What kind of system takes millions of Black youth and consigns them to segregated run-down neighborhoods and prison-like schools? Offers them lower paying, demeaning jobs—if at all—when they seek employment? Treats their style of dress or way they talk as evidence of criminal behavior? Makes “behind bars” more familiar than “campus classroom”? Destroys all hopes and dreams, and leaves only desperation? The statistics are staggering: Only 7 percent of black eighth graders perform at grade level in math, there is a 33-percent chance that a black boy born in 2001 will go to prison and 60 percent of black, male, high-school dropouts have spent time in prison.It’s up to us to prepare ourselves through education and adjusting our priorities, training young leaders and activists on how to impact public policy and hold elected officials accountable.
Wednesday September 8th 2010
