adrenaline, Big Boi – General Patton, Ski Beats featuring Mos Def & Whosane – Taxi, and Def Dee – Crazy Ill Mad Rowdy
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