Florida A&M Graduation 2010

I attended my first Florida A&M University graduation.

My journey only took several hours, the accomplishments
of Darryl "TopShelf" McClenton his journey started after
graduation from Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida.

I should correct myself the journey is not just his, but his
family that supported him to matriculation. His mother
Cheryl laboured, not just worked, but laboured to see her
sons graduate college and put aside her dreams of a college
diploma as so many mothers do to support their children.
The eldest is a graduate of South Carolina State University;
the youngest attends Tallahassee Community College.

The focus is on Darryl and his accomplishment, graduating
Cum Laude from Florida A&M University. What a testament
to the foundation of success laid by a solid education from
Raines High School, the prayers, sacrifices of a determined
mother who worked sometimes multiple 12 hour shifts as
a nurse and at times had two jobs. Driving to the University
a day early making sure Cheryl saw another son graduate.
Just as my mother saw me graduate from college, more
mothers need to see their children graduate and more
fathers need to support their children's quest to be educated.

There are too many mothers alone, while fathers "claim"
to help, do nothing, try to take unearned credit. Thank you
to the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and men that are
stepping in and contributing.

During our journey we talked about the achievements of
our children and sacrifices as parents. My oldest is a freshman
at Florida A&M and my youngest is a high school freshmen.
Cheryl and I share our hopes, dreams and expectations for
our children's success and paths in life. Somehow this has
stopped in many families, instead there is mutual disagreement
on the value for education. Thus the child suffers in the end
particularly when parents divorce or one parent is uncaring
and unwilling to help. As we traveled down I10 we listened
to music, it is amazing how musical lyrics perpetuate emotions
that bring about memories. The song that stood out from
melodies of Marvin Gaye, Luther, Temptations, Isley Brothers
and others was a gospel song "God Specializes". We gave
glory to God because he does specialize in supplying all
our needs long as we are faithful, hopeful and recognize
where our true strength as parents comes from.

President Barack Obama has stated, "In a global economy
where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge,
good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity -
it is a pre-requisite."

Fast forward to graduation day, we met up with family, friends,
this was not just Darryl's graduation, but the family's achievement
also. There are few events in a young person's life that is
interconnected to family. The accomplishment of earning a
college degree brings families together in a unification of spirit
and accomplishment.

There is a connection of family as a whole, each member
has contributed; has a vested interest in seeing that young
lady or young man earn their diploma. If there was more of
an emotional and energetic attachment to academic excellence
as there is to sports and entertainment there would be more
minority doctors, teachers, surgeons, engineers, entrepreneurs,
business owners, scientists and community activists.
More of our communities would flourish instead of crumbling
because of devaluing of education, lack of respect for self,
others, community and even God.

"Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world."
Malcolm X.

As an educator, African American male and parent my heart
swelled with pride, felt my soul would sing witnessing so
many young people of African American descent, and other
cultures accomplish this wonderful thing. Today their families
witnessed the fruits of their labour, tears, prayers, hard work
and sacrifices.

Viewing the ceremony gave me pause to the growing value
of education these young people realized. Obtaining an
education is not just learning the alphabet, the numerical
organization of numbers, deciphering the calculative formula
to perform mathematical equations. Education is not just
learning civics, biology, physics, world history and a foreign
language, all these are important.

Bill Cosby stated, "Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to change the world."

Obtaining an education is development of a person's mind,
to expand psychological perceptions, ideologies making
positive contributions in our communities and the world.
The lack of education proves "A Mind is a Terrible Thing
to Waste" because of the wasteful actions of youth
resulting from drug use, incarceration, multiple unprotected
sexual encounters.

Watching graduates enter; the atmosphere was electrifying
all over Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center. This graduation
shows not all African American males are on drugs,
incarcerated, or have death knocking on their doors.
That not all African American women are pregnant,
uneducated, on welfare, have low self esteem and only
aspiring to do hair, nails or work in Dollar General, Dollar
Tree or in a fast food establishment. There is
nothing wrong with employment at these places supporting
yourself and family, our young women and men need to
understand they can aspire to grow beyond these employment
positions; instead seek management or ownership of a business.

