Home Schooling

Fist things first; this is not a conversation about parents teaching their children at home. Two weeks ago I noted a friend challenged me and others to take more time to focus on positive aspects of life rather than negative. Rather nonchalantly I demurred and committed to do it later. Well, unable to shake the query or the challenge, I decided to, at least temporarily, abandon the great ship of procrastination and do it now!

As I settled in this evening to ponder what I assumed would be a seemingly endless list of possibilities, I came face-to-face with the reality of the point my good friend was making. I can now say without equivocation, if one is sifting through the lens of traditional media for positive, or otherwise affirming topics, the Pimp’s Credo comes to mind; “It ain’t easy”…to find one.

Taking stock of the daily news, I was reminded of what is meant by the concept of Culture of Complaining. It’s almost as though the information testers and measurers have decreed we must consume our MDR (Minimum Daily Requirement) of negativism.

If you have angst, there are stories to feed your anxiety. If you are angry, there are topics to fuel your hatred. If you tend to be scared, there are reports to validate your fear. If you harbor visions of conspiracies, there analysts ready to provide confirmation.

What if you have hope? Well now, that’s a totally different matter. The Bible verse found at Matthew 19:24 comes to mind, “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Comparing a camel going through a needle’s eye to finding a positive news story seems apropos.

But hey, just as I believe wealthy people can qualify for a heavenly home, I not only believe, but am committed to providing a vehicle for conducting a positive conversation in the public domain. After pushing through the initial wall of inertial resistance, I concluded the perfect opportunity is right under my nose.

On Monday, the October 8th Edition of U.S. News and World Report hit newsstands, and included in it is the magazine’s first ranking of “America’s Best Black Colleges.” This news takes on added significance as Johnson C. Smith University is #10 on the list.

That is great news. It’s a positive story over all; it is great for North Carolina, it is outstanding for Charlotte…my adopted home town, and it is a wonderful thing for JCSU, the home school.

Guess what! The story does not end there. There are 114 black colleges in America, 11 in North Carolina. Of those 11, the split between public and private is close to even, 6 private, 5 public. The ranking’s first tier totaled 34 schools, including 7 of North Carolina’s 11, and all five public schools. Three additional private schools, Livingstone College, Shaw University, and Saint Augustine’s College made the second tier. Only one North Carolina HBCU (Historically Black College and University) failed to make either first or second tier, Barber-Scotia College in Concord.

In addition to Johnson C. Smith University, Bennett College was the second private school on the first tier list, coming in at #16. The North Carolina schools were ranked or classified as follows:

First Tier
- 10. Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte
- 12. Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem

- 16. Bennett College, Greensboro
- 16. Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City
- 16. North Carolina Central University, Durham
- 19. North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro
- 34. Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville

Second Tier
- Livingstone College, Salisbury
- Shaw University, Raleigh
- Saint Augustine’s College, Raleigh

Unranked
- Barber-Scotia College, Concord

The total undergraduate enrollment at North Carolina’s 11 HBCU’s is estimated at 30,327. That the vast majority of these schools provide great educational opportunities is definitely a good news/feel good story.

Work with me now. Suspend your tendency to play devil’s advocate for a moment. Forget about prison population vs. college enrollment statistics for blacks, let go your righteous indignation about issues of historically denied access, push back the temptation to contest the value proposition of Best College rankings, and in general just squash all negative, nay saying notions. Go ahead, you can do it.

Focus instead on the pathway to success that over 30,000 mostly young African-Americans have undertaken. Think of the new careers, the high-achieving professionals, and the proud parents and family members that serve as their safety net and primary support group. Inhale it, marinate on it, allow yourself to take time to savor something you probably had not thought about…but when you did, after a little prompting, you smiled.

Come on admit it…that was cool. Make yourself a promise; you will do it again. Soon!

Holla back!

To read more about Johnson C. Smith University, the U.S. News & World Report "Best Black Colleges in America ranking, North Carolina HBCU's, and/or HBCU's across the Nation, click on the linkes below:

http://www.jcsu.edu/news/newsreleases/jcsunatllist.htm
http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/296557.html
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2007/09/27/the-crossroads-of-history-americas-best-black-colleges.html
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1_hbcu_brief.php
http://www.answers.com/topic/johnson-c-smith-university-1?cat=travel
http://www.topix.net/content/kri/2007/09/ratings-ready-today-jcsu-on-list-of-top-black-colleges
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_historically_black_colleges_of_the_United_States