For every hardship facing African Americans, there has been a leader to take up the mantle of advocating on our behalf. During the 20th century, the black community has leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. These men provided great knowledge and encouraged resistance against white oppression. Today's generation has Dr. Umar Johnson. Dr. Johnson is a clinical psychologist who evaluates whether children should be admitted into special education programs. He is also a lecturer who plans to open his own private school for young black men. Johnson plans to raise $2 million for a school which will be named the Frederick Douglas Marcus Garvey Academy. He stopped by Power 105.1’s the "Breakfast Club" for an hour-long sit-down to share his perspective and educate listeners.
“The labels that we apply are not scientifically validated when we give them out. ... When I say he has ADHD, the test did not give me that diagnosis. It is a professional opinion that I make based on my training, my expertise, my background. It can be wrong,” said Johnson
Special education is designed for students who are mentally, physically, emotionally, or socially delayed and meet the needs of children who cannot keep up with their peers. It became a law in 1975 and gave these children the right to be taught in public schools. Dr. Umar makes it known that in order for children to be placed in special education, they must go through a school psychologist first. African American and Latino students have the highest percentage of special education rates, 1.4 times that of white children.
He calls special education a "trash can" where white middle class teachers and psychologists dump these children, especially those who cannot sit still. Most psychologists label these children with ADHD and prescribe them Ritalin which is classified with cocaine and opium. Dr. Umar believes the best medicine lies with parents and their ability to discipline their children. He encourages parents to take away the electronics and push for reading at home. Literacy is one of the main reasons minority children are placed in these programs.
Continuing with the talk of education, Dr. Umar also discussed his plans to open his own school: The Frederick Douglas Marcus Garvey Academy. With a fundraiser for $2 million, Johnson will purchase the former historically black college St. Paul’s College, in Virginia. The curriculum will teach black men to be financially, socially, and politically aware and to live a healthier lifestyle. With only a fourth of the money raised, he's hoping for support from noted figures in the entertainment industry. He believes there is a lack of support with historically black colleges as well. He exclaims:
“With all the black celebrities we got: football, basketball, rap, and entrepreneurship, every black college should have a black entrepreneurial sponsor. Jay Z and Beyonce one school, Usher one school, Puff one school, Rick Ross one school, Lebron one school, Carmelo one school. Why are these black colleges shutting down?”
He raises a good point as many black colleges are in need of financial support. In particular, Morris Brown College lost its accreditation in 2002 and is functioning with only a few students. Other schools on the brink of extinction include Cheyney University and South Carolina State University. Not only will celebrities be supporting the education of black students, but the money will also go to better marketing for the schools. Johnson states, “Seventy-five years ago you couldn’t go to Harvard and Yale because of your skin color. Now Harvard and Yale got scholarships just for blacks.” The recruitment from PWIs is far better than HBCUs, which may not have the funds to market to every college fair instead of just black college fairs. In Johnson’s eyes, celebrities have the wealth and power to provide opportunities where there are none. Starting with HBCUs is one way to do this, and giving donations to his school will further the progress.
On the road to building his school, Dr. Umar is also hosting college tours for black men. These tours will go from different cities to allow black men to visit historically black colleges. Although his message seems geared solely on black men, he has not forgotten about black women. He hopes to establish another school, The Anna Douglas and Amy Garvey Academy, for women. Though his plans are great, there are those who have decided not to back him. MadameNoire published an article last June expressing their opposition to him due to his views on black women and homosexuality. Some of Dr. Umar's views are a bit radical, but are people willing to put their views aside for a common goal? Hopefully, people will pull together and Dr. Umar's goal will be accomplished.
