College is a testing ground of synthesizing values and the process of their disintegration and accumulation. One crosses the threshold with expectations of enlightenment and the possibility of mass Fortuna. The process of college is akin to the journey and the content learned becomes the template for expanding a landscape of opportunities.
Entering a campus requires a sacrifice not unlike the Romans who did so to Nike, the Goddess of Victory. The sacrifice can be a conscious litany of resolves and with time illuminates the actual sacrifices that must be made. College at its simplest level is an opportunity to network, create and fashion your unique place for yourself in the grand scheme of life. The bounty is set at a sliding scale dependent upon motivation, investigation, diligence, curiosity, and aptitude.
A college degree is posted on a resume perched as a masthead beckoning one to consider the appropriation of proficient skill level. Some institutions are lauded with ivy laurels, others enriched with generous generational philanthropic donors. Sprinkled about are those that defy matrimonial and patrimonial shackles and a few that deign themselves as progeny of contemporary design in constant motion. Yet a special anomaly exist that continues to thrive on the undercurrent of social phenomena from the reserves of vigilance and actualization. African-American universities and colleges hold this prestige as a social and intellectual phenomena in the western hemisphere that survived past pondering naysayer’s and political thwarts. From this a “brain trust “ was documented and developed that integrated all strata’s of society and generations. The influence of this creation was the fuel for other population segments to begin to conceptualize that they could create a template of education for their own.
Boricua College holds the distinction of the first accredited post secondary institution founded by Puerto Ricans who were incensed by divisive and separatist issues of nationality, state hood and the failure of a system to embrace their own. This same spirit was preceded by the historical contributions of African Americans educators, strategists and politicians. Each group holds the mirror of hypocrisy and disenfranchisement in their psychological, sociological, and economic history but it is not held captive by it.
The myths of entitlement and social familiarity are no longer viable or realistic grounds to stand upon for African Americans and Hispanics. Civil rights laws and Affirmative Action were tools to pry open opportunities to enter the race but not the guarantee of equal access to education and training to win the race. Therein lies the detracting element of denominator. “ We will let you compete but you have to first qualify!” It is the dedication to craftsmanship that allows one to shave off the denigration of sloth and the tattered illusions of entitlement.
In a lifetime there are pivotal and defining moments that last past our recollections that seep into one’s character and pours into wisdom. Financially the cost of a home, a wedding, children, automobiles are landmarks in our lifetime. The cost of a college degree is a premier investment in one’s self regardless of who is footing the bill whether it is your parents, scholarship, grants, fellowships or for some of us ourselves. This cost should not be taken lightly and the application of it can provide future opportunities for those who are visionaries in sight. I state this to illustrate the tenacity one must have in determining if this long term goal is applicable for you. If you seek the path of riches and wealth, there are other ways to get there. If one is willing to appreciate the long term goals of an education and develop the integrity of values that facilitate transformation then one can appreciate education. The most important values one receives are derived from how one’s parents or primary care givers extend their own lives, culture and cognitive development to their offspring.
For African- Americans and Hispanics especially, there is disparity in the continual development of inheritances. The inheritance does not have a monetary value but rather intrinsic values that propel one past lucre. This is not determined by race, but by class. One must change the focus of remaining consumers to copyright the intellectual properties manifested on a daily basis and take hold. Technology is a tool and unfortunately many will live thread bare to keep in tune with the most current applications and services but have no clue how or the motivation, to create them. I found it appalling that some students can download a song or go on Face-book but cannot be bothered , or don’t know how to locate a blog or research sites for grants. Yet these are the same pedantic students who are not able to compete in the job market. Unprepared and unmotivated, these students maintain a false sense of entitlement and furthermore no appreciation for the history and achievements of their families.
The opportunity to close the gap on high dropout rates can be greatly lowered at a smaller college with fewer students. In fact the colloquium has the potential to unearth the leadership and talents of students with active participation. Learning the art of interpersonal and group communication is a powerful tool. The learning contract to my experience has had little value except for engaging those students without vision or motivation. I have attended a larger institution in which the class size was proportionally larger and have experienced the smaller class size as well. The benefit of the small class size allows the student to communicate more freely but does not diminish their lack of motivation or preparedness. It can magnify the affect placing the student in the vicinity of accountability with no shields to hide behind. The intimacy of an individualized class offers the student infinite possibilities to explore and challenge themselves. One’s intellectual prowess and strategic planning, coupled with logic has the potential to become a paramount force in the intellectual competencies.
There is no magic formula in this measure. The taxonomy of Bloom and the affective skills have the innate ability to segregate cognitive skill sets that are limited only by the student’s dedication to the process. Piaget refers to cognition in the general population on the pre-operational level with associations with primitive or folklore based thinking. Piaget states that most people will not reach the formal thinking as they may be only concerned with survival and happy in complacency. The possibility of formal thinking can be opened by use of the affective skills only if the student is willing, able and committed to the value. In regards to the learning contract, its value is based on the acceptance of a value from the student. As with all systems there are criteria and if one is challenged with logic, elements of sound, communication and low motivation there is no magic spell to get it. If the student is deficient in areas of but not limited to, language, logic, philosophy, critical and creative thinking then it is their personal responsibility to get prepared and this can be done in tandem with academic support not charity! This is an opportunity to go past pre-operational thinking and master formal thinking. Hispanics and African Americans have the cultural, linguistic, social and cognitive lineage to assimilate this with preparedness and willingness to receive and respond.
