Changing The Image of Black Men
The Ferguson Missouri situation is a great opportunity for
African Americans to begin changing the image of Black men and boys.
Currently there are too many Black men, Black male teens, and black boys who
underachieve in school, and in life. The
high school dropout rate, unemployment rate, and the incarceration rate, all bear
whiteness to this underachievement. The
root cause of too many African American underachieving is racism, racial discrimination,
and generational ignorance.
Racism and bigotry toward to Black men and boys is not going away anything
soon. However, a concerted effort, and a marshalling
of resources that will ensure all low income African American boys are successful
in school should be transformational. In a perfect world Black men, teens, and
boys could wear any type of clothing they want, and look anyway they want to
look. That world ain't the Unite States
of America. In spite a America's racism
and bigotry we African Americans need to raised all of our Black Boys to be
successful in school, and in life. The real
or perceived image of lower income, less educated Black men has to change.
It is easy to rail against racist police but our focus should be on raising
Black men and developing a politically and economically sound African American community
that any racist instruction would fear.
Marc Sims
Chicago
