"Marginalized Males of Color" - Part I

A sense of urgency: Marginalized males of color


Historically marginalized males of color remain underrepresented in higher education. These disparities affect an entire generation of young men and prevent the nation from tapping a potential pool of talent needed to compete globally and improve the economy at home. Higher Education Success Among Historically Marginalized Males, by Loren Harris, examines the core issues responsible for higher education attainment gaps among this group. Also, hear what Harris says about Lumina's big goal and listen to this podcast.

It's no secret that across the various colleges and universities, woman are being admitted, enrolling, and graduating at higher rates than males. When it comes specifically to black males, the numbers don't compare. We've discussed before who should be blamed (parents). There has also been talk about where these young people end up (dead, jail, homeless). What about the why?

Here is some insight that discusses the "Why" in my opinion. The Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis-based, private, independent foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access to and success in education beyond high school.

Stereotype Threat Theory evolved by Claude Steele, this hypothesis posits that underachieving African American students downplay the importance of academic achievement because they fear fulfilling negative group stereotypes about being intellectually inferior. Steele advances the notion that Black students disengage from academic settings rather than face the prospects of failing and confirming stereotypes about intellectual inferiority or laziness. Tested in both controlled settings and everyday contexts, the stereotype threat hypothesis seems to hold true.

The stereotype threat theory is one of a few theories offered in the article. After thinking about Steele's hypothesis, I will have to agree to some extent. Young people, especially males who are not confident in their own abilities rarely take risk in an academic setting. They'd much rather not try at all and simply give up thus confirming Steele's beliefs.

However I'm convinced that the more risk you take academically, the better your chances of learning. Ultimately, one has to want to learn and excel academically. We have to re-emphasize academic achievement and decentralize America’s stereotypes and culture which learning takes a back seat to (video games, cell phones, television, etc).