Does it really matter whose name is on the masthead? Yes it does! Your name conveys ownership and relays a standard of competency that speaks before, during and after you leave. The legacy has been defined by your work and commitment to a value and that is worth placing your name at the masthead in which the family and community can all share.
Entering a campus requires a sacrifice not unlike the Romans who did so to Nike, the Goddess of Victory. The sacrifice can be a conscious litany of resolves and with time illuminates the actual sacrifices that must be made. College at its simplest level is an opportunity to network, create and fashion your unique place for yourself in the grand scheme of life. The bounty is set at a sliding scale dependent upon motivation, investigation, diligence, curiosity, and aptitude.
A college degree is posted on a resume perched as a masthead beckoning one to consider the appropriation of proficient skill level. Some institutions are lauded with ivy laurels, others enriched with generous generational philanthropic donors. Sprinkled about are those that defy matrimonial and patrimonial shackles and a few that deign themselves as progeny of contemporary design in constant motion. Yet a special anomaly exist that continues to thrive on the undercurrent of social phenomena from the reserves of vigilance and actualization. African-American universities and colleges hold this prestige as a social and intellectual phenomena in the western hemisphere that survived past pondering naysayer’s and political thwarts. From this a “brain trust “ was documented and developed that integrated all strata’s of society and generations. The influence of this creation was the fuel for other population segments to begin to conceptualize that they could create a template of education for their own.
Boricua College holds the distinction of the first accredited post secondary institution founded by Puerto Ricans who were incensed by divisive and separatist issues of nationality, state hood and the failure of a system to embrace their own. This same spirit was preceded by the historical contributions of African Americans educators, strategists and politicians. Each group holds the mirror of hypocrisy and disenfranchisement in their psychological, sociological, and economic history but it is not held captive by it.
The myths of entitlement and social familiarity are no longer viable or realistic grounds to stand upon for African Americans and Hispanics. Civil rights laws and Affirmative Action were tools to pry open opportunities to enter the race but not the guarantee of equal access to education and training to win the race. Therein lies the detracting element of denominator. “ We will let you compete but you have to first qualify!” It is the dedication to craftsmanship that allows one to shave off the denigration of sloth and the tattered illusions of entitlement.
In a lifetime there are pivotal and defining moments that last past our recollections that seep into one’s character and pours into wisdom. Financially the cost of a home, a wedding, children, automobiles are landmarks in our lifetime. The cost of a college degree is a premier investment in one’s self regardless of who is footing the bill whether it is your parents, scholarship, grants, fellowships or for some of us ourselves. This cost should not be taken lightly and the application of it can provide future opportunities for those who are visionaries in sight. I state this to illustrate the tenacity one must have in determining if this long term goal is applicable for you. If you seek the path of riches and wealth, there are other ways to get there. If one is willing to appreciate the long term goals of an education and develop the integrity of values that facilitate transformation then one can appreciate education. The most important values one receives are derived from how one’s parents or primary care givers extend their own lives, culture and cognitive development to their offspring.
For African- Americans and Hispanics especially, there is disparity in the continual development of inheritances. The inheritance does not have a monetary value but rather intrinsic values that propel one past lucre. This is not determined by race, but by class. One must change the focus of remaining consumers to copyright the intellectual properties manifested on a daily basis and take hold. Technology is a tool and unfortunately many will live thread bare to keep in tune with the most current applications and services but have no clue how or the motivation, to create them. I found it appalling that some students can download a song or go on Face-book but cannot be bothered , or don’t know how to locate a blog or research sites for grants. Yet these are the same pedantic students who are not able to compete in the job market. Unprepared and unmotivated, these students maintain a false sense of entitlement and furthermore no appreciation for the history and achievements of their families.
The opportunity to close the gap on high dropout rates can be greatly lowered at a smaller college with fewer students. In fact the colloquium has the potential to unearth the leadership and talents of students with active participation. Learning the art of interpersonal and group communication is a powerful tool. The learning contract to my experience has had little value except for engaging those students without vision or motivation. I have attended a larger institution in which the class size was proportionally larger and have experienced the smaller class size as well. The benefit of the small class size allows the student to communicate more freely but does not diminish their lack of motivation or preparedness. It can magnify the affect placing the student in the vicinity of accountability with no shields to hide behind. The intimacy of an individualized class offers the student infinite possibilities to explore and challenge themselves. One’s intellectual prowess and strategic planning, coupled with logic has the potential to become a paramount force in the intellectual competencies.
There is no magic formula in this measure. The taxonomy of Bloom and the affective skills have the innate ability to segregate cognitive skill sets that are limited only by the student’s dedication to the process. Piaget refers to cognition in the general population on the pre-operational level with associations with primitive or folklore based thinking. Piaget states that most people will not reach the formal thinking as they may be only concerned with survival and happy in complacency. The possibility of formal thinking can be opened by use of the affective skills only if the student is willing, able and committed to the value. In regards to the learning contract, its value is based on the acceptance of a value from the student. As with all systems there are criteria and if one is challenged with logic, elements of sound, communication and low motivation there is no magic spell to get it. If the student is deficient in areas of but not limited to, language, logic, philosophy, critical and creative thinking then it is their personal responsibility to get prepared and this can be done in tandem with academic support not charity! This is an opportunity to go past pre-operational thinking and master formal thinking. Hispanics and African Americans have the cultural, linguistic, social and cognitive lineage to assimilate this with preparedness and willingness to receive and respond.
Does it really matter whose name is on the masthead? Yes it does! Your name conveys ownership and relays a standard of competency that speaks before, during and after you leave. The legacy has been defined by your work and commitment to a value and that is worth placing your name at the masthead in which the family and community can all share.
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