Perception and The State of Males in

Society

Purpose

• This session will expose students to district, state, and national statistics, stereotypes, and racism. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on these statistics and ultimately take action.

Agenda

Ice Breaker (5 minutes) Personal/Societal Perceptions of Males

Activity (30 minutes) Statistics Discussion (20 minutes) Announcements/Reminder (5 minutes)

Perceptions of Men Small groups will:

Write their groups’ self-perception of men on the inside of the silhouette

Write “society’s” perception of black men outside of the silhouette

After completing the activity each group will hang their silhouette in the room

Stats

If you have a yellow dot,

please stand up.

Stats

Only 3 out of 4 CMS students graduate high

school.

North Carolina Statistics (2012)

58% of African American students graduate

50% of Latino/Hispanic American students graduate

NC is 12th in the nation for having the highest poverty rate

More than 40% of minority children live in poverty

CMS Statistics (2012) 44% of African Americans graduate. 76% of all students graduate. Only 4% of African Americans are

classified as gifted/Honors Only 3% of Hispanic Americans are

classified as gifted/Honors Drop out rate (2007): 6.4% Drop out rate (2012): 3.2%

Whitewater MS Statistics2012 African American and Hispanic males account for 57% of all

suspensions.-(AA) Total days suspended: 1449-(AA) Average # days suspended: 9.4-(HA) Total days suspended: 197-(HA) Average # days suspended: 8.2

African American and Hispanic males account for 48% of students not proficient in Math, and 47% in Reading.

-(AA) Total days absent: 2575-(AA) Average # days absent: 9.2-(HA) Total days absent: 827-(HA) Average # days absent: 9.1

Stats Reflection Questions1. How do you think society views you, according to your

race?2. What was your initial reaction to the statistics shared?3. Were these statistics alarming to you? If so, why?4. How did these statistics make you feel as a male in

society?5. Prisons across the United states use students 3rd grade

reading scores to dictate how many prison beds are needed. Students who are not reading on grade level in the 3rd grade are statistically shown to drop out of school and experience a life of crime. What are your thoughts on this? How does this make you feel?

6. What do you need to do so that you do not become another statistic?

Activity Discussion Questions Did you know, before this activity, that this was the

way the world was divided proportionally? Do you think it’s fair? Why or why not?

Why do you think the people are in each tier? Do you think that the people who got the big meal

should help the others? Why or why not? Do you think people in the third tier are there because

they don’t work hard? Or why do you think the people in the third tier are there?

Has anyone had a personal experience with witnessing poverty in the U.S. or in a visit to a low-income country that they would like to share?

Does anyone have any ideas on how the personal choices we as Americans make impact this unequal distribution?

Any questions about the state of males in society?

Reminders/Announcements