Popis knihy

Despite its heavy and large body, the bumblebee is able to fly - defying the law of aerodynamics. The bumblebee flies because its inherent power is greater than its challenges, aerodynamics included. Like the bumblebee, all young men of color - and all individuals - have the inherent power to overcome challenges and do the seemingly impossible. In Bumblebees Can Fly: Empowering Young Men of Color, Dr. Dowdell-Underwood uses natural and social science research to explain the relationship between marginalization, perceptions of mattering, and achievement among young men of color. He then proffers person-centric strategies of engaging personal Inherent Power for the poor, and young men of color in order to overcome the effects of marginalization and maximize their human potential; thereby, preventing the societal loss that results when brilliant young men of color fail to constructively employ their inherent power, that is, their skill, ability, talent, will, and intellect to fulfill their burden of hope. Strategies for parents, educators, government, policymakers, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations are also discussed. In 1998, Dr. Dowdell-Underwood testified before the United States Congressional Committee on Small Businesses regarding his education strategies for maximizing achievement among all youth, including the poor and young men and women of color. Dr. Dowdell-Underwood challenges all vestiges of society and particularly education to maximize not only scholastic achievement of young men of color, but also personal empowerment by engaging their inherent power and their need and desire to achieve in education and to succeed in life. He is also politically active - challenging educational policies that marginalize students, particularly poor and minority students. He believes that all children deserve the dignity of being recognized as the Agents of Learning and not the objects of it. His unyielding commitment to education and human development has made an unparalleled positive impact on the numerous students who affectionately refer to him as Doc or as the educator who changed my life.