The Problem with Ivy Leagues & Think Tanks

Intellects, particularly those at Ivy Leagues and other Think Tanks, always over analyze and attempt reduce a system to a singular device, when in fact it is the system that produces the desired result. The Harlem Zone is just what it declares in its name: a Zone. It is not a trick or a device. It is a systems approach that is a systematic engagement of its residents, and particularly its children on all fronts consistently. I first learned of Geoffrey Canada’s Harlem Zone three and a half years ago when CBS first reported about his “experiment”. I knew then that his passion alone would get positive results for he demands of himself and of parents, educators, donors, and community members--earnest dedication and accountability. Now, more than three years later, Anderson Cooper returns to the Harlem Zone to follow up on the story originally reported by the late Ed Bradley and reports remarkable success in closing the academic disparity between blacks and whites.

Instead of accepting the success for what it is, the intellectuals and think tanks are as usual, looking for the magic bullet, the “pill” as Harvard’s Fryer calls it, which is generating all the success. It is blatantly obvious that in any and all dealings with human behavior, and that is indeed the crux of educational success and failure, there is no one device or method of instruction that works successfully for all or some may argue even for one. Conversely, it is an all hands on deck approach that is proving to be the success behind the Harlem Zone as is the case with any other successful educational institution. There is in place a system of motivation, support, intervention, discipline, and accountability, which like our government of checks and balances, acts to keep each part of the human behavior and institutional engine working to support each other and the whole of the mission and objective.

This is the very manifestation of the African Proverb “it takes a village” in action. There is no single person or single method of instruction that can uplift ignorance. Just as history has demonstrated there is no single person or method of battle that has lifted a nation to eternal dominance. Human behavior is dynamic and therefore influencing human behavior, particularly the speed and level at which one learns, must also be dynamic. The static approaches commonly and currently in use, fail to meet the needs of a constantly evolving and technologically engaged people.

The systems approach and the advocacy for its implementation is nothing new. Accountability has become the mantra of the last four presidential administrations and yet, no enforcement or means of measuring accountability standards has been devised or implemented within any system or institution run by the bureaucracy. Excuses for failure to achieve have become the new normal. Meanwhile, children of poverty and of color, continue to be the biggest victims of the excuse game. Everyone is afraid to set the standards high in fear of emotionally damaging children when in reality the greatest emotional and intellectual damage is done by standards that are so low that children are manipulated into believing they are successes when actually they are failures. In public health, experts have long demanded the implementation of a systems approach which would correct fragmented delivery systems and employ checks and balances to improve and streamline quality of care. Yet, the selfishness, greed, and power tripping of each entity involved have muddled the sounds of those demands and resulted in the hodgepodge of care that lacks continuity, accountability, and delivers inequitable care to hundreds of millions. The same can be said for education. Too many hands in the cookie jar and too many control freaks have wreaked havoc on our most valuable assets, our children.

So while you Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford intellectuals and government and private think tanks meet and discuss ad nauseum, our children are slipping further and further into the abysmal cycle of ignorance which begets poverty and crime (you know more fodder for your analyses). Stop talking and analyzing and accept the dynamic which is and reject perpetual attempts to find and categorize the device that is not.

The Gap

The other day, I exchanged some jeans at Old Navy and upon entering the store the alarms went off as they had when I exited the store on the day of original purchase. The original purchase day, one of the employees very politely assisted me in attempting to disarm the tags and apologized for the inconvenience. Essentially the same thing happened the other day when I exited the same old navy the second time with the new pairs of jeans, children in tow. the sales girl waved it off and said don't worry about it. So off to the Gap Kids we go. Well upon entering the Gap Kids the alarms went off because both stores are owned by the Gap and use the same theft deterrent system. I told the clerk it kept happening at with the Old Navy purchases and proceeded to get assistance for the item for which I had come. They didn't have it so we left only to have the alarms go off again. the young man whom had assisted me was like don't worry and asked the twit who appeared to be training him if they could deactivate it in their store. She said I don't know and asked him to check my bag & emphatically said check the receipt. both were white. The young man was obviously uncomfortable with it because hell, he saw just as she did that the alarm had gone off when I walked in. I repeated that this had been a problem three times already at Old Navy and that the mechanism will not deactivate. Now, my experiences could easily tell me that she did that because I'm a person of color; my experiences could also say she was just doing her job of inventory control or plain being a bitch. Either way, the way she handled the situation was unprofessional and demeaning. Why couldn't she have handled it the same way the old navy employee, whom prior to the alarm going off, had not had any interaction with me whatsoever. Why couldn't she have been polite and said maam do you mind if we check your receipt. hell, the store is little and I had been with an associate the entire time.