For their families they are the best, brightest, the talented
and guiding lights. The graduates are the extensions of their
families, communities, churches, and their respective high
schools. These young ladies and young men did not and are
not "Waiting For Superman or Superwoman" they are SUPER
in their individual and respective ways. They are motivated
to move forward in life and not to be stuck in a modern day
Lodebar in biblical terms. Lodebar is a dismal place of no
pasture and no hope, total desolation. There is a psychological
Lodebar when you were crushed by the storms of life and
believed that life is over for you because of tough economic
or physical challenges.

The Commencement Address by Donna Brazile spoke of
this generation's ability to access digital content online
using tools that were not available 10 years ago. This
generation and those to come not only read digital content,
but are creators of multimedia content that can be accessed
globally influencing future political, economic, social and
cultural changes in our world. As she spoke I could only pray
and have faith that my son and daughter and the kids I
teach will graduate from college and move on to advanced
degrees. The ironic twist my dreams as a parent and teacher
are contradictory to many others who only hope their child is
drafted in the NFL, NBA, etc counting only on money that is
an intangible commodity that can come and go, as fleeting
as the careers of many athletes who shine for a while, but
then subside into bankruptcy and poverty. This does not have
to be, as Brazile spoke that these graduates are an agitation
for change and have a duty for continued growth. The high
expectations are for these young men and women are to
defend what we as a country have accomplished.

The accomplishments of these graduating students are
setting the foundation for further social and cultural change.
These young men and women are role models for other
children in their homes, high schools, churches, and
communities. Just as Darryl is, graduating from Raines
which has received unfavourable media coverage about
the failing students, I ask what of the successful students,
why do we not hear more about them?

Brazile challenged the graduates to soar and grab hold
of the future to make the world a better place for everyone.
The foundation has been laid, the building blocks of upward
mobility and competitiveness in global economy, dynamic
political environments, operating rooms, courtrooms,
classrooms of our county, future scientific discoveries and
exploration in space and deep oceans are within the grasps
of graduates from educational institutions such as Florida
A&M University. Only time and God will tell how these
students use their talents for the betterment of mankind.

Congratulations to Darryl "Topshelf" McClenton class of
2010, who will continue his education at FAMU working
on his Master Degree in Educational Leadership.
Congratulations and God's continued Blessings upon all
the graduates and their aspirations.
God's grace on the families that support and will continue
to support these graduates. As my sister Dawn from Philly
uses the term, "Don't' get it twisted" African American
young people are making right choices in valuing the
power of education. Don't get it twisted parents, empower
your children with value for what education can do.
Written in the "Education of the Negro", by
Carter G. Woodson, page 172.
Almost every Colored person who could read and write
was a missionary teacher among his people.

This still applies in the 21st century; we are all
missionaries to our people and each generation.
We must Educate, Encourage and Empower (E3 motto)
each other as we grow so as a people others grow with us.

E3 @ The Speed of Entrepreneurial and Business Thinking

Applying the concepts of technology integration to
E3 business direction and support mechanisms for entrepreneurs.
As it related to Bill Gates “Business @ the Speed of Thought”
A synopsis in applying digital infrastructure and digital nervous
systems to the concepts of sharing dynamic information in the
digital age.

The application of community entrepreneurs has grown
proportionally to the change in the ideology of its members to the
collaboration of business and community services. Community
service, not just with a hand shake, a pat on the back and a smile,
but a commitment to affirmative change. To be involved in a cause
that elicits grassroots involvement to do something substantial in
the lives of others. The change must be unselfish and direct in
it application.

Applied in concert to the philosophical statement, paraphrasing
Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see,” and the 20th
century rendition by Michael Jackson, “Start with the Man in the
Mirror”. Applies in Business @ The Speed of Thought the very
nature of business must change from product companies to service
companies that have a supportive and empowering service to offer.
That product may be a commodity or a tangible material possession;
more appropriately a service to “Educate, Encourage and Empower.”

