Post-Obama World: Can America Close the Achievement Gap?

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:58 AM EDT

Article Source: OpEdNews.Com Progressive

politics, obama, african-americans, hispanic, minorities, african-immigrants, involuntary-minorities, voluntary-minorities

Seeded by Kokayi

Barack Obama represents a paradigm shift in American culture. From this point forward we will measure social progress in terms of the pre-Obama and post-Obama world. As the first African-American presidential candidate of a major political party, he has challenged the myth of the minority "achievement gap"- and turned the meaning of "acting White"- on its head.

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{"commentId":3181854,"authorDomain":"kokayi"}

Kokayi

John Ogbu, the Nigerian-born Berkeley anthropologist, based his life's work on the cultural theory that the achievement gap between "voluntary"- and "involuntary"- minorities compared to the majority population forms the basis of a caste-like system in American society.

Involuntary minorities consist of African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and American-Indians, the traditional ethnic groups who by default do not have an alternative homeland to go back to.

Voluntary minorities, on the other hand, consist of the new immigrants, such as, the Chinese- Americans, Russian-Americans and other ethnic groups who have voluntarily adopted America as their homeland.

In some parts of the country, the well performing minority students may even carry the stigma of "acting White."- Voluntary minorities on the other hand view challenges in this society as opportunities to be overcome.

Obama has confounded these cultural theories and stereotypes by transcending the race barriers that many African Americans feel still exist in this society, undoubtedly in part due to his biracial background and White working-class roots.

This is a compelling analysis. One of my heartfelt hopes is Obama will help break the linkage between achievement and the "acting white" stigma within minority communities

{"commentId":3181854,"threadId":"371259","contentId":"1924662","authorDomain":"kokayi"}

1 vote

#1 - Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:06 AM EDT

{"commentId":3181917,"authorDomain":"mikerupert"}

Mike Rupert

It's sad to me it's taken someone as amazing and brilliant as Obama to make some people look past race. It's pretty tragic. But, it's time to look forward to the future and continue to work to help negate stereotypical thoughts; it's really destructive and in my opinion, pretty childishly immature. Good job.

{"commentId":3181917,"threadId":"371259","contentId":"1924662","authorDomain":"mikerupert"}

1 vote

#2 - Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:22 AM EDT

{"commentId":3182316,"authorDomain":"kokayi"}

Kokayi

Hi Mike,

We've always been out here. I think the MSM has perpetuated these views for far longer then they actually existed. I saw a break in the MSM during Katrina when it found it could no frame reports according to their old racial playbook.

{"commentId":3182316,"threadId":"371259","contentId":"1924662","authorDomain":"kokayi"}

1 vote

#2.1 - Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:24 AM EDT

{"commentId":3183454,"authorDomain":"mikerupert"}

Mike Rupert

Yeah. I find it fascinating, and hadn't thought of it before, what is mentions in the article, that we're going to measure social progress as a before Obama world, and an after Obama world. I've been so wanting him to win to help change the direction of the country, I hadn't thought of it that specifically. But, and this is what I believe - if he wins - it'll help change things for blacks in this country - not as it should be - but help speed up the breaking down of pathetic stereotypes. I'm white and I'm disgusted at my country's history in this regard. And you find that "adults" really aren't that mature in a lot of ways. I've always tried to fight for the underdog, and if he wins, I think it's going to be one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced. And in fact, I look forward to writing a few articles here solely on an Obama win and how it'll affect race in this country.

{"commentId":3183454,"threadId":"371259","contentId":"1924662","authorDomain":"mikerupert"}

1 vote

#2.2 - Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:10 AM EDT

{"commentId":3183867,"authorDomain":"kokayi"}

Kokayi

I look forward to reading those articles. I'm black and I know for a fact all white people aren't the same. What bothers me some whites have no idea how much diversity exist within the black community. It's unfortunate that some people, not just whites, have opinions based on stereotypes about black and never move beyond them.

{"commentId":3183867,"threadId":"371259","contentId":"1924662","authorDomain":"kokayi"}

1 vote

#2.3 - Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:44 AM EDT

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KOKAYI

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Post-Obama World: Can America Close the Achievement Gap?

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