December 5, 2008

Should African Americans Be Blogging ???

Acceptance of the Digital Divide by Minorities and the Ramifications of Technology Ingnorance.

There is a mounting influx of digital technologies that are embedding themselves in the lifestyles of people in the Black community. One of these is the act of Blogging, Webster’s dictionary describes blogging as, “diary: a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page“. African Americans arerapidly moving into the digital age that is embracing cosmopolitan ideas and multicultural nuances with the help of technology. The inclusiveness of technology is taking many minorities into the 21st century where they are connecting to the world. Blog (web log) technology is web based and inclusive to all people regardless of color and culture thus allowing a euphoria of ideas and intellectual exchanges. There is an estimated 8 million bloggers in America (The State of Blogging (2005), Pew Internet & American Life Project).
Change blends with the traditions of traditional living, lifestyle and technology inclusion; technology is infused in all aspects of life and is expanding daily. In order to compete African Americans need toaccept change and embrace the execution of productivity tools that areprevalent in the business and educational world. There is so much technology available in our businesses and schools of secondary and higher education, the question is, are our teachers and business leaders being taught the appropriate use of these technologies that are becoming relevant in the business and educational world, and are they willing toshare their knowledge? African Americans should be exposed to and using these technologies, if not they may again be hindered by ignorance and unprepared to do business on a global scale. The possibility of expanding and encouraging knowledge, requiring the proficiency of reading (literacy/comprehension) and writing (creative thought process). Blogging requires the participation of writers and readers involved in a symbiotic relationship that is dependent upon each other.
Statistically African Americans are behind in technology applications and implementation (digital divide) professionally and educationally. The areas of reading (literacy/comprehension) are challenging areas for those that struggle not too just read, but comprehend (understand) what they read The old adage of, “if you want to keep something secrete write it down”, is applied to those who do not strive to increase their knowledge through reading and educational exploration.
Blogging is a new world, a world of digitized created writings on a multitude of subjects that readers can ravagely consume and interactively respond to. Teacher, Joel Arquillas states, ”I like the fact that it is a living document. Students, parents, teachers and the community can comment or discuss the stories that I post”. Where does that leave our business community when it comes to gaining new incites in business and cultural awareness? The act of blogging opens doors to avenues of business ventures to expand literary and informational talents and understand the power of the reader or audience.
It has been said that blogging compares to the Guttenberg’s press (http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page). Arquillos also states that his students “learned the power of writing and being able to defend their view”. No one is excluded or segregated from connecting to others with like ideas, business interests or controversial opinions. All that is needed is for a person to connect. Why is blogging important to African Americans; because of the wealth of information that is important to educational and professional growth greater than MySpace (myspace.com) and Facebook (facebook.com) social networking sites. African Americans need to become aware of the potential to expand their knowledge base locally and globally in areas of politics, economics, business, medicine, education and cultural diversity. Many African Americans unfortunately have a ”head in the sand” mentality when it comes to technology usage and application in business and in some cases education and medicine. Blogging allows the participants to be co-creators in this age of digital media that is transforming social interaction, taking social networking to new levels of cognitive growth not just empirical information that is irrelevant and in some cases professionally and socially detrimental. Is blogging going to be another technology that passes African Americans by, therefore leading people to be ignored, ignorant (to it’s applications) and disconnected from using a protocol (digital tool) for cultural, business and professional enrichment? African Americans should continue to embrace new media and new technologies especially in the digital world were the access to information can mean “the difference in a promotion and upward mobility in business or being stagnant and living in a dark closet digitally disconnected” (Gladzena Young, PHH).
Blogging is a new wave for cyber-publishing for African Americans to share their stories, ideas, passions, and in some cases rants and raves. This media is not about complaining about perceived or experienced injustices, although in the case of the Jena 6 it was an effective tool for the distribution of information, and an opportunity to share cultural, historic and enriching perspectives on the African American plightin American and the judicial system. Textual manipulation is not the only option, but blogging can be spiced up with photos and video that is more personal and interactive. The opportunities are endless as to what a writer can do, what they can share and how they can engage discussions. Blogging instills creativity, empowerment and critical thinking skills into our people that allows for their talent in writing. The very nature of the Internet is allowing people to not just retrieve information, but post information that may compete with resources of traditional newspapers and magazines at a fraction of their cost of publication.
The capability for African Americans to launch their own newspaper, magazine, radio and even television shows at a very low cost is within the grasps of a person with a computer that can support this technology. If the mind-set does not change for many, African Americans will once again be left out, disconnected and have a limited impact to social, business and political issues. Our voices will once again be like distant rumblings of thunder that most people disregard as insignificant and a distraction…
We as a people must embrace technology and all thatit has to offer, all the possibilities of imagination, self-empowerment,and cultural enhancement. Blogging is just a tip of the digital iceberg. The Internet, Podcasting, Wikis, Chatting along with Blogging areall interactive and self directed tools that avail themselves tocognitive growth and connection to multicultural awareness that is being embraced and welcomed to all our communities. Technology is about communication between peoples. Let us start communicating and engaging creativeskills in our writing to inform and empower, go forth and Blog…
William Jackson
william.Jackson@ewc.edu
"Copyright William Jackson, All Rights Reserved 2008."

November 18, 2008

The Bar Has Be Raised for American Children By Our Future President

The Bar Has Be Raised for American Children By Our Future President
"There are no excuses for growth in our children"

As I sat there at 1:50 am on a Wednesday, November 5th morning still mentally trying to grasp the significance of the Tuesday, November 4th election results it dawned on me that our children/young people have no excuses for continuing to have saggin pants to portray some sort of message of rebellion and defiance against society and authority; all our young men: Black, White, Hispanic, Asian and others have no excuses for their academic failings in our school systems. Our young ladies have no excuses for getting on welfare and being welfare mothers and perpetuating this lifestyle to their children; parents have no excuses for not working with their child’s teachers for they are possibly raising another President or governmental official. As the slogan stated these past months, “there needs to be a change” and “change is coming”, but the change needs to come from our cognitive decisions to follow a man who has set a great example of hard work, dedication and not falling into a typical stereotype as a Blackman or child of a single parent household. Our children and young adults have no excuse for staying unemployed and seeking a hand out or making excuses why not to work or why they cannot learn. Our young adults in high schools across this country have no excuses for not graduating from high school and continuing on to college, trade school or a career in the military.

