NEW YORK, April 16, 2007
Report: Black Men Mired In Social Crisis
National Urban League Says Incarceration, Unemployment And AIDS Afflict Black Males To Larger Degree
-
Photo
In its annual "State of Black America Report," the National Urban League cited bleak data on incarceration, joblessness and AIDS in saying that problems facing black men represent the nation's most serious social crisis. (National Urban League)
-
Interactive
Civil Rights In America
A look back at the key people and events of the civil rights movement.
-
Interactive
The Nation We Live In
Who are Americans and what do they do? A comprehensive look at our economic, sociological and racial breakdown.
The 97-year-old black empowerment organization, in its annual "State of Black America" report, called for universal early-childhood education, more second-chance programs for school dropouts and ex-offenders, and expanded use of all-male schools emphasizing mentoring and longer class hours.
"Empowering black men to reach their full potential is the most serious economic and civil rights challenge we face today," said Urban League President Marc H. Morial. "Ensuring their future is critical, not just for the African-American community, but for the prosperity, health and well-being of the entire American family."
According to the report, African-American men are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as white males while earning 74 percent as much per year. They are nearly seven times more likely to be incarcerated, with average jail sentences about 10 months longer than those of white men, the report said.
In addition, it said, black males between 15 and 34 are nine times more likely to be killed by firearms and nearly eight times as likely to suffer from AIDS.
"I could rattle off the names of African-American men who have overcome the odds and have risen to national prominence," Morial said. "But for all the Barack Obamas, Tony Dungys and Colin Powells out there ... there are many more black men who face very limited opportunities and diminished expectations."
"It's not enough to have role models to give them hope," he added. "We need a public commitment in the form of concrete policy strategies to help lift them out of their state of underachievement and put them on equal footing with white men in this nation."
Obama, the Illinois senator who is a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, wrote the report's foreword.
"The crisis of the black male is our crisis," he wrote. "It is in our shared interest and in the interest of every American to stop ignoring these challenges and start finding the solutions that will work."
On several key measurements, the report found greater disparities between black and white men than between black and white women.
For example, it said unemployment for black men was 9.5 percent, compared to 4 percent for white men, while the jobless rate for black women was 8.5 percent, compared to 4.1 percent for white women.
In terms of annual median income, black men earned less than 75 percent of what white men did, $34,443 vs. $46,807. Black women made 87 percent of what white women made even though they earned $5,000 less than black men — $29,588 a year.
The report did highlight a few bright spots for blacks of both genders, for example in the improved readiness level of children entering elementary school.
However, the report cited a widening gap after elementary school as blacks begin to fall behind on standardized tests. In fourth grade, the report said, blacks perform at a level of 87 percent of whites; by the time they reach 12th grade, their scores are at 74 percent of whites.
By high school, blacks are more likely to drop out — 15 percent compared to 12 percent for whites. For black males, the percentage rises to 18 percent compared to 14 percent of white males, the report said.
In an essay accompanying the report, University of California, Berkeley, lecturer Christopher Knaus said the rising emphasis on standardized testing would not yield major improvements as long as heavily minority schools had the least experienced teachers and highest faculty turnover.
"The curricula in most public schools also fails to adequately engage black students," Knaus wrote. "Disinterested students who are labeled as problems or disruptive often become the victims of 'zero tolerance' policies. ... contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline, especially among black males."
The report suggested that all-male schools with a strong emphasis on mentoring could help keep black boys "focused on their education and away from distractions that could lead them down the wrong paths."
The Urban League also recommended increased federal support for a summer jobs program in cities nationwide, and stressed that any overall progress will need a boost from parents.
"They must continually talk to their children about how much better off they will be by graduating from high school and college," it said.
For more information visit the National Urban League Web site at www.nul.org.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
- 1
- 2
- next
See all 75 Comments"According to the report, African-American men are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as white males while earning 74 percent as much per year".
"standardized tests. In fourth grade, the report said, blacks perform at a level of 87 percent of whites; by the time they reach 12th grade, their scores are at 74 percent of whites".
______________________________________
It should be no coincidence that the (2) 74% are a direct reflection of one another.
I am in favor of all male schools and all female schools. These schools should be boarding schools, have a military format, the juvenile justice system should be on site and employ a multi tiered work camp system for problem students.
Students white or black should be identified before the 5th grade for admittance. Students should not integrate more than 2 grades at a time. Cottilion classes, personal finance.
Each city should finance its own academy(s) as part of a magnate program.
Government agencies should offer High School internships to juniors and seniors during breaks.
Sunday's students should be allowed to leave for family visits / church.
