Report: Black Men Mired In Social Crisis

National Urban League Says Incarceration, Unemployment And AIDS Afflict Black Males To Larger Degree

(AP)  Citing bleak data on incarceration, joblessness and AIDS, the National Urban League said Monday that problems facing black men represent America's most serious social crisis and proposed an aggressive campaign to provide them with more opportunities.

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.

[n12768]

What's wrong with Rev. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton?? They are the ones who taught me that a BLACK PERSON COULD BE PRESIDENT. Jackson was the one who got the hostages back for Reagan.
If it weren't for those men, so many Blacks would be locked up, even though innocent.
They ARE leaders. They have made mistakes in their lives, but then again... who hasn't??

For those of you who are bad mouthing them; what have YOU done to help ANYONE besides your own, in the Black community??

[bernieb14]

watchnlearn6 You say:

"Blacks in America have been made a permanent under class that no amount of education or accumulation of wealth, or otherwise has been able to change. So although many blacks are experiencing a considerable amount of personal success, myself included, our true success will be the alleviation of such sad and bleak reports as the one presented."

You have to admit that the blacks you are referring to are the ones that feel society owe them a living, and that they are victims. They convince each other of that by the culture they've built for themselves with the ugly RAP lyrics, and being negative to anyone that wants to succeed by calling them too white, or Uncle Tom, etc... If you or any other black person can realize it takes some self discipline and hard work to get ahead in life, than so can they. Don't tell me that they are incapable of that because I won't buy it. There have been countless success stories of people coming to this country without a pot to Pi$$ in and have struggled and worked hard to make something of themselves. It's a choice and you know it, otherwise you'd be in the same boat.

[bernieb14]

watchnlearn6

I'd like to know which golf course Michael Jordan couldn't play on. I'm willing to bet he didn't have a Tee-time and thought they'd just let him play due to his celebrity. That's what happened with Oprah. She came to the jewelry store when they weren't open, and expected they'd let her in due to her celebrity status. They were in the middle of redecorating the store when she came unannounced. Don't confuse racism with expecting celebrity treatment. On the contrary, there are places in LA, Harlem, and other cities that white people aren't allowed in as well, unless they are willing to take the chance of getting killed.

[boxer23]

bernieb14


As I stated, I make no excuses for the poor state of affairs that so many of my people are in, but I do understand the contributing factors that affect them. It's not about whether or not they have been directly exposed to the same overt degradation racism and prejudice as previous generations-- the effects of these things are long living. I work as a mentor, coach and counselor for many of the same type of young black men mentioned in the article, all outside of what I do corporately. The American Dream that you mentioned is an individualistic goal that is far outside of the reach of Black America. Not because they are incapable of succeeding, indeed we have many examples to the contrary. It is an implausible goal at this point because even those blacks at the pinnacle of their personal success, still experience limitations to their freedoms based on their race. There are still golf courses that Michael Jordan can't play on-- there are jewelry stores that have turned away Oprah, and the list goes on. Blacks in America have been made a permanent under class that no amount of education or accumulation of wealth, or otherwise has been able to change. So although many blacks are experiencing a considerable amount of personal success, myself included, our true success will be the alleviation of such sad and bleak reports as the one presented.

[gunnerv1]

Why don't they heed Bill Cosby's solution. You can't blame the "White Man" anymore. No one is keeping you down except yourself.

[bstallion]

bernieb14

No offense taken. It's a mystery to me who made these guys (Sharpton and Jackson) our leaders. You may not be black, but I am, and I have no idea who annointed them. Whoever did, they screwed up.

I honestly think the "Leader" title was given based on who got to the microphone first. From what I've seen they have done nothing to further our cause but they have done a whole lot to further their own.

[bernieb14]

bstallion2

I agree with you, and didn't mean to make you think I was saying they represent you. What I meant was that the News Media says that they are the black leaders in America. If I were black, I would choose as you, and NOT want them to represent me. My black friends do not like either Sharpton or Jackson and don't like their message at all. They are the so called leaders that are holding back the black population in this country, while others like you have risen above the attitude of being a victim.

[bstallion]

bernieb14

Thank you for your comments. To respond to your comments about Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, let me go on record with this quick statement.

Just because the media puts a microphone in front of a person does not meant that person represents anyone other than themselves. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson do not, and never will, represent me. I like them as human beings and respect their right to speak for themselves. But that's as far as it goes.

When you see Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson on tv you do not see "black America". You see Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson,....that's it. They never asked for my vote so they don't represent me.

[bernieb14]

watchnlearn6

How long do you plan on coddling these people that never experienced slavery? Maybe some discrimination 30 to 40 years ago, but lets move on. The black people that are unsuccessful in the U.S. these days are blacks that hold on to that victimization status. They use that as an excuse to NOT work hard and experience the American dream that all races in the U.S. can reach and have. I am friends and work with black people that are very successful. It's a choice of wheter to rise above it or stay a victim of it. What's your choice?

