Racial Disparity in School Discipline

By Dr. Dee Carter

In 2012 the U.S. Department of Education released information concluding that there is an alarming amount of racial disparity when it comes to discipline in our schools.  It seems that youth of color encounter more severe disciplinary actions including the involvement of law enforcement.  Harsh punishments like being expelled or suspended, removed an opportunity for the child to learn.  This form of discipline is counterproductive.  The data also revealed that suspensions were rendered for minor offenses; one that previously would have been resolved in school.

Students who are expelled repetitively tend to academically fall behind, have an increased school dropout rate and are more likely to be involved in the juvenile justice system.   If educators are to address this issue in a way that will be beneficial for the youth, they will have to feel compelling pressure from parents and dedicated youth advocates; in addition to adapting a major shift in their philosophy.

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The Impact of Technology on Toddlers

By Dr. Dee Carter

Are toddlers too young for tablets?

In the world of technology even our toddlers are requesting gifts like tablets, iPads and iTunes gift cards. Parents have found that their children are not as interested in toys but prefer the luxury technology has to offer.  Here is something to think about as it pertains to your youngster.

Psychotherapists have said that children need to play with toys. This interaction helps them with self-esteem, connecting with others and developing creativity.  Research has shown that computer games have so much sensory input that the brain finds it difficult to focus on one activity and eventually its ability to stay focused is impaired.  Pediatricians in the UK believe the widespread screen time used by toddlers is impacting their attention span and concentration, in addition to appetite.

The solution to these unwanted issues is to still encourage your child to play! This will improve your their creativity, mental development and overall physical health.

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Additional Resources

Kidspot

Spoonful
Today’s Parent


 

 

 

 

Protect Your Children from Social Network Threats

By Dr. Dee Carter

Remember the days of hanging out after school walking home or riding the bus with friends. Remember rushing home because you couldn’t wait to call your friend from the house phone to him/her the exciting events of the day.  I remember those days well, but our youth of today won’t have memories like this because social media has significantly altered the way we communicate. 

Today most of us keep in touch with each other through social network sites (SNS).  Young adults, however, have taken it to the extreme.  They use SNS to communicate even when they are in the same room with each other. Social media has made it more convenient to shared information instantly, communicate with friends around the world and connect with new friends without leaving home. These advances make life easier for us but they also have their setbacks.

Most youth search for personal & health information on SNS.  Some of this information should continue to come from home through a parent or guardian, but when kids don’t feel comfortable asking someone, it is good that they can access information related to sensitive and tough questions. Despite the luxury and ease of communication today, there are some short comings with social media.  The same issues we experience in face-to-face relationships occur virtually.  SNS are used to incite bullying (girls ages 16-17 more frequently than boys), relationship abuse, promiscuous behavior & sexual predation.

Just last Tuesday a 12 year old girl jumped to her death after being bullied by her classmates. "Even though your child may seem normal, there may be something else going on" her mother stated to CNN.  Ask your child if they have been a victim of any of these offenses; know your child’s status. A way to protect them is through open dialogue about their social network pages. It is not recommended that parents threaten to take computers/phones away in order to monitor what your child is doing. Experts say this forces them to be more secretive.

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Resources for Parents

CommonSenseMedia.org
Safekids.org
Enough.org
StoyCyberbullying.org
SafetyNet.aap.org

College Admission Deadlines Quickly Approaching...Here's What You Should Do

By Dr. Dee Carter

Attention parents and high school seniors, college admission deadlines are quickly approaching and if you aren't paying attention you could miss an opportunity.  Many colleges have early admission deadlines which are usually due in the beginning of November.  Fall semester college admission application due dates are generally from December to January for most universities.

Here are a few key instructions you should follow to ensure your application will be completed correctly and thoroughly:

• Read instructions carefully
• Provide all the information requested
• Submit all data by the deadlines
• Make sure your work is neat
• Have someone review your application for errors or omissions, before you submit it
• Create a college folder and make a copy of everything you submit for your records

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) created a Preparing for College: Senior Checklist which provides monthly steps for seniors to follow as they begin this tedious process.

