A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

So, this isn't how I wanted to start my commentary on education, but an issue arose today that I need to sort through...This past year there was the highest volume of male applicants for a summer business program designed for minority students. Not only was the number higher than ever, but the qualifications of these gentlemen were more impressive than any applicant pool in the last ten years. After hearing this news I was extremely pleased to find out that black men were finally reaching their full potential and beginning to close the widening gap between themselves and black women. However, my feelings quickly changed after discovering that the recruitment of these students had been done at events where only a selected portion of the black population were chosen to attend. While I am still pleased with the performance of my fellow black men, I worry for those young gentlemen who are not being exposed to the opportunity because of the selective recruitment efforts. Though I cannot say for certain, I do believe that the admitted gentlemen would receive exposure to college and business irregardless of their participation in the program. These young men should not be denied the opportunity to partake in the experience, but more of a focus must be placed on the underprivileged black male youths who have little to no hope of exposure to collegiate and business opportunities. As in slavery, education is the key to the door of freedom and we must equip as many of your black male youth as possible with this key. If not, the number of black male success stories will remain stagnant in each generation: showing none of the progress Du Bois spoke of. So, while some are prospering, doors are still being slammed and locked in the faces of others who may never possess a key....Does a rising tide truly lift all boats?