We as a people have no excuses for not rebuilding our communities; we have no excuses for not empowering and supporting our churches. There are no excuses for not supporting our President-elect soon to be the 44th President of these United States. We have no excuses for not taking pride in ourselves, our culture and our heritage. There are untold millions of people that participated in the “Movement” from the early 50’s to the 60’s and continuing even to today, just to afford Mr. Obama a opportunity to run for any office let alone the highest office of this land. There is no excuse for educational ignorance, racial prejudice, and low self esteem of our children, especially minority children who claim that there are no role models and everyone they see in the government or in power is White. There is no excuse for young adults and older adults to blame the fact that they did not have a father in their lives as many do to give purpose and reason behind their chosen failures and willingness to be financial and criminal burdens on society. There is no excuse for any of that now.

Our President-elect has shown that you can be successful being raised by a single mother and grandmother without a father. Now that we have a different face as a President-elect and soon to be the President of the United States of America, what excuse is there for us as a people not to be successful. To make a defining decision to work hard for our success and not let obstacles or excuses get in the way. As Michelle Roberts, Publisher of “Just Sayin”
(http://www.noturmommasnews.com/JustSayin110208.html) stated, “in disproportionate numbers we’re still lamenting and blaming “the man”. This idea or perception cannot be used as an excuse any more. We have a role model that has shown that you can have a Black man who was raised by his mother and grandmother not having excuses for perpetuating a thug persona, selling drug, committing crimes, and disrespecting the opportunity for education. He does not have an “I blame the system” nor the slave mentality that many minorities still seem to suffer from of blaming everyone else for their ignorance. I have not heard of any stories about President-elect Obama where he is trying to impregnate as many woman as possible trying to live some fantasy life as a governmental Pimp or Mack daddy.

Unlike the last Democratic President who had rumors and accusations of being “like a Black man” in his sexual urges and extra-marital affairs. Now we have a true Black man who has set a higher standard, is he going to be respected just as much if not more?I hope and pray that not just people of color see this, but all Americans that as a collective whole we can accomplish great thing if we just put aside our differences of color, religion and socio-political and economic differences. Now is the time to learn where we need to be going. We have just witnessed that “during our lifetimes, we all have many experiences and we all learn things. Whether or not you apply those academic and life lessons to your present circumstances shows whether or not you possess wisdom” Alan Riley. As I follow the teachings of my Senior Pastor Rudolph McKissick Sr. and my Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr. there is guidance and teaching to acquire and use wisdom. In their teachings it is imperative to gain wisdom to guide and reinforce our understanding and responsibilities of being citizens of this world and how to behave in this world as a united people.Written in ESV version of the bible, “Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people' Deuteronomy 4:6 (ESV).

This election has shown the world that we are still a great nation no longer saying that one race or one people have all the answers, but collectively we can accomplish a global change in the world. Stated by Earl L. Small, “My people I say to each of you that anything is suddenly possible and all goals are ours to conquer and the only limitations are those that are self imposed. The long journey that started all those years ago within the dark bowels of those slave ships, whose very decks were stained with the blood of our ancestors, the same blood that flows through each of us, joining and binding our history and heritage reminds us of the same journey that has taken us thru slavery and the cotton fields of the south, and led us to the pulpit of a visionary Pastor from Ebenezer Baptist Church named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who foretold all of this in his "I Have A Dream" speech....” Earl L. Small (The Jacksonville Minority Professionals Network). There should be no more lamenting that this is not my country from Blacks/African Americans, he is not my President, “he don’t look like me”, by any Blacks/African Americans or whatever people of color, shade or degree are willing to call themselves. Now they have a face to motivate and inspire them. If this does not do something for the millions of minority children and young adults today they are truly trifling in their decisions to accept failure and do nothing to improve their lives. In the words of Judge Greg Mathis, “Young men: Put down your guns, pull up your pants, and pick up a book. Take your education seriously. If you are a father, be responsible. Support your child financially and emotionally. Young women: Turn off the radio when a sexist and demeaning song comes on. It doesn’t matter if "the beat is hot;" you must have more respect for yourselves”.

Maybe now with change evident these words will now ring true for our young people in the 21st century.There is no educational, professional or personal goal that is out of reach for any of us no matter if we are African American, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic American, European American, Haitian American, Jewish American, German American, Jamaican American and so forth. This is our President-elect that we have voted into office. As President-elect Obama has stated it is now time to get to work as all Americans.

William Jackson, M.Ed.http://williamdjackson.tripod.com/
"Copyright William Jackson, All Rights Reserved 2008"

November 5, 2008

What I Learned In My Christian Walk As A Man




An Inspirational Message To Father’s




These are just some things that I have learned as a Christian man in my walk to getting closer to God. I understand that I'm a sinner, saved by grace and continuously loved by the Lord. That during the course of time we as men have a responsibility to perform and conduct our business in honor of Him. We will make mistakes, we will fall short, but we must strive to reach that point where God is happy with our actions. The current economic challenges that all families are facing should inspire and motivate all fathers to be the best men their families, children, communities, and churches need. We are in difficult times, spiritually, economically, environmentally and politically. As men we should be taking the lead in continuing the direction we need to move in. Caring for our loved ones, our communities and supporting our churches.

Here are some suggestions to facilitate us all to stay on the right path.
1. Fathers, should go to Jesus in prayer and pray with their children and families. Leading prayer as the spiritual leader of the household.
2. Fathers, make mistakes, but own up to them and correct the mistakes they have made. Working not to repeat them.
3. Fathers, discipline their children with love and not with physical violence, verbal degradation or emotional manipulation.
4. Fathers, take their children to church and bible study to share the Word of God.
5. Fathers, are not perfect so must ask God for wisdom, direction and discernment.
6. Fathers, don’t blame others for their weakness, but work to strengthen themselves in the Word of God.
7. Fathers, will not “follow the guys” when they are disrespecting women, this sets an inappropriate and dangerous model for their sons to follow.
8. Fathers, don’t block their children’s anointing and possible future blessings with ungodly actions. If they conduct themselves with their children in mind this should motivate the best in all of us as men.
9. Fathers, ask for discernment to recognize the signs of trouble before they happen.
10. Fathers, model respect for the church and church representatives. Even if we disagree with a clergical person, we must always "respect" the office and title and "who" it represents.
11. Fathers, lead grace at meal time.
12. Fathers, can purchase their daughters personal items and be proud in doing so. Instilling in themselves sacrifice of pride and humility as a parent and following God's word.
13. Fathers, promote education, hard work, honesty and sacrifice in the household.
14. Fathers, talk to their children about drugs and sex before the street does.
15. Fathers, do not whine about what “HIS” daddy did not do for him, but follow a model indicative of Godly men.
16. Fathers, do not blame where he came from for his short-comings. He focuses on where he is going. Fathers want to leave a legacy of dignity, pride and respect to and for their children.
17. Fathers, takes time to visit their children’s school and talk to the teachers about their children’s progress.
18. Fathers, will happily sacrifice for their family.
19. Fathers, accepts responsibility for their children’s actions. Remembering that the apple does not fall far from the tree.
20. Fathers, will go visit their children and spend time with them even though he may not be present in the home. Taking responsibility for a life that they helped create.
21. Fathers, aren’t afraid to show love to their children, children still need reinforcement that they are loved and respected.
22. Fathers, spend time just being together with their children and doing things their children like and will remember, not just buying things that willbe forgotten and eventually disgarded.
23. Fathers, teach your child to be responsible and accountable for their actions.
24. Fathers, must model and teach respect, honor, patience, ethics and fear of the Lord.
25. Fathers, anoint their children and wife with oil for protection and mercy.

