The Journey of Ardro Knight

This story, "The journey of Ardro Knight" is one of stark reality. It is a story for the millions who are, in one way or another, involved in the moral, social emotional and educational development of a Black Male. This story is not new!! Everybody knows it, but very few want to talk about it. This story is my attempt to explore the prime factors of the mysterious reality that fewer than 40% of the Black males who enter 9th grade in the US, graduate from high school four years later. Using a methodology the authors say is more accurate than many states employ, researchers, in a recent study, "Confronting the Graduation Rate Crisis in the South," by the Harvard University Civil Rights Project, have recently reported data that conclude that the low rates of graduation for black males in the US are an educational and civil rights crisis "The study tabulates high school graduation rates for 16 states and the District of Columbia. "Black males were half as likely to graduate in four years as white Florida high school students. In 2002, just 38 percent of black males finished in that time" Other studies* have verified: * That few school districts in the nation that have 10,000 or more black male students, have graduation rates at or above the national average for that group * That black males are more likely to be placed in Special Education classes. * That black males make up the lowest enrollment in advanced placement classes. * That black males in most school districts have the highest rate of out-of -school suspensions. * That black males comprise almost 80% of the prison population. * That black males are much less likely to marry and form stable families, and their children are very likely to drop out as well. This story is an attempt to show, through the fictional life and experience of Ardro Knight, how one individual black youth copes with the realities of this existence-realities that are sometimes frightening, angering, beautiful, euphoric.. other times frustrating then devastatingly sad and lonely- separately, and maybe all at the same time. We meet Ardro's family, his School, his Teachers, his Peers, his Church, the Community service Agencies, Law Enforcement, Health facilities, etc.-all having the responsibility for providing and satisfying, on a daily basis, his social, emotional, developmental, security, moral guidance, and companionship needs. All, in close communication and association, are responsible for Ardro's management and control, instruction, and for answers to his moral questions. They also provide encouragement, security, roots, and most importantly feelings of approval, admiration, and love. Not one of the characters in Ardro's story is aware that he or she is either part of his great umbrella of support, or a possible vehicle for his destruction. Helene, of course, wants to be the support system, but without help and support she could easily become destructive. As in real life, characters do not communicate their emotions, anxieties, desires, etc. to others. Communication is nil. Each tries to fulfill his role to educate Ardro, or place him in a niche where his life can be managed for him-all without knowledge of each other's efforts. It is a wild pipe dream that Cap and Gown manufacturers would find a lucrative new market in high school and college graduations for young black men. How this will happen remains a tantalizing ------ mystery.