Dr. Ben Carson: African American Youth and the Sciences
By Kyra O. Davenport
Why are the African American youth choosing not to gravitate toward the sciences? The Journal of Negro Education, (a journal devoted to researching, analyzing, and finding solutions on issues involving black education) says, “inadequate career guidance in high school contributes to the under participation of African American students in science and mathematics. Community involvement and innovation can definitely change the future of African American youth representation in the sciences. Renowned neurosurgeon challenges the African American youth to engage in the sciences, and also challenges the leaders in the world of science.
Dr. Ben Carson believes the youth today need more challenges and motivation from their instructors. In addition, he says, “The early part of school for children (e.g. early elementary school and late middle school) math and science are basic and easy for most children, and it could be made more challenging and interesting by professionals in the sciences. However, the people in the world who can do this are choosing the high paying jobs, and they are not choosing to teach or have a teacher’s salary. For example, people who are retiring from Lockheed Martin could volunteer to teach a class once a week and the teachers should be inclined to allow this. It will simply take more creative work and creative solutions, and more educational coordinators. The children need inspiration.” The inspiration that the youth need will undoubtedly take strong role models to evoke change on the outlook our youth has on the sciences. Many of them are probably very passionate in exploring the sciences they just need someone to give them guidance and build their confidence”, says Dr. Carson.
The media is playing a detrimental role in the choices that children make in society and unquestionably shapes their career goals. As the old saying goes, “the television is raising our kids.” “The key thing or issue is that youth desperately need the right kinds of examples. Kids receive the wrong messages in the media, and these negative images become portrayed as the epitome of success. Furthermore, finding people who are successful in the science and mathematics (besides the teachers) putting them in front of the kids on a regular basis not just once a year, but on a regular basis will have a powerful influence”, says Dr. Carson.
A man of humble beginnings, According to John Hopkins Children Center Communications ,Director Kim Hoppe’s biographical synopsis, “Dr. Benjamin Carson was the first man to ever successfully separate Siamese twins joined at the back of the head in 1987and in 1997 first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt in a hydrocephalic twin in South Africa.” Today Dr. Carson is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for over a quarter of a century.”
African American youth should not be intimidated it is the responsibility of the parents and the community to uplift the children. We must challenge them and build their confidence; it starts with what’s inside. “I want them to recognize from my life, if you really want it put forth the effort, recognize that it is more than a wish. Believe in God, and you’re going to be successful, it’s that simple, it will however take a lot of personal responsibility”, says Dr. Carson.
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