I served on a committee at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the 1980s which looked at the under-representation of blacks in the classes of UAMS, the only med school in the state. It became clear that there were too few qualified black students graduating from college to increase the meager % of Black med students (about…
I served on a committee at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the 1980s which looked at the under-representation of blacks in the classes of UAMS, the only med school in the state. It became clear that there were too few qualified black students graduating from college to increase the meager % of Black med students (about 5%). We looked at the data and saw that to make a difference, a program would need to focus on students in junior high school, if not elementary school. This problem lingers today and the quality of early education leaves many children of color below average in testing and achievement. No bias of promotion from college to med school will make a difference. The ratio of Black women to Black men in med schools is quite uneven indicating that factors other than racism and intelligence are at play.
We don't live in the same world as 1980. Black poverty, for example was 32% in 1980 and is currently 17%; 47% lower. In 1980 affirmative action was just starting, we are now 2 generations into affirmative action. Blacks living in the suburbs was 24% in 1980, now 54%, more than doubling.
Academic achievement in black males has lagged behind. Quality of schools has NOT improved in any significant way. I wonder why. What do you think, Dave?
I think you are wrong in your statement about quality of schools to begin with. With half of black families living in the suburbs now, they are receiving "better education." And I would also say that the important part of "black males" is the male part. Because males, in general, are "lagging behind" in academic achievment (over 60% of college undergraduates are women). HS drop out rates are higher for males than females and the gap is not trending down. While whites drop out less than blacks, the rates have been getting closer to together for 50 years and if present trajectories remain will be the same relatively soon.
Then we have an important conundrum: why are black males still accepted at such a low rate despite interest on the part of so many DEI-endowed med schools? There is still social pathology within the young black male population. Perhaps there are many easier avenues to drive for young black men.
Lots to unpack and I think a lot of unknowns. But, not going to med school is hardly a social pathology. But, what we do know is that you can't change the standards nor "encourage" your way to a higher ratio. Especially when you are discouraging all males at the same time.
I served on a committee at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the 1980s which looked at the under-representation of blacks in the classes of UAMS, the only med school in the state. It became clear that there were too few qualified black students graduating from college to increase the meager % of Black med students (about 5%). We looked at the data and saw that to make a difference, a program would need to focus on students in junior high school, if not elementary school. This problem lingers today and the quality of early education leaves many children of color below average in testing and achievement. No bias of promotion from college to med school will make a difference. The ratio of Black women to Black men in med schools is quite uneven indicating that factors other than racism and intelligence are at play.
We don't live in the same world as 1980. Black poverty, for example was 32% in 1980 and is currently 17%; 47% lower. In 1980 affirmative action was just starting, we are now 2 generations into affirmative action. Blacks living in the suburbs was 24% in 1980, now 54%, more than doubling.
Academic achievement in black males has lagged behind. Quality of schools has NOT improved in any significant way. I wonder why. What do you think, Dave?
I think you are wrong in your statement about quality of schools to begin with. With half of black families living in the suburbs now, they are receiving "better education." And I would also say that the important part of "black males" is the male part. Because males, in general, are "lagging behind" in academic achievment (over 60% of college undergraduates are women). HS drop out rates are higher for males than females and the gap is not trending down. While whites drop out less than blacks, the rates have been getting closer to together for 50 years and if present trajectories remain will be the same relatively soon.
Then we have an important conundrum: why are black males still accepted at such a low rate despite interest on the part of so many DEI-endowed med schools? There is still social pathology within the young black male population. Perhaps there are many easier avenues to drive for young black men.
Lots to unpack and I think a lot of unknowns. But, not going to med school is hardly a social pathology. But, what we do know is that you can't change the standards nor "encourage" your way to a higher ratio. Especially when you are discouraging all males at the same time.