Just think with me...How often do you see a black male as the Valedictorian of a class? How often do you see a black male who is married and in the household with his children? How often do you see black males going to jail? How often do you see black males dropping out of school? How often do you see black males suffer from health issues such as prostate cancer, diabetes, HIV, cardiovascular disease, etc?
First, let me say that there has been a decline in ALL male achievement across cultural lines. However, it cannot be argued that there has been a significantly higher amount of decline in black male achievement in educational settings. According to the National Urban League's "State of Black America" report, black males are often categorized as at-risk in educational systems, and they often lag behind black females and their white male counterparts. They are more likely than any other group to be suspended from schools, and they are often underrepresented in gifted educational programs or advanced placement courses and often experience the most challenges in higher education settings as both students and teachers, according to research.
Black male underachievement leads to lots of other issues. For example, according to the National Urban League's State of Black America's Report 2007, Black men are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as White men and make only 74 percent of the average yearly salary. Black men are more than six times as likely than White men to be incarcerated and their average jail sentences tend to be 10 months longer than those of White men. Also, 16.5 percent of the Black male population had been to prison compared to 7.7 percent of Hispanic and 2.7 percent of White men. Young Black males between the ages of 15 and 34 years are nine times more likely to be killed by firearms and nearly eight times as likely to suffer from AIDS.
In my opinion, this crisis needs to be address by first addressing the achievement rates of black males. There has to be a way that we can help black males see that being educated and learning how to speak correct English is not acting and trying to be "white". Also, there needs to be a respect of womanhood that should be garnered. There has been this negative stigma on valuing education and women in the black community.
However, there are several opinions on how to address the "Crisis of African American Males". What is yours?
I believe that our educational system is conditioned for learning to take place; however, it takes place at a cost for minority students. I am appalled at the thing I bear witness to in our communities, as well as our schools. Our young men don't see education as a way out of their struggle, but a hindrance to them being able to make quick money. Look at the entertainment our young people are exposed, its all about money, women, cars, and guns. When you compare it to the white mainstream music you'll rarely see these themes as their focus. In the music videos, "Do you see white ladies with their bikinis shakin' it fast?" Probably not.. I feel we have to help impact the educational system by making educational achievement the cool thing and not the bad thing. If we don't do this, our future generations will be left behind to a society conditioned for prosperity, without them in mind..
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“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God for you.” (Paul, Romans 12:2)
The following is a piece that I wrote a little while back...hopefully it addresses you topic.
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Like many of you, I had the opportunity to see General Larry Platt perform his song "Pants On The Ground" on a recent episode of American Idol. As the General walked into the room, it was obvious that he did not meet the age requirement to be a contestant on the show. The General was dressed like a man half his age and appeared to have, mentally, seen better days. To his credit, he came in with a wide-eyed enthusiasim, ready to give it his all. As the panel of judges began to question him you could see the grins, giggles and mean spirited anxiousness on their faces. This would surely give them a boost in ratings and provide them with a top nothch viral presence on the internet.
The General did not dissapoint.
General Platt began singing and dancing his song to the delight of the judges. The song was catchy. It was infectious. The show cut to a shot of other waiting contestants singing the General's song. Several news outlets began running clips of the General's AI audition. The television show The View invited him to perform his self compossed tune on 1-18-10. Brett Farve even lead the Minnesota Vikings in a rendition of "Pants OnThe Ground" in the team locker room after its victory over the Dallas Cowboys. It seems as if the General had succeeded in entertaining the world.
But after the laughter, what really remains.
A cursory listen of the song provides a mindless form entertainment to the masses. However, if one gives pause to the lyrics of the song, an entirely differenct perspective is gained and motivation for a call to action can be readily found.
What the General understands is that we have generation of Black (African American, if you must) men leaving us at a disturbingly increasing rate. Street violence and drugs are two of the main culprits. And it is no coincidence that the Black men who leave us in this manner usually wear pants that drag the ground.
Now by now means am I asserting that all young Black men who wear oversized sagging pants are threats to our society. However, perception rules. It is not uncommon for a young Black man wearing sagging pants to be labled as: a Common Thug, a Drug Dealer, an Uneducated Drop Out, Ignorant, Subhuman, Destined for an Early Demise. Whether right or wrong, our American culture judges a person on their appearance. Whether you graduated from an Ivy Leage college or dropped out in the eight grade, the way you carry your self will automatically, wordlessly, tell your story...no matter how inaccurate it might be.
At some point, we as a people have to take a stand and decide that enough is enough. We have to instill a sense of pride and self worth in our young Black men. Mentoring, giving a helping hand, providing a kind word or sharing a life lesson learned can be essential in the changing/saving of a life. There are too many of us who have "succeeded" at this crooked game called life to sit idly by as another young Brother slides through the cracks. We must become the embodment of the adage of being our Brother's keeper. It is imperative that we become heroic within ourselves to save ourselves.
So, laugh if you must at the General, but don't bypass exploring the bigger picture. All of our lives are on the line.
You talk about underachievement in black males and question why this is happening. But look at your opening statement. You point out so many negative things about black males. So what do they have to look forward too? If we as a society tell them that they will be a drop out, won’t be class valedictorian, or married and living in the household with their family; what will they think? Will they just live up to these expectations? We have to change these expectations and how we choose to acknowledge the achievements of black males. I believe there are many positive role models that these males have to look up to. Role models don’t have to be anyone famous. All it takes is just someone taking the time to give encouragement and advice. This person could be someone in their community who teaches them how to tie a tie, interview for a job properly, ask advice from, or whatever is needed. These activities don’t take much time, but they can go a long way. I’m not naive to think that this will work for everyone, but it can be part of the solution.
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