[boxer23]

The black community truly is mired in a deep social crisis, and the way that some of these comments have minimized that fact displays a wide gap in understanding. One comment compared the experience of white slaves off the Barbary Coast to that of African Americans?! I understand that the point you were attempting to make was that slavery was not an uncommon experience in the context of world history -- true. The institution of slavery dates back thousands of years. But the great majority of slave experiences were nothing like what African Americans was subjected to here in the States. Roman slaves were protected citizens, and could even have their own homes and possessions. African American slaves were dehumanized in the worst possible way. They were dismembered and pulled apart by horses; they were burned, skinned, boiled, beheaded, raped, and sodomized. They were broken physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And there were still laws enacting this type of dehumanization as recently as 40 years ago. And even when these laws were changed, the people who maintained that sentiment remained the same. So the disenfranchisement of the black community is REAL. The sense of victimization, although regrettable, is understandable. I will not make excuses for the sad state of affairs, but I think that in order to help change it, we must fully comprehend it.

[bernieb14]

enaudnalla

I forgot to mention that there are plenty of white people that fall in the same category of NOT wanting to take responsibility for themselves too. The only difference is that the media doesn't bring them to the forefront like they do the black population. I'm guessing because the media is so liberal that they too believe the Al Sharptons and Jessie Jacksons that make the uneducated blacks believe they are all victims and can't do anything without government intervention.

[enaudnalla]

mocaleo

Your name sounds like one of those illegal races that slip in thru Canada which i forbid more than the ones coming thru the mexico border.
You guys come over here and just like John Mark Karr you molest the same babies we make that are like dogs and cats as you put it. We have more Catholic priests and white childmolesters
in this country than the taliban. Then you turn around and put 12 years old on Tv documentaries and role around the hay with her in the name of "documentaries". You sick, aligator like leeches that couldnt build up your own country so you brought us over are worse of the any nappy headed ho and her nappy headed man.
Stay away from our babies freaks and stop shooting up students you domestic terrorist.
you probably wear the gay bed head you all
eur-fems wear. Dude you are not even realizing

[enaudnalla]

bernieb14

God bless you..........See you at your town hall meeting called "When Whites cant play the race card either"

[bernieb14]

bstallion2

I too have quite a few black friends, and they all work, they all own homes, have educations, and want the best for their kids. If I was black, I'd get tired of being compared to the inner city trash that won't take responsibility for themselves and want the government to take care of them and blame it on being victims of society for the rest of their lives. I'd also be tired of the black so called leadership of the likes of Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson who make a living on racism and leading other blacks to believe they are all victims.

[bstallion]

I have shocking news for some of the commentors out there,....."your guilt is showing". Let me educate you on something you may not be aware. Black people stop blaming white folks for their troubles years ago. I don't know where you've been, but that's the truth.

And here's another shocker. After being on this planet as a black man for 47 years I can honestly say that every black man, (and woman), I know works,...provides for their family, pays taxes, etc. I don't know a single one that's unemployed or strung out on drugs.

It seems to me that these researchers go to prisons,...crack houses,..unemployment offices and ghettos to find their numbers and then label us all with their findings.

Please stop using lowlifes and quitters as a representation of all blacks. It's getting old.

[bernieb14]

enaudnalla

Instead of addressing what the article was written about here, you are going off on white america. That's what I'm talking about. Stick to the issue of what the article stated.

[enaudnalla]

bernieb14

Again another white town hall meeting for white males who dont listen............did i say I blame the whites? I said to have a town hall meeting where you admit your neighborhoods hold most of the child molesters and priests(John Mark Karr) and furnish the most terror attacks on our kids........our black kids go to these schools that you prey on. We know our problems but have never heard your dirty laundry on a town meeting yet? I wonder why? WHite Media maybe and their kids could be exposed? Or the camera points to us instead or maybe rap causes you to be so corrupt. THat senator Mark FOlley (omg)

[bernieb14]

enaudnalla

So tired of black america blaming white america for everything too. Get a &!@#$ grip and take responsibility for yourselves. Quit blaming everybody else for your self made culture of feeling as though you're victims. New leadership like Condolizza Rice would be a great start, but of course most blacks don't like Condolizza Rice because she's too white for the black community. That means she's too successful and not the ho hanging out on the corner, like all your RAP videos portray. RIGHT?

[enaudnalla]

So tired of White AMerica UNDER THE RADAR.
When have you ever heard of a black male commiting domestic terror.........I was surprised the Virginia shooter was Asian which identifies with Whites anyway , but Blacks are tired of the Moral upright too less impathetic white men who decide to Go off and do a Columbine attack , Omish school attack and should i go on? You have the highest number of child molesters who convienently now have their own prisons and then come out to go to rehab so you can save face for your White Trash. White Media, we are tired of the talk about rap and indentity crisis on black men which you actually are promoting. Next Town Hall Meeting: Status Of White Men and how Rock and 24 is impacting their community

[richzurb]

The Balck community simply needs to clean house. I am tired of hearing that blacks in America do not have the same opportunities as whites. If that were true than we would have no black leaders, no Obamas, or Powells, or Rices just to name a few. How is it these individuals were able to rise to the top? Self respect and committment is the answer. And why is it that only in America our past transgression of slavery is an issue? Slavery was practiced world wide. It was Africans that captured and sold thier fellow Africans into slavery. White slavery was rampant on the Barbary coast but we never here about that. We need to quit identifing what seprates us and concentrate on what unifies us. Get over the past it is done, there is no changing it. All we can do is forge a future together and ensure our future generations can see that we are all simply part of the human race.