Homeschooling

[Sa]

Thankfully homeschooling is becoming more popular in our black families.
Our children need it,especially in this day and age where many of them don't get the nurturing they need. The nurturing they can get through homeschooling will foster independence and leadership(that is if they are taught properly).

Here in Toronto,Canada the government wants to come out with a "black- focused" public school. It looks like it's going to happen. At face value it seems like such great intentions of the government to finally give us black people attention. My question to them is, why now?. Obviously if they didn't do it 100 years ago when slaves escaped here in Canada in Nova Scotia then their present motives are not authentic.
Canada has much hidden racism and it's effecting black families in Canada. The "black focused" is a way of filtering out black children who are struggling from academics and acting out violently in the school systems.

So now more the ever we need to take initiative to homeschool our children all around the world. I know it's a plunge when there are parents that are out working and have to make income. Howver that's where home-based jobs or self-employment comes in.

The changes and adjustments to become a homeschooler can be a lot to think of. However, what's more difficult then working 9-5, picking up your child from daycare or school, then spending about an hour or two with them before bed, then doing it again the next day. You would have to wait to teach them culture and spend real quality time with them at night or weekends.

If you are interested in homeschooling, I can provide a list of homeschool resources.It's worth considering.

[Yolanda]

My husband and I have mulled it over, and we're definitely pulling our children from the public school system. Were it not for the age of my younger child, I already knew which program they would attend (hint.hint. Bro. Baruti). ;-) So, with that said, we're in the process of moving to self-employment--my husband first, followed by me. We're going to teach our children, and we know that when we're done, they'll be educated to the right things.

Sister Sa, please feel free to forward me any resources you might have (juswritin at sbcglobal.net). I can use everything I can get.

Peace and blessings in abundance . . .

[Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti]

Congratulations on all of your affirmations of independence. I really don't think that one (children's mental independence) can be successful with the other (parent's intellectual and economic) independence, not to speak of spiritual and communal/national independence. Let us know if we can be of assistance.

[Yolanda]

I will certainly look to you as we work to build the nation within so that our children will be prepared to assist in building the nation without.

Peace and blessings in abundance, Baba Baruti . . .

[Sa]

Wow! The input from everyone about homeschooling id inspirational. It just shows how displeased we all are about the quality of education for our children. Let's keep pulling together to support one another to make it happen. Let's recycle black dollars in black homecshoolers businesses so that we can financialy support our homeschooled families and share resources to expand our homescholing tools.

Here's a couple of links that I have:
www.blackhomeschoolers.ning.com/ (I had login problems though, I hope you don't have the same)
www.geocities.com/blackhomeschool/
www.ymib.com(for women and mothers - there's a section for homeschooling in their forum)

Peace and Blessings,
Sa Mut Herr

[Itiel McVay]

Speaking of recycling black dollars in black home-schoolers businesses. Smell Goods, my business offers a 15% discount to all home-schoolers, on all purchases.

Some of my favorite links:
Living Math-not a "black" home-schooling group, but very helpful if you are wanting your child to learn math from a non-traditional stand point.

African American Unschoolers

African American Registry

Marcus Garvey School of Thought

[Dan Tres Omi]

well
the first thing we have to ask is who was leading the charge for black focused schools? who were the researchers? you'd be surprised

the reason why i say that is because in Columbus, Ohio there is an african centered public school. I seen it with my eyes. I have not been there in 8 years (i plan on checking them in the next few months, we just moved to ohio) but it seems successful.

[kemetic]

Yeah, home schooling, is definately where it's at!!!

[Sadiki Sa*Ra]

I quit teaching other people’s children after my daughter was born. My schedule did not allow me to parent the why I saw was necessary. So I too grew my side business to be my full time employment. Now I have time and flexibility to truly educate my daughter. Whether our children are in a formal school outside of the home or not, we need to take charge of their education. The school, even an African-centered one should supplement what is being taught in the home, not replace it. Although my daughter is in school now, I am still ‘homeschooling’ her. (I have started her chess lessons, Baba Baruti.) Also, I suggest a book written by timothy ferriss called “The 4 Hour Work Week”. He is not one of us however there are is some good information in there for those of us seeking to increase the amount of time we have for family, community, and nation. The book applies to those that are self employed as well to those that still work for someone else.
Free up your time, educate your children!

[Sa]

Greetings Sadiki Sa Ra,

I appreciate your input. It good that you have taken initiative to give your daughter the father she needs.

I do agrre that a school outside of the home is not a replacement of what's supposed to be taught at home. The problem is that for many hours your child is in the hands of someone elses care and authority everyday except weekends.

And yes, it is ideal to have our children attend an Afakan-Centered school. I had my son attend one in the past and I have no complaints. However, I noticed that the schedule was hecktic to drop have him dropped off in the mornings and pick him up at late afternoon.This effected the quality time I could spend with him since it was only possible after school or on weekends.

So you can teach home values and lessons at home after your child goes to school but it's not the same thing as home schooling- where you teach your child at home throughout the day.
My approach is homeschooling with an integration of Afrakan -centered classes and programs.

[B]

yo i really appreciate this forum its very practical and inspiring we definitely will benefit from such simple yet extremely valuable sharing of info., insights books websites etc. i'm definitely gon check for the book u sited the 4 hr work week. cause that time thang is essential something i harp on alot if we are able to reduce our time wit the everyday rmundane routine of this society we could spend alot more time tappin in2 our greatness and genius developin and implementing strategies and tactics to form and fashion the type of lifestyle that we find most desirable for ourselves family communities so on and so forth so again givel thanks peace

[Itiel McVay]

I am a home-schooling mom of two warrior princesses. At 17 years of age (now 34) I knew I would home-school. I officially started my children on their journey of love for learning at age 2.5 (now ages 8 & 7). Home education has not just help them soar academically, but spiritually, emotionally, and humanly as well.

Ha, I laugh at "black-focused" public school. Another way of saying,"Let's make you think that we are looking out for you." When in reality, it is more of let's have more control over what you are learning. We are not going to teach you about your role during the ancient times, we are only going to spoon feed you the Civil Rights leaders we want you to know about, we are going glorify how you can be apart of the labor class. No different than the "white-focused" public school.

Itiel
Marcus Garvey School of Thought
Charlotte, NC

[Conscious Queen]

Sista,

I am in Charlotte and intrigued at your response. Are you now conducting a school for your children here in the area? How can we link up. I have a nearly 3 year old and know of a almost 7 year old girl and 11 year old boy brotha that need this school of thought here (amongst the rest of our community indeed).

Peace.

Sadiya