Wake up to reality if you want to "Achieve the Dream"

By James Jenkins

Staff Writer

        Recently JCC President Daniel J. Phelan wrote an article for  the Jackson Citizen Patriot. The article addressed the issue and importance of African American men attending college. I find it admirable that Mr. Phelan is not only aware but also genuinely concerned about the problem.

        However, if the problem is to be solved, more than stating facts and figures is required, as Mr. Phelan pointed out with his two suggestions. As an African American and fulltime student of Jackson Community College since 2005, I have witnessed firsthand the growth and development of the college. However, if you ask the African Americans on campus what they think of the college,  most will tell you that even though the buildings are new, the thought processes of the people are still the same.
        The faculty of any school plays a big part in the way people learn. Instructors are responsible for planning, implementing the plan, and evaluating each student accordingly. In order to increase enrollment and graduation trends of the black male, faculty members would do good to factor in the concerns of black males. If the black students, male and female do not believe that the school’s faculty are not evaluating them fairly, or truly working on their behalf they are not going to be as excited about learning as others. In this type of environment, the teachers become instigators of failure rather than facilitators of learning. The problem is compounded even more when, because of how an individual is dressed or looks, he or she is avoided outside of the classroom and often inside as well.
        Next Mr. Phelan could look into extra-curricular activities. Not once in all my years has there been a single black-oriented stage play put on. I have spoke with numerous students who want to get involved with acting related classes, but do not for the lack of color in the performances. I am a fair actor, and would love to see more plays that reflect the views and opinions of people of color. Perhaps the student’s disconnection from extra-curricular activities is due in part to the lack of color in the activities presented. I, in no way, expect all performances to be as such, but four years and not a single one? I find it hard to believe that in four years one could not find something to spark the interest of black youths. There is “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, as well as "Porgy and Bess," just to name a few.  I was Tom Robinson in Center Stage of Jackson’s Production of “To Kill A Mockingbird.” My performance was well received, but I had to go outside of the school to do something that should have been automatic for the college.
        There are no quick solutions to the problem. I know that as a whole the faculty and staff at JCC are fair and seek the best for all students. However, there are always some who hold onto archaic viewpoints and values. I will graduate in May of this year. I am an example of what one can do when they focus and put their mind to it. Still, the truth is, I made it in spite of the obstacles in the way, not because they do not exist.