Young black men in America continue to face a unique set of challenges and obstacles in society. The many unraveling forces (poverty, unemployment, racism, incarceration, motivation, family structure, lack of education, fatherless society etc.); that seeks to create chaos in the psychology of Millennials/Gen Z cannot rear its ugly head without a strong foundation of supporters.
From education and employment to the criminal justice system, young black men are disproportionately affected by a range of issues that impact their lives and communities. I am that Young black man that has grown up through those range of issues and lived to tell about it. My struggles with self-Esteem, education, sexuality, racism, and poverty set the stage for viewpoint when it comes to helping Young Black Men.
According to recent studies and reports, young black men continue to face significant barriers to success in education. I get the censure about the American Educational system not being the best. And somehow, it still ranks nationally as on the top 50 educational systems in the world.
Pretty impressive for a country whose young black men continue to fall short in an educational system; that is devoid of understanding its own faults and limitations.
A report from the Schott Foundation for Public Education found that only 59% of black males graduated from high school on time, compared to a graduation rate of 84% for white males. Similarly, a report from the National Center for Education Statistics found that only 32% of black males aged 25–29 had completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 48% of white males in the same age range.
In opinion, a great solution to educating black men is the advent of a Technology driven “Black Media” machine. Now, I am not sure how long it will take to get 80% of black males graduating on time from High School; but it’s quite possible to meet these black men where they are at and use culture as a barometer for creating meaning around the importance of education.
Employment
In addition to education, young black men also face significant barriers to employment. I can’t tell you how much my heart hurts for young black men who struggle to get adequate employment without being judged, scrutinized or denied work all together. Let’s cut the lazy Gen Z/Millennial talk. These young adults are just different souls that have arrived with a new mission outside of Gen X’ and Baby boomer ways.
A report from the Economic Policy Institute found that the unemployment rate for black men aged 16–24 was more than double that of white men in the same age range. Furthermore, when young black men are employed, they are often paid less than their white counterparts. Now, if I know this to be true going in and I am as qualified as my counterpart why would I want to work in those types of psychological disadvantages?
A report from the National Women’s Law Center found that young black men working full-time, year-round jobs earned just 74 cents for every dollar earned by young white men. Now, these types of systemic barriers create more stress than America can imagine. I am just highlighting various areas for 2023 that will be changed and challenged as the result of systems that must fall in order to accommodate the cultural legacy of a young man whose time has come.
Criminal Justice
Another area where young black men are disproportionately affected is the criminal justice system. According to data from the NAACP, black men are six times more likely to be incarcerated than white men and constitute nearly 1 million of the total 2.3 million incarcerated population. Furthermore, young black men are more likely to be sentenced to prison for similar crimes than young white men.
What is not being said is the fact that America needs young black men to for the advancement of American life. God is not mocked and what we as a nation sow, we shall reap. The destruction of young black men by America only hurts America in the long run.
Think about the recent experiences of young black men in society. The Protests in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, the killing of Ahmaud Arbery while jogging has been widely reported and illustrates the dangers of racial profiling and vigilantism. These experiences set a deep narrative in the psychology of black men that they are marked in this country for destruction.
Although, these statistics and events paint a bleak picture of the state of affairs for young black men in society; it is important to note that these issues are not unique to young black men, and that the experiences of young black men are also shaped by broader societal issues such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to resources.
It is clear that more needs to be done to address the issues faced by young black men in society. This includes investing in education and job training programs, implementing policies to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and taking steps to address poverty and discrimination.
It is also important to note that young black men are not a monolithic group and have diverse experiences and perspectives. It is crucial to listen to the voices and perspectives of young black men themselves, and to support and amplify their voices in the broader conversation about these issues.
In conclusion, the systemic nature of America’s hate towards black men and black family; must be leveled off with a new agenda for is geared towards getting results. Yes, the advancement of young black life requires a broader societal effort. It is the responsibility of all of us to educate ourselves, take action and work towards a more equitable and just society for all.
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This post was previously published on BLKPOSTR.
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 The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer |
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