| The issue of the "Crisis of The Black Male" is truly | | | | heard. Think about it, if you are a dominant figure in |
| one that is tearing at my heart, and provoking my | | | | a young brother's life and what he receives from you |
| aggression to cause a change, "by any means | | | | is mainly complaints about your life, job, relationships |
| necessary." I recently read an article that quite | | | | and your should have, could have, and would haves, |
| frankly expressed that we have lost a generation of | | | | then the chances that he will connect his self-image |
| black boys. It further expressed that the adverse | | | | to the possibility of success is lowered. Believe me, I |
| effects of factors such as negative media, gangs, | | | | know that there are many obstacles that confront |
| drugs, poor education, unemployment, father | | | | us in life and many more come when you are walking |
| absence, crime, violence and death have snatched | | | | in purpose in pursuit of your passion. But complaining |
| the unlimited potential that our young black males | | | | and making excuses only perpetuates a cycle of low |
| have inside them. Strikingly, statistics show that | | | | self-images in those who look to us for guidance. |
| young black men are graduating from high school at | | | | As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I |
| all time lows, which testifies that the dropout is high. | | | | know that before troops can go into a hostile |
| Which further connects to the low percentage of | | | | situation they are "Briefed" to make sure that they |
| black males who attend and complete higher | | | | are prepared, focused and confident about |
| education. At a deeper glance, it is these statistics | | | | accomplishing the mission at hand. Consequently, |
| that gives strong explanation to the causes of the | | | | saving our black boys is a battle with live ammunition |
| filtration system into U.S. penitentiaries of our black | | | | and as fathers, mothers, teachers and mentors, we |
| males, which is now well over a million in population. | | | | have to be "Briefed" in which we must get prepared, |
| As a young black man and a father of a son, this | | | | focused and confident in ourselves and in our ability |
| reality is heartbreaking and scary to say the least. It | | | | to accomplish the mission. |
| is clear that as a whole we have to get aggressive | | | | So attention! We are faced with the mission of |
| about ensuring that we do not lose any more | | | | "Saving our Black Boys," so get into full combat gear |
| generations of black boys. | | | | and build Self Image..... |
| As we now take a look into ourselves, and look into | | | | Battle Practice 1: |
| the eyes of our black boys to effectively set them | | | | Let's evaluate and write down our goals and |
| on the path to success let's look at strengthening | | | | aspirations for our own life and begin to figure out |
| "Self Image". It is first crucial that we strengthen not | | | | the sources of our happiness as well as our |
| only the self-image of our black boys but also our | | | | unhappiness. Figure out the sacrifices and additions |
| own self-image. In self-image, I am simply talking | | | | we must make to begin or future the pursuit of our |
| about our self-conception or how we see ourselves. | | | | highest potential. It is key that we include our black |
| It is the emotional and mental view that one has of | | | | males in this process and explain to them the |
| his or herself. As fathers, mothers, teachers and | | | | importance of building Self-Image. In addition let's |
| mentors for these black boys we should have the | | | | challenge ourselves to stop complaining and spend |
| confidence in our own ability to reach our highest | | | | that energy finding the solutions to our frustration. |
| potential. It is just as important for us to express to | | | | The next "The Empowerment Vessel" will continue |
| our young men our goals and aspirations and allow | | | | exploring the importance of building Self-Image in |
| them to experience and be exposed to our journey | | | | "Saving our Black Boys." |
| to reach greatness or our "pursuit of happiness." The | | | | Always remember that "We were not put here to |
| first stage of life for our young black males is | | | | toss pebbles, we were put here to move mountains. |
| extremely educational, through what is seen and | | | | |