A Historical Perspective: How a Positive Cultural Identity Can Increase Achievement Motivation and Self-Esteem in Young African American Students

Abstract

The dropout rates for African American students in the urban areas of western, New York are increasing at an alarming rate. Many young African Americans are becoming victims to gang related violence, drug trafficking and other rills that affect our community. Worst of all, society is producing young people who are uneducated and will be unable to make their communities better economically, politically, and educationally. Young African Americans aspire to the images they see throughout the media. Being a gangster or "thug life" is more important than getting good grades. Unfortunately many African Americans are unaware of their history. They have never heard the eloquence of Malcolm X or the exploits of Benjamin Banneker or Charles Drew. Once African Americans are aware of the greatness of their legacy, they will aspire to be like their ancestors who overcame amazing obstacles in order to achieve greatness.