Just hold the these programs accountable for their results. If we can drop Black unemployment by a couple of percentage points and say the Black prison population by 30% or more, the billions will be well spent.... we'd make a profit.
... but we all know better, they'd never accept accountability, so we'll just have to hand out more checks twice a month and hope the problem goes away on it's own.
Of course I'm not a teacher. Thank God. I would truly be embarrased for producing a "product" such as you. You are so easily drawn from the topic, it is ridiculous. Maybe I can lead you to the inner city and see what you think. Maybe you would learn something. After they beat the s**t out of you.
This is not "My Space" you know. LOL" shows you are being ignorant as usual. Not every teacher rapes their students, in fact the VAST majority do not. Grow up or you go to myspace.
you're comments are a fresh breath of air on here and completely true. Jesse and Al should focus on black rappers: complete with their porno-style videos. these degrade black people more than all the whites since 1965.
End of part 1
Posted by durtyduzzin at 10:11 PM : Apr 16, 2007"
Alright, so you are not really a 'teacher'; otherwise you'd know that if anybody would 'beat the chit out' of anyone, then it would most likely be the most violent mass murdering creatures who've been tormenting the planet for a few hundred years? They are not from your so-called 'inner city'. Those most violent and destructive devils are from the BURBS!
Now, that is a lesson in reality about who are the real beaters you just get taught!
Many of these children have no moral compass. Often they are the progeny of children who are themselves the offspring of young, single mothers. the children are often haphazardly raised, and monitored. (a better job is done if an extended family exists). I have seen so many black children, just running around in stores and on the streets, their hair unkempt (nappy headed) clothing uncared for--yelling and screaming as they run through the malls or in the grocery store. (This is not limited to black children of course). But consider that when this lack of parental attention is coupled with blacks distrust of education or many whites--they enter a lose, lose situation. When I was growing up, blacks would tease, belittle and yes, even fight those in their race who tried to learn. Such kids were accused of trying "to be white" or being oreos or sell outs. Just for trying to learn. Often, the blacks would approach hapless kids and demand they better give them their lunch money or risk getting beat up. In the school I went to--they did this to whites also--but focused primarily (as in grown up life) in terrorizing other blacks.
Posted by amerigirl28 at 10:27 PM : Apr 16, 2007"
You mean the SILENT 'majority' of teachers who ENCOURAGE their fellow perverts by playing 'mum is the word' while the children are being abused and exposed to all kinds of diseases by their so-called teachers.
Instead of seeking to DEFEND THE CHILDREN, who really need the defending, your 'majority of teachers' are too busy covering their arses and excusing themselves, until their turn to **** the children while the other teachers remain silent at the children abuse!
The teachers are a HUGE DISGRACE! They are just like the perverted christians who sodomized and traumatize the children while the other christians WATCH IN SILENT SUPPORT!
Please, for your own sake, and the sake of others, stop allowing the mainstream media to totally control your "personal" opinion w/ this garbage. Are some of your statements accurate. Of course. But not hardly as accurate as you would probably like to think. Let's not be so singular minded on issues such as this, O.K. Thanks.
No one dares to say this, except Cosby-- but it is my observation that the crisis of black men is self perpetuated and 2 groups are to blame--the man who refused to be better than his father and the woman who did not respect herself enough to demand better of her child. These two groups make up the next generation, which is why many blacks still cannot speak English correctly even after though they do not have another language as an excuse and they and their ancestors have been here for almost 400 years. In fact, just on that note--I have noticed that whenever a black speaks eloquently, many other blacks resent it and declare that person is an Uncle Tom or again, a sell out.
Touche' on round 2. Your analysis is very common thought amongst non blacks. Once again, some of your statements ring true, but are watered down w/ too much mainstream media undercurrent. You would appear to be a specialist in the analysis of the life and times of Blacks across America. Seeing Black, and being Black are two totally different things. It's like watching a sporting event. You say what you would have done in a particular scenario, but until you walk a mile in that person's shoes.....
Anyway, about these unkept, "nappy headed" kids running around the store. Did you notice them when they ran into your own children, having a temper tantrum in aisle 3? When whites do it, it's childhood mischief. When Blacks do it, it's ghetto and out of control. Many comparisons and veiwpoints can be made and had. But the truth is, you just don't know what it takes or how it feels if you're not them. Sorry, you just don't. There is a long story behind it, I'm sure you're familiar w/ it. What else can you expect from a race of people who were prohibited from learning to read up until less than a century ago? Why would you expect them to trust education?
I think the biggest reason for this situation is the Welfare state we've created which has led to the breakdown of the family. When women are 'paid' to have children, why is the father needed?
I bet if you go and research black males and black families in the 1930's, you don't find what we have today.
