"When me and Quintin grow up, we're going to be in the Army!"He was so excited as he proclaimed this statement. Almost as if his young, innocent mind understood the honor that comes with serving one's country.
Later in the day the 6 year old's words still resonated with me as I recalled the numerous black males, young and old, who aim solely to be rappers and athletes...regardless of talent. I remember the days when children wanted to be doctors and lawyers. [I am not old enough to be able to make a statement like that, but sadly, I can]. But I refuse to lose all hope in our future.
The common link between athletes and rappers is entertainment. By limiting themselves to these careers, our youth are following the expectation of black males as entertainers. This trend goes all the way back to the days of the Sambo character.
All of the blame, however, cannot be put on the little boys. Children learn what they live and we have to take responsibility for our youth. Where are the black lawyers, doctors, business men, entrepreneurs? Where are the positive male role models? Where are the standards? If we allow our boys to only witness these entertainers, they won't even know that they are capable of being something greater. Yes, a Black President is nice, but I don't know him...do you? It is those male figures in the neighborhood, at church, at school, in the family, who are going to have the biggest impact on this so-called lost generation.
In a time filled with guns, drugs, gangs, and violence, the least we can do is be encouraging. And if these boys can't see their potential, we need to show them.
...but what do I know?
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This is such an important issue you raise here, Mo. As a Newark native, I see the same story playback, black male incarcerated or killed. I feel like the black men in my community have nothing to look forward to but gang life, selling drugs, prison and/or death. It's ridiculous. The black male role models that come from communities like mine don't want to return to the "ghetto." Either they feel like they're above it or they're afraid that they're gonna get shanked, mistaken for another black thug. There's only so much the black female can do as a mother, wife, girlfriend or sister. We've been picking up the slack of missing black fathers...
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, the media and the entertainment industry (music and sports) refuses to change their image as well as the negative message their sending out to black youth. That's why B.E.T is such a sham.
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