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Studies have shown that African-Americans tend to enter college at later ages than other races. They tend to enter college once they have already graduated high school, having already been introduced to the "working world." What could be the cause of this? Could it be that the interest in education amongst the black community is not as accepted as it is in other racial communities? It seems that blacks only think that someone has "made it" if they have obtained a record contract to be a musical artist, or if they are playing some type of professional sport. It seems that the focus to obtain an education, among blacks, is not as pressing as it was in the times of the civil rights movements, when it was apparent that blacks had to fight for their right to be educated. Today, with a high school education being free, it seems that the passion to receive this education,has been lost. What happened to the hunger and the desire to succeed that once existed among the black community?

The leaders in the black community today, sadly to say, are not like the leaders that once existed in the past. The roles models that young African Americans have today are video queens and rap artists. Sure, there are many blacks that are successful and have gotten great educations which lead them to be successful in other areas other than music and sports, but the fact of the matter is that we do not see them displayed in the media as regularly as we ought.

To take a person that has grown up around people that have not pursued secondary education is another reason that African-Americans tend to not enter into college. If you are surrounded by people that didn't see value in further educating themselves to actively compete in the job market, then how could they possibly tell others to pursue an education for themselves? Wanting to be perceived as having money is the image that is portrayed throughout the black communities. Working to get what is "required" just to look good is a trap that blacks have fallen victim to, only to see that a secondary education is needed to earn the type of money needed to live a descent life, thus is the reason that blacks tend to enter into college at later times of their lives.

Improving moral, and introducing positive role models is a step towards improving the number of African-American students that enter into college. Showing a person that they can be successful in ways other than entertainment is another way. Explaining to them that it's okay to actually be smart; it's okay to want to be a chemical engineer, a lawyer..etc. Changing the thought pattern and ideas that exist among the black community, is key to improving the number of blacks that enter into college.

Learn more about this author, Shondale Scott.
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