I share this with you because A) it pissed me off; I was with my children for crying out loud in a suit (not that this precludes theft, but it certainly abates suspicion among most) B) just to offer some perspective (I'm sure someone white has had similar or nearly identical encounters, but their experiences, cultural and social, likely led them to different reactions.) While I would like people to always act in a fair and just manner, this is not always the case. I employ the ideology of giving everyone the benefit of the doubt in most circumstances, but there are moments in which that ideology is inappropriate and makes more a fool of me than a principled person. Nevertheless, I being of conscious body and mind, do not take that as representation of the Gap and certainly not of all caucasians. She is as I said before, the one twit who acted unprofessionally and could in effect be labeled as a racist or a bigot from one unfortunate decision had she encountered someone bitter. I'll just call her stupid.

Still Begging Massah (Master)

As has become customary for blacks, once again, a prominent figure is begging for something from the establishment, which in this case happens to be the State of South Carolina. Blacks have begged for an apology for slavery, to have the rebel flag removed from public structures, and more. Most recently, Tom Joyner has added to the legacy of begging by petitioning the the State of South Carolina to pardon his great uncles for wrongful conviction that resulted in their execution in 1915.

This is so inane. How this helps in any way other than to guilt-trip caucasians or to put the justice system on trial is beyond me. As usual, Mr. Joyner begging for apologies and symbolism that do nothing to affect the status quo. Why one continues to engage in agitation that does not bring about changes in the economic or educational status I shall never understand. Why is the effort not made for economic justice? Why hasn't the demand been made to mandate economic and financial management courses throughout grade school to truly empower minority youth out of disenfranchisement. No more begging, no more waiting for a symbolic handout. This so sickens me. This is no better than galvanizing thousands behind the ignorant young men of Jena, LA. Why not galvanize those same thousands and more behind the youth who are finding quality educations in poverty and low performing schools? Why are we not cheering on and supporting the Harlem Zone? No, we continue to take up non-issues like who does or doesn't provide paid leave for the King holiday. Black people, get it together and agitate on real issues. If we must beg, beg for the forty acres and a mule promised by the Freedman's Bureau (which didn't have the right to enforce or uphold such a promise--for another day). If it doesn't make money, then it doesn't make sense otherwise, you continue to be good slaves.

Ban Black People from Customer Service

Employers across America, I beseech you, please refrain from selecting black people to fill your customer service positions. Unfortunately, customer service happens to be a skill lacking among black people. (Before you write rhyming Jesse or telephone permed Al Sharpton, there are exceptions to every rule and I am not the Creator. I do not speak in absolutes.)
Allow me to share with you some anecdotal evidence. The other day I telephoned a physician's office regarding a prescription with the intent of having the physician or a nurse respond to my inquiry. When I called, Shaquandalika (my standard name for these types--because their multi-syllabic names are always something identically or nearly that repulsive) answered. I knew it was she because I'd just met her at the office a couple of days prior and witnessed, in person, her less than courteous manner. Well, when I called and explained very politely that I would like to have a nurse return my call, she asked which nurse. I told her that it didn't matter (this is a specialty practice, not a clinic or urgent care center for whatever ails you). She abruptly responded, "Yes it does matter too ma'am." I suppose the "ma'am" was intended to assuage my discontent. What she should have asked is what physician I had seen or stated that nurses work alongside specific physicians (which would have been a stretch of the truth, but far more professional than her response).

This is just too much. The previous receptionist was a very polite and professional woman who happened to be caucasian. This is not to say that all blacks are impolite or that all caucasians are polite. It is only to say that polite service from someone black has become the exception and not the rule. Another example, my mother visited my brother's school and encountered the office attendant with one hand in a chip bag (I've come to find this standard practice among most black women working a "desk" job.) My mother inquired about contact information for a faculty member and the attendant asks my mother for the person's email stating "Come on now, you supposed to help me out." Seriously?? The lack of professionalism among blacks, particularly those who loosen what little professionalism they have even more when the customer is black is disappointing and appalling. Needless to say, due to such experiences, I often cringe when a black person is the only one available to assist me fully expecting to receive hood service. I'm rarely disappointed.

Never Can Say Goodbye...

I wasn't sure what the title for this post should be. Of course this is about the greatest entertainer of all time, Michael Jackson. I LOVED Michael and have so many memories in front the the television watching the premier of the latest MJ video. My favorite video of all time and arguably the best to have ever been produced, Thriller, is the first to come to mind. The dancing, the cinematography, the killer beat, the story line--simply unbelievable by the standards of the early 80s and certainly by the standards of today.