Quote:
A truly humble man is sensible of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom; and that it is by God's power that he is upheld and provided for, and that he needs God's wisdom to lead and guide him, and His might to enable him to do what he ought to do for Him. (Edwards, Jonathan)
"Copyright William Jackson, All Rights Reserved 2008."

October 28, 2008

Empowering Men to Actively Participate In Their Children’s Education

Empowering Men to Actively Participate In Their Children’s Education
Dads, stepfathers and fathers are being challenged more and more to visit their child(rens) school from elementary to high school, but what if they have never taken the opportunity to go to the school, how do they prepare for it? As crazy as it may seem, many dads have anxiety and apprehension about making the “visit”.
It is not as easy as it sounds, you do not just pop in and announce you are here to see your child(ren) teachers; there are guidelines and procedures to follow. Mothers have traditionally visited the schools unless circumstances require the male member to perform this duty. Mothers have handled homework, school projects, parent/teacher conferences, lunch money issues, etc. The responsibilities and frustrations that accompany these parental duties are taken care of by mothers who view this as an added part of being a mom. This is not to say that dads cannot be effective, but moms are the main school intercessory for families.
In this twenty-first century, dads, step dads, uncles and older brothers are taking charge and going out to the schools. There are surprisingly, but expected resultscoming from males showing up at the schoolhouse. Behavior is significantlyimproved, academic growth is shown, overall performance in the educational environment is drastically changed, and graduation rates are up because of theinvolvement of male parents concerned in their child’s learning.
The question is WHY??
Children want their parents especially fathers (a male parental figure) to visit their school unless they really have something to hide, then there is a great need to haveseveral school visits. I have always visited my children’s school and this has provided me a basis to talk about their day, what they learned, how are their friends and other important questions.Taking a day off. Taking a day off from work is the only option being an educator myself. Visiting two children

is not easy, my own biological children who live almost two hours away, butit is a sacrifice the I gladly take to prohibit letters and phone calls later.
Education importance
Expressing your desire for your children’s success in business, the military or other avenues is important, but making sure that your children need a quality education and instilling this in them early is important. Know, "I can contribute to their education”, that is what a real father or dad does. I cannot stick my chest out only when sports are involved or awards, it is all or nothing. During the good and the not so good, that is what makes a real parent. Like the saying goes, “the longer you feed them the more they look like you”. I don’t just want them to look like me; I want them to excel academically and be better than me. Fathers push our children to excel in education, this is because we should and need to we know the importance of a good education especially if you are a minority in these United States.

Extra baggage is good sometimes.
Men are finding that they get “extra baggage” when they visit their child’s school. There may be another child that clings or connects to you. Be careful about creating a bond or connection. Remember some children’s parents will not visit their child’s school for reasons what we do not understand nor connect with. Some children may be jealous of you and your child, but you can always complement them on their accomplishments as well.
Children will be children
Children will be children and no one said it would be easy. They will try you and see how far they can push you. You and your wife or significant partner must have a united front that means constant and continuous open communication. No one person always has the right answer when dealing with kids. You both must be willing to compromise and do what is best for the family and at times that means sacrificing for the family. Data shows the results of men being involved in their children’s lives. There is more of an impact when “dad” visits than mom. As stated on the web site, Fatherhood Online, that is developed from the National Fatherhood Initiative. There are posted ten “father facts”, number ten states, “Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers” (1994-2006). With data showing such positive results there is a great desire to get more fathers, especially minority fathers involved in their children’s academic lives regardless if they are present in the home or not.
In support of bringing out fathers to schools, educational institutions especially elementary schools can support the concept of involving dad by providing activities such as the ones suggested here by, (Weiss, C 2000) “Bring fathers into preschools, schools, community centers. Create father/child events such as dad-child lunches, dad and child playtime, after-school father tutoring”. Giving dads an opportunity to participate in events just geared to them helps break the ice and welcomes them into a world traditionally attended by women. Not being in the picture by men leads to a dangerous trend by many children they to cope with the loss of the parent, mostly the father through separation and divorce. The risk of dropping out of school is greater as found by, (McLanahan and Sandefur, 1994; Zill, Morrison, and Coiro, 1993). Children need the support that two parents can provide. As hard as a parent may try they cannot replace theabsent parent and in most cases it is the father that has departed from the relationship. From the research performed by, (McLanahan and Sandefur, 1994; Amato, 1993), “mothers are more likely than fathers to retain custody of the children in the event of divorce”.
Studies have contradicted themselves in the overall performance of students in school that are living with one parent, but contact by the other parent (father) is still very important. Finding the data that supports, studies have found (Peterson and Zill, 1986; Wallerstein and Kelly, 1980) “continued contact to be related to improved psychological scores, fewer behavioral problems, and better peer relationships” contribute to relatively normal lives of students. Resident fathers visit the child’s school more, 55 percent of fathers in two-parent families attended a general school meeting, compared to 18 percent of nonresident fathers attended a general school meeting. These numbers do not trivialize the need for all fathers regardless of marital situation to go tothe school and be involved.
So the challenge is on, data has shown that our young people need their fathers and dads. Let us not forget that in these times of high performance academic standards, state assessments, peer pressure, drugs and pressures to have sex our children need a strong male figure for proper guidance. Don’t let the streets or those that do not haveyour child’s best interests take control. Be a positive force in your child’s academic and behavioral growth and development.



William Jackson, M.Ed.

