The architects and pioneers described education as a “great equalizer,” offering an avenue to success and opportunity, no matter one’s background or circumstances. Unfortunately, many students, especially those from previously excluded and marginalized communities, are deprived of this privilege. President Obama and Jay-Z come to mind when I think about inspiring individuals for their authentic brand of influence and unique approach to the human condition.
Through their words and artistry, they both bring attention to how their humble beginnings influenced the path to their respective success stories and outlook on life. From President Obama’s illustration of his upbringing and struggles to Jay-Z’s verses about dusting, “dirt off your shoulder,” both provide a source of inspiration to those who have faced similar challenges and come “out the mud.”
President Obama’s message sometimes echoes many of Jay-Z’s songs, which often focus on the importance of education and economic empowerment. In his song “Moment of Clarity,” he raps, “If skills sold truth be told I’d probably be lyrically Talib Kweli / Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense/But I did 5 mill – I ain’t been rhyming like Common since.” In this line, Jay-Z acknowledges the importance of education in pursuing one’s dreams and recognizes that financial success can come from other sources. While Jay-Z is speaking about the various means to create a lucrative enterprise, I would like to extend the same analogy for how we engage our communities, build relationships, and achieve educational equity. To fulfill our most significant outcomes and elevate our communities will take intentionality and a differentiated approach.
As a collective body of leaders, we must create an environment where everyone has access to vocational training and world-class pedagogy regardless of race or economic status.
Unfortunately, states are passing laws restricting resources, collapsing community schools, and funneling high-quality educators away from schools that need them. Plus, several states adopted a stance to ban literature and diminish diversity and equity initiatives.
To truly create equitable teaching and learning, reversing harmful trends start with environments founded on understanding the needs of our student population and implementing creative solutions that meet those needs. Strengthening our engagement with the community ensures all stakeholders feel a sense of ownership in the progressive transformation needed in leadership and relationship building. This will only be possible when we build on existing strengths, explore current initiatives, and invest thoughtfully in our students’ future.
But we know this journey can present many road blocks and speed bumps. Recently, the Supreme Court decided to roll back protections individuals to be serviced regardless of how they identify. Or, the ability to pursue a post-secondary education absent equitable access. These moments can be debilitating, but with our tenacity and drive for progress we continue to move forward.
President Obama and Jay-Z believed in the power of a culture that serves as an example to young leaders everywhere; a culture where those who are often forgotten or overlooked are given the space to voice their thoughts, opinions and ideas. These recent moves signal an era similar to Jim Crow. Leaders with a passion for truth, heart for people, and a soul for humanity must continue to stand up against such intolerance and discriminatory practices in order to ensure all students are treated with respect and allowed access to the same educational opportunities.
President Barack Obama once said in his speech at the University of Illinois that, “We are tested by trials, just as our forebears were, but it’s important to remember that we have the power to shape our destiny. No matter what trials come our way, with optimism and perseverance – and a willingness to hold ourselves accountable for making change – we can progress towards achieving educational equity. We can create a better future, one that is worth fighting for.” These words still ring true today; no matter how difficult the obstacles are in pursuing justice and equity, we should continue fighting for it. We owe it to our students and their families.”
Jay-Z has also spoken passionately about the importance of education. In his song “The Story of O.J.,” he raps,
“Education is power / Knowledge is key / The pen is mightier than the sword.” He says, “If you don’t have the knowledge, you’re lost / You’re just another statistic.”Jay-Z
The words of President Obama and Jay-Z are a call to action. They are a reminder that education and better legislative oversight are the keys to a better future for all. Doing this will involve working together to create a more just existence for everyone to access quality education.
Here are some specific steps that we can take to achieve an equitable education from the influence of Jay-Z and President Obama:
1) Provide robust alternative education options. These include broadening the scope of academic and extracurricular classes to offer more diverse and engaging content and creating support systems for students with learning challenges or behavioral issues.
2) Invest in better resources for teachers and administrators. This includes providing comprehensive training, access to adequate technology tools, and resources for addressing mental health and social-emotional issues.
3) Advocate for more equitable funding of public schools. This means ensuring that all school districts receive the same amount of money regardless of their economic or demographic makeup, which will lead to a more balanced playing field.
4) Invest in early childhood education. Studies have shown that investments in quality preschool programs improve academic performance. Investing resources into early childhood education can help ensure that all children get the best start possible in life.
By taking these steps, more children will find their passion, and the layers of bureaucracy will slow down.
To approach the recommended steps takes leaders who are both servants and disruptors. President Obama focused on healthcare reform, climate change, and economic recovery during his term in office. Successful entrepreneur and rapper Jay-Z used his platform to raise awareness about poverty and the need to reconstruct the criminal justice system. Both leaders defied conventional thinking and ensured their vision was supported by those they led and an understanding of the value of empathy.
En route to providing equitable education, authentic leaders who are also servants will face decenters and pessimism. Jay-Z suggests that pushing forward is essential. “
Can’t knock the hustle, got to respect it/Jigga something to protect, so I check it.”
-Jay-Z, Can’t Knock The Hustle.Jay-Z, Can’t Knock The Hustle
This lyric reminds us that even when faced with pessimism and doubt, we should stay focused on our goals and never give up. Even when the odds may seem impossible, we can still find ways to push through and achieve success.
By staying committed to our goals and refusing to give in to pessimism, we can create positive change for ourselves, our communities, and our world. Only by taking risks and embracing opportunities can we make sustained progress.
This is a message President Obama and Jay-Z would support.
Dr. Darryl S. Diggs, Jr.