E3 is moving forward in supporting businesses to be leaders
and empower them. What better way to empower and build
leadership than to become involved in the community. Business
leadership asks the question about this ideology WHY???
Why step out from the business side to the community side.
As Anthony Butler, Sr. Executive Director of E3 responds
WHY NOT???

What better way to build and empowered than to be involved in
ones community?

How can a CEO or Executive Director, President or head of
HR broker business deals and manage hundreds of thousands of
employees, but cannot volunteer for a cancer walk, attend a
forum to discuss racial diversity or share their knowledge
and experience in the application of ethics that even some of
our current City Council members struggle with.

Grassroots community involvement can be synonymous to
building a community nervous system. Just as Bill Gates talks
about the integration of technology into all aspects of information
sharing, Mr. Butler carries the application in a similar direction
with a personal touch of a community nervous system.
Where members of E3 who are entrepreneurs, business owners,
educators, fitness specialists, attorneys, law enforcement and
others are involved in their passion for community service, but
collectively nurturing resources for support.

The concept of Business @ the Speed of Thought is transparent
when our system of collaboration and connectivity supports true
collaboration. Using technologies to spread the Word about our
passion for community service initiatives that have a direct and
fundamental impact on children and families. We as E3 support
each other as a foundational family. Building each other up and
supporting ideas, initiatives, resources that bring people together
in a proactive and positive direction. The misconception that support
must come monetarily is erroneous, but comes in the Speaking of
success, the sharing of resources so the proverbial “Wheel” does not
have to be rebuilt again and again. E3 uses the “flow of information”
as Bill Gates has expressed to provide tools that would not have been
available singularly or as cost effectively.

E3 members have access to a web presence, social media infrastructure
on Facebook, Twitter and Webinators. The ability to record digitally a
face to face interview that promotes your business. Just ask Kevin Cobbin
about his interview. E3 members must avail themselves to these technologies.
If you do not realize this ask Bill David of Snow Owl about the benefits
of Social Media and Nicholas McClenton a rising star in technology.

Using technology as a social medium makes gathering information inclusive
and productive. E3 provides the access to information to “educate” seekers
of information not just giving links and web content. Borrowing the concept
of “an educated customer is a better customer” from Bill Gates. Information
technology balances the needs of the customer to the services of the business.

Balancing a web work style with a web life style. The building of communities
for personal and business use can be seen from the dynamic creation of Nings,
MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Avatars, and other social networking sites.
Using the technology as to tool to teach others about what your business can
and will do. E3 has the tools to help you grow, use them the cost is too
high not to....

Apply the concepts of E3’s mechanism for the integration of technology to
build a solid business, entrepreneurial and community foundation.

E3 @ Warp Factor 10

William Jackson and Cheryl Williams
Vice President E3 Business Group North Florida Chapter
William_j@e3businessgroup.org

Bullying – Physical and Cyber in Our Schools

Bullying – Physical and Cyber in Our Schools
William Jackson, M.Ed.
E3 Business Group Northeast Florida and Boys2Men Symposium

Bullying and Violence Prevention
After attending a teacher’s workshop called Second Step-Violence Prevention
it has been brought to light how societies challenges with bullying are evident
in our schools in all grades. How bullying is affecting learning, the perceived
safety of students in schools and how students communicate in aggressive
manners and methods using Social Media.
The media has picked up on this as seen by the First Coast News presentation
of the Anti-Bullying Club meeting at Twin Lakes Elementary in May of 2010,
talking with students and educators about taking a proactive approach toward
bullying. The efforts of DCPS School Board member Betty Burney addressing
violence and bullying, working to prevent these behaviors and myself making
presentations at the Boys2Men Symposium and Black Expo South. Many
students and parents do not understand the results and consequences of bullying.

