Meacham Park NIA
Neighborhood Improvement Association
  • Home
  • Donate - 2026 MNIA Scholarships
  • Contact Us

You Will Be Truly Amazed When You See How Advanced This African Country Was In Math Thousands of Years Ago

11/7/2014

Comments

 
Comments

New Study Confirms: Black Students Who Are Taught Racial Pride Do Better In School

11/3/2014

Comments

 
Picture
Remember how good you felt when Black History Month rolled around and you finally got to learn and talk about significant African American historical figures in school? Well, according to new research published in the Journal of Child Development, affirming a black child’s desire to learn about their race does more than just give them a personal boost, it helps them academically as well.

The study, conducted by Ming-Te Wang and James P. Huguley of the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University respectively, found that “racial socialization”—teaching kids about their culture and involving them in activities that promote racial pride and connection—helps to offset the discrimination and racial prejudices children face by the outside world.


Wang explains:
“Our findings challenge the notion that ‘race blindness’ is a universally ideal parenting approach, especially since previous research has shown that racially conscious parenting strategies at either extreme—either ‘race blindness’ or promoting mistrust of other races—are associated with negative outcomes for African American youth.

“When African American parents instill a proud, informed, and sober perspective of race in their sons and daughters, these children are more likely to experience increased academic success.”
Wang’s study surveyed 630 adolescents from middle class backgrounds to explore how racial discrimination and prejudice in school affects their G.P.A., educational goals, and future aspirations. They found racial pride to be the single most important factor in guarding against racial discrimination, and discovered it had a direct impact on the students’ grades, future goals, and cognitive engagement.  Despite fewer instances of multicultural and inclusive learning in school and the increased frequency in which black students are treated more harshly than their peers, Wang’s study shows that teaching kids, especially black children, to take pride in their culture is an integral part of their success.

Wang sums it up:
“Our study provides empirical evidence that the longstanding practice in the African American community of cultivating racial pride and preparing children to face racial bias in society should be considered among appropriate and beneficial practices in parenting Black children.”
SOURCES:
http://www.news.pitt.edu/Rac_Pride_black_teens
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01808.x/abstract
http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2013/01/new-study-black-students-who-are-taught-racial-pride-do-better-in-school/

Comments

Kirkwoodians on The Radio: 90.7 FM "St. Louis on The Air"

7/16/2014

Comments

 
Picture
"RACIAL EQUALITY"   EFFORTS IN KIRKWOOD-RELATED TO NEW FILM ABOUT THE LATE COUNCILWOMAN CONNIE KARR

On July 8, 2014 NPR hosted a program which focused on taking another look at what has changed in improving communication and understanding between all the citizens of Kirkwood since it's last program 3 years ago.

The guests on the show:
-- Meacham Park resident Ron Hodges,
-- Rev. Scott Stearman, pastor of Kirkwood Baptist Church and
-- Councilman and Deputy Mayor Paul Ward.

"St. Louis on the Air" and "Cityscape"
St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU

Have race relations between Kirkwood City Hall and African- Americans improved and if so, how?


Picture
Listen to the program here
Share your thoughts in the Comments Section
Comments

What is Juneteenth?

6/13/2014

Comments

 
Juneteenth, A Day To Remember
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

General Order Number 3

One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with:

"The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer."

Picture
The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation. While many lingered to learn of this new employer to employee relationship, many left before these offers were completely off the lips of their former 'masters' - attesting to the varying conditions on the plantations and the realization of freedom. Even with nowhere to go, many felt that leaving the plantation would be their first grasp of freedom. North was a logical destination and for many it represented true freedom, while the desire to reach family members in neighboring states drove the some into Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Recounting the memories of that great day in June of 1865 and its festivities would serve as motivation as well as a release from the growing pressures encountered in their new territory. The celebration of June 19th was coined "Juneteenth" and grew with more participation from descendants. The Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassuring each other, for praying and for gathering remaining family members. Juneteenth continued to be highly revered in Texas decades later, with many former slaves and descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on this date.


Picture
Today, Juneteenth is enjoying a phenomenal growth rate within communities and organizations throughout the country. Institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum and others have begun sponsoring Juneteenth-centered activities. In recent years, a number of local and national Juneteenth organizations have arisen to take their place along side older organizations - all with the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture.

Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing.

The future of Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and states creating Juneteenth committees continues to increase. Respect and appreciation for all of our differences grow out of exposure and working together. Getting involved and supporting Juneteenth celebrations creates new bonds of friendship and understanding among us. This indeed, brightens our future!


Source: http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm
Picture
Picture
Picture
Comments

    Archives

    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    African American Culture
    African American Heroes
    African American News
    Child Development
    Criminal Justice
    Education
    Fun Events
    History
    Kirkwood News
    MNIA Sponsorship
    News
    Race Relations
    Summer Programs
    Volunteer
    Youth Accomplishments

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.