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Graphic Cigarette Ads Are Working To Deter Smoking in Teens

By Dr. Dee Carter





In Britain, graphic and direct health warnings on cigarette packets has deterred  33 percent of teenagers from picking up the habit of smoking. Australia was the first country in the world to  have cigarette packs covered in warnings.  Here in the U.S. some of the nation's largest tobacco companies are suing the government to block these types of warnings from appearing on cigarette packs. The government had decided to drop this legal fight and asked the Food and Drug Administration to redo the nine graphic warning labels they proposed.  These labels were to included images of diseased lungs and a man exhaling cigarette smoke through a tracheotomy hole in his throat.
In the U.S. lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women.  Ninety percent of smokers begin before the age of 21. Each day 3,600 youth under the age of 18 smoke their first cigarette and the lungs of a teenager who smokes will not develop fully; putting them at a higher risk for lung disease.

Although our cigarette labels are not as harsh as those in other countries, our television and billboard ads have been.  Surveys suggest that this anti-smoking campaign has encouraged smokers to quit and distracted the teen non smoker from starting this addictive habit.

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Defending Our Classrooms: Bulletproof Whiteboards

By Dr. Dee Carter

 

As a defense response to protect the safety of students on the campus of University of Maryland Eastern Shore, they purchased 200 bulletproof whiteboards. The university president, Juliette Bell, told CNN that the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last December which killed 20 children was a factor in making this decision.

The company that manufactures the bulletproof whiteboard is called Hardwire Armor Systems. Their products are mainly for homeland security, SWAT and police forces, but due to the increase in school shootings the whiteboards are being introduced to schools and universities around the country.  The whiteboards are 18-by-20 inches and weigh less than four pounds which makes it very easy to manipulate.

Some critics believe this is a costly investment; the bulletproof whiteboards cost three hundred dollars each, and may create a false since of security, but so does installing metal detectors and other security measures. With the increase in violence in the workplace and in our schools something needs to be done. Other products Hardwire produces for the classroom include bulletproof backpack insert, peel-n-stick doors and  clipboards.

This week a middle school student in Nevada opened fire on students and deadly shot a teacher that was trying to help. This teacher was a Marine and served several tours in Afghanistan.  It is possible that having these whiteboards or some other type of bulletproof armor in the school may have protected him from this violent act.

Schools across the country have begun implementing security plans and emergency response procedures. Do you know what safety procedure your school or job, for that matter, has in place? Ask; it's better safe than sorry.

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Steps to Youth Empowerment

By Dr. Dee Carter, Youth Advocate & Life Coach

The model for empowering youth is fairly simple.  It is being used by organizations around the world and if adopted by individuals we, as a society, would be able to improve the social progress and economic growth of young people.

 Steps for youth empowerment:

• Promote positive mental health and well being
• Provide a safe and trusting environment
• Encourage and strengthen youth leadership within the school environment
• Create partnerships with businesses, local groups & churches that will provide mentorships, internships and business opportunities

If you know of organizations in your area that are doing a great job empowering our youth and the disenfranchised, please post a comment and share this information in order to support the efforts of these groups.

Stay Connected!

Additional Resources:
Youth Empowerment Project
Puppetry Arts
Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES)

Girls Can Change the World

International Girls Day is on November 14th. This is a day set aside to recognize the potential that all women and girls have to impact their families, communities and the world.  This year's slogan, "She Can Do Anything" sums up the message that is being used to instill confidence in all girls.

If you belong to a girls'/women's group, plan an activity to celebrate the potential in each of your members.  For event ideas and a planning kit click here.

An amazing 16 year old from Pakistani has been in the media over the last year since she survived a deadly gunshot to the head by the Taliban fighter who jumped on her school bus and shouted, "Who is Malala?' The Taliban are against the education of girls and Malala had been speaking out about her God-given right to attend school.  Malala Yousafzai miraculously survived and has become an advocate for girls' education. This week in a conversation with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, she said "I am proud to be a girl, and I know that girls can change the world."  She recently released a book "I Am Malala"  which describes this life-threatening experience and was a top candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.

