As the Amsterdam News looks at the state of Education in New York City this week, with the close of many schools and new reports which found that schools in lower income neighborhoods are receiving less funding, we take a look at some of the commentary on Black education that has been causing a stir this week.

“to succeed,” writes Forbes contributor Gene Marks talking about education, “is much harder for a black kid from West Philadelphia than a white kid from the suburbs. But it’s not impossible. The tools are there. The technology is there. And the opportunities there.”

In his profile Marks says, “I admit I’m a short, balding and mediocre certified public accountant”

He then goes on to write an entire advice piece for Black youth, explaining exactly what he would if he were one of them.

“If I was a poor black kid I would first and most importantly work to make sure I got the best grades possible. I would make it my #1 priority to be able to read sufficiently. I wouldn’t care if I was a student at the worst public middle school in the worst inner city,” writes Marks.

“If I was a poor black kid I would make it my goal to get into one of these [magnet] schools.”

“If I was a poor black kid I’d be using technology to research [private] schools on the internet, too, and making them know that I exist and that I get good grades and want to go to their school,” Marks continues.

“If I was a poor black kid I would get technical. I would learn software. I would learn how to write code. I would seek out courses in my high school that teaches these skills or figure out where to learn more online. I would study on my own. I would make sure my writing and communication skills stay polished,” Marks writes. “Because a poor black kid who gets good grades, has a part time job and becomes proficient with a technical skill will go to college.”

Marks goes on for 2 pages before he sums up by saying: “Technology can help these kids. But only if the kids want to be helped. Yes, there is much inequality. But the opportunity is still there in this country for those that are smart enough to go for it.”

Do you think these comments are unacceptable or are they good advice for our youth?

for the full story see:http://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbettertech/2011/12/12/if-i-was-a-poor-black-kid/2/