quote:

Originally posted by Rowe:
Finally, let's concentrate on the issues that are impacting Black Relationships.

Many African Americans have significantly improved their social and economic standing since the Civil Rights Movement, and recent decades have witnessed the expansion of a robust, African American middle class across the United States. However, due in part to a legacy of racism and discrimination, African Americans as a group remain at a pronounced economic, educational and social disadvantage relative to European Americans. Economically, the median income of African Americans is roughly 55 percent of that of European Americans. Persistent social, economic and political issues for many African Americans include inadequate health care access and delivery; institutional racism and discrimination in housing, education, policing, criminal justice and employment; crime; poverty; and substance abuse. African Americans are frequently the targets of racial profiling. They are also more likely to be incarcerated. African Americans also have higher prevalence of some chronic health conditions and out-of-wedlock births relative to the general population. These problems and potential remedies have been the subject of intense public policy debate in the United States in general, and within the African American community in particular.

SOLUTIONS:

1. Education
Falling Behind: The Economics of Education and how it Impacts Community Wealth. Let's evaluate, from early childhood education to higher education, how the economics of education disadvantages African American and Latino students and their communities.

2. Health
YOU'RE FIRED: Is it our DNA, HMO, or Us!
Let's talk about the state of African American Health for a change. How are the ways that we eat impacting our relationships? Positive eating habits lead to positive attitudes about ourselves and about others.

As the national debate on Social Security, let's talk about the escalating healthcare cost and diminished employer paid health benefits are occurring it is imperative that we understand the impact certain proposed strategies and policies can have on our present and anticipated future lifestyle. If "healthcare of equal high quality" is the goal, policies and practices that have perpetuated race-based disparities in health status must be exposed and eliminated to ensure that we protect the legacy that has been entrusted to us to keep.

The State of African American Health across the lifespan continues to reflect the disdain, neglect and inequality the American healthcare system has demonstrated toward Black people specifically and other People of Color in general. Disparities in health status between Blacks and the majority population have existed since race based records have been kept. Despite tremendous gains in clinical research, integrative technology and medical delivery systems the gap in health status continues to increase in a scientific milieu (decoding of the human genome) in which race is a social construct. We must assure the integrity of the debate with experiential counsel.

3. Economic Empowerment
Building Wealth Eroding Debt. Let's engage in useful information and opportunities for discussion regarding how the African American community can begin to narrow the wealth divide that exists in this country. Let's share useful insight regarding the importance of wealth building and how home ownership and entrepreneurship can be used as means of building wealth in the African American community. Readers can also discuss credit management, community investing, and the use of intellectual assets as means of building wealth.

Other Black people who can assist us: Earl G. Graves, Jr., President of Black Enterprise Magazine, Damita Barbee, President of the Urban Financial Services Coalition, a non-profit organization of minority professionals in the Financial Services Industry, and Emanual Slater, Co-Founder of Business Plan for Black America.

4. Political Activism
From the Precinct to the Presidency: Non-Partisan Political Activism and Accountability in the 21st Century. Discussions about political activism can focus on the political empowerment challenges faced by African American's and the African American Community as a predicate to advancing the NAACP's political action agenda. Discussions can also focus on elected representatives from the U.S. Congress, political consultants, and political policy and research experts, as well as other congressional insiders.

5. Faith/Community
The Black Church and its Faith Leaders: What Is The Church's Role in Solving Contemporary Social Justice Issues? What is the Black Church doing to help the Black community? This dicussion can identify solutions for the continuing social justice problems plaguing the African American community and other communities of color. Readers can identify 3 important areas of concern and outline identifiable and measurable responses from the Religious community.

Morality vs. Religion: Who or What Controls the Message? This discussion can identify who is dictating or determining the message for the Religious community. A special focus can be on the impact and role the media (i.e. news outlets), political environment and clergy are playing in influencing the faith community's response, to the current issues of morality and religion.

6. News Media
News Media: The Civil Struggle: The Role of the Media. Discuss the goals of the civil rights movement, and the roles and responsibilities of journalists.

quote:

Originally posted by HonestBrother:
OK. I'll start. Among those of us who consider ourselves "Good Men" - educated, employed, responsible, etc. - how many of us volunteer in our communities? If it's true that only a man can teach a boy how to be a man, which of us are involved in mentoring programs that target young black men. And if there are no such programs where we live, who is starting them??

quote:

Originally posted by HonestBrother:
OK. I'll start. Among those of us who consider ourselves "Good Men" - educated, employed, responsible, etc. - how many of us volunteer in our communities? If it's true that only a man can teach a boy how to be a man, which of us are involved in mentoring programs that target young black men? And if there are no such programs where we live, who is starting them?

PS: I'll add that if we're visible in our communities obviously doing good doesn't this greatly enhance our chances of finding mates?

http://www.colorofchange.org/jena6/