"Girls Can Change the World"

Consider this information from ASCD.... Medically speaking: What's In Her Head?
 

A girl's corpus callosum (the connecting bundle of tissues between hemispheres) is, on average, larger than a boy's—up to 25 percent larger by adolescence. This enables more “cross talk” between hemispheres in the female brain.

Girls have, in general, stronger neural connectors in their temporal lobes than boys have. These connectors lead to more sensually detailed memory storage, better listening skills, and better discrimination among the various tones of voice. This leads, among other things, to greater use of detail in writing assignments.

The hippocampus (another memory storage area in the brain) is larger in girls than in boys, increasing girls' learning advantage, especially in the language arts.

Girls' prefrontal cortex is generally more active than boys' and develops at earlier ages. For this reason, girls tend to make fewer impulsive decisions than boys do. Further, girls have more serotonin in the bloodstream and the brain, which makes them biochemically less impulsive.

Girls generally use more cortical areas of their brains for verbal and emotive functioning. Boys tend to use more cortical areas of the brain for spatial and mechanical functioning (Moir & Jessel, 1989; Rich, 2000).

Emotionally speaking: What's On Her Mind?

74% of girls say they are under pressure to please everyone.

31% of girls ages 13-17 admit to starving themselves or refusing to eat as a strategy to lose weight.

Roughly a third of high school girls report being sexually active.

60% of teen girls say they compare their bodies to those of fashion models.

Three-quarters of middle high school principals say that bullying is a serious problem at their school.

Girls who have significant symptoms of depression as teens are 86% more likely than their peers to become victims of abuse from a boyfriend or husband as young women.

23.5% of high school females engaged in episodic heavy drinking.

3 out of 4 girls say they feel pressure to be “super girls.”

Clearly, data supports that females are smart and possess the potential to change the world but they must be nurtured, uplifted,valued and loved by their families, friends, schools and communities.

Stay Connected!
Dr. Dee Carter

Additional Resources:
Care Organization
Confidence Coalition
Day of the Girl

A Scout's Honor

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), have an oath which states:

"On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight."

Yesterday a movie called Troop 491: The Adventures of the Muddy Lions debuted, in Richmond, VA. It is based on a true story which follows the life of  a young boy whose mother enrolls him with the Boy Scouts to keep him off the streets.  He is faced with peer pressure that often accompanies violence & drugs in the inner city.  These haunting circumstances eventually lead him to a crossroad where he will have to choose between following the oath of the scouts or the code of the streets. 

The mission of BSA  is to "prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes..."  The Scouts have impacted over 2 million lives of young men between the ages of 6-17.  Today they have national relationships with  several companies like Lowes, ExxonMobil & NASA. These relationships are fostered to emphasize education and mentoring.   BSA also promotes healthy lifestyles and has joined first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move program and the President's Council on Fitness, Sport and Nutrition platform.

The Boy Scouts prepare young men for Adventure through its great outdoors experiences; for Service by providing opportunities to volunteer and work in their communities and for Leadership with their life skills merit badges, ranks and awards.

Unfortunately, with all good intentions, life experiences and development the Boy Scouts offer  our young men; membership is on the decline nationally.  I would like to believe that this is be due to more youth groups & mentoring programs being offered to youth now and not due to an empathetic perception of our young men.  We cannot give up on the value and talent that young men posses especially those  who without any say of their own, find themselves being raised in the tough streets of our inner cities.

Tristan, the lead character and young Scout in the movie Troop 491 is faced with decisions that far too many of our young men (and woman) are faced with.  I encourage you to go see this movie if it is in your neighborhood.  It is family friendly (PG-13) and will promote positive dialogue in our homes and communities and perhaps it will ignite new enrollment with the Boy Scouts throughout all of our cities.


Stay Connected!

Dr. Dee Carter

Creative Minds

Yesterday I attended the Abu Unity Festival in Newport News, VA. This is a free annual community event which promotes peace and unity  and leadership through the use of performing arts.  The setting was beautifully positioned in a local public park surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay. This year's theme was Celebrating Fatherhood and it was a delight witnessing families, including fathers, in the park for fun and fellowship.

