Asians vs. Blacks, in education-Part 1- Day 117

Hello to you , and may your day be as bright as the sun. May your smile be as wide as the ocean.

I have not written in about a week or so. Not good. I miss writing my blog. I love the ability to be able to communicate, unrestrained. Moreover, I have been doing a lot of thinking. Thinking why it is that most Black people are always last when it comes to education or our thinking ability. Do Black people take the time to think? What do we think about about education? I have done some research to ascertain these questions, and the answers may not surprise you but the truth need to be told, and openly discussed. Most Black people place little credence on education. I will compare and analyze the Asian culture and education with Black people culture and education.

Asians:

According to research:

Among Asian communities, the most popular cultural view emphasizes the need for an
individual to succeed in their education (Sue & Okazaki, 1990). Previous studies have identified practices
in many Asian families that are said to promote educational achievements, these are: (1) demands and
expectations for achievement, (2) induction of guilt about parental sacrifices and the need to fulfill
obligations, (3) respect for education, (4) social comparisons with other Asian-American families in
terms of educational success, and (5) obedience to elders such as teachers. This is supported by studies
that show how Asian American students achieving significantly higher on their academic more often
compared to their American counterparts (Goyette & Xie, 1999). This may serve as an indication of how
important education is among Asians. Asian-Americans for instance tend to score higher than whites on tests of math ability, have higher GPAs, and more likely to attend a four-year college course than that of
American whites (Hsia, 1998, Lai, Nagasawa & Wong, 1998; Sue & Okazaki, 1990; Chen & Stevenson,
1995). Numerous comparative studies have reported that, regardless of social class and family economic
background, Asian students have higher SAT scores, higher grade-point averages, more years of
schooling completed, and a lower dropout rate than European Americans and other ethnic groups (Kim
& Chun, 1994; Sue & Abe, 1995). Many researchers have looked for explanations to account for this
remarkable phenomenon (Hirschman & Wong, 1986; Kao, 1995; Kim & Chun, 1994; Peng & Wright,
1994; Sue & Okazaki, 1990). Two views have emerged from previous studies: one ascribes this success to
Asian cultural values, the other to the demands of acculturation.

In particular, Asian cultural values and practices such as the importance of hard work, respect
for education, and high expectations for achievement have been identified to promote high educational
attainments (Kitano, 1984; Sue & Okazaki, 1990; Vernon, 1982). To accomplish goals in learning, Asian
learners are said to be determined, diligent, and generally prepared to undergo hardships and
difficulties where academic tasks are concerned (Li, 2003). They consistently persevere and singlemindedly
concentrate because they were born and raised in a culture which stresses the importance of
effort over ability. They study hard, regardless of favorable or difficult learning conditions and are
motivated to improve themselves continuously. For them, it is always possible to excel, regardless of
how difficult the task maybe, provided that they consistently show and exert considerable effort over
academic tasks.(Asian Values and Epistemological Beliefs as Predictors of Valuing Education)
Angeli Marie S. Malaki
Ma. Socorro Theresa Z. Soriano
Florangel M. Valdez
De La Salle University-Manila

In essence, most Asians understand that it is important to work first and play later. They understand the value of prioritizing. They place a very high value on education.

I was speaking to a friend of mine, when I brought up Asians vs. Blacks in education. He told me that Asians spend "all of their time studying". He went to say that it was almost like "child abuse", the way the Asians make their children study, and forego playing." I listened to him intently. Then I said to him, ok so you are telling me that Asians abuse their chldren when they expect their children to spend more time studying than playing?

I went on..let us look at the results. Asians go on to become some of the brightest minds in the country. While most Blacks aspire to become atheletes and rappers. Where are Black people's thinkers? I further brought to his attention that a fool does the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. For example: If I want to lose weight but I continue eating donuts and cheese burgers, where have I made any changes to see a different result? There.

If most Black children are using the bulk of their time to play, and very little on studies, the results are clear. They will fail, and or get mediocre grades, so where are the changes for a different result for most Black children?

The Bar must be raised. An expectation of greatness must be reinterated.

I will discuss research discussing the problems with most Black children, and their low grades tomorrow.

Have a great day.

L. for Love