Obama and educational success

What is most likely going to make you successful, hard work or luck?” This question I posed to my high school senior English class some years ago.

“Luck,” they responded.

Here was a group of mostly African-American seniors who had played by the rules, stayed in school, and did their homework. They were willing to try the hard work thing, but they really thought most people who made it had luck on their side. 

Many poor people think the cards are stacked against them. They often pin their hopes on the paper of the lottery ticket rather than the diploma. The reason so many of them do so poorly in school is more than them being lazy, uncaring, having poor teachers, old textbooks, or overcrowded classrooms. It boils down to a lack of hope.

They are asked to run a 100-yard dash carrying a 50-pound rock while the kid next to them has rollerblades. They believe there is no way they are going to win this race.

Some do rise above through hard work and become successful, but their photos are not seen on the cover of magazines like basketball players and singers. Positive role models aren’t that visible. Those who do make it move out of their neighborhoods, and these children know more adults with prison records than college degrees.

That’s why Barack Obama’s election may do more for the education of poor and minority children than millions of dollars in educational programs.

Barack didn’t grow up in an urban ghetto, but his family didn’t have much either. He made it on his own. Now he is president-elect of the United States. For the next four years, possibly eight, his image will be on countless newspapers and television screens. When a child doesn’t pay attention in class, doesn’t want to do homework, both parents and teachers can point to Barack Obama.

But if we want these children to run the race and win, we should give them the same advantages other children have-good teachers, quality classrooms, and high expectations. Success is not guaranteed, but neither is failure.

Terry Falk is the Milwaukee Public Schools Director for the Eighth District, which includes Bay View. To contact him, call (414) 510-9173 or email falktf@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

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