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This Generation: Are black youth headed in the wrong direction?

By Deon Price | |                                                Published October 02, 2009

What is the current state of African American youth? Are they in a better position than they were, say, 20 years ago?

When you consider the conditions of black youth in terms of education, health or overall quality of life, it is very disturbing. Although there has been a slight increase in African Americans earning bachelors degrees, recent findings reveal that there has been a decrease in their academic progress.I was particularly bothered by recent statistics published by the National College Board on the 2009 SAT scores by ethnic groups. African Americans scored far below the scores of Caucasians and also trailed the scores of every other major ethnic group in the United States: Asian Americans 1103;Caucasions 1064; American Indians 979; Latina/Hispanic Americans 916; Puerto Ricans 902; African Americans 855.

mong each minority group, consider these alarming facts: The highest homicide rate, the highest high school drop out rate (35 percent), the lowest number of high school graduates and the most incarcerated are African Americans.

What that indicates is that there is a low value for life, education and freedom among black youth.The study reveals an alarming 40 percent increase in black juvenile homicides since 2000 despite the fact that national juvenile crime statistics have continued to report an overall decline.Released by criminologists at Northeastern University in Boston, the study showed that black males, ages 14 to 17, who were victims of homicide, increased 31 percent nationwide from 2002 to 2007. The number of black male juveniles accused of murder rose by 43 percent over the same time frame, which indicates how the deterioration of the black community is affecting the younger generation.

African Americans also show the highest rates of death, incarceration, unemployment and relatively low levels of college graduation rates. This all raises concerns for African American families. The contribution of social factors to the health problems of young African American men deserves further attention.By documenting the extent of the problem and by examining the factors associated with the lives of young black men who avoid problems and lead successful lives, policy makers will be better informed to develop and implement solutions.

These grim indicators should inspire and encourage more efforts to improve conditions to foster a new value for life, education and freedom among our young black children. The obvious starting point is in our immediate families. I have deputized my own children to not only be the example of academic excellence, good behavior and high moreal standards, but I also gave them the responsibility to help redirect their peers who may to be headed down the wrong path. I know it may be a heavy load to place on the shoulders of a 15- or 12-year-old, but youth workers can testify that young people influence other young people more often than adults.

We also have an obligation to challenge community leaders to address these concerns with preventive and intervention programs to help raise awareness. Perhaps we could summon the same passion and competitive spirit we have for athletics and art to transform our youth into productive citizens. Although there is great reason to be hopeful, let's not sleep on the fact that we have a great deal of work to do to improve the quality of life for African American youth.

Deon Price is a youth advocate and freelance writer who lives in Suisun City. He can be reached at Deon.Price@comcast.net or www.youtube.com/priceedutainment