From the mis-education of special education, to incarceration through the school to prison pipeline, to annihilation resulting from police brutalities, black boys have been portrayed as unintelligible and criminal so that their homicide is justified as evidenced by the lack of judicial consequences for their murderers. This book is dedicated to reversing these negative trends and producing better outcomes for black boys in America.
Many of our black sons are negatively overrepresented in special education and youth correctional facilities and will more than likely leave school with little--if any-- marketable skills for todays workforce. As a result, they are likely to experience many years of struggle and frustration leading eventually to their incarceration or annihilation. The purpose of this book is to equip parents, educators, juvenile justice case managers, and the faith-based community with the skills they need to assist black boys in succeeding and graduating from public schools, escaping the trappings of the juvenile justice system, and the unfair targeting of law enforcement. Consumers reading The Streets Can't Have My Son, will:
1. Understand what's at stake in the educational training of their sons.
2. Be able to understand the reasoning behind law enforcement murdering black boys free of judicial consequences.
3. Learn effective ways of advocating and communicating with child serving agencies on behalf of their sons--with examples and exercises parents and children can complete together.
The author specifically addresses:
1. Examples of strategies that parents and child servicing agencies can employ for black boys.
2. Techniques for bringing communities together to reverse the negative trends impacting black boys.
3. How parents' can play an active role in their son's schooling, self-awareness, and emotional and psychological well-being.
Excerpt
Part I: Killing The Dream
Somewhere between preschool and 5th grade something traumatic happens to little black boys; something that I believe should never happen to any child. Their love for learning diminishes. Their spirit is broken. That same little boy who once dreamed of being someone great, positively impacting his community like his favorite superhero, has for some reason lost interest in school believing that he is stupid, dumb, and incapable of learning. He begins seeing himself as a behavior problem that his teacher must confine and contain so that he does not disrupt the learning process for the “smart children.” This is the reality for a lot of our black boys.
The good news, however, is that this reality can be changed. But we must be willing to ask the hard questions: “What killed these boys dreams? What happened to make them lose faith in their invisibility?” What happened to them wanting to become black astronauts, doctors, scientists, and lawyers? Why is the burial ground of murdered aspirations filled with the hopes and dreams of little black boys?
Professional Reviews
-Chance Lewis, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The Streets Can't Have My Son makes an important and much needed contribution to the national discourse on Black males in a time where the national trend in the Black community is that Black Lives Matter!
-Rhonda Mapp, Women's National Basketball Association Champion
A must read! This book gives a powerful message on the importance of academics, learning behaviors, and parents' involvement regarding our children's future.
-Delaney Rudd, Former National Basketball Association (NBA) Player
Wow! A powerful message! Given at a time when our society is in need of a reality shot!
You May Be Single, But You’re Not Alone.
Being a great dad is challenging enough when you’re part of a two-person team. But now you’re raising your kids single-handedly. How can you provide the emotional, physical, and spiritual support your
You May Be Single, But You’re Not Alone.
Being a great dad is challenging enough when you’re part of a two-person team. But now you’re raising your kids single-handedly. How can you provide the emotional, physical, and spiritual support your
When Kathy finds a small stray kitten some amazing things happen. Story's from a Mom's view of the love, caring and patience needed when a child wants to own a pet. Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. Delightful illustrations!
