Black Epidemic

There is a problem within the black community. Popular arguments lead us to talk about education and economics. In my humble opinion, it is not economics. It is not education. It is us as a community. It is a situation that deals with confidence and dedication. This is the real problem that hurts our people so bad.

As children, people are told what they can and cannot achieve. In schools, many students hear that they not smart or” bad" because they talk too much, have too much energy, or lack concentration. Society tells them they are not going to achieve anything great. Life tells them you have to have money because money makes you somebody. "Girls like men with money" and "Boys like girls who show a little something" are a couple of thoughts that run through are children mind. A problem is that no one comes and corrects them (probably because many adults think so as well).

So what is the answer? The obvious one for us "Well to do" educated College graduates are to get an education and I agree. But, I started thinking what a sixteen year old boy is with no money and descent grades hearing. "Wait two more years; raise 8,000 to 32,000 over four years. Go to school four more years even though I know you struggle in school and then wait for a job". Their next thought is "What about now? I am broke." And then, there is the allure of the streets. Quick money, nice clothes, power, respect and girls. They will be somebody if they sell this package and deliver this package. They'll get a man with some money if they dress like this and bump like this. It is cheaper, easier, quicker, and more attainable. I mean deliver this package is much easier than applying to college, getting accepted, raising funds, and four more years of tedious work when I struggled in high school. Top that off with the music videos and gangster movie showing boatloads of money and girls and I understand the temptation. I know it hard without outside influences let along with them as the lone voice speaking to them. These things affect their confidence. They need support.

Where is the support? Where is our dedication? Not the child's, but ours. The children stand outside working whether it is raining, snowing, sleeting or 100 degrees outside. What happen to it takes a village to raise a child. The fact that we do not support our children is one of the cause of their low confidence. Schools push our kids and shelter them, then release them in the real world and they have no one to support them then. Where is the church pushing kids forward and making politicians work? The churches started schools. The churches pushed civil rights. Where are they now? The community was involved in pushing the church and supporting them. Where is the community? I see now in days communities call our children “lost causes” and generation X. How do you think this plays on their mind. “Why try?” they say. We are letting are kids down.

It is our job to support our children. We are to find out their dreams and give them the confidence that they can achieve it. I ask that you never shut the door on our children. A man once told me that when you slammed the door in someone face, when they turn around the first thing they see is the streets, which are always willing to accept new people. Open your eyes and your heart and help our children.