Submitted by Reeves, Apr 26, 2007 13:33

First - I agree with a number of your points but I think that one of the key issues that we commonly miss is that the flaws in our society tend to get magnified by the those outside of the mainstream in this case the socioeconomic mainstream. When people exist outside of the center they by nature become "extremist" in one way or another. In this case it is a cultural breakdown of morals and values that existed and bound African American society in this country. When Jim Crow and Segregation were in place, all blacks were forced into the same camp thus fighting against a common cause from a central point. This fight was fought and eventually won not by the "baddest' group but by the most morally stout and steadfast group. The Black Panthers and other more radical groups all had a place but did not represent the core. Just as now the gangsta rappers, entertainers should not represent the core of what it means to be African American. It is African Americans responsibility to take back the neighborhoods and take back the moral compass that is passed on to the youth both in the "burbs" but also in the "hood". Kids are sponges and generally they lack context around what it takes to have all the things that they aspire for and tend to be attracted to the lowest common denominator - money, power, sex and "respect". All of which are displayed in a cartoonish fashion before them i.e. rappers extravagance, the opulence of the basketball players lifestyle etc... So this is what they believe to be reality and being black, not working hard, being a contributing member of society etc... The difference can only be made by 1) better education at all levels, 2) the opportunity to experience life on a broader scale, 3) the embracing of self respect and rejection of nihilism and 4) the active, consistent intervention of African American of every socioeconomic level.

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