As I observed to the young artist sing, rap, dance and model, I pondered over what impact the arts may play in their lives and in youth around the world.  It was obvious that they were enjoying themselves; at least for that moment in time they were free to express themselves. This positive energy  was transmitted through the intergenerational crowd as we sang, waived our hands and danced together. On the stage, each youth was a leader,  a spark of hope, a catalyst for change.

Every year the National Arts and Humanities Youth Awards recognizes 12 outstanding out-of -school  arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's youth. Click this link to see the top 50 finalist  and identify if there is an outstanding program in your community. The final 12 awardees will receive a trip to the White House and a $10,000 grant presented by First Lady Michelle Obama.    Applications  for 2014 awards will be available in February 2014.  

There is debate as to whether children in the arts do better in school.  In 2004 the Dana Foundation conducted a $2.1 million dollar project to answer the question: "Are smart people drawn to the arts or does arts training make people smarter?"  The study concluded that the arts can train a child's attention which in turn improves their ability to learn, but there was no conclusive evidence that the arts makes you smarter.    Some experts don't believe we should make these analogies at all because no one asks  the reverse question: if taking math will make you do better in music.   Jessica Hoffman Davis, a cognitive developmental psychologist and founder of the Arts in Education Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, wrote "We have been so driven to measure the impact of the arts in education that we began to forget that their strength lies beyond the measurable."  Case in point, Entrepreneur and rapper Jay-Z is clearly smart, however he did not graduate from high school. So which came first the chicken or the egg?

Putting research aside, it is evident that the arts provide a temporary outlet for youth to express themselves when under typical situations they might find it difficult; due to being shy or a lack of self esteem.  Additionally, the arts provide a venue to communicate and articulate one's feelings, set task and goals to completion and improve attitudes. It does enough.  All of these skill sets are neccessary for our youth to matriculate through collee, apply for jobs and ultimately be successful in life.  So if your child escapes through some form of the arts, encourage them and all their creativity to flourish.

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Dr. Dee Carter

Angry Youth

So what's the Big Deal about getting Angry? We all get angry from time to time, it is a normal emotion; a way our subconscious mind releases mental and emotional  pressure.   There are three types of anger: "hasty and sudden" which occurs when you are scared and seek to defend yourself, "settled and deliberate" is premeditated and intended to harm someone and  thirdly there is "dispositional" anger and it is related to a person's traits.

In addition, anger can be expressed Passively or Aggressively.  When passive anger is demonstrated a person tends to do things under the radar; for example gossiping or harboring resentment.  To the contrary, aggressive anger is seen through bullying, threatening behavior and refusing to forgive.

It is helpful for us to understand all types of anger in order to recognize what may be the primary cause of it in youth today.  Our youth are carrying "emotional baggage" based on their personal domestic situation instead of books and dreams.  Despite this "baggage" most of our youth demonstrate a profound amount  of unrecognized strength.

Many of our youth would benefit from some type of therapy/counseling to identify and cope with the root cause. If this is not an option having a positive role model/confidant in whom they can confide will make all the difference in how they choose to deal with their anger.

The mere fact that some of them have experienced enormous hardships in their life time before the age of 16 is a testament to their resilience and tenacity.  It takes adults in their common surroundings to instill in them their value and strength.  In doing this we will help them in redirecting their anger into positive areas.  Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could be influential in channeling a young person's anger into a creative idea like the multimillion dollar Angry Birds phenomena?

Stay Connected!

Dr. Dee Carter

Mentoring Works

As a new school year begins, this is a good time to emphasize the importance of mentoring a young person. Mentoring does not have to be difficult but it does require dedication. Mentors have the ability to change a young person's life for the better.

Here is how mentoring can positively impact the life of a young person you know:

-Mentors let the young person know that there is someone who cares about them
-They keep students motivated and accountable to  do complete school work
-Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers
-Help to improve self-esteem
-Mentors assist with college or career choice
-Being a mentor provides emotional support and stability

Simply said "Mentoring Works!"

