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Written by Amy Wilkins on 19 March 2012.  WASHINGTON—Tracey and
Abby Sparrow, one a teacher and the other a nonprofit’s vice
president, both white, recently took to the pages of Phi Delta
Kappan, a magazine for educators, to explain what stands between
black males and academic success. The writers’ methodology is
questionable. They selected 10 black young men and boys as their
storytelling devices. The end product is powerful, with bursts
of compelling, almost tabloidesque narrative, accompanied by
riveting photographic portraits. But the probable impact is
devastating.    The Sparrows’ version of these young men’s
voices resurrects and refreshes centuries-old stereotypes about
black males, black families and black communities. Instead of
providing educators who read Phi Delta Kappan with fresh
insights or, better still, new tools and strategies to help
black boys and young men succeed in often-dismal circumstances,
the authors practically hang “a