There is a lot of conversation around the “plight” of being young and black in America. I may as well put in my two cents of sense. Let me start by sharing some information and debunking some myths when it comes to our young men of color.  Although African American males are overrepresented in our penal system, research reveals that there are actually more African American males in college than in jail among the comparative age group. Many of these young men are accomplishing great things and stunning the statistics.  They are conquering challenges as college graduates, entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, doctors, politicians and educators.

Although many are avoiding the school-to-prison pipeline, unfortunately, on a national level, African American male students in grades k-12 are 2 ½ times as likely to be suspended as their white peers.  The process of steering kids toward juvenile and criminal justice systems through disparities in suspensions, expulsions and arrests is disproportionate and interrupts equitable educational opportunities.

So once again, this becomes personal when I think of my black son.  When I think of someone demeaning him, threatening him or harming him physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually I leave my space of being polite and professional.  I forget that I am refined, reserved and dignified.

I go there! 


It is like an out-of-body experience when I go in to my “Momma Bear” mode. The pain of having to explain the word “nigger” and why he got reprimanded for doing the same thing done by his white classmate whom received no consequence. It angers me to have to constantly push him to be better than good to get the same opportunities as others that are less than good. Let me be clear, I am not happy and a bit disgruntled. How long can anger be bottled before the lid blows off?  How much pain is bearable before you self-medicate?

Now I ponder a few questions.  How will we ever know the possibilities of our youth if they are killed or locked up before they mature into their full potential? How much proof is needed to prove worthiness of equal rights and equal opportunity? So what do we tell our young men? Do they need to be constantly aware of perceptions and biases? Do they need to try and dress, talk, and behave in a manner that will diminish suspicions about their character and their worth? Do they need to be conditioned to make others less afraid of them? More importantly than any of those questions is what is that we need to do as a community to support, encourage, protect, strengthen, and restore our young men? In the words of Billie Holiday, there is a strange and bitter crop.

Three points to consider:
1.       Racial profiling, stereotypes and misjudgments block the country from truly knowing the value, potential and greatness of our young men of color
2.      While we are busy telling our young men what they need to do, we need to take time and listen to them.  Successful young men can share wisdom to guide the success of their peers. Our young men need us to believe in them regardless, support them regardless and love them regardless.
3.      While we are looking to change the negative impressions on young men of color and trying to teach them to be positive, productive, and powerful, we can’t forget to celebrate the many of them that are already on the right track and doing the right things.  We can’t leave those that are achieving and beating the statistics to remain  in the shadows of our conversations

I am well aware that ALL lives matter, but the fact is as an African American with an African American son, I have to pay particular attention to the value America places on the lives of people of  color.  I am unapologetic about my concerns, my worries and at times my outrage.  The frequent occurrence of police misconduct and brutality that seems to often to target African Americans is disturbing and heartbreaking.  When I think of the possibility of a diminished quality of life handed to Black youth, I become sad...then mad. 

and.... I CAN'T BREATHE!

There is a lot of research and fact searching around the accuracy of the data that depicts an almost calculated assault of men of color at the hands of law enforcement, but at the end of the pile of papers and dismantled databases is the fact that black deaths are disproportionate in comparison to their white peers.  I have read the articles and studied the charts.  I have cross-referenced and calculated all the data I could handle before my eyes grew weary and teary.  My son and all sons deserve fair treatment, fair opportunity, fair access and fair judgement.  All citizens should have equivalent value and should matter equally in treatment, dignity and significance.  


How is that police and citizen misconduct that often leads to death can continuously and consistently go on without accountability or acknowledgement of wrongdoing?  Is there a collective mindset that allows this to keep happening?  Is there a secret society that protects the wrongs of those that violate human rights?  Any way you look at it, through the eyes of any race, religion or economic status, the facts and patterns of behaviors that are unjust, unethical, immoral, corrupt, indecent and vicious are glaring and apparent.

Let's talk about it...