In a 2013 study "The Role of Risk:  Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth and Varying Risk Profiles," the results showed a consistent reduction in depressive symptoms while grades and social skills for youth with mentors improved. The decrease in depression among these youth is  impressive when you consider that one in four teens have issues that cause them to worry extensively.

Eighteen (18) million young Americans need or want mentoring, but only 3 million are participating in quality relationships.  The means that more then 15 million young people  have  an unmet need creating a "Mentor Gap." 

If you have time to change just one person's life get in the "Gap" and help shape America's future.

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Dr. Dee Carter

Gifted and Lifted

There was a study conducted at Harvard and Stanford  Universities that revealed something which is not too surprising about the inadequate representation of low-income students at selective colleges and universities.  The study examined the academically successful high school seniors and what percentage of them went on to attend the country's most selected colleges. This was a list of almost 250 colleges and universities.  The conclusion was that only 34 percent of these students were from families whose income fell in the bottom quarter of the national scale.

Two groups have created modeled programs to lift our low income gifted youth out of their environment and into academic institutions that will prepare them for success and financial freedom.  The first organization is  Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America, or LEDA which assist students from socioeconomically disadvantage families gain admission to the nation's top colleges.  Seventy six percent of their scholars attend an Ivy League or select college and  64 percent are first generation college students.

Another educational opportunity for our young scholars is Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, SEO.  SEO provides a year-round program that prepares motivated students from low income  families get  to and through America's competitive colleges, serving students in New York City and San Francisco.

We must continue to provide resources for our gifted and talented students from lower economic backgrounds obtain the same opportunities to attend the nations most prestigious schools.

Pass It On & Stay Connected

Dr. Dee Carter

Sex, Drugs & Alcohol Family Survey

How much do your kids know about sex, drugs and alcohol?  Do you have discussions with them at home or are they learning about these things from the internet and their friends?

A school board in Lodi, Wisconsin, in conjunction with the Lodi Community Action Team (LCAT), is administering an anonymous Community Survey to parents for the first time to explore their knowledge and perception of these topics.  Questions like " How wrong do you think it would be for teens to drink beer, wine or hard liquor? or "Do you agree or disagree that marijuana or alcohol are gateway drugs to more illicit drug abuse such as heroin or meth?" 

LCAT's mission is to create a healthy drug and alcohol free environment for youth.  They received a grant in 2010 from the White House of Drug Free Communities to further their work.

The board also conducts a youth survey which is done every two years and ask questions on drug and alcohol use, sexual behaviors, mental health, diet, nutrition and exercise. This survey is administered by the Department of Public Instruction in conjunction with the efforts of U.S. Center for Disease Control. The board believes by asking questions of youth and parents they can help predict risky behavior and it simply keeps the community aware of what is going on in the lives of their youth.

It must be noted, that everyone on the board does not agree with the youth survey, because the questions are personal and parents are not asked to give consent.  The real question is: what is done with the results?

The survey is only 25 questions. Take a look at it for yourself and have a family discussion. It may surprise you how your family opinions vary on the different topics.  Your eyes may be open to how much your youth do or do not know about sex, drugs and alcohol.

Stay Connected

Dr. Dee Carter

Preparing for Back to School

Students around the country have started school or are preparing to start within the next 3 weeks.  This is a good time to update their physical and eye exams.  Every state has different immunization requirements, click here to see what your state requires. 

Sometimes schools will have specific paper work for your doctor to complete.  If the student has a medical condition and is an athlete they may need to provide medical clearance to participate in their sport of choice.  It will save you time if you have these documents ready for the doctor at the time of the office visit.  This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about vaccines.

Lastly, if you still need school supplies, take advantage of your states "sales tax holiday."  This will allow you to save money on clothes, shoes and other supplies.

This year take the time to plan for the things you want to do over the next 3, 6 or 12 months. If you are a rising junior or senior, start looking for colleges and scholarship funds now.  If you're a college student, begin looking for internships or jobs in the first semester.

