Books

I decided to take my education anthology home this time. I have been employed by three public school districts as an assistant principal and despite all the talk about applied research, there is seldom any application. Despite all the topics bandied about at workshops and meetings -- mostly intended to impress others in the room -- there is little or no effort attributed to institutional change brought on by academics. So topics on Turn Around Leadership, ISLLC Standards, Learner-centered schools, Small Learning Communities have little real impact on the everyday functioning of most public schools. And particularly those serving indigent communities. The reformers: Senge, Comer, Noguera, Kozol, tend to merit only yawns at staff meetings and "professional development" events -- if they are recognized at all.

And because local politics and job security -- especially in the climate of public-private mergers -- occupy all the strategic thinking of school leaders, progressive instruction for underachieving groups is only given lip-service. Today, administrators in [New Jersey] are too distracted by the seemingly inevitable end of tenure (job security) brought on by the latest evaluation models for principals and teachers. So, I am keeping my books home this time. No longer will they be displayed on my office book shelf for quick reference in case I want to write a persuasive report, or prepare for a presentation. It seems as though no one is even feigning attention. And even though I work in and for communities in poverty, I am going to stop checking for the latest titles from noted advocates and researchers on the subject. Feeble educators suggest that the latest technology is a panacea. Skillful organization posturing and small group maneuvering supersede the best practices in education for needy groups.

I am thinking that the way forward is out...

Ramadan 2013 Day 26

That last several days of Ramadan are upon us. Allahu Akbar! Many Blessings are evident. All Praises Due...

Ramadan Reflections

Half way through the Month of Ramadan...All Praises Due to Allah. So, I was reflecting last night and today on the blessings/benefits of the fast. Because it's probably one of the few decidedly religious things I do as a Muslim, I try to adhere to it closely. I hope this post does not make me appear without humility, but I wanted share fascinating things I am experiencing:

- Hunger can be managed, and the with the added benefits of affirmed will power and self confidence.
- I feel more mentally acute, even when my energy is low.
- I have always been a hyper person, but fasting causes me to experience a natural slow down. As a result, I am less impulsive and forgetful because my actions become more deliberate and efficient.
- I notice an absence of noise at the cellular level, because my body is not constantly digesting
- Fasting in summer brings challenges associated with the long days and high temperatures, but the grass still get mowed!

Genetically Modified Goodness?

I am beginning to rethink my position on genetically modified (GM) foods. Or at least I am now more open to the other side of the debate. Scientist-created foodstuff sounds like cause for immediate suspicion. After all mono-sodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame, and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are good for no one, right? And while what I have read about the capitalist enriching self-terminating seeds promoted and sold by agri-giant Monsanto are alarming, so are the articles I have read about food insecure populations in places like Sub-Saharan Africa. Maybe GM crops have a useful role on our planet after all? I am open to further information.

'Heroes of Old, Men of Renown'

So, I just got finished reading two monumental history books: The first is The Wonderful Ethiopians of the Mighty Cushite Empire, by Drusilla Dungee. The second is depicted above -- The Destruction of Black Civilization by giant historian, Chancellor Williams. Destruction was published in 1986. I remember the owner of The Know Book Store in Durham, N.C. recommending it to me when I was attending college there. However, for some reason, I never got around to reading it then. Luckily it is still in publication, so I was able to pick up a fresh new copy from Barnes & Noble over spring break. It makes sense now that this book sparked the new zeal for African (Black) studies we saw in the late 1980s, and extending to the late 1990s before fizzling at the millennium. With unquestionable research documented for examination, and some of the best prose you will find in a history book, Williams, handily explains the evolution of human civilization from its origins in the Great Riff Valley (Africa) and its flourish into Nile Valley civilization (Egypt) at the hands of Ethiopian and Nubian (Black) builders thousands of years prior to many invasions -- and subsequent overthrow -- by Asian, and European, conquerors. These invasions and the centuries-long conflict they caused, togther with internal strife, set in place a genocidal cycle of movement-settlement-movement of Blacks ever further south of the equator, and away from the civilizations they founded. This pre/post biblical history unearths and explains much of the obscured, missing, and sheltered contributions of African people to humanity.

It's Alive!

Now obesity -- getting too fat -- is a disease, too?....According to the AMA it is. "Well pass the new and improved Fin-fin, doctor! I have been telling you for years that I just couldn't help myself away from the buffet table." A report on NPR this week, there was a report that the ability to create steak in the lab is an imminent possibility... Psst, check on that boneless chicken from KFC. In other news, the Supreme Court recently rejected a corporation's claims for an exclusive patent of human genes, albeit on narrow grounds. Maybe the makers of these zombie movies are trying to clue us in on something? Well, sheeple...Red pill, or blue?

Assalamu Alaikum AND Merry Christmas?

True Story: When I was a child, like most children, I embraced all things Christmas. All the songs, folklore, and enchantment of the season was of interest to me. I was a goner. In fact, the holiday season could not come fast enough. If you think Macy's is bad!...I would start thinking about Christmas time immediately following Indian Summer.

Somewhere along the years, however, the joy of the season gave way to competitive materialism among peers, and creeping anxiety in the family over what to buy and whom to buy for. As a young man, seeking knowledge, wisdom and understanding, I swore off falsehood and fantasy in pursuit of 'true knowledge of self.' That meant that Santa Claus would have to go the way of the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Sandman. Besides, those stories about Christ and were not lining up with history as I was slowing coming to learn it.


Later, when my adulthood morphed into a raging bachelorhood and all my siblings were grown, I opted out of traditional Christmas time activities. Later still, enters Islam, and there is no point in celebrating at all...Down came the trees and out went the cache of assorted bobbles, and holiday cards. I must admit, I still enjoyed the start of the season though; glad that others were celebrating it. The coming holiday always brought out the best in people -- if only for a little while. Besides, its more of a cultural festival than a profoundly religious exercise for most people anyway...Right?


Fast forward ten or twelve years later with more knowledge wisdom and understanding to draw upon, and stronger in my own faith, I am cool with Christmas time again. I prefer to take a global view of things. If Diwali and Ramadan demonstrate the goodwill and civility of Hindus and Muslims, then Christmas time should be equally received for its goodwill by Westerners. Those who believe, or just like to celebrate the season.

Happy Holidays!