HELPING BLACK MALES: RHETORIC VS REALITY - The Los Angeles Sentinel:
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This is a blog supported by students in Dr. Andre E Johnson's African and African American Studies classes at the University of Memphis. It is open to anyone wanting to comment.
Instead of asking "What is actually being done to reverse the downward spiral of Black males? ", a better question to ask is "How do we (the black community) reverse the downward spiral of black males?" The black community has the power to change the future of its youth. We should have learned by now that we can not depend solely on government programs to fix our problems. The reversal of this downward spiral should begin with the implementation of a Rites of Passage programs in our communities. The Rites of Passage program is designed to promote ethnic identity and "the development of [inherent] qualities that will facilitate success" in lives of black young men. This program helps its participants learn their history and culture. This program requires involvement of the entire community: parents, teachers, civic leaders, churches, and every person who desire to see a change in our black males. The framework of the Rites of Passage program has already been established. Our communities need to build on this program's foundation and begin helping -- not talking about -- our black males. This is how we move from "rhetoric" to "reality".
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