Left at the Starting Line: African-American Males, Academic Achievement, Opportunities, and Outcomes
In professional sports, African-Americans are on the field of play, but only a few call the shots from the sidelines. My previous blog highlights the racial disparities of athletic administrators and those in directorships in professional sports, specifically in basketball and football. This blog will shed light on the lack of focus on academics for African-American students toward the variety of sports related careers and disciplines.
Academics or Sports? You make the call.
Opportunity often begins with education. However, many Black children are often left at the starting line. In a recent article, Lindsey Cook (2017) stated that 91% of White children, aged 3 to 5, were read to by family members three or more times per week, whereas only 78 % of Black children were read to with the same frequency 1. In this sentiment, it’s important to recognize that a great majority of Black children, particularly those who reside in lower income communities, enter school less prepared than their White counterparts. This is not to say that Black parents care less about education before formal schooling, but it does bring to light how early childhood education affects academic outcomes for this demographic - especially those in poverty-stricken neighborhoods.
Understanding this statistic is important when realizing that these students are in their home environments more - which inevitably provide greater exposure to sports, rather than education. Don’t believe me? Take a hard look at any “projects” that may be near you and then geomap the closest basketball court or open field. Exactly! They are in very close proximity - some might say, right outside the front door of the complex.
On the other hand, these children who could be perceived as less academically prepared are also entering school with a greater development of sports knowledge and abilities. Because they have spent more time learning in a kinesthetic manner, it would only seem reasonable that they are taught using similar instructional methods. And as a way to peak interest and further academic motivation, these students would also be introduced to and sports-related professions that are not exclusive to just playing sports.
Same Play, Different Court
I am from a small town where many of these situations where many of these factors were the same for me. I was in a neighborhood that had more basketball courts than playgrounds, more open fields than houses for developing. One of the only ways to “make it out” was through high academic achievement or sports. Otherwise, it’s to a factory job you go. Throughout my years in high school I was constantly pushed to be a great athlete, but never pushed to consider professional trajectories as a result of my knowledge and skills in athletics. I wish someone would have started me on the track much sooner - and that again, has become my greatest pursuit for pushing others into athletic administration.
So, in closing, I resonate with all that today’s youth face. It’s hard to combat such obstacles faced in and out of school. However, it should never deter one from their God-given path and purpose. It should never be a gatekeeper to one’s goals. My next blog will focus on developing leadership skills at the collegiate level in order to mentor those in middle or secondary schooling. This mentoring model will help to advance the conversation and push to recruiting Black males into Athletic Administration.
References
1Cook, L. (2015,January 28). U.S. Education: Still Separate and Unequal. U.S. News. Retrieved
From
https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2015/01/28/us-education-still-separate-and-unequal
2Convissor,K. (2012,November 19). EduGuide:Why Kids Drop Out of School. Retrieved
From
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