Gifted beyond measure, a musical genius, Michael to many was music. He set the standard that no one else has achieved. He truly brought music to life and I shall forever be in awe of his tremendous talent. Today at work, we all struggled to determine which of Michael's songs was our favorite. How could there be only one? There simply can't be. One of my favorites, performed along with the other members of the Jackson Five, is "Can You Feel It?" Awww man, when I here that I just get crazy happy. It is just one of those songs that elevates your mood. In elementary, we must have watched Moonwalker a hundred times. After "Smooth Criminal" Michael proved once and for all that he was the baddest performer to walk the earth. Then there is "Lady in my Life", "Man in the Mirror", "Dirty Diana", ohhh and "Butterflies". Look I just love the man and we are forever blessed to have lived while he lived, to hear his music, to see his performances. I was even fortunate enough to see him perform live. He gave so much of himself as a performer and truly fulfilled his destiny. He has said he wanted to provide "magic and some type of escapism to people". Michael you truly were magical and your music will lie on forever in my spirit and in the spirit of hundreds of millions of others throughout the world.

Tyler Perry, Seriously?

Are you kidding me? About a month ago, colleagues demanded I surrender my black card for saying I do not like Tyler Perry movies. I stood by my opinion then and am even more firm in that opinion now. Now, let me first say, I'm far from being a hater. I applaud the man for his accomplishments, especially the establishment of a studio. These are triumphs which should certainly be recognized and applauded by all. Nonetheless, that does not mandate that I subscribe to the newsletters from his parishioners. I've genuinely tried to find some redeeming quality in his films to no avail. His is an experience to which I can't relate. Let me put it as I so matter of factly told my colleagues last month, I'm just not that black.

Tyler's films are nothing more than filming of his plays on movie sets. That is it and nothing more. Now, this formula has certainly worked for him, contributing to his fond following and even landing him a friendship with Lady O. That is certainly no small feat. Nonetheless, this formulaic redemption through Jesus or through some scripture undertone is so overworked in the black play circuit it is just nauseating. Now, he has added the flair of nuanced Jesus peace or churchiness as my mother calls it, which makes it more palatable to the mainstream. In marketing we would call this building a better mouse trap. It is essentially the same as those other chicken house circuit plays, but I'll be the first to credit Mr. Perry with the marketing genius of packaging it as though it isn't so.

Now, I was all set to give Mr. Perry the benefit of the doubt with The Family that Preys. I certainly had no intention of spending my time or money to see it in the theater, but basic cable was a sure bet. Until today, I hadn't seen one of his films in its entirety. I mean come on, the ending is known in the first five minutes. Still, my colleagues badgered me at work and asked what kind of black person I was to not like Tyler Perry's movies. For all of my non black readers, please allow me to explain. Black people have an inane tendency to think we all like the same things, collard greens and chicken circuit plays. Fortunately, this has not been my experience, thus, I am unable to relate to these things that apparently comprise blackness. At any rate, I was urged to see this movie because it was different, not typical TP, so much deeper, "oooh, and when you see the reason she cheated and the connection to her father's infidelity". So I'm expecting better things.

NOT! Again, Mr. Perry overlaps too many stories and themes in one film. Spike Lee also has this problem. Now, the casting was superb. Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates are stellar, but even they couldn't save The Titanic. Can a husband seriously be as stupid as Chris (Rockmond Dunbar)? They obviously said to hell with office etiquette. That receptionist should have been fired long ago. Abigail (Robin Givens) overstepped her boundaries at the party and was far less than professional, yet she claims to be the queen of decorum later. Seriously? Are you kidding me? There were so many gaping holes in this plot that were so beautifully captured in the Grand Canyon scene. And come on, Mother Cartwright has Alzheimer's and no one votes her out? Now Mr. Perry, cancer would have been okay here, but Alzheimer's. She should have voted herself out.

I could go on. Suffice it to say, it is much better for Tyler, but that ain't saying much. It is better than his chicken circuit bit, but still lacking in depth and completely unrealistic. So, for all of you who told me it was so great and on a Spielberg level, I say seriously, you must be kidding me. You black people are still so easily entertained. Through a little prayer or churchiness---some Xian theme and you all are all over it. This is no Color Purple.

Obama Kool-Aid Anyone?

It appears President Obama is the next Jim Jones. I know so many of you are scoffing at this post. That is because you are in all likelihood one of the Kool-Aid drinkers. You'd have to be comatose, delirious, or a dementia patient to be unaware of the global economic crisis, specifically the crisis of Detroit Big Three. Initially, I was on the fence as to whether or not we should rescue the domestic automakers because I am employed by an industrial firm and therefore work closely with automakers, domestic and foreign, including their suppliers which would also lose substantially if the Big Three fail. Thus, it was an ache for the millions of people and companies indirectly connected, including those employed along with me, that I half way supported the rescue. However, I abhor indecisiveness in leadership. No, I'm not saying there was any one right answer or right decision, but if there is anything that can be learned from G. W. Bush, it is decisiveness.

