INSTEAD OF LOWERING STANDARDS FOR BLACK KIDS – LIFT THEM HIGHER!
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy/competency blog and does not provide specific investment recommendations.
“Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, the definition of insanity” Rita Mae Brown
Lowering standards fails to ensure people acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies to succeed.
Unfortunately, universities and others are lowering standards for African Americans. This will NOT close the decades-long gaps in key performance indicators {KPIs} such as Net worth, Education Performance, Health/Life Expectancy, etc. Instead allows a few people to pat themselves on the back and does nothing to help those at the bottom.
INSANITY
| GAPS BETWEEN RACES | AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SOLUTION | REASONING | RESULTS |
| African Americans score lower on standardized test | Eliminate the test | African Americans have failed for decades to close the gaps in test scores. | Zero improvement in knowledge and skills. Lowering of self-esteem. |
| African Americans score lower on the ACT and SAT | Eliminate Test | Same as above | Same as above |
| Lower Percentage of African Americans graduate in STEM majors | Utilize affirmative action quotas to push enrollment of students who are unprepared to succeed. | Measuring the increase in acceptance in STEM majors versus those who successfully receive a STEM degree. | Affirmative action raises questions in people’s minds about the competence of minority doctors/professionals if people know the standards are lower for minorities. |
| A lower percentage of African Americans own homes | Federal Government forces mortgage companies to lower standards for blacks and browns (income, credit scores, etc.) | Attempt to increase minority home ownership, even if at higher risk of foreclosure. | When the economy goes into recession, foreclosure rates for African Americans and minorities surge—depleting limited savings. |
| While 13% of the U.S. population, African Americans represent ~50% of prison inmates | Stop prosecuting criminals or lower the classification from a felony to playing hopscotch. | To lower incarceration rates of blacks, many DAs no longer enforce existing laws. Some decriminalized criminal activities, such as robbery. In some cities, stealing less than $1,000.00 of goods is a misdemeanor. Does this include tax? | Higher crime rates in major U.S. cities. Stores closing due to high theft. Jobs lost. |
| ~72% of African American children born into a single-parent home | Now, it is more acceptable and expected in African American communities and, unfortunately, the U.S | None | Children raised in stable two-parent homes fare better socioeconomically. |
| In 2022, the first part of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam, Step One, went pass-fail. Step One, taken after the second year of medical school, measures knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and other building blocks of medical expertise. Hospitals use Step One scores to select residents. | The directors of the USMLE eliminated Step One scores so that hospitals could not see where black students fell on a grading curve. | Black students, on average, scored so poorly on Step One that they only infrequently landed their preferred residencies. | Affirmative action raises questions in people’s minds about the competence of minority doctors/professionals if people know the standards are lower for minorities. |
FRIGHTENING AND HARMFUL IMPLICATIONS FROM LOWERING STANDARDS
Lowering standards for minority kids does not equip people with the knowledge and skills mandatory to allow people to lift themselves to success. We will NOT achieve equality by lowering standards of entry!
Lowering selection policies leads to concerns about the qualifications of minority individuals who benefited from lower standards, perpetuating stereotypes and undermining confidence in the abilities of Black doctors and other professionals from underrepresented groups. This creates negative perceptions and biases among patients, colleagues, and society.
WE ALL HAVE BIASES
STARTING AT THE CRUCIAL PERIOD OF LEARNING – BIRTH
The above affirmative action/DEI failing programs start far too late. By the teenage years, bad habits and attitudes have been formed.
The next obstacle is the number of black kids raised in a single-parent home. Research indicates that children raised in stable two-parent homes fare better socioeconomically. Simply put, two loving parents are better than one.
The early years of a child’s life, starting at birth, are the most crucial period for learning and development. Children undergo rapid cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development during this time, laying the foundation for their future education and success.
CHANGING OUR KID’S OUTCOMES
Harvard economist Roland Fryer, after studying 39 charter schools in New York City, identified five variables that correlated with success.
- frequent teacher feedback
- the use of data to guide instruction
- high dosage tutoring
- increased school time
- and a culture of high expectations
CHICAGO TEACHERS’ UNIONS OUTRAGEOUS AND ZERO VALUE-ADDED DEMANDS!
“Chicago Teacher’s Union {CTU} has upped the ante considerably by requesting 9 percent annual raises for all teachers; $2,500 retirement bonuses; fully paid abortions for all members; a bevy of mandated positions at all schools, such as “Climate Champion,” “restorative justice coordinator,” and “gender support coordinator;” housing subsidies for CTU staff and CPS families; creation of 180 new “sustainable community schools;” total teacher autonomy over the curriculum; the implementation of a 100 percent electric bus fleet; a district-wide carbon neutral mandate by 2035; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pension investments; weight-loss drug coverage for all members; and $2,000 for each undocumented student.
To be clear, this is not an exhaustive list of all of the radical demands CTU is pursuing as it seeks to extend its contract with CPS; rather, it is a small sample of some of the most outrageous CTU demands.”
TIME TO END THIS INJUSTICE!
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YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE! – SOME CHARITIES I SUPPORT
St Jude Hospital: The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.https://www.stjude.org/
Wounded Warrior Project: An American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Folds of Honor: Providing life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten. https://foldsofhonor.org
Wilson’s No-Kill Animal Shelter: A N0-Kill shelter that is a top-rated non-profit. They compassionately care for all their animals. https://wcnkas.org
Tunnel To Towers: Since 9/11, we have been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001. https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/#!/donation/checkout
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an NC. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