Addressing Bullying
The increase of bullying has resulted in DCPS School Board
member Betty Burney to host a community dialogue addressing
bullying and violence in Duval County Schools.
The sessions labeled "Enough" have been held at St. Paul AME Church
in Jacksonville, Florida. The question remains; What is bullying?
Florida statute defines bullying as systematically and chronically
inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress through teasing;
social exclusion; threats; intimidation;
stalking; physical violence; theft; sexual, religious or racial harassment; public
humiliation; or destruction of property. Mrs. Burney having done so in the past
started community meetings addressing bullying and violence in schools. Her
attempts are to see more students willing to tell what they're going through
before there is injury or worse. "Some kids are afraid they'll get hurt worse if
they report," Burney said. "We need to let them know they have a safe place
and it'll be OK" (May 31, 2010, Duval schools will start to track bullying complaints).
The facts are: Bullying begins in elementary school, peaks in middle school,
and falls off in high school. It does not disappear altogether. (The Facts About
Bullying, 1997) 61.6% of students who are bullied are picked on because of
their looks or speech. (U.S. News & World Report, May 7, 2001)

Physical and Digital Bullying
Several areas of concern are the physical aspects of bullying and the use
of technology to continue the behavior that has caused suicides. The curse
of technology has allowed for continuous communication between students
in an environment where information is permanent and accessible by mass.
Emailing, texting and social media are the tools students use to communicate
and exchange information. The most notable incidents are the “Hit Lists”
addressed later in this blog. The perception and concern is that violence is
increasing. In a 1993 survey of 720 school districts nationwide, 82% reported
an increase in violence in their school over the past five years. (Harvard School
of Public Health) In a 1993 survey of student’s grades 6-12, 79% said that
violence was caused by "stupid things like bumping into someone." Other
causes of violence included: boyfriend-girlfriend disputes, outsiders, racism,
and gangs (National School Safety Center).


Suicides are Growing
The tragic suicides in media reports has warranted alarms locally and nationally.
Nationally students as young as 15 years old have committed suicide because
of bullying from physical abuse to cyber. One of the most notable is Jeffrey
Johnston who took his life in 2004 after being bullied. Debbie Johnston the
mother of Jeffrey stated “Everybody is recognizing that bullying isn't a rite
of passage, it's not a part of childhood, and it doesn't build character." As a
result the act "Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act" was created.
The act requires districts to adopt new anti-bullying policies and spells out
that those policies must address "cyberbullying" -- taunts and harassing
messages delivered by computer, cell phone or other technology. On a
local scale, Duval County does not have the perceived dilemma as other
parts of the nation, but records are not kept so there is no hard data to
support numbers. Bullying begins in elementary school, peaks in middle
school, and falls off in high school. It does not disappear altogether.
(The Facts About Bullying, 1997) 61.6% of students who are bullied are
picked on because of their looks or speech. (U.S. News & World Report,
May 7, 2001). School Board member Betty Burney became concerned
about bullying after reading a survey of Duval County students. When asked
to anonymously report, about 16 percent of high school students said they'd
been bullied. About 14 percent of high school students admitted
they'd thought about or attempted suicide.

Student Code of Conduct
In the 2010-2011 Code of Student Conduct, bullying when there
are threats of physical violence is a Level 3 violation and taken
very seriously when reported (3.02 (TRE)).
No longer can bullying be ignored. These potentially explosive
and damaging behaviors cannot be blown off, or degraded to kids play. The
results have expanded beyond just hurt feelings, wounded pride and a child’s
emotional trauma. Students of school age are committing suicide, carrying
weapons because they are attacked verbally and physically in our schools,
harassed on school buses and the abuse continues in some cases digitally.
Disturbing chain of events have digressed to students killing students for sport
or fun.
At the time of this writing November 2010; Duval County Public Schools
officials say they currently have no way to track how many children
report being bullied when the school hasn't disciplined someone as
a result. DCPS is a 122,000 student district punished 35 students
for bullying in 2007-08 and 41 in the 2009-10 school year by numbers
provided to the Florida Times-Union (May 31, 2010 “Duval schools
will start to track bullying complaints.”)
The code of conduct should be clear, Burney said, that all children
who are reported should be punished equally.
Students because of violence, stress and concerns of safety feel
persecuted, threatened, and powerless. It is an overwhelming
feeling of powerlessness that can lead to depression, thoughts
of suicide, bodily harm (cutting), drug abuse and other harmful
actions. Parents are encouraged each school year to review the
Student Code of Conduct to understand existing policies and
procedures along with discipline results. Not only are there
policies and procedures in place in schools, but societal laws
are passing resulting from increasing numbers outside of schools.
The recent notable examples using electronic communication
are “Hit Lists” in local schools of Duval County.

