As an educator and researcher, I am particularly interested in how stereotypical images of Black males play out in K-12 school settings. There is an emerging body of educational literature that asks a profound and sobering question: Are Black males beyond love?
In other words, some suggest that negative stereotypes of Black males have become so pervasive that many teachers regard even the youngest Black males as unworthy of empathy, compassion, love, effort or high expectations. As a result, Black males become expendable to
society and to school systems — including the academy.
I am far from being a prude. However, stereotypical images of Black men have been allowed to run rampant in the psyche of society. I think it is about time to put them away.
— Dr. Lawson Bush V is an associate professor and director of the UCI/CSULA Joint Doctoral Program, Educational Leaderships,
Charter College of Education, California State University, Los Angeles.
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