The Mind Beneath the School

We will have none other than Dr. Molefi Asante himself discussing Afrocentricity and the work he is doing with the entire Pittsburgh school district. Dr. Asante will help us understand how Afrikan centered schools differ from other public schools and why so many Afrikan scholars are finding success with this culturally based teaching. Dr Molefi Asante, the Father of Afrocentricity states, in his paper Afrocentricity, " ....Afrocentricity becomes a revolutionary idea because it studies ideas, concepts, events, personalities, and political and economic processes from a standpoint of black people as subjects and not as objects, basing all knowledge on the authentic interrogation of location."  He continued, "One of the key assumptions of the Afrocentrist is that all relationships are based on centers and margins and the distances from either the center or the margin. When black people view themselves as centered and central in their own history then they see themselves as agents, actors, and participants rather than as marginals on the periphery of political or economic experience." On this episode of "The Mind Beneath the School," we will look at this ideology and why this is the only valid way of teaching Afrikan children born in America and the Afrikan diasporic.  I know you don't want to miss this.

What would be the benefits of changing and/or infusing an African Centered Education into the public schools of Philadelphia and abandoning the eurocentric pedagogy?  Over 50% of the student population in Philadelphia are Afrikan scholars born in America and according to the most recent stastics found in the The Notebook, (a newspaper publication that deals with the Philadelphia public schools), "Pennsylvania is one of 20 states in which the African American graduation rate is below 66 percent, and one of 16 states in which the Latino graduation rate is below 66 percent (both are 65 percent). The gap between White and Black graduation rates and White and Latino graduation rates is, in both cases, 23 percentage points. The White graduation rate in Pennsylvania now stands at 88 percent." In the opinion of Afrikan an African Centered core curriculum is not only necessary, it is long over due.   My special guest this evening is Dr. Jalaal Hayes, a born and raised scholar of North Philadelphia who graduated high school at 15 and college at 18, (Lincoln University), and became the youngest man to earn a Ph.D from Delaware State Universuty at the age of 22. This amazing brother's doctorate is in chemistry, and instead of going for six figures he is a teacher in one of South Philadelphia's public neighborhood charter high schools. He currently has his own tutoring company. I hope you will join us as Dr. Jalaal Hayes weighs in on the state of the Philadelphia public school system from a first person Afrikan perspective.

A K-12 curriculum is a very tedious road map type document which lays out what each content area will teach for that particular school year, including reading materials that will be provided. What would that look like in the Afrikan centered perspective. This episode will look at a hypothetical English curriculum. Along with the usual agenda, looking Black at what Philadephia City Council was up to this past week in terms of education and what went on at the PCOL, (Philadelphia Community of Leaders) Education Committee meeting held on the 24th. And any other place I happen to be during the week.

Some of the greatest Afrikan American leaders of yesterday were self taught, from Frederick Douglass to Malcolm X.  Eventhough these great men and women didn't follow a "homeschool" curriculum, the theory is the same. Doing what the ascribed school system cannot or will not do.  More and more Afrikan centered parents/guardians are chooing to do for their children what they feel the school system will not. Will will discuss this at length giving resources and numbers parents can call to get information about this growing alternative. Also, we will be looking at Chapter 4 of "The Mis Education of the Negro" by Ancestor Dr. Carter Woodson entitled "Education Under Outside Control".  Finally, the usual Mind Beneath the School, "What's Happening around City Council and what's happening around Philly town. A look at the Philadelphia Community of Leaders and the Dance Theatre of Harlem is coming to town. Join me, Tuesday February 23rd at 11pm.   

We will be continuing to look at the benefits of an Afrikan centered education. But before I continue I want to share a story from Dr. Molefi Asante. He told this story before introducing his guest speaker,(who I will tell you about later) at a symposium held at the Molefi Kete Asante, (MKA) Institute. Upon meeting the great ancetor Cheikh Anta Diop in Afrika he felt overwhelmed and humbled when seeing him in his office and said that he saw himself doing Ancestor Diop's work defending Africa. Ancestor Diop shook his hand and said, "Afrika needs no defense. She needs advancement". I am therefore going to be careful not to defend Afrika but advance all causes Afrikan and of Afrika, one of which is the Afrikan centered education. The first advancement will be "what does learning look like from the center?" When placing the Afrikan race at the center of learning, what changes? What, if anything, remains the same? I will also be sharing with you the knowledge I gain at my first PCOL, (Philadelphia Community of Leaders) Education meeting being held at Philadelphia Public School Headquarters downtown. And finally, a review of what Bro. Rahim Islam, (along with Kenny Gamble is founder and CEO of Universal Companies) had to say this past Saturday when he gave a symposium on the "The State of Black Philadelphia: The Future of Our Communities". It is inspirational and rejuvenating when your boss motivates and encourages you. Got a great show lined up. Join me. Hotep.  