"Copyright William Jackson, All Rights Reserved 2008"

October 7, 2008

Prayer Is Needed This School Year For Our Teachers



Schools have begun another academic year aimed at educating youth that attend their educational institutions across this country. This in of itself is a daunting task based on the number of schools that are servicing students in greater numbers. These numbers continue to increase each year as birth rates rise among our youth. This is enough to give pause to pray for those that are children bringing children into the world. We as educators for the most part have no say so as to “who” we educate. We can only pray that we reach as many as we can to save them from a possible life of poverty and educational ignorance. This is not to say that parents are in dire straits economically and educationally, but because of the economic status of our country and geopolitical instability of our world, today everyone is affected by rising costs to maintain a lifestyle, feed a family and continue a quest for higher education.


How have teachers prepared for a new school year and to be a positive impact on the students in their classrooms? Teachers have worked this summer as in past summers preparing their classrooms for new and returning students. They participated in professional development training(s), workshops and symposiums in reading, math, classroom discipline, and science initiatives. They upgraded or renewed their ESOL certification. They have improved their technical skills on the computer using grade book programs, attendance databases, productivity applications, and mapping programs for student achievement. What other qualifying courses or programs must they learn to better service students that are preparing to come into schools nationwide, individually and collectively teacher must know how to teach children.



Teachers have worries and concerns too, remember they are parents, grandparents, and guardians themselves. As the saying goes, “teachers teach because they care”. Remember this before you judge or cast doubt on a teacher’s love for teaching or their caring for your child. Their ability to inspire, motivate and convince your child that education is the key to a happy existence is dependent on their ability as some Pastors or Ministers to reach your child where you cannot.
Did you realize that teachers:
Teachers feed their families with their earnings and sometimes your children as well. When was the last time you thanked a teacher for feeding your child when they did not have lunch money?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher when they combed your child’s hair because you did not have time to do it?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher when they paid for your child’s field trip because you just did not have the money?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher who gave your child a ride home when it was to cold to walk or raining and you had to work late?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher who tutored your child on their own time so they would not be retained again?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher who called to check on your child who had an illness?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher who purchased your child clothes because they wanted to be a blessing and you could not afford to?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher who purchased your child glasses because they could not see in their classroom and you could not afford to buy a new pair?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher who went out of their way to give you a smile, hug or prayed for you when you were in need?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher when they spoke to law enforcement or child services so you would not go to jail or lose your children?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher who gave you positive words about your child even though everyone else had given up on them?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher who invited you to church and your family?
When was the last time you thanked a teacher for inviting you and your family to dinner because food was short at your home?

When was the last time you thanked a teacher……………………..



These are just some of the things teachers deal with to help their students learn, to prepare your child for growth in the school year and help you as a parent. Remember teachers are teaching your child, how supportive are you in the educational process of your child? What have you as a parent done to prepare your child to be successful in the academic environment? Are your child’s shot records updated, do you know the bus routes with pickup and drop off times, do you know what time school will start and end? Who are your child’s teacher(s) that are entrusted in developing your child’s educational, emotional and social development?
Parents do sometimes loose focus on what school is about.School is not about who has the prettiest hair, cutest dress, tightest shoes or crunkest outfit. It is not about new lunch boxes, extra money for snacks or the best book bags. Unfortunately many children will not have these items because of socioeconomic circumstances, some will be dressed in the same outfits they had last school year, carry the same book bags and wearing the same shoes. School is not a fashion show, models runway, popularity contest, nor “look at my child and see how much money I spent” mentality.



Let us put things in perspective, my point as a parent and educator in a public school system and on the college level is, are your children prepared mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally for school? Are your children going to be respectful to the teacher and administrators or cause fearful glances and muffled prayers of deliverance from your child? Have you been doing your job as a parent preparing your child to have a successful school year? That should not be decided during the school year after progress reports, referrals, sticky notes, parent conferences, phone calls or from state assessments. When your child reports to school you as a parent should know what the school year holds for your child. Participating in the educational experience is what real parents do, they do not make excused, make up lies or avoid the teacher giving them the opportunity for a brief conference. Parents are you going to eat you lunch with your children this year, talk to your children about their day, talk to your child’s teacher(s) instead of cussing them out in front of their educational peers and their students because you as a parent are not doing your job to teach your child the right way?

How supportive are you as a parent going to be to the educational process instead of finding excuses for your child? This is a new year and a new challenge, a new journey to prepare your child for independence or do you want to take care of them when they get into their 40’s?



Fathers, take a day off from work to eat lunch with your kids at school, I do when I drive over an hour to see my children and talk to their teachers. Fathers check report cards, progress reports and be a positive role model to your children. Let them see you, see that you care, see the value that you place on education. Trust me, even if you come from work to visit your child for a few hours, look at the positive message you are sending to your children, and other children when you just say hello to them. If you can, volunteer time, don’t worry about your educational level or employment status, look at it as an opportunity to influence your child’s world from your experiences and how you value learning. Things are not always what it seems from outside the school window, you can be a blessing not only to your child, but that child that sees you visiting.

Prayers do work even if there is a separation of church and state. We all need guidance, wisdom and working together as a TEAM to build successful leaders for our future. Our children will be the future leaders: mayors, city council persons, lawyers, doctors, principals, guidance counselors, senators, and maybe even a president or vice president. How we support all our children now will determine how or if our communities will grow in the future and what direction they will take.

Yes, I will be in deep prayer for this school year for my educational peers with budget cutbacks in our school districts nationwide, lunch money increases for families already struggling to feed their children at home, cutbacks on school supplies, gas increases and unemployment rising.

Even an atheist may pray when hard times hits them and their families, but as for me and my family “We shall and will worship the Lord”.


Five things teachers need this school year…
1. FaithMark 11:22-24…."And Jesus answered saying to them, 'Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.'" 2. PersistenceLuke 11:5-10 says, "Then He said to them, 'Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him"; and from inside he answers and says, "Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything." I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.'"
3. Without Ceasing1 Thessalonians 5:17 says in a nut shell… "pray without ceasing." Ephesians 6:18 says, "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints."4. RighteousnessJames 5:16 says, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." 5. According to God's Will1 John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."

William Jackson, M.Ed."Copyright William Jackson All Rights Reserved 2008"

September 27, 2008

Applying The Books of Matthews, John and Luke To Fathers In The 21st Century



Being a father is a magical and humbling event in a man’s life regardless of his age. Fathers go through many transformations as they age. The Gospel according to Matthew starting in Chapter One from verse one to sixteen reads who beget whom. These are men who beget children through out the chapters. In verse six of Chapter One, David who is King beget Solomon, but from an affair with Uria’s wife. Despite this, Solomon grew to become one of the wisest men in history and anointed by God. In the face of the sin of David a good thing became of it. Reading further, in verse sixteen Jacob beget Joseph who went on to marry Mary who was carrying Jesus, later called Christ. Jesus was not the result of intercourse between Mary and Joseph, but from an event that is Biblical in nature. Joseph took upon the role and responsibility of an earthy father to Jesus and eventually a husband to Mary (Chapter 1:20).

