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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 2012)
O December 19, 2012 Cascade Connections A lgie C. G atewood by ,l ^ o r tla n b (Dhsertier Christmas Wishes for Every Young Black Man Dear Santa Claus: For Christmas terminant for this year, I want every young black o n e ’s e c o man to have an education and a n om ic s u c good job. I want the number of cess - and everything which flows O f course, the transformation I young black men with a college from that success - than education. describe here is available to every degree to outnumber those who are Earning a two- or four-year de one, not just black men. I mention in prison. I want every young black gree, or especially a graduate de black men because they are the most man to assume his rightful place in gree, is the one factor that can trump at-risk group of people in the nation his family, his community, and his all the obstacles that confront black - at risk of everything from chronic nation. men - whether those obstacles be incarceration to chemical depen You can handle that, can’t you, intergenerational poverty, institu dency to an early death. Santa? tional racism, or even a shortage of According to a 2006 Harvard Unfortunately, it will take more self-belief. University study, high-risk urban than a jolly man in a red suit to make When you embark on the road to black males can expect to live as this Christmas wish list come true. a college degree, you also begin a many as 15 years less, on average, Black men, for a whole range of rea voyage of self-discovery. Whatever than members of lesser-risk popula sons, have for generations found you ultimately choose as your field tions. What better tool than educa themselves overrepresented in the of study, the educational process tion to break this cycle? crim in al ju stic e system and broadens your awareness of his This is not to say that the many underrepresented in business, in the tory and clarifies your understand factors which put young black men halls of academia, and as family men. ing of society. at risk are the result of their own It will take a concerted effort from More importantly, the educa individual choices. Far from it - the all comers of our society - includ tional process crystallizes your per historical record of inequity between ing from black men themselves - to ception of yourself, and helps you African Americans and the majority undo the legacy of the past. to realize the options at your dis population is copious and detailed. “When you are young, black and posal and the power you have to But the right kinds of individual male, you have several unfortunate choose your own path in the world. choices can help black men to over inheritances converging at once,” You discover, in the words of Mr. come these obstacles, and it starts the very talented Ta-Nehisi Coates Coates, “how much yoh have to with the choice to stay in school and wrote for The Atlantic magazine. lose,” as well as how much you have go to college. “There is the myopia of youth, the to gain. Give yourself and your family the inability to understand how much Earning a degree reaps financial best possible gift this Christmas, you have to lose. ... On top of that rewards, to be sure, but this new young black men. Make the choice you come from a people who for concept of self is something that is to get an education. Don’t let cost or most of American history have not beyond price. This can be particu anything else deter you. There is been able to secure the safety of larly true for black men, many of more financial aid available than you their own bodies.” whom for generations have been might think, particularly at commu Mr. Coates is right - the “unfor denied the power to choose the nity college, and classes can be tunate inheritances” he mentions path before them. scheduled to fit your life. comprise a heavy burden and a dif Education helps to fuse ambition If you make the right choice now, ficult legacy. But you may have with the tools necessary to get you this Christmas - and every one to noticed that at the top of my Christ where you want to go. Education is follow -w ill be merrier for you, your mas wish list is one thing that can the one true way forward from the children, and your grandchildren. come true - and it ’ s the key to every bonds, both literal and figurative, Dr. Algie C. Gatewood is presi thing else: education. that have prevented black men from dent o f Portland Community There is no more significant de attaining their collective birthright. College’s Cascade Campus. M H M Get Help Applying for Financial Aid PCC outreach can help you pay for college Students in the Portland area can get free help submitting their federal fioancial aid (FAFSA) form when Portland Community College pre sents Financial Aid Day in partner ship with College Goal Oregon. The help will be provided on each of PCC’s four major campuses on Saturday, Jan. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. The day will be perfect for stu dents looking for money to go to college, needing help filling out the FAFSA form, or wanting to explore other resources to pay for college, Federal grants (free money), work-study and loans are the types of financial aid students may be eligible to receive. In addition, the state o f Oregon and PCC have ft- nancial aid available. The only way to find out what a stu dent qualifies for is by submitting the FAFSA form. There will be plenty of help on hand at each PCC location to assist in filling out and submitting the application. Students do not have to be enrolled at PCC to take part in Financial Aid Day. Spanish language advisers also will be avail- able at all locations. Both students and parents should continued W v on page 14 Page 13 Boss Hogg Christmas Tree Lot XMAS TREES A ny Doug Fir 5-7 ft. $20.00 A ny Grand Fir 5-7 ft. $20.00 A ny Nobel Fir 5-7 ft. $30.00 6500 NEM LKJr.Blvd. On the comer of: MLK Jr. & Rosa Park WANT A FOR 2013? 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