January 16, 2014
Part
1: Black America
To simply write paragraphs providing descriptive words to illustrate the disturbing 2010 statistical data below, would not adequately characterize the stark realities in the manner necessary to illustrate the racism and inequities that continue to face the Black American family most notably, the Black American male in this country, today, at this very moment in time.
- 29% of Black American men live in poverty - Increases to 45% for minors
- 23% ages 20 -24 and 12% of Black American men ages 25-44 are unemployed, which is twice the rate of unemployment for white men.
- The United States imprisons Black American men at a rate four times greater than the rate of incarceration for African men in South Africa.
- With approximately 2.3 million people in prison or jail, the United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world.
- Black Americans are 13 percent of the general population, but over 50 percent of the prison population.
- Black Americans are incarcerated at a rate eight times higher than that of whites
- By the age of 19, one in six will have been arrested
- Approximately forty-six percent of jail inmates in 2002 had a previously incarcerated family member. One-fifth experienced a father in prison or jail.
- Black-American children are nearly nine times more likely to have a parent in prison than white children
- For the Black American male the average life expectancy is 64.6 vs. 72.9 for white men
- HIV infection mortality rate for the Black American male is 72.9% vs. 52% for white men
- Homicide: gang-related, poor, urban areas leading cause of death; Black males 15-34 yrs old, the second leading cause for males 25-44 yrs old, 8 times higher than white males
- Alcohol, substance abuse and depression the most significant mental health problem for Black American men,
- Suicide is third leading cause of death for young Black American males
- 44% Black American males are illiterate
- 40% – 70% high school dropout rate, which is the highest dropout-or “push out” rate of all racial & gender groups in the country
- Past 20 years the number of Black men receiving college degrees has not increased (3% of all students w/4 yrs degrees are Black American males)
- Black American men are worse off today than they were 20 years ago
This particular post does not even address the numerous oppressive and racist policies and laws which continues to devastate the Black community.
Part of addressing the disproportionate number of Black children in the foster care system, is assessing the role of the father. Experts at some of our renown institutions such as Columbia, Princeton, and Harvard, have shown that an enormous number of our Black American men, that were provided less than standard educational opportunities, “are becoming ever more disconnected from the mainstream society”, and as with many other societal issues, this is happening to a greater degree than to whites or Hispanics (Eckholm, March 2009).
From an historical lens let’s view the Black American family structure. Although there are differing opinions, one remains steadfast. The effects of slavery continues to impact the Black American family system today. Traditionally in numerous instances, the Black American female was the head of the family for a number of reasons including high male mortality rates, economic conditions and the separation of slave families.
Before WW II Blacks were not afforded access to services and continued to rely on their own community for support. The Black American family had reconstructed their family base and their extended family network, all of which were and in numerous cases still are deeply rooted in their religious communities.
Because AFDC was federally legislated during the 1950's, the inclusion of Blacks in receiving government subsidies was supported and mandated by the US Constitution. In turn, the requirements that needed to be met in order to receive AFDC benefits, underscored the devaluing of the male headed household by legislating socio-economic oppressive policies that excluded the male presence in the family home, in order to qualify for benefits. In addition, another qualifier would require that the Black father’s paternity rights would be withheld so that the women and children could receive monetary, food and medical benefits in order to survive. The underlying goal was to promote the separation and ultimately the eradication of the Black American family system.
The lens of hypocrisy and the mindset of the wealthy white elite is to preserve and construct barriers through prejudicial laws, social and economic policies in order to maintain command over the minority races. These policies not only endorse hopelessness, but also creates a dependency on society thereby supporting the dominate cultures oppressive control over the Black community through economic and social segregation, and degradation.
In essence, Black men are worse off today than they were 20 years ago therefore, how does my white community dare place blanket expectations onto the Black male to become an active participant in their family’s life, when they are not “privileged” to become an active participant in their own life. As a white American woman I demand justice for our Black children, Black families and Black men. Yes, I stated "our"... you can no longer exclude groups of people simple because you believe you (we) can!
The Black community has the right to access their support and resources that they deem appropriate for their Black males, Fathers and their families. The US is their country, and like it or not, was built on their backs. Why don't we want Black males to be empowered to identify their own needs in order to foster a more positive view of himself as a human being, Black Man, Black Father and a member of his Black American Country? I think we ALL know the answer to that one!
I had the honor of hearing Tim Wise speak at West Chester University. Tim Wise is an American anti-racism activist and writer. Tim has earned the respect of numerous renown Black authors, educators, and philosophers of our time such as Michael Eric Dyson, Cornel West, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante to name a few. More on Tim Wise