Malcolm X dropped out of school in the 8th grade and he never went back again.
Today many students are dropping out of school at alarming rates.
This creates a new generation of underachievers with no prospects of ever earning enough to feed their families.
But one question that I have to ask is their a way to utilize America's most famous dropout, Malcolm X as a way to reach urban and African American students to stay in school? I found a very interesting article titled "Keeping Kids in School" written by Gail Robinson addressing the reasons why African American students in New York City are dropping out at excessive rates.
The link to this article is below.
It is very interesting yet disturbing.
But one question that I have to ask is their a way to utilize America's most famous dropout, Malcolm X as a way to reach urban and African American students to stay in school? This is not a new or a novel idea when you consider that a teacher has already addressed the success he has reaching his diverse students in a blog titled "Teaching Malcolm X: From the perspective of a white, 21st century educator.
"Read his interesting story here: http://www.
phillyfuture.
org/node/5942.
The fact that Malcolm X's autobiography is still one of the most popular books today proves that his story resonate with students of all colors especially black and Latino kids.
But, the circumstances that produced his book "segregation" and "Jim Crow" can be a topic that white teachers would want to avoid as too controversial.
Malcolm X's repeated references to white people as "White devils" could create an uncomfortable atmosphere among other white students.
But, there are other aspects of Malcolm X's biography that are very entertaining and informative.
His life as a drug addict will resonate with everyone since today everyone knows someone on drugs.
American history will also become center stage when President John F.
Kennedy's death and Malcolm X's response to his murder is studied.
Malcolm X's renunciation of racism when he travels to Mecca can bring unity among students much like it did among blacks and whites that were on opposite sides of the civil rights fence in 1965.
And finally the much aged question of who really killed Malcolm X will be the final act that will no doubt create discussions when his assassination is fully examined by teachers and students alike.
If teaching Malcolm X can be handled properly it can be an excellent book to jumpstart a student down the path to education and graduation that many students are serious lacking in today's world.
Gail Robinson's Keeping Kids in School can be found here: http://live.
gothamgazette.
com/article/iotw/20060213/200/1757.
Today many students are dropping out of school at alarming rates.
This creates a new generation of underachievers with no prospects of ever earning enough to feed their families.
But one question that I have to ask is their a way to utilize America's most famous dropout, Malcolm X as a way to reach urban and African American students to stay in school? I found a very interesting article titled "Keeping Kids in School" written by Gail Robinson addressing the reasons why African American students in New York City are dropping out at excessive rates.
The link to this article is below.
It is very interesting yet disturbing.
But one question that I have to ask is their a way to utilize America's most famous dropout, Malcolm X as a way to reach urban and African American students to stay in school? This is not a new or a novel idea when you consider that a teacher has already addressed the success he has reaching his diverse students in a blog titled "Teaching Malcolm X: From the perspective of a white, 21st century educator.
"Read his interesting story here: http://www.
phillyfuture.
org/node/5942.
The fact that Malcolm X's autobiography is still one of the most popular books today proves that his story resonate with students of all colors especially black and Latino kids.
But, the circumstances that produced his book "segregation" and "Jim Crow" can be a topic that white teachers would want to avoid as too controversial.
Malcolm X's repeated references to white people as "White devils" could create an uncomfortable atmosphere among other white students.
But, there are other aspects of Malcolm X's biography that are very entertaining and informative.
His life as a drug addict will resonate with everyone since today everyone knows someone on drugs.
American history will also become center stage when President John F.
Kennedy's death and Malcolm X's response to his murder is studied.
Malcolm X's renunciation of racism when he travels to Mecca can bring unity among students much like it did among blacks and whites that were on opposite sides of the civil rights fence in 1965.
And finally the much aged question of who really killed Malcolm X will be the final act that will no doubt create discussions when his assassination is fully examined by teachers and students alike.
If teaching Malcolm X can be handled properly it can be an excellent book to jumpstart a student down the path to education and graduation that many students are serious lacking in today's world.
Gail Robinson's Keeping Kids in School can be found here: http://live.
gothamgazette.
com/article/iotw/20060213/200/1757.
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