STOP THE GENOCIDE

The killing of young black male achievers nationwide has reached epic proportions. In a Michigan suburb a few weeks ago, a young man who attended the local high school with college aspirations for the Fall was killed when he attended a party with friends celebration their recent graduation.

The widespread killings have created a phenomena in the African-American community. For years we struggled with falling grades and GPA's below the national average for males in other groups along with low college admissions while a disproportionate number of young black males wasted their lives and purpose incarcerated by a penal system which has a tendency to be more forgiving to non-blacks. Now that we have stressed the importance of high school graduation and college attendance, these high achieving young men with dreams intent on rising above their circumstances are gunned down. These brave and dedicated young people worked to lift themselves and their families and by extension their community out of their circumstances. Why are we allowing their lives to be snuffed out?

Is this another kind of genocide? In the eighties and nineties we saw as drive- by shootings became the order of the day. In fact in law enforcement circles, the feeling among professionals was that young black males would self destruct anyway. Now we need to take a closer look at the alarming rate in which high performing individuals are being attacked and killed. Community leaders need to stand up and take authority over the lack of discipline among our young people. We need to become better at teaching them the right values and place emphasis on leading lives filled with academic achievement.

I can’t say enough how I wish this trend were not so. But in observing the headlines, it becomes clear that a new type of genocide is emerging. In other words, we are killing our own dreams and robbing our community of the long term contribution these young people would make. I am not saying that in not graduating high school you are not worthy of mention. I am simply saying in light of the incarceration likelihood among young black males, it’s time out for this rabid form of genocide.

Why are we seeking to kill one another? The alarming number of black men behind bars should indicate that the time has come for action. The first step begins in our homes. Parents must assume the responsibility to instill a desire to achieve in their children, male and female. Achievement standards should be based on a balanced curriculum of academics, sports and the arts. We need to be at the forefront of the war on violence in our community. As an advocate to end violence in our communities I am stating my desire for peaceful resolution to all areas of conflict.

In my experience I have found children to be products of their environment,I have found children do live what they learn . It means that inside our homes when we encounter situations and disagreements, we must be the example to demonstrate a non violent approach to solving areas of conflict. It’s one of the primary reasons I removed myself from a physically violent and abusive marriage as I didn’t want my daughter to be exposed to violence. I had taught her non-violent approaches to conflict. However I knew if she continued to witness seeing Daddy hit Mommy whenever there was disagreement, she would grow up to believe that it is normal.

In an effort to stem the tide of violence in my home, I with stood severe hardship and removed myself and my daughter from that abusive environment.I nonetheless persevered as I continued believing in the hope that her future is greater than her past. I took the responsibility as the parent, to ensure violence became a non-factor in her life. This is the responsibility of parenting. Parents must recognize the impact your words and actions have on the young persons in your home. We must continue in making strides to improve the ways in which we communicate and the exertion of power in our relationships. Our children are observing our behavior and are making decisions based on how they interpret our actions. We must be the ones to stem the rising tide of of disregard for human life.

This random genocide has to stop. Stop killing each other . Love one another. Respect each other. Stop using guns and other weapons of mass destruction in our communities. Stop disregarding the value of human life. We must stop the violence.