The Lack of Good African American Men

There was a time in America when it was forbidden to teach a Black slave to read.    Just as unfortunate there are now millions of descendents of the slaves who are not reading at grade level.  These African American boys are languishing in grammar schools, and falling through the cracks of an inept education system.    Most of these  boys on the road to becoming underachieving adults, or criminals who destabilize African American neighborhoods.

Here in the city of Chicago only 9% of African American boys are proficient in reading.   This means 91% of African American boys desperately need to be tutored and mentored.  If  these boys are not tutored and mentored the African American community will continue to suffer from the of lack large numbers of good African American men. 

Marc Sims

Chicago

2011 Reading Levels of 8th-Grade Black Males

from 15 Low-Performing American School Districts* 

City\Percentage of 8th-Grade Black Males Proficient in Reading 

Milwaukee - 3%
Cleveland - 3%
Detroit - 5%
Washington (D.C.) - 6%
San Diego - 7%
Dallas - 7%
Baltimore City - 7%
Chicago - 9%
Jefferson County, (KY) - 9%
Atlanta - 9%
Los Angeles - 9%
Philadelphia - 9%
Austin - 9%
Houston - 9%
Hillsborough County (FL) - 9%

* Source: Minority Students and Public Education by Dr. Michael Holzman

Special Thanks to Phillip Jackson founder of the Black Star Project.

http://blackstarjournal.org/?p=3826

Tap In To The I Am?

I am lazy.  I have been lazy for over 45 years.   I also don't like hard work!   If I went to a psychiatrist the Doc would say my  laziness is based in my fears.      I am probably in denial about my fear of failure, success, embarrassment, and of hard work.

I am looking for a easy magical solution for all of my challenges in life.     If you know how to tap in to the powers of the universe and manifest all desires please let me know.

Marc Sims
Chicago

Deepak Chopra I AM Meditation

Deepak Chopra defines meditation, performs a healing meditation and demonstrates the law of attraction and meditation. Rediscover the purpose of meditation and get tips from one of the world's most respected authors and spiritual guides.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/deepak-chopra-meditation

Manifesting What You Want

In 2014 I will focus on creating habits that will help me manifest my goals.

I love talk. I love to run my mouth!   In 2014 I will create the habit of being silent for a few minutes every day.

Marc Sims

Deepak Chopra: The best quote I know on meditation, by Franz Kafka.

You do not need to leave your room.
Remain sitting at your table and listen.
Do not even listen, simply wait.
Do not even wait, be quiet, still and solitary.
The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked.
It has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px-wA0tXPkY 

Almost A Hopeless Situation

Many years ago a Chicago Public School counselor told me I was trying to impose my middle class values on the underclass.    He was absolute right.    I have live in the city of Chicago my entire life and we African Americans are basically null and void in Chicago.
 
It's almost a hopeless situation that will not improve until a group of African American "leaders"  create a cultural movement that will inspire more working class and low income African Americans to value education.  

Marc  Sims
Chicago

·         A 1998 study by Thomas J. Gorman published in the Journal of Contemporary Ethnography found that some working-class parents, particularly the working poor, have a deep-seated disrespect for careers that require an advanced degree. Many working-class families do not see the value of higher education because they do not equate educational advancement with a higher standard of life. Other families are hesitant to encourage their children to pursue college degrees because they fear that the children will abandon their families and their roots if they move upward on the social scale.

http://www.ehow.com/about_6462114_social-influence-parent-involvement-schooling_.html