Statements & Op-Eds
As Published on AJC.com
Posted on June 11, 2011
Does the black community focus more on athletics than academics with young men? {more}
As published on AJC.com: Maureen Downey: What score Matters?
Posted on June 11, 2011
Only 1 percent of college athletes graduate to the pros. Yet, 95 percent of the students NFL player Bryan Scott meets in inner-city schools tell him that they want to play pro sports. {more}
As Published on AJC.com: How to motivate students when culture attacks ambition
Posted on October 5, 2010
As Published by AJC.com The recent testing scandal in Georgia schools has prompted a spate of articles focusing our attention even more sharply on our nation’s education crisis and the significant need for school reform. {more}
As Published on in The AJC: Head Fake: Etienne LeGrand speaks out on the “madness” of NCAA basketball player graduation rates
Posted on May 13, 2010
As a basketball fan and former player, I share in the national madness called the NCAA Final Four. But while I watched this weekend, it was with the discomfort of knowing that the rewards accrued by the ballers will dwarf those of their counterparts in the academic arena. It seems, based on the recent media focus on graduation rates of NCAA basketball players, most notably the African-American players, I’m not the only one who’s uncomfortable. But, it’s not only the outcomes (graduation rates) that make me uncomfortable, but it’s also the extent to which we are all complicit in championing the culture and values that make this phenomenon possible. {more}
As Published in The AJC: Sports Homage Hurts Students
Posted on September 18, 2009
School is back in session, public education reform is back on the radar and, with the first black U.S. president in office, the stubborn academic achievement gap between black and white students is leading education-related discourse. The facts continue to tell a disturbing story: {more}
As Published in The AJC: FSU STAR MYRON ROLLE - Celebrate the Scholar Not the Football Star
Posted on December 5, 2008
In the state of Florida, thousands of African-American boys idolize Florida State strong safety Myron Rolle. Week after fall week, as they watch him fend off blockers, tackle runners and defend passes, they imagine themselves in his shoes, and dedicate themselves to doing whatever it takes to get there. And that’s a shame. Not because Rolle doesn’t deserve to be looked up to. There are very few young men who are as worthy of hero worship as Myron Rolle is. The shame is that the young people who idolize him do so for the wrong reason. {more}