african american parents Archive

1

More Black Parents Educating Kids at Home

By
patty
– January 3, 2011Posted in: Misc.

Statistics show a growing trend in African American parents opting out of the average public school system and placing their kids in an environment where things like Black history are at the forefront not background of the school curriculum. This article discusses the movement.


"Families feel like the American education system does not teach African-American children," said Porter-Ollarvia, a Country Club Hills mom of three. "A lot of times in textbooks, you'll see 'Dick run, Dick go,' Jane and Jack and Jill. But you won't see African-American names like Zarifah and Muhammad. And a lot of times our children need to see their names and have a point of reference and see themselves in the books."

Home-schooling experts say more African-American families are choosing to school their children at home, opting out of public schools, which critics say may be not only failing their children, but also in some cases shortchanging them of their history.

Read more–>http://bit.ly/f2eNQh


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3

Exotic Beauties vs Regular Black Girls

By
patty
– December 14, 2010Posted in: Misc.

Great read..Clutch is a real piece of work. Brilliant writers and complex subjects. I know this topic has come up between me and my friends often.

Here’s an excerpt:

How many times have we heard the term “regular Black girl” used to describe a woman who doesn’t have such traditionally European features as, say, Halle Berry? Why is it that Kelly Rowland is called “regular,” when she’s stunning? And how is it that Beyonce is “exotic,” despite being the African-American child of two African-American parents, with features that aren’t really so uncommon amongst Black people in this country?

And it makes the relationships between women all the more difficult at times, doesn’t it? Once I was made aware of the fact that Ethiopian women were fetishized by a number of African-American brothers (in particular, those who weren’t so excited by Black women who aren’t considered “exotic” or who wouldn’t go for an African sister who had darker skin and kinkier hair), I experienced a period of resentment toward them. It took me some time and some serious thought to realize that a sister is a sister and that I should not hold it against them that there are some men in our community who may value one sort of Black beauty over another one. Do I like it? No. I know that preference doesn’t always have deep roots, but I do know that certain hair textures and facial features (typically, those that are associated with European beauty ideals) get an inordinate amount of props from some of our people.

Full article: http://clutchmagonline.com/lifeculture/feature/exotic-beauties-vs-regular-black-girls/

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