SENGChat: Is Being Young, Gifted, and Black a Blessing or Curse?

‘ Over 50 years ago, Lorraine Hansberry—the iconic playwright   and activist, coined the saying,   "young, gifted, and black." Nina Simone used her words in a tribute   song to her friend, which I grew up singing without understanding its   meaning.

"To be young, gifted, and black is  where it's at."

When I was a child, my parents said; I had to be twice as good as my fellow white students to get half of what they took   for granted. 

Fast forward 30 years, as a parent, I expected  that life would be better for my son.

Unfortunately, that has not been my   experience. Despite being an educator myself and having the ability to speak   the language of his teachers, being black and gifted has not made life  easier.

Join me as I discuss what it is like to be   black and not fit the norms. To be black and undervalued by…