The situation
As students prepare for the upcoming school year, parents are looking forward to a good year. However, I wonder if things will get better below the surface. We routinely hear about students with bad attitudes and low achievement. My focus is not on the ‘bad’ kids but on the good ones who want to do things right. Yet many people are in the dark when it comes to the needs of our black youth. Most citizens do not understand the problems of black families, with the exception of some symbolic relationships and reruns of The Jeffersons. In the novel Black Like Me, John Howard Griffin, a white man, discovers in the 1960s the dangers of pretending to be a black man in the South. Clearly, his experience produced a great transformation. Of course, good people come in all colors. However, I believe it is necessary to explore the plight of our black youth from an everyday perspective.
a sad matter
Today’s society encourages black youth to become entertainers and sports heroes, not scientists, lawyers, or doctors. The media portrays black youth as dangerous, violent, and sexual. Do we really care that Joey is dumb as a rock if he can shoot a basketball or score a touchdown for our team? In general, all children in the United States are not doing as well as we might hope. However, the story of black boys is terrifying. Black youth lead every negative statistic you can imagine. They have the worst test scores, dropout rates, and unemployment statistics. While they may fail in school, they are more successful in the United States prison system. In fact, male students were twice as likely to be suspended as female students in some places. Surprisingly, even in America’s largely suburban schools, where there are few blacks, blacks make up the majority of suspensions.
From the low social status of black children, it is easy to understand that all important institutions have failed them and allowed them to become prey to urban culture. Jeggie Jenkins, Founder/Director of the Tennessee UUNIK Academy, notes, “We are in a state of emergency. Today’s culture, aided by the media, bombards impressionable youth with conflicting value systems. For the majority of black fathers involved, problems with their children regardless of socioeconomic status They must deal with requests for medications, placement in special education, or retention of their child While people may find black men missing from the honors classes in most high schools, you can be sure they will make up for most special education students. Many young people are underachieving to fit in. Smart, hard-working students are often victimized and teased by their peers.This same culture tells them that an education is associated with being white.Some adjust to cultural pressures and underperform. They have no role models. Today, it is possible for a child to go to K-12 without having a black teacher or black mentor.
a good fight
Although the situation is difficult, many people continue to fight for these children. Organizations like The 100 Black Men try to make a difference. However, more black men must be involved in all facets of children’s lives. Everyone can benefit from a positive male figure. Leonard Blair, coach of the Knoxville Track Club, understands the importance of male participation. He is a role model for many of the athletes in the area. Blair explains: “It’s something I do for the kids. Some of them don’t have parents. I help them. For the ones that do have parents, I give them positive reinforcement.”
a way to go
Clearly, the United States is at a critical stage in its history. If America is serious about being world class, it will need to address the problem of low-achieving students. Some feel that it is too late. Phillip Jackson, author of America Has Lost A Generation of Black Boys, suggests, “It’s too late. In education, jobs, the economy, incarceration, healthcare, housing, and parenting, we’ve lost a generation of black youth.” If we allow black children to become an endangered species, we will be laying the groundwork so that all American children will eventually suffer the same fate. We must hold on to the hope that things will get better for them. However, if good people decide to do nothing in the face of this imminent danger, it will be a fatal mistake. If so, forgive us, young brothers, for not saving you. Rest in Peace (RIP) or live.
