African-Americans are Running out of Excuses
Already, black immigrants are challenging native-born black students for prestigious slots in Ivy League schools. In June, according to The New York Times, several prominent black academics pointed out that about two-thirds of Harvard University’s black undergraduates are black immigrants, children of immigrants or children of biracial marriages. Researchers studying black enrollment at several other exclusive schools, including Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania, report that about 41 percent of their black students fit the same demographic profile.
It’s no great surprise that immigrants and their children do well. Regardless of national origin, immigrants tend to be resourceful strivers.
But black parents ought to note this, as well: The success of black immigrants strongly suggests that race is no great barrier to achievement. While many black activists contend that there is still a grave disadvantage in being the descendant of slaves, it is hard to see what that could be. (Note, too, that black West Indians are also the descendants of slaves.) Yes, our ancestors suffered. But the 21st century racist aims his hate at the color of our skin  not at where we came from or who our grandparents were.
Racism notwithstanding, if a black Antiguan can get high SAT scores, a black Atlantan should be able to earn them, too. (full article here, but you may need to register)
I usually disagree with Cynthia Tucker on most points, but this article just underscores the importance of listening to people, even if you disagree with them. She is absolutely correct in her analysis of this situation. If a Black person from another country can come here, deal with the minute racism that is here in this country, and still succeed, we have no excuse. Many of these people have left REAL situations where they have seen their villages burned down, family members tortured, etc. The closest way that we can relate to these people is to replay our stories of a white person that may have looked at us funny. It saddens me to see how we allowed increased government involvement in our lives to dumb us down to make us think that all we can be are athletes, comedians, etc.
Come on my people, ARISE!!
