For Men Only (continued)
Posted: 2006-04-07 15:38:07
The Train Has Left The Station
At 9:05 AM, Dr. Charles L. Jones, an instructor with the freshman year Men's Room program who has been teaching the classes for two years announces that "The train has left the station," signaling class has officially begun. Young men, for the most part, dressed in doo rags, oversized shirts and baggy jeans sit behind computers ready to start their academic day. Their hip-hop style draws stark contrast with the traditional, professional attire of Jones who is dressed in a gray suit and red tie.
While they were randomly selected for participation during first semester when they learn about the ins and outs of college including time management and library skills, the men are chosen to enroll in the Men’s Room for this their second semester. The focus during this segment of the program becomes critical thinking skills -- "how to think and not what to think," says Jones.
While they were randomly selected for participation during first semester when they learn about the ins and outs of college including time management and library skills, the men are chosen to enroll in the Men’s Room for this their second semester. The focus during this segment of the program becomes critical thinking skills -- "how to think and not what to think," says Jones.
Both semesters offer men a "forum where they can discover and express themselves in a classroom without gender issues."
Dr. Jones reviews their current assignment, Engaging Black Men Through Technology and Music. The goal of the project is “to nurture and validate the inner spirit and develop teamwork through the use of technology and music.”
Students select a recording artist with a message, conduct research, and develop a PowerPoint slide presentation complete photos, music and a bibliography. And they are advised to be prepared to discuss their findings.
Otis Collier, 19, of Brooklyn goes before the class and commences to show a rough draft of his presentation. He selected the rapper Common, whom he calls “The Godfather of Hip Hop."
Before enrolling in Medgar Evers College, Collier, who wants to be a psychologist because he is “fascinated with the brain," spent his days sleeping until 1 PM, getting up to roam the streets without any real purpose. After a while, he began to become weary of this lifestyle but he wasn’t ready to go to work everyday. So he decided to go to school instead.
In a discussion that takes place later that morning, Collier expresses dismay that “people respect people coming out of jail more than people who graduate from college,”
Otis Collier, 19, of Brooklyn goes before the class and commences to show a rough draft of his presentation. He selected the rapper Common, whom he calls “The Godfather of Hip Hop."
Before enrolling in Medgar Evers College, Collier, who wants to be a psychologist because he is “fascinated with the brain," spent his days sleeping until 1 PM, getting up to roam the streets without any real purpose. After a while, he began to become weary of this lifestyle but he wasn’t ready to go to work everyday. So he decided to go to school instead.
In a discussion that takes place later that morning, Collier expresses dismay that “people respect people coming out of jail more than people who graduate from college,”
“I don’t understand that,” says Collier.
“In some ways it seems this is why youngsters are so quiet: Peer pressure,” says Dr. Jones. “Those who have been in prison seem more boisterous. Those who haven’t tend to be quieter. They don't feel that they have a story… Everybody has a story to tell. All too often we don’t seek to find out their story."
Adds Jackson, "We celebrate the success of people who have made detours, but what about those who went the right way? Most men are sensitive and have a keen understanding about the inconsistencies in society. For young men who are doing the right thing, this can take them for a loop.”
Neil Chan, 20 also of Brooklyn likes Dr. Jones’ approachability and the opportunity "to talk about any topic with no boundaries."
"Our opinions count," says Chan a business major who hopes to own a nightclub. "Young black men aren’t being heard."
"We equip them physically, certainly mentally and spiritually for success in college," says Dr. Jones. "Some come here not knowing why they came. Some are here, knowing why they've come and are clear about what they want to do. "
The Next Big Challenge
"The next big challenge is retaining them," says Dr. Jones. "Some have switched to other institutions. Others have withdrawn for a semester. Many drop out, I believe, because they need to have a job or no money."
And some of them need the small, simple things that many college students may take for granted. “…Some may need a textbook or a Metrocard and they can make it from there, says Dr. Jackson. “Some students have to choose between eating today and taking the subway to college. Generally, they don’t show what they are going through.
“All of us get into a bind, “says Jackson who relies on money from benefactors to address those needs. “But we have more resources at our disposal to get out of it.
“In some ways it seems this is why youngsters are so quiet: Peer pressure,” says Dr. Jones. “Those who have been in prison seem more boisterous. Those who haven’t tend to be quieter. They don't feel that they have a story… Everybody has a story to tell. All too often we don’t seek to find out their story."
