tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039288724524564999.post8402589327892159924..comments2019-12-21T07:06:03.489-05:00Comments on Reflections of A Single Mom: Are they failing in society or is society failing them? 3 Ways to Alter The Quandary Facing Young African American MenCathleen Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08885850019211430144noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039288724524564999.post-79537802351889028132011-02-04T13:08:27.085-05:002011-02-04T13:08:27.085-05:00Yes,blk youth are in desperate need of mentors,its...Yes,blk youth are in desperate need of mentors,its time for blk men to step up to the plate to help save our youth from the "PLAGUE" of "Gun Violence" in our communities.Mentorship will give our youth hope, structure & positive direction to a better life,other than the violent streets.We are failing our children,if we do not get involved to prevent, what we're allowing to happen to our youth.Many of our youth need help and want help.We must act now in order to keep our blk youth from becoming casualties of street violence............NO VIOLENCE-KNOW PEACE....................VELTON**ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!**Save Our Children!**https://www.blogger.com/profile/14952679522786022030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039288724524564999.post-30842899053667271392011-02-04T08:09:31.505-05:002011-02-04T08:09:31.505-05:00When I was a teenager, my city had a summer youth ...When I was a teenager, my city had a summer youth work program. The summer preceeding my sophomore year I was a camp counselor, the next summer I cleaned schools with the custodians, and the summer preceding my senior year I was an assistant clerk at the municipal courthouse. All three experiences were rewarding on a variety of levels. I learned what I DIDN'T want to do that 2nd summer and I worked with people in the courthouse who were STILL there when I became a cop 13 years later! My point, the city provided productive activities to keep the youth constructively busy. There were all kinds of year-round recreational programs as well. When these programs died away, crime rose and continues to rise to this day.<br /><br />I do not believe this is an issue of "is it the government's fault OR the young men's fault?" I believe that there is more than enough accountability to go around for both sides to have a generous portion.<br /><br />The government can provide the means and environment for youth to learn skills and trades that can benefit them later in life (one of my high school classmates went to work for at that courthouse right out of high school & is still there today - that's 23 years!) On the other hand, even if the government doesn't provide the means for productive activities; and although that does begin to allow for unsavory environments & conditions, just because "the streets be calling" the brothers, it doesn't meant they have to answer that call. They do answer it because it's a louder and easier call to answer.<br /><br />The schools, libraries and reputable professions don't call out as loud because there are no shows or videos about schools, libraries and reputable professions that reflect the issues faced by our young brothers AND sisters in the hood. It's even difficult (but NOT impossible) to hold the parents accountable because they're too busy busting their tails to provide what little they can, so even their call is not quite as loud as that call from the streets.<br /><br />I will not "blame" our young brothers (and sisters) for taking the criminal path. It "MIGHT appear" that's all they have available to them; however, because this is actually NOT TRUE, I will hold them accountable if they do choose that path. That's just the nature of the game.<br /><br />In the end, the average young brother in the hood is not going to be able to change the course of government; that's something WE ALL must do as a collective, but he CAN control the course of his life. You can't blame the government for you catching a bid you KNOW deserved if you chose the criminal lifestyle.<br /><br />HSRjr.H.S. REED JR.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00135727634906505974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039288724524564999.post-76441778768587385052011-02-04T08:02:40.458-05:002011-02-04T08:02:40.458-05:00Great article Cathleen
Our boys do need mentors w...Great article Cathleen<br /><br />Our boys do need mentors who are willing to step up and step in.<br />Cassandra Mack<br />www.strategiesforempoweredliving.comCassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06588604911692210259noreply@blogger.com