There are certain social issues that plague the black community more than other ethnicities. Poverty, crime and single motherhood seem to be some of the most noticeable.
The Manhattan Institute’s Center for Race and Ethnicity, states that almost 70 percent of all black children are born to single mothers. This fact alone contributes to the other problems that have plagued the black community for decades such as crime and poverty.
The black community’s problems are complicated by the fact that they have been compounding them for generations. Denard Fenaud, 22, a senior political science student from Ft. Pierce, said that he doesn’t think the negatives are too large for a unified community to conquer.
Fenaud expounded on the issue when he said that the black community would not support its own people.
“We hate to see another African American do well to the point where we demonize success,” Fenaud said.
Fenaud said that supporting black owned businesses and ideas would keep money in our communities and possibly ease the burden of negative issues.
According to the Manhattan Institute, less than five percent of money spent by blacks is spent within the community.
If we can’t support our own businesses, problems will arise in our community.
Aside from the lack of support we show each other, racism has been among us for years. In the 21st century, racism is not as blatant as the lynching in the Jim Crow days but it is just as strong. I think that racism in the 21st century is disguised in statistical records for all to see.
For black men, the statistics are dismal. As a black man, I find some of them offensive. The incarceration rate of black men and the current prison population dominated by blacks are examples of some of these records. The mandatory sentencing for crimes in the black community is a major contribution to the imprisonment of black men.
Also, black men are more likely to die at the hands of violence than their counter parts of the same age in different ethnic groups.
Derrick Gordon, 29, a junior, psychology student from Gainesville, said the younger black generation, should stop waiting for a leader to emerge “The state of the Black community lies with us,” Gordon said. “Racism will never cease to exist in our society, like good and evil it has been around a long time.”
The first step has already been taken by seeking a higher education. This education will not only give you knowledge and understanding, but will put those who finish the journey in a position to impact these dismal statistics positively.
Cory T. Beal is a sophomore newspaper journalism student from Pensacola. He can be reached at cory.beal@yahoo.com.