Originally Posted by
Onfinal
Well this discussion wasn't centered on Blacks specifically, but your comments make me believe that we're not as far along as you imply.
Perhaps it's not 100% of the debate, but it certainly is the majority.
1) Where did you go to school?
South Florida, near Miami.
2) How many black students did you know in a intimate enough way to know their future career plans and dreams?
Just about half my graduating class is black. All of my classes have at least 5 black students. One of my best friends was black, and I dated a black gorl for a few months.
3) Did you know any other white, hispanic, asian or other students in High School that wanted to be pilots, and if so was it a large enough statistical number to add any validity to your statement?
Six white kids I knew wanted to be pilots, and one Hispanic. I'm not sure if they actually pursued those ambitions but they're the only ones that expressed interest in the field.
4) Is the ghetto culture in the black community any different from the "trash" culture in the white community (you know the Cops/Jerry Springer show variety) and what does that have to do with pilots when we've already discussed that most minority pilots as well as white pilots come out of the american middle class.
No, they're the same. But the "ghetto" culture is certainly more predominant among backs than "trash" is among whites.
In all my years, I've only met
two black kids who weren't into the "G"-scene. Then again, alot of white kids are into it too.
By the way. when I was in High School I knew several Blacks and Hispanics that wanted to be pilots. Through involvement in CAP, NAI, I could say I've known hundreds. I have several personal friends who are black that are pilots, I've also have been involved with a privately funded program in New Jersey called Eagle Flight where many poorer white, black, and hispanic students are exposed to aviation. Many have gone on to becoming pilots, joining the military in aviation fields, etc. etc. I would say in most college aviation programs you will find they are quite well represented by black students. In fact AOPA's national college representative for the learn to fly program was black?
And again, I wasn't saying all blacks wouldn't pursue a career in aviation. Personally, I don't like classifying people into "blacks" and "whites". We're all people. I was simply saying that through my own personal experience, I have seen that black students (at least in my area) show less interest in aviation.
It's not because they're black, it's because of the culture alot born into.
You see more middle-class blacks flying because their parents put a value on education, and didn't let them fall into a "G" mentality. And they also had money! Money is what makes planes fly, and nomatter if you have white, black, or Hispanic parents; if they don't have money, you're going to have a harder time getting into the career field!
I wouldn't be where I am today if my parents didn't have money. Not that it's anything to brag about, it's the the plain truth.
I'm not sure what the source of your information is for the implications you make in your statement, " most blacks aren't interested in aviation". Well neither are most whites! Your own experience may or may not be consistent with reality.
To deny the obvious only goes to show ignorance.
Yeah, maybe I've just been living "outside of reality" for my whole life.
