Educational Media Reviews Online

“Studies show by the 4th grade, Black males start to lose interest in school. Only 2% of 4.8 million teachers are Black males.”

Koen’s documentary-short is a wake-up call about the crisis facing young black males in public school systems, and proposes solutions to bring about higher rates of graduation. Startling statistics suggest that only 32% of black males in New York City, 37% in Chicago, and 19% in Indianapolis will graduate High School. Leading scholars, researchers, and community leaders shed light on internal and external factors which significantly contribute to their high dropout rate, and offers numerous solutions for their success.

Interweaving commentary from scholars with those of students Shaquiel Ingram, and Erick Graham, several internal and external factors reveal why African American males fail in the education system. Internal factors can include: higher rates of school suspensions and expulsions, a personable disconnect between teacher and student, lack of extracurricular school activities, and a failure of the Board of Education and city officials to implement social policies and social practices which affects all children living in lower socio-economic environments. External factors may include: higher rates of unemployment, incarceration, poor health, likely to die young, a declining life expectancy rate, child abuse, a lack of parental support, and or an absence of a parent in the home, lack of community role models, and a lack of extracurricular community activities. Any one, or a combination of these psychological and sociological factors is a tremendous burden for any small child, or young adult to absorb.

However, scholars and researchers indicate that in spite of all the negative stereotypes associated with being a black male (thug, criminal, drug dealer)—which, by the way, equally casts a shadow on those young black men who wish to succeed in school and live normal and productive lives—there is hope for black males to attain an education and compete for a brighter future. These include: the desire to want to graduate, asking for help and support from family, friends, and neighbors, revising the “No Child Left Behind” policy which is biased against those in the lower socio-economic strata, urging city officials to create more boys clubs and extracurricular activities, producing a system that will give young black males the skills for life-long learning. As the young students suggest, schools should offer more rewards and incentives for good behavior and good grades, and make school more interesting and relatable to the students they serve. School should not only be about test scores. These are real people with real lives which extend beyond the classroom.

This short film packs a lot of information into its 31 minutes, but it’s a must-see, especially for educators. Talking heads include: Dr. Pedro Noguera (author) The Trouble with Black Boys (2008), Pastor Reddick and Thomas ‘Jamar’ Reddick Jr, Renaissance Community Development Center, Dr. John Jackson (author) Given Half a Chance: Black Boys Report (2008), Dr. Ivory Toldson (author) Breaking Barriers Report (2008), Reverend Al Sharpton, co-founder, Education Equality Project, President, National Action Network, Corey Booker, Mayor, Newark, New Jersey, and Dr. Clifford Janey, Superintendent, Newark Public Schools.

Highly recommended for middle and high school, academic and public media collections. Of particular interest, the film should reach educators, local and city officials, and the national boards of education.