The responsibilities of a father and husband are sometimes the result of influences and circumstances that are beyond understanding. Affairs of the heart and of the body cannot be justified, but God can bring a good thing from sin. "He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1). Temptation comes in the flesh, and we are all tempted, but the result of fainting is in one’s spirit when we as men give in to the temptation. Being a man also includes making decisions not just for ourselves, but for others.In the case of Joseph, how many men would care for and raise a child from a situation of Mary’s? Joseph listened to the Word of God. How many men would listen or ignore those words? What about David’s situation, many men have circum to the temptations of the flesh, but this does not mean the sin has to consume them. They need to pray for forgiveness and accept the responsibility of the sin and importantly not repeat it. We are all born into a world of sin, but we do not have to have the world in us. God punished David for his sins as we all are punished, but as men we must recognize and respond accordingly to our sinful urges. We are models to younger men who watch us and seek guidance. This guidance does not always come in words, but in our actions.Throughout time many men have not worshipped God openly as fathers to show their children a better prayer life, and how it can lead to a life filled with the presence of God. In John, Chapter 4:24 God is a spirit and we must worship in spirit and truth.

Fathers, our spiritual energies do not compare to our emotional energies in our sports teams. How different would our lives be as fathers and men if our prayer life is as strong as our enthusiasm for our sports teams? As men we love to model “manly behavior” for our sons in sporting events, but how many of us display the same amount of dedication and devotion in our prayer life? In Matthew Chapter 6:33, what should we seek in a prayer life? “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. How much of a difference would it make in children respecting their mothers and fathers if fathers are actively modeling respect? How much of a difference would it make if our children did pray as their fathers prayed throughout the day for guidance and wisdom? We cannot afford to be critical of those who worship in the name of God when their faith is strongly openly displayed, but our faith is hidden behind embarrassment, shame or weakness. When emotions are displayed by men their sons follow suite. When was the last time we drank a beer watching football or hockey and thought or said, “I can’t wait for my son to be old enough to join me!” To coincide with this when was the last time we had our sons pray with us and share in devotion? Is it easier to share beer time than prayer (devotional) time?


The world is changing daily, as in Revelation Chapter 1:3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand”. The time is at hand now fathers when our young sons are killing each other for drugs, sex, weapons, and other things they view as momentarily satisfying, but easily fleeting.In Matthew Chapter 3:17 God says, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. Our young men in today’s society need to hear this more from their fathers, if our heavenly father can say it to his son, why can’t earthly fathers say it to their sons? Maybe if this were the case, our young men in our Black and other communities would not have as many violent deaths as they do. Let us all remember the two institutions that desire our children, Educational and Institutional. It is up to us as men to guide our children to the correct one.Fathers must realize the responsibility of their place in a child’s life regardless if they are in the home or not, regardless of the “Baby Mama Drama” that sometimes happens. It is cowardice to make excuses for not calling or writing just to say “I love you” and “How are you doing”. It is inexcusable for not taking time to eat lunch with your child, but we can take the time to “run with the boys”. How many more cases of our young men dropping out of school, physical aggression towards women, drugs, crime and violence will it take for more men to tell their sons, “I Love You” and I’m proud of you. Fathering is a balance of discipline, love, negotiation, trust and communication. It does not come easy as I can testify being a parent.

The goal is to help raise productive adults who will lead positive and God loving lives. As the African proverb states, “it takes a village to raise a leader” (Paterson, K 2001, http://www.racematters.org/ittakesavillage.htm). Our village; the African American community needs to unite our Black men and start loving and teaching our young Black men to pray and be prayerful in all things before we lose yet another generation. It is not the mayors, nor the governors, nor the Presidents responsibility to raise Black men, but the responsibility of Black men to raise Black men. Men that respect women, respect community and first respect and pray to an almighty God. We as men have a bond that extends generations. That transpired to and from the Mother Land. When are we going to live up to the legacy of Kings, Generals, Teachers, Physicians, Pastors, Scientists and community leaders? It takes a leader, but the men are supposed to lead first. What will it take for more of us to start leading?


William Jackson, M.Ed.
(c) Copyright William Jackson 2008. All rights reserved.

September 21, 2008

A Tribute To My Brothers: “What Black Men Are”

"What Black Men Are"

Black men are ageless, ageless like the land that has been in existencelonger than any other land. The Motherland, the land that nurtured him and aided him to provide for his family. Enabling him to walk the land admiring her beauty and taking in her love. Ageless in his wisdom that even Socrates and Plato had to respect.

Black men are athletic, an athletic talent honed from years of hunting,tracking, running, jumping and crafting his physical skills to perfection. Perfection in physical accomplishments to the point of being undisputedly the bestathletes in the world.

Black men are brave, brave like the primates who dared to explore theirworld during their evolution, disregarding their physical limitations and challengingtheir cognitive potential to rationalize, understand and interact in a dynamically changingworld.
Black men are creative, creative like the pygmies that hunt through the jungle using such stealth that an Army Green Beret would be envious. The creative spirit that has allowed Black men to create the things in our lives, that are necessary in order to survive and flourish.

Black men are diverse, diverse like the hundreds of languages and dialects spoken on the African continent. This diversity allows Black men to blend into their environment to adapt, evolve and enlarge their territory.

Black men are intelligent, intelligent enough to find ways to revolutionize music. Intelligent to find ways to perform surgery years before European influences that tried to lay claim to discoveries in medicine, science, humanities and literature. Black men have inspired Socrates, Plato and others who only gained their status by standing on the shoulders of those men and women of color who came before them.

Black men love women, women of all shades of color. Black men are notorious for giving and requiring love. This is not a sexual love, but the emotional love that can only be created from a Black man who loves his women. This love is intoxicating and additive. There is much love to share and many women seek this unique kind of love.

Black men are lovers, lovers of life and lovers of freedom. Freedom that was denied them for over hundreds of years. A Black man’s body may have been confined, but their soul, the essence that makes a Black man always demands to be loved and to give love. To be free to express this love in his freedom as only a Black man can.

Black men are proud fathers, proudly Black men have many children eitherin wedlock or out of wedlock, but they love and are proud of their children. Look at the fathers that attend football, basketball and track meets. Whether Black men are in the home or not, Black men are proud of their children’s accomplishments.

Black men are strong, strong like the wills of a people struggling to find their way either traveling across the Serengeti Plains or the Sahara Desert. Black men are strong like the land they come from that can support diversity in deserts, rainforests and urban civilizations.

