Article Response

African American men are, unfortunately, products of their environments. Drugs and gun violence rampage the streets of Oakland leaving many of its African American youth engulfed in feelings of helplessness. These young boys are being raised by single mothers because their fathers are being consumed by street violence; this almost guarantees they will walk down a similar past. I believe much of this has to do with the lack of significant Black male role models. The men that these young boys idolize are usually who have done long stints in person, the drug dealer with the money, fancy clothes, and flashy cars. Programs and classes such as Manhood 101 and African American Male Achievement are long overdue. Being that I am the mother of two boys, seeing statistics at the alarming death rates of African American men is beyond frightening. It really is a hard pill to swallow. I was born and raised in Oakland, Ca. I attended its public schools and grew up with many boys who have fallen victim to its nasty ways. But being on the inside, I was not fully aware of the atrocious statics. When constantly being bombarded with the horrible news of ones death due to gun violence, although each death brings a new pain, there is a disconnect to reality that causes one to trudge on as if it is a normal part of life. The inhabitants of Oakland, and of many other neighborhoods that feel the wrath of violence, are desensitized to the entire situation. The wounds of one death are barely healed when another death comes along a picks the thin scab. This process of picking and almost healing repeats itself until the wound infects the body, mind, and heart with hatred. Hopefully implementing these programs will take Black male youth off of the dark and dismal path of despair and place them on a new, sunlit path. If there is hope for future Black boys, it is likely to come from The 100 Black Men of the Bay Area Community School. Providing these boys with roles models, ones who look like them, let these boys know that the impossible is possible. This charter school will be the helping hand that pulls these young men from being trapped in the revolving door of despair. It may take time, but it is not about how long it takes, all that matters is getting there.