Please go back and re-read my posts. When you find the phrase that states "all black men" please reprint it so that I also may see it. I stated "many black men" and of course I could easily have simply stated men, but this discussion is directed towards the problems that black men are facing and from my many years of observation, it starts with many black men who have made it a badge of honor to claim to "pimp women" and it is perpetuated by the giggling masses of women, who take pride in being a part of a certain "pimps" territory. But please, don't read into my posts what is not there--I doubt I ever said all black men--because I always couch my phrases--but if you find it--I will amend it.
Please, for your own sake, and the sake of others, stop allowing the mainstream media to totally control your "personal" opinion w/ this garbage. Posted by durtyduzzin at 10:55 PM : Apr 16, 2007
I actually have been hanging around a lot of black women, and have done so for almost 40 years. The comments I have heard are often said (as you probably know) in the hood especially when a group of women are at the beauty salon. I also grew up in a mixed neighborhood that eventually became ghetto. So this is not new and when you state that people kill their own parents--your point is what? I never made a collective statement using the word "all" your own paranoia may have you reading things into what I say. As for how well I know Blacks--I don't claim to be an expert--but I am a very observant person, and to be honest, I think we have now entered that part of the dialogue where I am to be castigated as an outsider while those on the inside, sit in denial or parse what I wrote--but it does not change the veracity of my comments/observations--and I think you know that.
I also spoke to a young black male who said he was going to be in the NBA. This kid was 4'9" tall and skinny as a rail. He had been told all his life that the only way out was to become an athlete. When I encouraged him to get an education so that "when he signs his contract" he'll be able to handle his own money, he said I was the first person to ever tell him he could go to college.
It is a shame that so many people have very little hope for the future.
Look at all the immigrants who came to this country with nothing, they worked hard and provided for their families and have subsequently flourished. Instead of selling drugs and robbing people, these struggling black men should get a job and learn how to be a productive member of society. Don't take the easy way out, work your *** off and prove to the rest of society that giving up is not an option. Be strong and stay focused on your goals. Handouts will not end this cycle of self destruction.
Touche' on round 2. Your analysis is very common thought amongst non blacks. ....you notice them when they ran into your own children, having a temper tantrum in aisle 3?Posted by durtyduzzin at 11:08 PM : Apr 16, 2007
Sorry, my children were never allowed to have temper tantrums, to run around stores, restaurants, never kicked seats or to handle things in stores and whatever gave you the idea that I was white? Did I say I was white? I don't think so--you assume a lot about me personally (not based on observation of my kids or me) including the alluding to the actions of my children. I have 5 children and my children and most of them are grown. My children never misbehaved in public, were on the honor roll and rarely talked back to me and never disrespected another grown up and I heard about it. As for childish expression, I would suggest the arts or another outlet. You sound like the Republicans when they try to deflect their own faults by bringing up clinton... very sad--because the truth is--my comments are dead on and you know it--you can bring up whomever you like of the white race or any other race for that matter--it will neither negate, nullify or justify the problems in the black race and that is what this particular forum is about.
Less than 3 Million people of all races combined are on welfare these days. Most on welfare are NOT black--certain areas like Appalachia have almost entire towns on welfare due to the lack of job opportunities. Most of these people are white.But for the sake of your mind set, let's assume that all of the people on welfare were black. with over 29 million Blacks in America that still leaves 23 million NOT on welfare. Welfare did help contribute to the disintergration of families but not in the way that you think. In 1984, the welfare amount in Indiana was 195.00 for one child. The average apartment rented for 195.00. This means a woman could get just enough money to pay her rent but not enough for diapers, clothes, soap powder etc. In California, at the same time, the amount for one child was 424.00, but the average apartment in San Diego was 425.00 a month, so nobody had an incentive to make money-- The system was set up to punish people who tried to work though. If they tried to work or get a car --their benefits were slashed or cut off even if the job could not support them and their kids--
end of part 1
let's assume that all of the people on welfare were black. with over 29 million Blacks in America that still leaves 26 million NOT on welfare.
By all means, let us drop everything and focus on not only one race, but one gender. Give me a break. There are obvious serious and frightening issues facing black men in America, but to stick one race and one gender at the top of the list, over and above all other who are in just as serious crises is ridiculous. Stop with the whining already, and help people to help themselves, regardless of what race or gender they are. The sense of entitlement these days is sheerly astounding, and THAT is a crisis that knows no boundaries.
"Not just black women, (as OJ and Kobe Bryant showed us) many black males disrespect all women"
More twisted truths. OJ didn't dis' his ex-wife! He killed her. In a violent crime of passion. If you do a little research you'll find out she was the one who disrespected him. (still makes a him a murderer and pig) The shame of the whole matter is that if he did disrespect she'd probably be alive today. He would have just told her to "f*** off".
