A random survey it was not. It was more spontaneous, our meeting at a Burngreave Project. It gave me perspectives from three black professionals. In my eyes it was enough because it spoke volumes and reflected two opposing views of why black exclusions may be happening and why they should not. The discussion was frank sincere and, most importantly real.

One black female professional suggested that black pupils were failing in the school system because there was not enough support from teachers and parents. The inclusion of the ‘generation gap’ came to prominence in our discussion.

“In our time we had discipline instilled in us by our parents and the church and we knew that our parents worked together with the teachers.”

It was plain to see that my learned friend was implying that young black pupils were not obtaining the support, empowerment, and confidence to help them with their transition. Before I could utter a word to agree or disagree with her comments a voice so sincere with conviction and passion came from the corner of the room dressed in a humble tone.

“No do not blame the tools! Everyone has a choice on whether they decide to achieve or not. I say there are enough opportunities for young black people to achieve in school. If you have two legs and you are a good footballer then use your tools to take advantage of your situation. The problem with young black people today is that they do not use the alternative, their minds, if their dreams of becoming a footballer fails. What we are seeing today in our culture is the ‘quick buck’ mentality obtaining material wealth by not working for it.”

You mean the bling bling culture?

“Yes. Young black males would rather juggle than to work hard through college or find a job. It’s all about money today – I mean I can easily live on 18k a year and get by, but the youths of today want the big car and the flash clothes. If they see an easy way of getting it they would follow that path. They are imitating this culture of things they see from others coming here from overseas.

“There was a time in the 80s when I would have supported the black community to obtain funds to help credible causes such as education. But because of certain black people’s self interest and the lack of determination to put pen to paper to help a pro-active black cause nothing got done. I would be reluctant to support a black youth today because of the probability of knowing that person I am supporting is a person who is going to either mug, rob, or shoot me in the street.”

Isn’t that an all too familiar stereotype we are fighting?

“Yes but it is a stereotype that is true.”

Would you say that the answer to black school exclusions is more black governors?

“Yes but the problem with black people is that once they hold a position of power they forget who they are and become token yes men.”

In total disagreement with her male colleague’s comments – the black female professional said in order to go forward we need to be positive.

“If we obtain positions of power within the system then we must talk to others and say this is how I did it, I’ll show you how! But unfortunately as people we still have this slave mentality. We don’t come together, it’s divide and rule, we’d rather condemn and criticize our own than encourage.”

I listened to both views and I was witnessing a reincarnation of words that were ever present in my childhood from my mother and father. I could not counteract any of their views.

In Sheffield the school exclusion rate amongst black pupils is distinctly higher than the national average. By bringing this issue to the surface we can look at this problem holistically with the aim of finding solutions. But in finding solutions it must not be a crusade that is taken on by just concerned black folk, but also by those who hold power to make changes.