 “If you believe you can accomplish everything by "cramming" at the eleventh hour, by all means, don't lift a finger now. But you may think twice about beginning to build your ark once it has already started raining”
― Max Brooks

Have a Positive academic year!

Dr. Dee Carter
 

 

Children Losing a National Voice

Voices for America’s Children, the nation’s largest nonprofit network of multi-issue child advocacy organizations, will be shutting down this week.  This organization has lead advocacy efforts to improve the lives of all children for over 25 years. There focus has been 6-fold:  Equity & Diversity, Health, School Readiness, School Success, Safety and Economic Stability for children.

Over the years they have been influential in reforming the Child HealthInsurance Program, Head Start, and the Fostering Connections Act.  It is unfortunate that due to the economical crisis our nation is racing that this nonprofit organization will not be able to sustain its operations. 

Who will represent the voice of our children now?  Where will the philanthropic groups that want to support children’s issues on a national level redirect their funds?  How will this affect our youth in the long run?

Many of the youth policies are implemented at the state and local level.  Sixty or 65 percent of state funds go K-12 education as compared to only 8 percent of the federal budget which is designated to kids.   

Parents and youth advocates must pay attention to the local laws affecting our children and stay involved. Without the Voices for America’s Children being heard on a national level there is the potential for a large group of children needs being overlooked.

Dr. Dee Carter

 

Youth and Stress...Identify Your Giant & Defeat It

Stress is and will continue to be a part of your life. It is a natural physical and mental response which is actually designed to help us cope with issues we face.  Additionally, when we are stressed our body produces chemicals that raise our heart rate and blood pressure. Stress can be positive, for example, by keeping you alert when the concern of danger is present. The opposite, occurs when someone faces one problem after another with no relief in between or time to recover from the first issue.

So what are the "giants" causing our youth stress?  Maybe they are in a single family home and have been forced to take on more responsibility then would typically be expected of them; forcing them to miss out on experiences with their friends. Violence, bullying, physical, mental or sexual abuse are all definite causes of stress for our young adults.  Additionally, the pressure of young relationships & dating, school and worrying about exams, being competitive, or trying to live up to the expectations of others can add stress to their daily routine as well.

When stress continues without a period of relaxation your body can become distressed. Distress is a condition which leads to headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and eating too much or too little.   Other emotional symptoms of distress include:

~ Easily pushed to anger ~ Anxious all the time, high anxiety ~ Constantly frustrated and moody ~Increase frequency of crying ~ Low self esteem ~ Not sleeping ~ Lack of concentration

Often times people deal with stress by using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.  In reality, these substances do not relax the body but instead keep it in a stressed state and cause more physical harm.

The behavior that is usually demonstrated by a stressed young person can often times be misunderstood, mislabeled and misdiagnosed. Adults and care givers must identify the source and provide creative solutions which will ignite the talent within our youth and not stomp out their flames.

There are ideas proven to relieve stress that "giants" in your life may cause.  Try some of these suggestions and see if the stress in your life is reduced.

• Speak to a trustworthy person or counselor. Talk about it. Don't hold it in.
• Try to escape the stress for a length of time every day. Read, journal or pray to take your mind to a place of peace.  You can also join a local youth group or mentor program.
• Try to create balance between your responsibilities at home and school and having fun.
• Exercise reduces tension in your mind and muscles
• LAUGH....a lot!

Stay Healthy & Stress Free

Dr. Dee Carter

Supportive links:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/support-groups/MH00002

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/StressManagement/Stress-Management_UCM_001082_SubHomePage.jsp?gclid=CIHLipqa0rgCFXRp7AodKysA7g

http://www.bgca.org/

Changes in Health Coverage for Young Adults

With the Affordable Care Act young adults can stay on their parents’ health plan until they are 26 years old.  This change which went into effect in the fall of 2010, has allowed more than three million young adults to receive health coverage.

Next year young adults will have more options for coverage in addition to their parents’ plan; however they will still encounter problems for coverage of  conditions related to mental health, substance abuse and maternity.  In the case where the young person might have had an individual health plan which refused to cover preexisting conditions, joining their parents’ plan may not change coverage in these areas.

