(BLACK PR WIRE)(April 24, 2009) I am always interested in finding out the reason behind why people decide to continue their education after high school. Whether it is it to ensure better job opportunities, exert independence and responsibility, or simply to expand their knowledge base, there is usually a driving factor. If not, you can most certainly count on the fact that there is definitely someone paying for the chance to do something that is awarded to us from birth – learn.
So why would anybody take that for granted? Is there even a reason to enroll if just showing up to class was never on your agenda? 

The arguments presented to me fall somewhere along these lines: some people have been brought up to value something other than education. Some have never been exposed to an environment where bettering themselves to better their people was encouraged. And the most common theory: some students lack the motivation to succeed, and it is everybody else’s responsibility to see that they do. In short, some students just don’t know any better, and when thrown into an environment where they’re expected to be something more than just a body, they get lost. 

Now of course I feel as though those who know better can do better, and those who can do better should help to uplift everyone else. After all, school is a community just like any other. But at the same time, self-will has to come into play somewhere. College students are supposed to be the ones that make the difference. So what happens when we don’t live up to our end of the bargain?
I’m no psychologist, but I do have an opinion. Rather than just chalk up this phenomena of poor scholarship to laziness, I tried to search for a deeper meaning. Obviously there is one, seeing as I’ve had this “civil debate” on countless occasions. I think a number of people use “lack of motivation” to avoid an issue that is much more severe — a lost sense of entitlement. It is a mentality that any oppressor would be happy to instill — we are not entitled and do not have a right to our own education. It would explain why some of our brightest and most creative students seem to wait for someone to reach out a hand and pull them up. 

They are just afraid that if they stand up to speak they will be knocked back down. They do not know if they are deserving of what is presented in front of them and have yet to garner enough courage to accomplish their goals without waiting for someone else’s approval.
The irony in this is that while college should provide a secure space for us to grow and learn, we are supposed to take the information and run with it. What can be accomplished if we haven’t even begun to walk? 

Mental healing and self-worth takes time. It is a serious situation, but college is not the arena to try to help teach someone to value themselves and their education. And if in fact this is what is plaguing our people, the situation needs to be addressed before stepping foot onto a college campus.
I have another concern. I watched CNN’s Black in America, BET’s Hip Hop vs. America, read literature, and participated in conversation surrounding this heavy topic. I still cannot wrap my mind around why the issue of education is discussed in a manner so estranged from other problems that we are faced with in the black community. There is always a sense of separatism that begins to unfold. Those who have succeeded, at least internally, standing for self-help and individual motivation, seem to be categorized somewhat negatively as an “intellectual.” And God forbid you speak well. Those who continue to place the weight of their lost opportunities on those on the move toward theirs are in the second group. Finally, those who absolutely cannot help themselves for reasons beyond their control are sometimes overshadowed by those who can… but don’t. 

So what is the solution? I have devised a few questions to put this situation in proper context. Case in point: 

Why is it ideal for a man to step up to the plate and take care of his child even after a long familiar cycle of absentee fathers? Why is it considered favorable for a young lady to practice abstinence or opt for protection after seeing a host of struggling young mothers? Why is it considered within some realm of normalcy to stay clear of drugs or alcohol after growing up in a drug-infested neighborhood? Why is it applauded when today’s high school graduate decides to go straight to work to support himself after never having had the example of a working parent? 

If bettering yourself in this sense is promoted, then why is lack of motivation a valid excuse when it comes to the topic at hand? Why can’t we hit the books, stop wasting precious tuition money, and actually educate ourselves? And why is it considered elitist or bourgeoisie to further your education because you want to? If it doesn’t make dollars, then it doesn’t make sense. So, why are you here?