The Black Man's Plight

 For the most part, Black men exist within the confines of their environments and are shaped by the ideas and perceptions of those around them and the media. Their ideas of their own education and mental ability are informed by bias accounts of the media, music and entertainment. Much like Carter G. Woodson suggested in The Miseducation of the Negro, when it comes to erasing the plight of the Black male the focus should not be on changing external factors. Rather, we must reshape the way Black males think. Of all the above factors, the one most effective in dealing with the issues of Black male underachievement is education and mental awareness. If a man thinks he can beat his situation, then everything else will follow. It's the motivation of our men that is essential to defeating the negative influences prevalent in our society.

What is it that keeps Black males from making the right decisions? What forces Black men to choose the path that reinforces negative stereotypes about them? I could say it's due to the lack of positive things going on around them, provide a sociological explanation: the lack of encouragement, resources, etc. But is that really the issue? I'm more inclined inclined to believe it's the fact that Black men don't take the time to evaluate who they are and what they want and they rather live re-actively. Instead of seeing, perceiving and making an informed decision to do something, they simply let their surroundings determine what they are going to do next. They essentially conform to the incorrect definitions of their person.

Although circumstances have a profound effect on the number of options one has, no situation can strip one of their free will, their ability to decide to overcome. How do we get Black males to think for themselves?