And Kobe!! and that blond white college co-ed crack smoking pile of thrash??!! What rock did you crawl out from under?
...you need to stop your profiling
Posted by flynnhaven at 11:57 PM : Apr 16, 2007
I was with you until that last comment. Please understand that blacks could never go back to Africa as anything other than guests. They are not tribally pure--having been bred over the centuries with other tribes, europeans, native Americans, etc. They would not have any place to go except perhaps Liberia. Please also understand that with the exception of Hispanics and those who can trace their ancestry to the Pilgrims that many Blacks are have American ancestry much older than Europeans who came here in the early 1900s. As a people, Slaves were not allowed to be imported after 1859 so all slave descended Black Americans have been here for almost 150 years with many having ancestry that goes back 300 years or more. In short, they have as American ancesty seniority. :)
One cannot harm a person until one negates their humanity. One does not start by negating humanity. It starts with disrespect, with hateful slurs passed off as humour--ugly cartoons, then it progresses to name calling, then pointing finger and blame and finally to harming them. This is a known dynamic of human psychology. It was done to the Jews and to any other group that others wanted an excuse for harming--but to begin down that road--a person must start with disrespect. All other maltreatment progresses from that point--and that is not profiling---if you witness the behavior of many black males--from being sexually promiscuous to having nothing to do with their offspring, to hitting women or seeing them as "hoes" then, as I said--it starts with disrespect--how far it goes on the spectrum depends on the man, the circumstance and the level of anger--but every person must on some level--cease to respect the autonomy of another person to get there. And FYI. long before OJ killed his wife, he had already beat her and hospitalized her several times as revealed in police records, and not disputed by OJ.
I think one of the obstacles facing black males may be a disconnect or a true inability to understand English verbiage. This problem means when some males speak on issues like disrespect--they have a totally different understanding on what disrespect means. From your post for example--you would argue that OJ did not disrespect his wife by killing her? Death is the ultimate in disrespect--for it negates one persons right to exist and confers on another the right to take that life. This cross misunderstanding goes beyond this issue. It is why so many whites (and others) are tired of the preferential treatment blacks feel they are owed (not recognizing that many whites have it just as bad and they get no preferential treatment) and continually trying to be repaid for slavery. I have often wondered about the reparations claim. I find it odd, that blacks today wish to be paid for what their ancestors went through when just after the war, many blacks were awarded 40 acres and a mule--though they might have had that taken away by mobs. .
I think whites do not go down that road, because , 1 it would be unfair to the present generations, 2. it would never, ever be enough and 3 the best gift people can be given is the unfettered opportunity to succeed if people will just get off their duffs and try. The real truth is, money or not, a certain segment will always find an excuse for not trying and the hatred for the "oreos" or uncle toms? Because they prove blacks can make it and assimilate if they want--and they blow the arguements of black professional victims out of the water. America never promised anyone that they would pay for past wrongs--this country only promised opportunity for those who wanted it. As for profiling, that would mean I was singling black men out for suspiscion based on physical characteristics-- I believe you really meant I should stop either generalising, pigeon holing or stereotyping. None of which I was doing--but...there it is--the way the language is interpreted can make or break linguistic nuance.
If the attitudes that were in these comments were what black people have to deal with every day, then our society is part of the problem.
How do you know that they don't vote? According to the democratic party, hundreds of thousands of votes are challenged each election by Republicans and they target minorities--especially blacks. so...do they not vote--or do their votes not get counted? It was documented that most of the votes thrown out in Florida were from black voters and many had been lied to or illegally discouraged from voting (or illegally had their votes nullified) perhaps it happened in Mississippi also?
Posted by Romancer51 at 01:43 AM : Apr 17, 2007
They do not perform the jobs more professionally. Whenever my credit card companies send me to customer service in India, I cannot understand a freaking word they say, and they do a lot of double speak and continually asking me how I am instead of addressing my question. It is not professional, it is maddening and frustrating and LOWERING of quality. Not to mention my problem (ie., the automatic phone pay was not working properly) never got resolved and I had to hang up and just try again once I got them to get off of my phone.
When I get services from an off shore company, I never do it by phone. I do it via service chat. Know what I get. Excellent service. You are correct, they have difficulty pronouncing english words clearly. But guess what. I can tell when I actually have a non American service rep after they type just two sentences. Know how. Their written englisn is impecable. Perfectly punctuated gramatically correct sentences. I know how they do it too. What kills me is they do it for one tenth the cost of me. I have to be better.
- 1
- 2
- next
See all 75 Comments