Tag Archives: Social Activists

Should We Fight the Power?

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I am concluding my masters’ degree requirements this summer and I thought to include some conversations from our online sections.

Rebecca and I are classmates in a final course for my Ms.Ed., this summer.  I thought it would be cool to blog some of our discussions.  I respect Rebecca’s intuitiveness and her willingness to challenge status quo.  She has been involved with marginalized groups (e.g., Blacks, women, Latinos) learning education for some time in her professional career.  In fact, we are both reading instructors in the College Learning Enhancement Program (CLEP) at Northern Illinois University. The class is Nature of Adult and Higher Education and is guided by Dr. Karen Haley,

(Robert) The assumptions of postmodernism (e.g., Multicultural, learning-centered, informal experiences) considering gender and racial statuses are attractive as teaching modules.  While I do not see learners as agents for social change, I do however value collaborative learning for the non-majority members, specifically African-American males.  The tenet of ‘Caring’ is extremely important to marginalized groups in higher education.  I find this principle in line with my belief in Humanism and culturally responsive teaching curriculum.  Thus, each component together along with other variables (e.g., self-directed learning, self-actualization, and resiliency) provides a more Holistic learning experience for college-aged Black males.

(Rebecca) Hi Rob. Do you really not see learners as agents for change? You’ve spoken often about changing the landscape of education for African-American males, surely your approach is empowering and does have the potential to bring about change. I think all students are agents for change. Every life we touch brings about change!

(Robert) Dr. Vaughn (To Be) I knew this would stir your hornet’s nest.

I believe students should choose their paths and not follow a pre-package societal bucket list.  In other words, if one chooses to help create social change through teaching that’s fine, I am on such a path.  Nevertheless, I am not leading or suggesting every adult should follow my journey.  The philosophy that “All” students should aspire___________ (Fill in the blank) creates followers not leaders.  New Flash!!! You Should Be Who You Are!!!

Social change is just that social.  If a movement arises and one feels the urge to make a different I commend them.  However, African-American males are responsible for their conscious transformation first and foremost.  If they decide to involve themselves in a mass incarceration anti-movement for example that’s great, if not, that’s great also.  No person has the right to judge one by their civic, gender, or racial advocacies or non-involvement thereof.  (Although I find myself during this more than I would admit)  My teaching philosophy encourages self-actualization not a ‘Drum Beat’ of my definition of a life worth living.  In fact: No one shall submit an outline of life’s activities as a precursor to cultural and social standards.

If you sit alone upon a rock…you are there

If you rail for social justice…you are there

You are who you could have become thus

potentials aren’t worth a damn

Life Exist With or Without You

Be Yourself….

cheers,

Pastor Rick Warren, Misses the Mark

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I came across this article online at CNN.com.,“Church most powerful weapon against HIV/AIDS, “describing Rev. Rick Warren intervention efforts against HIV/AIDS in Africa.  Unfortunately, I do not know much about him other than he’s the founder and pastor at Saddleback Church and he wrote The Purpose Driven Life as the article points out.  I have however seen him on national news programs but rarely gave him an audience longer than a few seconds.  Disclaimer: (I am skeptical of him and his cohorts.)

HIV/AIDS affect millions globally and Warren’s crusade to combat the disease is chronicled with his interventions efforts (e.g., HIV testing, Christian volunteers, stewardship) in the article.  Pastor Rick Warren, I contend is a Christian believer of non-marital sex and disproves of the usage of condoms.  Albeit an important defense to HIV infections (Condoms) is not promoted anywhere in the article: This is not an oversight by Pastor Warren.

Rick Warren’s efforts are highly susceptible to his religious beliefs and those sentiments are not all covered in this essay.  I question one who does not mention condoms as a defense against the HIV/AIDS infection.  Blacks globally are overrepresented in AIDS infection and one easily becomes mislead by these covert operations.  The article provides what appears as a noble cause, (I doubt it); Rick Warren is not qualified to help the HIV/AIDS epidemic if condoms are off the table.  His efforts are paramount to telling people not to use smoke detectors and provide intervention efforts after their homes have burned down.  He is driven in the wrong direction.

Condoms can help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS infections.  This is not new to Warren but premarital sex goes against his faith and this trumps reason, facts, or common sense.  The African American’s church community serves a similar public doctrine as Warren.  Nevertheless, their congregations are saturated with LGBT parishioners as well as pastors, deacons, and first ladies are Gay and Lesbians.  Nevertheless, the charade in the Black community about their highly intolerance of LGBT life styles is laughable.  In other words, they choose like Warren to imagine premarital sex does not occur by church members.  Really, have you checked the never married single mother’s rates attending Black churches?

If condoms can help prevent HIV/AIDS infections, why would any reasonable person not recommend them?  Oh, I forgot pastors like Warren are allergic to reason and common sense.  What a pity?

The Invisible Dragon