In 2014 health plans will not be able to turn members down because of preexisting medical conditions. When this change goes into effect, young adults can choose if they want to stay on their parents’ plan or enroll with a new provider.   According to the Affordable Care Act:  "Additionally, young adults and people for whom coverage would otherwise be unaffordable will have  access to a catastrophic plan that will have a lower premium, protect against high out-of-pocket costs, and cover recommended preventive services without cost sharing." 

It is imperative that we stay informed which can be extremely hard to do when the full text of the Affordable Care Act is 906 pages, but if we read approximately 2.5 pages a day we could read the entire document in a year.

Let's start reading.

Dr. Dee Carter

 

Trayvon Martin “A Casualty of Racial Profiling”

In lieu of yesterday’s verdict, I thought it was a good time to discuss Racial Profiling. Ultimately Trayvon Martin was seen as a suspicious person in the neighborhood because he was an African American wearing a hoodie.   What can our society do about racial profiling?

In 2011 The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights published a report on racial profiling. In this report the problems of racial profiling are discussed and recommendations are made at the end to improve the policies in place.  The U.S. Supreme Court said that racial profiling violates the constitutional requirement that all persons be accorded equal protection of the law.  The U.S. Department of Justice stated in 2003

     “Racial profiling" at its core concerns the invidious use of race or ethnicity as a criterion in conducting stops, searches and other law enforcement investigative procedures. It is premised on the erroneous assumption that any particular individual of one race or ethnicity is more likely to engage in misconduct than any particular individual of another race or ethnicity.

Racial profiling in law enforcement is not merely wrong, but also ineffective. Race-based assumptions in law enforcement perpetuate negative racial stereotypes that are harmful to our rich and diverse democracy, and materially impair our efforts to maintain a fair and just society.”

Just as minority motorist or airline travelers have been subject to racial profiling, this case is proof that pedestrians fall into this scenario as well.  Community based organizations have policy strategies that often provide street-level law enforcement authorities (and now it would appear neighborhood watch groups) with wide discretion to patrol their communities.  This opens up the scenario for minorities to be perceived as a threat to the public even if they have done nothing wrong. Sound familiar?

When Attorney General Eric Holder was confirmed back in 2009 he said ending racial profiling would be a priority for the Obama administration.  Don’t we have the right to demand an end to racial profiling before more innocent people lose their lives?  Studies have shown that racial profiling is not an effective crime fighting strategy.  It is devastating families and communities and making us all less not more safe.

Dr. Dee Carter

 

 

 

Alarming Number of Disconnected Youth, What Does This Mean for Our Country

The numbers are growing of young people who are disconnected for the “American Dream.” Over six million 16-24 year olds have not held a job or continued their education beyond high school. Many of these youth are high school dropouts, foster youth and are already apart of the judicial system.  These youngsters, have often times been forgotten in political debates and policies around education and employment.

According to the Social Science Research Council’s Measure of America project, one in seven between the ages of 16-24 fall into the category of disengaged youth. The total number has reached an alarming 800,000.  This crisis is finally gaining the attention of some of our leaders and was a topic of discussion at the third annual meeting of Clinton Global Initiative America, which focuses on solutions to improve our country’s economic recovery.

A study in California, which has the largest foster care population, showed that women who “aged-out” of foster care were more than four times more likely to end up on public assistance.  In addition, an impressive number of California prison inmates have spent some time in the foster care system.  According to Measure of America, youth disconnection’s total a bill to tax payers in 2011 was a whopping $93.7 billion.  The Huffington Post reported that with 1.3 million 16-24 year olds out of work, youth unemployment has the potential to cost the U.S. $18 billion in lost income over the next 10 years.

We need organizations to create and implement solutions to target the needs of these youth who are transitioning out of foster care.  Services are required to assist them in developing life skills and job readiness.  All Americans must play their part, be it large or small, to empower these youth and give them the opportunity to fulfill their “American Dream.”

 

Dr. Dee Carter