Page 13 - LifelineInaugural

The Critical Condition of the Black Family

By: Dr. Willie Myles

r Willie Myles is an entrepreneur, educator, to this role of being the Protector (Housing) and provider
author and social activist. His primary (welfare). Most of my conversation has been in regards
work is with the Black Community and to Black families and how these families are faring in the
Black Children. He has a profound interest midst of difficult times. What many of my colleagues and
Din evoking meaningful social movements I agree upon is that we as adults are responsible for the
to ameliorate the devastating risk factors, placing Black condition that our family and children are in. We have not
Children and Black Families at risk. introduced a sense of history or perspective for them. They
do not know who we are, and the rich heritage that gave us
In most of my writings, I discuss the deteriorating condition the strength to overcome slavery and obtain basic human
that the Black family is in, however I have yet to see rights in the 1960’s. Some want us to treat slavery as
collective efforts to remediate this condition. In all life some ancient event. One hundred and fifty years is not so
domains Black children in Black families are in the most ancient when the effects continue to somehow perpetuate
deteriorating state. African American babies in the U.S. itself in the Black community in 2011. We have failed to
today are two-and-a-half times more likely to die before their emphasize those values of working together, being self
first birthday than white babies. Only three out of 100 Black sufficient, and supporting the village. It is those values
kindergartners will graduate high school. Black families are that have helped us to sustain in a nation like America,
7 times as likely to be persistently poor. Eighty five percent and obtain the right to be on the playing field, though
of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from sometime uneven.
fatherless homes. As I began to evaluate the “why us” I
have to revisit the issue of the impact of slavery on our It is critically important that we take immediate action to
condition. I submit to you that once the emancipation cure our condition for the next generation. We must first
proclamation was signed it offered no “transition program address their spiritual needs. They must know who God is
or workshop” on what should happen next. As a matter of in the midst of it all. Secondly we must take control of our
fact, some of the slaves decided to stay with their masters. children’s education. We must not depend upon a system
Interestingly, slaves were not allowed to read. Today 75% to instill family and cultural values and teach our history
of African American boys are in special education. They are and heritage. We must take control of our economic
4 times more as likely to be expelled. Black men suffer far direction. We must stop teaching our children to get a
worse health than any other racial group in America. Blacks good education to work for someone else. We must teach
are twice as likely to be arrested. them early to get an education to meet the economic
and social goals for the community. We must start eating
The mass incarceration of Black males has a profound healthy, because a sick body affects the mind. We must
impact on the Black community and the stability of the rearrange our social and political priorities. We must not
Black family. Reports state that there are more Black men engage in any behavior that would prove detrimental to the
in prison and on probation than there were enslaved in well being of our family and our children. No more reports
1850. What kind of impact does this have on the stability are needed; we simply need to act on what we know and
of the Black family? Black men are the foundation to become more accountable for our children, our family and
family and serves as the protector and provider. If the preparation for the next generation. It must start today.
protector and provider is locked away…then who protects That is how CRITICAL the condition of the Black family is.
and who provides? The government designated Uncle Sam We can no longer delay treatment, less we die.
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