Black men are timeless, timeless as history itself. Throughout time Black men have participated in every facet of historical perspective and importance only becauseof the cognitive inadequacies of other cultures do they try to hide these facets throughout all of history, but Black people know how influential the Black man has been.

Black men are unique, unique enough in their mentalities that despite being enslaved, beaten,killed, and castrated, still seek acceptance and equality. Black men have emerged from attempts to be subjugated and evicted from their new homeland, (America). Black men work to prove that they are unique and share in the destiny of two great lands.

Black men are victorious, victorious in their struggle for existence. We may never be accepted as our true selves, but our victory is in our continued existence and struggle for acceptance and equality. I’m proud to be a Black man, and love my Black people, all the shades there are, as my brothers and sisters we share a rich and diverse heritage that is both admired and respected. I maybe mixed with White blood, Native American blood, and Irish blood; I may annunciate my words, speak on an intellectual level, but I’m still a Black man.

I welcome my brothers and sisters to their Blackness and to take pride in their African American heritage. Society should not feel threatened by the Black man but sleep easy that we only want what our brothers and sisters to be treated with dignity, equality and respect.

William Jackson, M.Ed.
"Copyright William D. Jackson - All Rights Reserved 2008."

September 11, 2008

A Spiritual Guide For Fathers To Raising Children


Fathers Guide






Men in the position of a father or father figure will need a guide or “How To” book to help them navigate through life’s unexpected challenges when raising or mentoring children. Fatherhood requires wisdom, patience, a sense of humor, and a strong spirituality focused and rooted in God’s word. Many are willing to provide advice, but what kind of spiritual guidance is there for fathers? What kind of guide understands the inherent responsibilities to fatherhood and importantly how to be a God fearing and praying man? There is one book that has stood the test of time itself, written by The Father who knows of all situations and circumstances, who looks past all our faults and shortcomings and provides wisdom and love.


Fatherhood is a responsibility that should never be taken for granted, nor taken lightly, Proverbs 4:1 states, “Here ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding”. Before a father can teach he must also be a students and recieve
instruction himself.


Proverbs 4:2 states, “I give you good doctrine for sake ye not my law.”

The law of the father holds much weight in the stability and functionality of a family. God’s law is law and God’s words are truth and wisdom. We as fathers desire our children to live long and fruitful lives just as our heavenly father means for us to, but that requires good teaching and modeling.


Proverbs 4:10 states, “Hear, O my son and receive my sayings: and the years of thy life shall be many”. What true father would not want their children to have a long and happy life, but there needs to be consistent commitment from the father to the son. The lack of this commitment is seen today as our young sons are dying needlessly. Dropping out of school and involved in a judicial system that incarcerates instead of educates. Understanding thy place in the order and scheme of a family strengthens the family unit and binds the structure of individuals into a unit that is strong, and thus strengthens neighborhoodsand communities. When there is no father in the home the mother has the duality of both parental responsibilities. She must be the disciplinarian, advisor, protector, breadwinner and all the duties and responsibilities there of.


Proverbs 10:1 “The Proverbs of Solomon, a wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.”


Children should conduct their behavior respectfully and wisely, their actions will be determined by the modeling of the father that is present in their lives, but if there is no father figure many women are beset with the challenges of raising "Boys To Men". This is not an impossible task, but how can a man raise a woman, just as how can women raise a man?


If we view the big picture of school drop out rates and incarcerations in this country how many of those young people do not have fathers nor father figures?

In Matthew 7:9-12, how we treat and teach our sons or those that we model and mentor is how they will develop. There are too many men leading our young men the wrong way. They are providing our children with alcohol and tobacco (leading to physical dependencies), illicit drugs (creating psychological disintegration), and sex (creating a generation infected with HPV, HIV, HERPES, and unplanned/unwanted pregnancies). This type of generational homicide and in some cases genecide is leading more of our young men and young women to an existence of poverty, dependancy and self-destruction.

Quoting the Honorable City Councilwoman from Jacksonville, Florida Glorious Johnson (R), “the church and the community must work together to address our crisis of death and destruction”. There seems this desire to do something, but no leadership or agenda to initiate actions. Our churches are stuggling with economic challenges, ministerial posturing, and often times manipulation of God's word to fit an agenda based on money not saving souls.

Many have prayed for change, but what contributions besides prayer have they offered. In Matthew 6:5 it states, ”and when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward”. What reward will we all receive in the years to come if we remain divided and hypocrites in the Word of God. We fathers have a guide, we have a word of truth and power, all we need to do is follow it.


Luke 2:49, “we all must be about our fathers business,” united in a common cause to save our children and not allow another possible generation to be lost.

We can no longer use the excuse that there are no good examples of men that are successful, just look at Mr. Obama: educated, drive, christian, father, husband and from a single parent home. He provides no excuses for his quest to be President of these United States. What excuse do many of us have for not being the best that we can be and pushing our sons and daughters to be the best that they can be?

William Jackson, M.Ed.
William.Jackson@ewc.edu
"Copyright William Jackson, All Rights Reserved 2008."

September 1, 2008

Divorced Fathers Can Still Celebrate Being A Father



“Those who cut down good trees shall see never sign of blessing”(Tosefta, B'khorim II)

Fathers, regardless of the ravages of divorce don’t stop being fathers to your children. Provide good roots for your children; your children are extensions of you and possess your attributes, behaviors and emotional nuances. They still need your guidance and love to grow into productive men and women.

The process of divorce forces men to start over in life, requiring them to seek a new beginning, and rebuilding a relationship with their children, renewing their own spirituality, and the redirection of personal priorities in life. No matter what cultural background, maturity range, salary scale or religious conviction, divorce can be overwhelming, demeaning, financially draining (especially if you are providing child support and or alimony), and an emotional roller coaster that never seems to end.


In Matthew 6:33 it states, “..seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…”, when searching for a redirection and renewed purpose through this challenging time, the best guide is the reading and interpretation of the Bible along with seeking the understanding of God’s Word. The reading and interpretation can refocus your life, redirect your spirituality through scripture and provide comfort and solace. Having gone through divorce it forced an accepting of what I need to improve in myself, not focusing on my perceived faults or shortcomings of others. The emotional turmoil of blame, anger, self-pity and shame are discarded and are distant memories. Now I focus on forgiving,accepting and my need to grow as a Christian man that is not perfect, but growing in the Lord every day.