 What would be the benefits of changing and/or infusing an African Centered Education into the public schools of Philadelphia and abandoning the eurocentric pedagogy?  Over 50% of the student population in Philadelphia are Afrikan scholars born in America and according to the most recent stastics found in the The Notebook, (a newspaper publication that deals with the Philadelphia public schools), "Pennsylvania is one of 20 states in which the African American graduation rate is below 66 percent, and one of 16 states in which the Latino graduation rate is below 66 percent (both are 65 percent). The gap between White and Black graduation rates and White and Latino graduation rates is, in both cases, 23 percentage points. The White graduation rate in Pennsylvania now stands at 88 percent." In the opinion of Afrikan an African Centered core curriculum is not only necessary, it is long over due.   My special guest this evening is Dr. Jalaal Hayes, a born and raised scholar of North Philadelphia who graduated high school at 15 and college at 18, (Lincoln University), and became the youngest man to earn a Ph.D from Delaware State Universuty at the age of 22. This amazing brother's doctorate is in chemistry, and instead of going for six figures he is a teacher in one of South Philadelphia's public neighborhood charter high schools. He currently has his own tutoring company. I hope you will join us as Dr. Jalaal Hayes weighs in on the state of the Philadelphia public school system from a first person Afrikan perspective.  

We will have none other than Dr. Molefi Asante himself discussing Afrocentricity and the work he is doing with the entire Pittsburgh school district. Dr. Asante will help us understand how Afrikan centered schools differ from other public schools and why so many Afrikan scholars are finding success with this culturally based teaching. Dr Molefi Asante, the Father of Afrocentricity states, in his paper Afrocentricity, " ....Afrocentricity becomes a revolutionary idea because it studies ideas, concepts, events, personalities, and political and economic processes from a standpoint of black people as subjects and not as objects, basing all knowledge on the authentic interrogation of location."  He continued, "One of the key assumptions of the Afrocentrist is that all relationships are based on centers and margins and the distances from either the center or the margin. When black people view themselves as centered and central in their own history then they see themselves as agents, actors, and participants rather than as marginals on the periphery of political or economic experience." On this episode of "The Mind Beneath the School," we will look at this ideology and why this is the only valid way of teaching Afrikan children born in America and the Afrikan diasporic.  I know you don't want to miss this.      

This is a special 2 hour segment of "The Mind Beneath the School". We will disect the miseducation of the Afrikan scholar in Philadelphia. First, we will define "miseducation" to ensure we are all on the same page. Then with the help of ancestors Carter G. Woodson, Asa Hilliard, and John Henrik Clarke, along with Dr. Umar Johnson and Noam Chomsky we will really go all in and uncover the who, what, when, where, and how of this same said miseducation. I will also unveil, "Mama's 10 Point Plan" agenda which I will present at all neighborhood meetings, (listen to Short Walk...Part 1), and anywhere I feel it will have a forum in which it will be received. The second hour will deal with "Special Education, a whole new miseducation of the Afrikan Scholar". This is a piece I will be discussing a lot. In order to understand the true nature of special education and the Afrikan scholar you must have an understanding of the racist structure that put it in place under the guise of specialized education andrecognize buzz words like "differentiated instruction". I will also have special guest and former scholar of mine Tierra Holmes. She will be discussing graduating from Howard University and whats in her future. This show will be informative and entertaining I promise.So stop by so we can once again uncover "The Mind Beneath the School".

The idea that the public school system is a set up for the Afrikan child is no secret, or at least it shouldn't be. Schools in Philadelphia are being closed at a record breaking rate yet millions of dollars are being spent on the building of new prisons. The question is simple...Why? "The Mind Beneath the School" will revisit this question and see if the answers are differnt than they were when we posed it 2 years ago. We will look at the presidential election and local politics to see if we are getting any answers from those we have elected or plan to elect. Finally, what should the collective Afrikan agenda be moving forward into the future. Also, my next pyramid building Imhotep High School graduate guest, Tierra Holmes, will be on tap discussing her plans after graduating from Howard University with a double major, and what she plans to do with this degree in the near future. This is a HEAVY MINDED SISTA and I look forward to having her on the show.    

 I have taught many Afrikans in my professional career and during the months of January and February I will be interviewing some of them so they can enlighten my listening audience about their personal journeys, and how an Afrikan centered education has helped them along this journey.  Their opinions about an assortment of topics will help us as Afrikans relate to their personal journeys.  This week I will have photographer extraordinaire Ricky Codio, another scholar who has built huge pyramids with his artistic skills. He will be giving insight into his profession, his success in this competitive field, and how an Afrikan centered education helped to develop his talent and perspective.  And finally, I will be giving a full report on my visit to NYC to enjoy the 4th Annual Black Comic Book Fair at the Schomburg Center, (and since I'll be in Harlem any other points of interest, I'm excited). I know I will bring back many new Afrikan centered books and learning tools to share. Once again join me as we journey to unravel "The Mind Beneath the School".