Student Receives Hit List Text Message - Friday, April 23, 2010
http://www.news4jax.com/news/23246498/detail.html
Text Hit Lists Spread To More Schools- Monday, May 3, 2010
http://www.news4jax.com/news/23436099/detail.html
16-Year-Old Raines Student Still Recovering in Hospital - 4/19/2010
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=154991

Laws such as the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act
(http://bullypolice.org/fl_law.html) addressing bullying, harassment, and
threatening, parents should take the time to review the site and its important
information. Parents need to talk to their children and find out their feelings
and impressions of bullying and possible bullying they may experience.

Preparing Teachers
Because of the increase of bullying school districts such as DCPS are
conducting workshops such as Second Step-Violence Prevention. Training
teachers to teach skills to students that parents are not teaching at home
or the environment is not conducive to nurturing. There may be lacking of
positive role models, evidence of violence and bullying in the home or
neighborhood community. These are contributing factors to students bullying.
These actions are an emotional need to feel empowered by making others
feel fear or subservient to the bully. Parents are left in the dark and caught
unaware of their children/teens online and cell phone activities that could
involve aggressive actions or even Sexting. The child is either being bullied,
engaged in bullying or aware of bullying going on.

Accountability
Technology is being used in the inappropriate manners described.
Parents are being held accountable by schools and by law enforcement.
What a parent must do on a regular basis is to check cell phone records
(either thru the phone or accessing the account online), text, data and
multimedia communication. Technology has advanced that gaming systems
now have access to social media so parents must still be proactive to their
children’s gaming activities. Parents create a foundation for their children’s
actions using technology. Technology is just another piece of the parenting
responsibilities, parents must manage their children’s digital communication
usage, not just provide a computer or cell phone and turn them loose.
Denial of potential cyberbullying, harassing, and Sexting can lead to the
involvement of law enforcement which can lead to criminal charges from
misdemeanors to felonies. The unfortunate truth is that students will not
always tell their parents what is going on in school because of pride, peer
pressure, or students feel they have no one to talk to. No matter how strong
a parent feels their relationship is with their child it is not as strong or secure
as they think. Parents keep talking to your children/teens every day and be
involved in their growth and development even with digital tools.
The technology of instant communication has opened a Pandora’s box of
behaviors that infect or invoke harassing, stalking and bullying
communications(cyberbullying).
In our society the misuse of technology has influenced law
enforcement to investigate digital bullying and forced the Florida
legislature to create policy changes and laws that discourage and
punish physical and cyberbullying actions of students. It will take
a village to raise and teach our students. Parents, teachers and
administrators working together for the safety of all students.
Online Resource
Stop Bullying Now
Interactive Cartoons for Kids
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/
Bullying.org
See, read, and hear the impact that bullying has had on people's lives.
http://www.bullying.org
PBS Parents Information
Bullying Education
http://www.pbs.org/parents/search/results.html?restrict=parents&q=Bulling
Moms Homeroom
Interactive Web Site by Moms and for Moms
http://momshomeroom.msn.com/?topicId=T7§ion=episode&dataId=1205844&source=search
Parents Connect
Links to bullying and other behaviors
http://www.parentsconnect.com/parenting/bullying.html?kw=bullying&xrs=paid-google-ChildBehavior-Bullying-PhysicalBullying-bullying
Education.com
This is an interactive quiz on bullying
http://www.education.com/quiz/bullying-myths
Engaging Families In Bullying
This is a 29 page PDF file
http://www.schoolengagement.org/TruancypreventionRegistry/Admin/Resources/Resources/EngagingFamiliesinBullyingPreventionEfforts.pdf
Youth Violence Statistics
http://youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu/violence-in-schools/national-statistics.html
Bully Police
http://bullypolice.org/fl_law.html