Why Graduate Education for Black Males?

1
Why Graduate Education for Black Males?

• Edwin D. Bell
• March 6, 2008

2
Organization of the Presentation

• What are the societal benefits of the graduate
  education of Black males?
• What are the individual benefits of graduate
  education of Black males?

3
What are the Societal Benefits of the Graduate
Education of Black Males?

• Our society is competing in an international
  information driven economy.
• Our society is becoming increasingly diverse (The
  White majority in the USA will disappear in your
  lifetime).
• Our society has historically been wasteful in
  natural and human resources.
• If the United States wishes to compete
  successfully, our society can no longer afford to
  waste any natural or human resource.

4
What are the individual Benefits of Graduate
Education to Black Males?

• In each generation, many Black males have to
  address the anger and resentment that emerges
  when you sense (a) that people fear you or want
  to destroy you simply because of who you are, or
  (b) that they believe that you are less than
  others.
• Black men often respond in terms of defining
  themselves in opposition to the majority culture
  and the rules of that culture.

5
Constructive Strategies

• On constructive strategy is to make choices about
  what is good to you and good for you
• The current trends in our society seem to take
  away choices from Black men in education, the
  criminal justice system, and the economy.
• The more formal education that you have the more
  choices you have available.

6
Implications for Black Men

• No Whining it does not help
• Understand your history and how it is likely to
  impact your future, i.e., they will always come
  for you in some way, be ready
• Work hard and do not quit
• Reach out and help people

7
Summary

• If more Black men enter and graduate from
  postsecondary institutions, it will not only
  benefit our larger society, but the individuals
  involved.