To what am I alluding? Oh, you know, well beneath the purple haze intoxication from the Obama Kool-Aid. It was asinine to provide my and your tax money to GM only to demand, after the fact, that they file for bankruptcy and what is worse, you oust Rick Waggoner in the midst of all of this. Yeah, way to rally Wall Street. I digress. The point is, we should have let them file for bankruptcy initially---before they were given my money if this was to be the result anyway. However, you can no longer provide this glimmer of reasoning to many of our citizens, especially the ones of color. For they as, 60 Minute's Steve Croft puts it, are in punch drunk love. I mean, this man can do no wrong. I am so tired of seeing him on television, it brings me to the point of nausea and headache. I'm one episode away from visiting my OBGYN for a pregnancy test. This is all too much too fast. I need to see you with books, papers, and scads of economists at least giving the perception that you are working feverishly to get us to the road of recovery. Now, don't get me wrong, meeting with world leaders is certainly a necessary endeavor, but all the news conferences day and night must stop.

For eight years, we ridiculed Bush for his lack of eloquence, even accusing him of being inept. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm an admirer of oratory, an area in which Obama clearly is not lacking. However, more than that, particularly in the office of president, I am enamored with substance, sound judgment, and leadership. Often, his speeches have been lacking in substance and direction and choc full of sound bytes and relevant quips. (As a writer, I'm all too familiar with such devices used for cadence and effect.)

I'm not saying everything President Obama is doing is in error, nor am I saying everything is right. I'm saying we must exhibit wisdom and healthy skepticism as these are serious matters. We must not become so enamored with having a president of color that we lose focus on how what happens in Washington DC affects our futures. We as black people do this too much as it is. We were this way with the philandering Dr. King and continued this insanity with Kwame Kirkpatrick and the infamous OJ (last name not necessary). Please stop drinking the kool-aid.

P.S. Please don't interrupt my Jack Bauer Hour--24, with one of your speeches. That is my purple haze moment, in Hollywood's land of make believe, where it should be.

Life Expectancy

I just completed a life expectancy calculator which returned an expectancy of 102 years. My first thought, I don't want to live that long. Now, I want to live to see my grandchildren and hopefully great grandchildren, but whew, 102 years. Perhaps things will be different. I'm a vegetarian, but I don't exercise. I still have time to get into that right? My grandmother lived to be 72. Before her illness, she was extremely active and walked for longer distances than I do or did when I was more active. Her diet, however, was not as good as mine and she grew up through the first depression and Jim Crow, so life was much more difficult and perhaps more stressful. So, I anticipate having a good health and mobility in my older age.

Still, I'm not sure I would like to live to be 102. First, men die younger than women. I suppose I could find me a younger man, someone 80, 75? Heck, I'm a hot girl, I'm going for 65. If I had a man, living to 102 may be worth my while. However, I must also consider my children and grandchildren. Would they really want me around? As long as I'm active, I wouldn't be a burden. No one, or should I say, very few want to surrender their independence and become burdens on loved ones. I'm no exception. Perhaps I should take up more extra curricular drinking to bring that expectancy down a couple of decades. Now I know why getting my life insurance was so easy and inexpensive. They know they'll never have to pay out.

Youngest Conservatives & Liberals

If you are a parent, then you know that you can decipher your child's or children's disposition early in their lives, sometimes even before they are born. In utero responses to certain types of music, light, or activity shed a great deal of light on the demeanor your child will likely have. Nevertheless, few if any have been able to determine their child's political leanings before birth or in infancy. I am no exception.

However, our children engaged in quite the philosophical conversation the other day as we were driving to my in-laws' home. They were discussing what and how people around the world ate. This led to my daughter telling my son that some people don't eat because they do not have anything to eat for lack of money. My son then declares, rather emphatically as is his usual style of speak, that everyone could have enough to eat if they wanted. They must simply work for it, some harder than others. Yet, he insists that the simple will and effort for money will suffice. My daughter responds that it is not that simple because not everyone can work.

The passion in their conversation really tickled me. I did not want to intervene, yet was compelled to when my son beckoned for me to settle their disagreement. What I said is not important here. What is absolutely insightful is where each would land along the political spectrum. I must say that I am not very surprised. My son lacks the general compassion that the universe has bestowed upon my daughter. His compassion is quite specific--belonging only to those he deems important, very typical of a Leo.

I wonder if they will remain this way or if they will vacillate or find themselves like so many who are not outright liberal or conservative. My hope is that they, more than anything, continue to think critically about the challenges that affect the human experience.