Dictionary Class

[Clifford Black]

the educational system in our city leaves a lot to be desired, as to the
future of my child. I want him to be empowered and have an edge where
his knowledge is as good as it can be without having to rely on a system
that has proven to be deficient. With things going as they are we've
got nothing to lose and everything to gain by seeking alternative
additional education for him and myself. So, if you are interested in
"Learning-How-To-Learn" (like I and my child are) you are cordially
invited to join us at the First Congressional Church on S. Cooper @
Young St. at 6:30 p.m. on each Wednesday. Come out and bring your
dictionary with you, as the class is called "The Dictionary Class".

[Clifford Black]

Who REALLY cares? Marvin was not standing at the river when he asked this question. As u can "see" most folks still can-not hear!!!! THIS IS LIFE!

[Clifford Black]

Thank you E. Someone (YOU were) was truly listening to Bro. Marvin and now u know what he was talking about when he asked the other question: Whats Going On?

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

Perhaps people are afraid to admit they don't know how to use a dictionary and perhaps others think they really know how and perhaps the rest just don't really give a damn?

[Clifford Black]

Perhaps your observations are correct---but even if you are right, I know for a fact that the ONE will appear from among the few who are willing to give themselves to the accomplishment of the thought that Margaret Walker Alexander asked us to fulfill (the birthing of SUPERMAN). Since a damn is less, than a dime, it, (the birthing of SUPERMAN) is not asking for that much. Subsequently, as long as YOU and I care,. then this, is all that mat(t)ers. Sounds like another scene from the MATRIX. Maybe this is an aspect of plural gen(o)-metrics.
(B)

[Craig]

Al/Dr. Black,

I drove to Murray State in Murray, Kentucky, this weekend to help my sister get her son, my nephew, registered for the fall. He will be playing football! It's a beautiful campus tucked away in the southern hills of Kentucky, surrounded by lakes and tobacco farms. It's a beautiful area about an hour north of Jackson. The school is a state of the art facility and appears to be 90% Caucasian. I did see some "Black", people of color, whatever we call each other. There appeared to be a few Blacks on the faculty too.

When my sister and I visited the athletic facilities and met with the football coaches, not surprisingly, I/we saw mostly Black athletes. They were working out in the weight room. Young gladiators! That was a given because athletic dollars brings in so much for schools. We visited all the facilities, the Olympic-sized pool, the gym, the football field, the weight room/training facility. Dang talk about "state-of-art"! I was impressed and I have degrees from Morehouse and Ole Miss. I also attended UC Berkley and University of Memphis. Like those, Murray State seems to be a great universtiy. The library, the student union, the whole nine. We spent the night at a local motel because it is a two day registration process. I enjoyed it immensely!

My nephew is a great athlete and my sister is proud of him. So is Uncle Craig! I don't know where the damn father disappeared! But that's another story. Bottom line, my nephew wants to make something of his life. And he hasa a golden opportunity. My buddy's nephew is Ray Lewis, Baltimore Raven's linebacker extraordinaire. An anomally because he made it! Ray is worth millions. I know his family well. Well not that well! (smile) But good enough to be invited to a family reunion. Not to get a loan(smile)!

My point! When my sister was getting advised by the advisors to register my nephew for class, she was pulled to the side by the athletes' advisor and, candidly told, "don't register for summerschool because you and I know that the kids in Memphis aren't academically ready!" He was being honest and went on to say that he wanted my nephew to succeed whereas "most" don't at the universtiy level becuase they are just not prepared. Not that they can't but that they don't kno whow to becasue of the preparation, thknow how. He was right and wanted to be "for real" with my sister. I shared my perspective with my sister from a MCS high school teacher's stand point and she knows because she subs at many MCS high schools. The athletic advisor went on to explain that he didn't want my nephew to fail and start off on academic probation. He wanted him to succeed so he recommend she register him for the fall sememster. This way he could come up in the summer and work out with the team. No need to start off in a hole. I am so glad he was honest and open because he is right. Many of our students aren't ready. My nephew's grade point is B+ but that is probably inflated because of the environment. He is probably more C-/D+ by private school and home school standards. His ACT isn't that high and the ACT is basically a test that guages how well you'll do at the college level. I know because I was fortunate to have attended several seminars on just it's purpose. This is why colleges look at it and the SAT so hard. They simply give universities and colleges a glimpse at how well you can succeed at the college level. The higher the score, the better your chances!

My regret, my nephew hadn't attended dictionary class or at least taken high school more seriously. But he'll get an opportunity to play football in college and, hopefully, with tutors and hard work he'll succeed. He may not be a Ray Lewis but he can get his education if he tries. Hey if he turns out to be another Ray Lewis and makes that kind of money, we'll all be elated!

I just wish more could take advantage of your strategies and techniques. Any study/learning tips for a young guy headed to college to play football? (smile)

[Clifford Black]

What ever we have to do. Let us DO!!!
(B)

[B. Crittenden Freeman]

Advise him to go to an old book store and get a pre-1960s dictionary as soon as possible. No time like the present to start on the right foot. Beyond that... what does he want to achieve academically?

[Craig]

Thanks Barry for that. A pre-1960s dictionary. I think I have an extra one at my mother's house. My judgement, he doesn't know what he wants to do yet although he did mention criminal justice.

[storm]

Perhaps,..but that's the way society is set up. As long as people are afraid to admit that they don't know how to use a dictionary, as long as others think they know how, and as long as the rest really don't give a damn, we can be told how to live and how to think.

[Clifford Black]

Namaska Storm,

One of the first things that we may want to strive to accomplish is how to NOT allow the mental constructs of society (MEN_MAN) affect our outcomes-(well-being)------this is not a group endeavor. This process is a strategy for the individual who WANTS to learn how to fly in a different way. These are understandings that the flock can never learn. Change is up to you.

[storm]

Change is up to me,..that I do know.

[Clifford Black]

Storm, this reply is to your June 8th-12:30 post regarding "WE"

Yes "WE" can, be told, but "I" cannot and that is an important condition for me.
(B)