Problems some young Black males have in this society and some solutions

by
Kenneth M. Reynolds

The problem young African-Americans have in this society is that they lack knowledge of self.  They have become victims of a form of oppression called mental slavery. Many young African-Americans don't know "their story", but have been systematically trained and educated in the history and contributions of Europe and the European race. This type of education has had and continues to have a significant impact on our youths.

According to Haki R. Madhubuti in his book, Black Men, Obsolete, single, and dangerous, "One's history and culture are as important to a good life as food and water. If you don't know who you are you will be forever fighting other people's wars."  Marcus Garvey in his book Philosophies and Opinions, states that, "If 400,000,000 Negroes can only get to know themselves, to know that in them is a sovereign power, is an authority that is absolute, then in the next twenty-four hours we would have a new race, we would have a nation, an empire, resurrected, not from the will of others to see us rise, but from our own determination to rise, irrespective of what the world thinks." Madhubuti illustrates how having the knowledge of one's own story and culture is an essential element of a healthy life, while Garvey lays down the foundation for a brighter day for African Americans. 

In this society it is extremely difficult to learn about one's own people and their story through public/private schools and other institutions of learning because this society doesn't want to give recognition to the African-American race for their contributions to this society and the world at large, past or present. To do so would unveil centuries upon centuries of thievery, lies, and deceptions implemented through institutions of learning, the mass media, and by governments/authorities. This trickery has had and continues to have a major impact on our African-American youths and is denying them the proper insight and pure knowledge they need to grow and succeed as people of African decent in a world of greed and deception.  

Though there are layers of beaurocracy imposed upon our youths through the educational system and various other mediums, there are practical solutions that, if implemented, can revive the minds of our youth. The first solution is to combat the negative images and teachings that have been propelled upon us by school systems and the media. Non-profit institutions need to be established in every neighborhood that can reach out to our youth and facilitate true learning through study, research, and oral tradition. In these learning institutions young African-Americas would receive the true knowledge they would receive if they were in a village setting being taught by a griot/elder. 

Many questions would be answered and the veil of ignorance would be lifted from off their heads; our youth would lead us forward and upwards to a new future. We as a people would be reestablished, as a superior race of people who have made major contributions to society and the world would recognize our strength and power.

Another solution is to rid our youth of negative images portrayed through television, radio, newspapers, music, and other forms of communication. It is essential for youths to see and hear positive role models within their race and to be able to access this at all times. There are too many negative images being portrayed by African-Americans and being spread by people of European decent.

It is clear that here in America the mass media is controlled by those who have big businesses and major capitol. Any images these elites want to be produced will be distributed via radio, television, newspapers, etc. We must utilize the mass media for the benefit of our people as every other race does for theirs. Many African Americans have become wealthy; it would reshape the minds of our youth if they were exposed to positive messages and images on a daily basis, such as these wealthy, positive individuals.

African-American youths have been subjected to daily abuse through all means possible. If we are to save them and ourselves, we need to start building a solid and culturally enriched foundation in the homes and at the same time build solid institutions that have the interest of African- American youths at heart.

It is the role and responsibility of the adults and elders to give back to the youths so that they can know who they are, where their people came from, and what their purpose is in life. We cannot expect other people outside our race to fortify our precious youths with the essential knowledge they need in order to succeed in this Eurocentric society. African-American youths face many problems in America, but if these solutions were implemented in full force, then I am absolutely confident that they would have every weapon in their mental arsenal to combat the lies and deceptions others who try to feed them, and our youth would be able to speak out loudly to the world about themselves and the race they belong to.  []

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