Adds Jackson, "We celebrate the success of people who have made detours, but what about those who went the right way? Most men are sensitive and have a keen understanding about the inconsistencies in society. For young men who are doing the right thing, this can take them for a loop.”
Neil Chan, 20 also of Brooklyn likes Dr. Jones’ approachability and the opportunity "to talk about any topic with no boundaries."
"Our opinions count," says Chan a business major who hopes to own a nightclub. "Young black men aren’t being heard."
"We equip them physically, certainly mentally and spiritually for success in college," says Dr. Jones. "Some come here not knowing why they came. Some are here, knowing why they've come and are clear about what they want to do. "
The Next Big Challenge
"The next big challenge is retaining them," says Dr. Jones. "Some have switched to other institutions. Others have withdrawn for a semester. Many drop out, I believe, because they need to have a job or no money."
And some of them need the small, simple things that many college students may take for granted. “…Some may need a textbook or a Metrocard and they can make it from there, says Dr. Jackson. “Some students have to choose between eating today and taking the subway to college. Generally, they don’t show what they are going through.
“All of us get into a bind, “says Jackson who relies on money from benefactors to address those needs. “But we have more resources at our disposal to get out of it.
According to Dr. Jackson, The Men’s Room and The Male Empowerment Center is "a safe haven" for those men not enrolled in the class, have directly contributed to the 42 percent increase in the college’s male enrollment. Despite this success, there is still a significant gender gap with women comprising 76 percent of the more than 5000 students enrolled in degree granting programs at Medgar Evers.
Perhaps ironically, it’s these women than Dr. Jackson calls "his best recruiters. He encourages them to tell their sons, nephews, husbands and boyfriends about the college’s offerings. Recruiters, in general, go where the men are such as baseball and football games and even subway stations.
But how to you get men to enroll in college when they don’t even have a high school diploma?
Medgar Evers College is addressing this issue by offering a men’s only GED program.
"The day they start the program we tell them that this is the beginning and not the end," says Dr. Jackson. "They can come into Medgar Evers and continue their education. We want to expand their options."
Of the college work, Dr. Jackson says, "We are trying to save a few good men."
Joshua Augustin, 18, hopes to be among those "few good men" providing examples of how it can and should be done.
"Everybody in the world can make a difference," says Augustin a Men’s Room member who is studying to be a mechanical engineer. "If they see something positive that is getting a positive reaction and they see that you can do it, they know they can do it. The media doesn't know our style. They jump to conclusions because we are not like them. They put us down. It's up to us as individuals to prove them wrong."
About the Author
Carla Thompson is a New York City based freelance writer and author of the memoir, ‘Bearing Witness: Not So Crazy in Alabama’ which chronicles her adventures while living in Montgomery, Ala. For more information about Carla and the book visit www.cwritesabook.com
Click Here To Read Part I of "For Men Only"
Perhaps ironically, it’s these women than Dr. Jackson calls "his best recruiters. He encourages them to tell their sons, nephews, husbands and boyfriends about the college’s offerings. Recruiters, in general, go where the men are such as baseball and football games and even subway stations.
But how to you get men to enroll in college when they don’t even have a high school diploma?
Medgar Evers College is addressing this issue by offering a men’s only GED program.
"The day they start the program we tell them that this is the beginning and not the end," says Dr. Jackson. "They can come into Medgar Evers and continue their education. We want to expand their options."
Of the college work, Dr. Jackson says, "We are trying to save a few good men."
Joshua Augustin, 18, hopes to be among those "few good men" providing examples of how it can and should be done.
"Everybody in the world can make a difference," says Augustin a Men’s Room member who is studying to be a mechanical engineer. "If they see something positive that is getting a positive reaction and they see that you can do it, they know they can do it. The media doesn't know our style. They jump to conclusions because we are not like them. They put us down. It's up to us as individuals to prove them wrong."
About the Author
Carla Thompson is a New York City based freelance writer and author of the memoir, ‘Bearing Witness: Not So Crazy in Alabama’ which chronicles her adventures while living in Montgomery, Ala. For more information about Carla and the book visit www.cwritesabook.com
Click Here To Read Part I of "For Men Only"
2006-03-31 12:28:39