As a divorced father I questioned how can I move on with my life, amplify my spirituality as a Christina man and be in my children’s lives being a positive force and not promoting or displaying negativity, these are my focus points. This day and everyday focusing on yourself as a father and man, refocus on the responsibilities of being a father, despite the drama of “Baby Mama Drama” that all men go through. This is not just a “Black thing”. Renewing and recharging the commitment and covenant you have with your children. Children are a blessing from God as written in Psalm 127:3, thus with this knowledge, our children being blessings from God we as men and fathers have a responsibility to be a part of our children’s lives and accept them as precious blessings from God our heavenly father. We have a responsibility to show Godly actions even when all round us there may be chaos and confusion. How can we grow if we hang on to our old actions and perceptions?


Fathers remember children are not commodities to be traded, fought over, or bargained for. Their well being should be placed first during this time of upheaval and emotional stress. Children do not cause divorce, but are directly affected by it. Because of this situation fathers will have to make sacrifices that will allow us to stay in our children’s lives. Our goal is to provide the best for our children regardless if they are with their mothers or with us. No one can take away from you that you are a parent and thus you must continue to aid in your children’s growth in dynamic ways. We may not be physically in the home, but our teachings, modeling, and prayers are present in our children’s life. Our essence of what we are is shared within our children. We must communicate with our children love, respect, and a commitment to guide them even when they do not want it. That means seeing them when we say we will, visiting their schools to check on them, calling to say Hello and I love you. Spending quality timewith our children and not competing with the other parent for our children’s attentions and loyalties.



As is states in Ephesians 6:4, “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”, our first responsibility that we must continue to teach our sons is to be respectful in order to get respect, the importance of education to obtain a career, provide for oneself and family and putting God first in all they do. Being fathers in our deeds and duties our sons will follow as we set the example of behavior.

In accordance with our sons we must also direct our daughters to be independent thinkers and aspire to be self supportive, not leaning on being reliant on any man to always provide for them. Our daughters will seek a man similar to our actions, demeanor and emotional statues even if it is self-destructive at times. We set the foundation on which they will look for in a mate. Just as our sons we must teach our daughters who will be mothers one day to put God first in their lives and seek Godly men. Not men who follow the latest trends in fashions, drugs, sexual deviations, cars and other material/physical things which are not long lasting and fleeting with time. We must teach our little girls that they are and can be empowered with dreams and aspirations to be successful. Using our best judgments even when challenged, highlight the best in them and their mothers.


No child likes to hear their father or mother verbally torn down and demeaned in any way, having gone through this myself and still at times, it challenges my spiritually and new acceptance to be saved. I had to pray when my children’s mother and her mother talked about me in an unkind way to my children about me, but I give God all the glory and praise, because I proved them wrong in my Actions and not just my Words. I madea commitment to be saved and worked to show it.

Sometimes you have to show that you are saved by conducting yourself as a Christian, speaking Christian words and not present yourself in an unChristian manner. As you work to this you are showing God, yourself and your children that you are a better person. Sometimes it does take time, but if you are going to be a Christian it is not easy and takes perseverance and continuous prayer.


Stated in John 10:30, “I and my father are one” Jesus makes this statement as a testimony to his father. The same holds true for fathers and their children, you are one in many ways with your children. Some of these ways are visually evident and some ways will manifest themselves as your child matures into adulthood. Through our lives we as men and fathers have obtained wisdom that we should pass on to our children. To prevent them from making the same mistakes as we have made.


Stated in John 10:30, “I and my father are one” Jesus makes this statement as a testimony to his father. The same holds true for fathers and their children, you are one in many ways with your children. Some of these ways are visually evident and some ways will manifest themselves as your child matures into adulthood. Through our lives we as men and fathers have obtained wisdom that we should pass on to our children. To prevent them from making the same mistakes as we have made.



In Proverbs 4:1-27 there is discussion of wisdom, gaining it through life experiences and reading of the Word. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom…” (Proverbs 4:7), and share it so our children will not make the same mistakes as we have. Real fathers guide their children, helping them to “deviate from the possible path of the wicked, and not go in the way of evil men” (Proverbs 4:14). Be the father your father may not have been to you, be the dad that your children can be proud of and seek for guidance. Remember that children are very forgiving and will not stay children forever. They will forgive your mistakes if you give them a chance and be open and honest with them. Send praise and worship up to our heavenly father first and watch the blessings come down. Take your children to church with you and teach them why they should go to church. To prepare them for lives challenges and that there is a God that loves themand is there for them.

Starting over is not easy, but the path can be much straighter, peaceful, comforting and less challenging if we recognize our heavenly Father first and continue to do the right thing by him and our children. Divorce is not the end of fatherhood just a new beginning and an opportunity to grow, but with the proper guidance from God’s help and the reading of his Word and sharing it with our children all will grow stronger.God Bless the divorced fathers, we are still fathers and dads in our children’s lives, but must stay involved, concerned and in prayer for wisdom and guidance.

William Jackson, M.Ed.
"Copyright William Jackson, All Rights Reserved 2008."

August 11, 2008

God First When Communicating With Your Sons






Ephesians 6:4 “And ye fathers, provoke
not your children
to wrath; but bring
them up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord”.


As a father having a 16 year old son, I find it
challenging to talk to him at times, to really
have a discussion about his week at school,
home, his friends, his worries and
concerns. It is especially hard since he
and his sister live
an hour away with
their mother and I see them every other
weekend. So when I pick them up I start off with a smile.

Smiles are strange things for some
men; Wekevia defines a smile as a ”facial expression characterized
by an upward curving of the corners of the mouth and indicating
pleasure, amusement or derision”. To many men a smile is sometimes
portrayed as weakness, but why is weakness associated with a
symbol
of acceptance, love and pride?

Children interpret 85% of their communication with the father or father
figure in their lives by non-verbal gestures. When you break it down,
“most communication is actually non-verbal. This means that factors
like posture, facial expression, hand movement, and eye contact
play a significant role in communicating” (4parenting.gov). As men
we rarely verbally express to our sons how we feel; stated in
1 John 3:18, ” My little children let us not love inward, neither (with)
tongue, but in deed and truth”. A response is faster through the physical
messages that we as men give as opposed to the verbal responses we project.



Since we model for our sons, the author K. Harris of Prince, The Future King series states, “fathers are critically important to their children’s well being and are a role model for their sons.”



It is widely known how important fathers are in the lives of their children; statistics abound with data on how fathers affect discipline, academic achievement, and social relationships.
My father was not in my life so Idid not get
foundation for communicating as a young man, so I watched other fathers with their sons to learn how to be a good communicator to my son. This taught me how to communicate from a multicultural perspective since that is the world we live in. This coincides with the writings in Proverbs 4:1 which states, “Hear ye children the instruction of a father and attend to know understanding”.
Men, teach your children that you will guide them and nurture them, but not lead them down the wrong paths.