I have taught many Afrikans in my professional career and during the months of January and February I will be interviewing some of them so they can enlighten my listeningaudience about their personal journeys, and how an Afrikan centered education has helped them along this journey, and their opinions about an assortment of topics that relate to their personal journeys.

I hear my students use it all the time in school. Not just Afrikans born in Amerikkka, but all my students. I have been making a conscious effort not to use it around family and friends myself. What is it about this word? We treat it differently, like no other. During this episode of "Being Afrikan" I will take a look at the "n" word, nigger, nigga. I will talk about its origins, its ourstory, and how we look at it today. Come and keep me company tonite on "The Mind Beneath the School".

I have worked with many extraordinary people. Kelli Everett, whom I affectionately call "Mama E" is one of those on that short list. She is Director of Academic Enrichment at "Ask for Tutoring" her brainchild. I look forward to interviewing her and finding out her take on the educational system. Come join us.

Jury Duty is complete and now I can voice my opinion. You don't want to miss this Afrikans. I will walk you through the jury process for the next 2 shows. This system was not intended to give us justice. We must be involved to give this system any chance of giving Afrikans justice.  My trial was a criminal murder trial..PLEASE JOIN IN ON THE CONVERSATION!! NUF SAID!!

Tonite on the Mind Beneath the School Im starting a new series. "What does it mean to be Afrikan...The Process". I shall begin with "The Importance of Trustory..Do Your Own Research". Just me and my music tonite. Join me, call me, and lets converse.

Anthony Monteiro is a Distinguished Lecturer in African-American Studies and Associate Director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Social Thought at Temple University, where he teaches courses on African-American social and political thought. He is well known for his work on W.E.B. Du Bois and the building of political institutions in the Philadelphia black community, especially those in Northern Philadelphia. His many publications include two forthcoming books—one on analytical Marxism and another on the importance of W.E.B. Du Bois’s thought for a philosophy of human science. I heard Dr. Montiero at a Trayvon Martin symposium given by Dr. Molefi Asante and I definitely wanted him to share his thoughts with my listening audience. Many people that I hear on prime time are safe Afrikans with conditioned thought. I want my people to hear unconditioned, unregulated thought. You know...................THE TRUTH!!!

Pam Africa is the head of International Concerned Friends and Family of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Philadelphia-based organization at the center of the international movement seeking Abu-Jamal’s release. She and Ramona Africa are also members and survivors of the MOVE Maafa. Africa is the dynamo whom most Philadelphia police, prosecutors, politicians and many pastors love to hate because of her strident advocacy on behalf of imprisoned journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal and MOVE members sentenced for a fatal 1978 shootout. While winning freedom for Abu-Jamal and the MOVE Nine is a definitive focus of Pam Africa’s advocacy, she is frequently found on “front lines” nationwide fighting for ending mistreatment of people regardless of their color and creed. “Pam Africa is in each and every struggle for social justice in Philadelphia, the U.S. and abroad. It’s not just Mumia,” said activist/writer Berta Joubert-Ceci while chairing a program in West Philadelphia a few weeks ago. During that West Philly program Africa received praise from another warrior for right, former U.S. representative Cynthia McKinney, whose praise also highlighted Africa’s often overlooked soft side. McKinney proudly displayed a stylish African-themed jacket Africa had given her as a present that evening, a garment McKinney had complimented Africa for wearing at an event in Atlanta that McKinney attended. I am deeply honored that she has consented to be a guest on my show. Mama will give her views on public education and much more I am sure. Don't miss out. Call in and check in!!

This Tuesday will be an abbreviated edition of "The Mind Beneath the School". I will briefly go over this week's events and the up and coming guests that will appear on my show in October and November. I am truly blessed to have a line up such as this and some rescheduling had to be done because these guests are ongoing community activists. Stay tuned.

On my next show I am honored to have one of Philadelphia's Afrocentric warriors Dr. Iya Adjua here with me to give her views on Philadelphia Public Education. Dr. Adjua is the current president, (Shenuti) of Afrocentricity International chapter in Philadelphia and is the host of her own radio show "Whmy Msu", which is the Kemetic term for Cultural Rebirth. Dr. Adjua received her doctorate from Temple University and is an Independent Scholar and Entrepreneur at Wehemy Mesu Productions/Cultural Rebirth Connection. Please check in and join us for what will be an interesting and informative African centered look at Philadelphia public schools.

I will air the interview I had with MK Asante author of the  autobiography "BUCK" and the film documentary "500 Years". We will discuss his walk in the public school system and how this helped him in his journey to become a successful author/fimmaker. Part 2 will be about the police take over in public school in Philadelphia with the laying off of so many employees. I will tell you first hand about my experince in this new "ENVIRONMENT". It going to be a great show!! So tune in Afrikans!!