Educating Black Males in the Twenty-First-Century South: Tunnel Vision?

Educating Black Males in the 21st Century South: Tunnel Vision? offers rich accounts of the lived experiences of Black men in the South, spanning from childhood to adulthood. Backed by historical accounts and research, the authors provide a comprehensive perspective of challenges that have led to a persistent educational and societal crisis. This book illuminates systems of past oppression, unveils the truths of Black boys and men whose lives have been overshadowed by stereotypes and biases, and shares breakthrough strategies for countering such challenges and effectively reaching Black males as students to empower them to achieve more than society has allowed them to visualize for themselves.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: Window Seat I. Misunderstood and Invisible: Black Male Identity II. Same Ole South III. The Black Family IV. Hard Knock Life V. “Too Many Negative Experiences” VI. How Violence Enters the School House Part II: Opening Doors for Change VII. Subconscious Lower Expectations: “I Was Just Young and Didn't Care” VIII. Changing the Trajectory References Index About the Authors

About the Author :
Jo Hawkins-Jones is professor of literacy education and service-learning faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi. Myron B. Labat is associate professor at Mississippi State University.

Review :
As an activist turned educator, I aimed to be a Black man behind a blackboard, and continue to strive to bring more Black men to the classroom. Jo Hawkins-Jones and Myron Labat’s work, Educating Black Males in the 21st Century South: Tunnel Vision?, exemplifies the systematic challenges and disruptive narratives that surround Black men and make this aspiration not just radical, but life-saving. Their work encourages us all to invest in the educational experiences of Black men as well as a clear path to advocate for Black men. Equitable school funding, social-emotional learning curriculum, or higher teacher salaries are in vain if it’s not accompanied by the dismantlement of racist policies and narratives, especially towards Black men and boys. This book deftly interrogates the social policy and narratives that impact the educational experiences of Black men. If we want to truly educate Black boys and men, to achieve educational justice, we must rely on the recommendations of the authors to radically change our classroom communities and educational policy. Educating Black Males weaves the stories of black men in rural Mississippi with the historical oppression they have faced to make a strong case that educators adopt a more understanding commitment to boys’ potential and success. Drawing on a range of social science research, the authors show why young black males struggle to believe in themselves, and, importantly, that engaged, sympathetic mentorship can help them avoid gangs and incarceration, finish school and gain employment.