The interactivity of a father and son can range in emotions from respectful, happy, joyous, awkward, rebellious or confrontational. Smiles and hugs can defuse a possible confrontational situation and confirm feeling of love, respect
and acceptance. Our interaction with our son(s) should come with either a hug, a smile, a pat on the back, and or words of encouragement not cussing, physical violence and the denigration of their inner spirituality. Our children like us are spiritual beings that need guidance and opportunities to grow.

Stated in Blacknews.com (2006), “Child research has consistently demonstrated that loving, involved fathers are beneficial to the health, education and welfare of their children. When fathers are absent from the home or uninvolved in the learning and developmental process children suffer”. As a teacher at an elementary school and a professor at a local community college I see the results of the lack of a father figure in many homes. This is not to say that mothers are not doing a good job, on the contrary many are doing an excellent job, but a mother is challenged in teaching a son or sons how to be a man in today’s world.

In modifying discipline and addressing behavioral challenges, smiles are used to reinforce learning outcomes and redirect inappropriate behavior. What child would want a smack down instead of a smile and a hug? Discipline works better when it is proactive by addressing positive behaviors before hand not just reacting to negative behaviors when they occur. Research has shown that it does not matter the ethic background of the child so there is no “White” way or “Black” way to discipline. I have been told on several occasions that I treat my children like they are white by talking to them and providing positive reinforcement instead of beating the he** out of them. My reply to this statement is, “slavery has been over for many years, it is time to stop the slave mentality of trying to beat our youth into submission”.

Do we challenge our children’s behavior through the use of fear or love?

When will the generational mentality change to help our children grow into positive and productive adults? Stated during an NEA convention in 2006 to fathers nation wide, “.. tell your children how much you admire their good
qualities... Listening to your children and talking with them and not at them are all rewards, the kind that you can give hundreds of times every day”. Stated in 1 John 3:11, “…for this is the message that ye heard from the
beginning, that we should love one another”. We have to remember that our teenage sons want the same things that we as adult men want, to be respected, loved and trusted.

They must be taught to respect, how to love and how to gain trust. Trust comes in many forms and fashions, when reading Ephesians 4:25, “wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members
one of another”. So men unite in a common quest to raise our sons whether you are in the home or not and accept the responsibilities that we have as contributors of life.

To speak truth to our sons and to each other, in Ephesians 4:29 states, “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that may minister grace unto the hearers.”
The hearers and those that witness our actions are our children, our young men struggling to be men, waiting for a word from their fathers, a word of truth, a word of respect, a word of acceptance and love.

How can we reinforce these, with a smile and a hug.

William Jackson
“Copyright William Jackson. All Rights Reserved
2008."

August 3, 2008

A Tribute To Black Men


A Tribute To My Brothers:
“What Black Men Are”
by William Jackson, M.Ed.
william.Jackson@ewc.edu



Black men are ageless, ageless like the land that has been in existence longer than any other land. The Motherland, the land that nurtured
him and aided him to provide for his family. Allowing him to walk the land admiring her beauty and taking in her love. Ageless in his wisdom that even Socrates and Plato had to respect.
Black men are athletic, an athletic talent honed from
years of hunting, tracking, running, jumping and crafting
his physical skills to perfection. Perfection in physical
accomplishments to the point of being undisputedly
the best athletes in the world.
Black men are brave, brave like the primates who dared
to explore their world during their evolution, disregarding
their physical limitations and challenging their cognitive
potential to rationalize, understand and interact in a
dynamically changing world.
Black men are creative, creative like the pygmies that hunt
through the jungle using such stealth that an Army Green
Beret would be envious. The creative spirit that has allowed
Black men to create the things in our lives, that are necessary
in order to survive and flourish.
Black men are diverse, diverse like the hundreds of languages
and dialects spoken on the African continent. This diversity
allows Black men to blend into their environments to adapt,
evolve and enlarge their territory.
Black men are intelligent, intelligent enough to find ways to
revolutionize music. Intelligent to find ways to perform
surgery years before European influences that tried to lay
claim to discoveries in medicine, science, humanities and
literature.
Black men have inspired Socrates, Plato and others who
only gained their status by standing on the shoulders of
those men and women of color who came before them.
Black men love women, women of all shades of color.
Black men are notorious for giving and requiring love.
This is not a sexual love, but the emotional love that can
only be created from a Black man who loves his women.
This love is intoxicating and additive. There is much
love to share and many women seek this unique kind of love.
Black men are lovers, lovers of life and lovers of freedom.
Freedom that was denied them for over hundreds of years.
A Black man’s body may have been confined, during slavery,
but their soul, the essence that makes a Black man always
demands to be loved and to give love. To be free to
express this love in his freedom as only a Black man can.
Black men are proud fathers, proudly Black men have many
children either in wedlock or out of wedlock, but they love
and are proud of their children. Look at the fathers that
attend football, basketball and track meets.
Whether Black men are in the home or not, Black men are
proud of their children’s accomplishments.
Black men are strong, strong like the wills of a people struggling
to find their way either traveling across the Serengeti Plains or the
Sahara Desert. Black men are strong like the land they come from
that can support diversity in deserts, rainforests and urban civilizations.
Black men are timeless, timeless as history itself. Throughout time
Black men have participated in every facet of historical perspective
and importance only becauseof the cognitive inadequacies of other
cultures do they try to hide these facets throughout all of history,
but Black people know how influential the Black man has been.
Black men are unique, unique enough in their mentalities that
despite being enslaved, beaten, killed, and castrated, still seek
acceptance and equality. Black men have emerged from attempts
to be subjugated and evicted from their new homeland, (America).
Black men work to prove that they are unique and share in the
destiny of two great lands.
Black men are victorious, victorious in their struggle for existence.
We may never be accepted as our true selves, but our victory is in
our continued existence and struggle for acceptance and equality.
I’m proud to be a Black man, and love my Black people, all the shades
there are, as my brothers and sisters we share a rich and diverse
heritage that is both admired and respected.
I maybe mixed with White blood, Native American blood,
and Irish blood; I may annunciate my words, speak on an intellectual
level, but I’m still a Black man. I welcome my brothers and sisters to
their Blackness and to take pride in their African American heritage.
Society should not feel threatened by the Black man but
sleep easy that we only want what our brothers and sisters to be
treated with dignity, equality and respect.
Wm Jackson
" Copyright William D. Jackson All Rights Reserved 2007."