I’ve literally watched a blank computer screen for the last two minutes. Where do I begin?
Gene Marks, a contributor at Forbes.com, unwittingly wrote the “how-to guide to end all how-to guides” on saving the lives of poor Black children. Marks is a middle-aged white guy with a suburban upbringing (pictured left).
The following are excerpts from his column ”If I Were A Poor Black Kid”:
“My kids are no smarter than similar kids their age from the inner city. My kids have it much easier than their counterparts from West Philadelphia. The world is not fair to those kids mainly because they had the misfortune of being born two miles away into a more difficult part of the world and with a skin color that makes realizing the opportunities that the President spoke about that much harder. This is a fact. In 2011.
I am not a poor black kid. I am a middle aged white guy who comes from a middle class white background. So life was easier for me. But that doesn’t mean that the prospects are impossible for those kids from the inner city. It doesn’t mean that there are no opportunities for them. Or that the 1% control the world and the rest of us have to fight over the scraps left behind. I don’t believe that. I believe that everyone in this country has a chance to succeed. Still. In 2011. Even a poor black kid in West Philadelphia.
It takes brains. It takes hard work. It takes a little luck. And a little help from others. It takes the ability and the know-how to use the resources that are available.“
According to Marks, poor black kids can overcome their circumstances with good grades and by adapting to new technology.
Excuse me Mr. Marks, while I understand and somewhat agree with your position, when was the last time you heard of Black kindergartners in inner-city Chicago receiving iPads? I’ve got all day.