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This Generation: Will President Obama Inspire Change in Youth?
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By Deon Price Published January 23, 2009
While African-Americans celebrated the transfer of power to the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, we have a growing concern with the state of African-American youth.
We are in a conflicted time when a black man who was once considered one-third of a man can be elevated to the highest position in the world, while at the same time, black youth are still in the basement of society.
I hope the spirit of Obama's leadership reaches the urban community where the condition of African-American youth has deteriorated in the last 10 years. Consider these frightening facts; the highest homicide rate; the highest high school drop out rate; the lowest amount of high school graduates; and the most incarcerated.
What that indicates is that there is a low value for life, education and freedom among African-American youth.
The new year doesn't bring a new sense of optimism when you consider the latest study that reveals an alarming 40 percent increase in juvenile homicides since 2000. Yet the national crime statistics have continued to report an overall decrease in juvenile crime. That's like having the doctor tell you that 'your blood pressure is going down but you have cancer.'
Released by criminologists at Northeastern University in Boston, the study showed that black males 14 to 17 who were victims of homicide increased nationwide by 31 percent from 2002 to 2007. The number of black male juveniles accused of murder rose by 43 percent over the same time frame.
The 4.5 million African-American men 15 to 29 represent 14 percent of the U.S. male population of that age and 12 percent of all African-Americans in the U.S. Their high rates of death, incarceration, and unemployment, and relatively low levels of college graduation rates raise concerns for African-American families and the nation's economy.
The contribution of social factors to the health problems of young African-American men deserves more attention than previously received. By documenting the extent of the problem and by examining the factors associated with the lives of young African-American men who avoid problems and lead successful lives, policymakers will be better informed to develop and implement solutions.
Violent juvenile crime likely increased for several reasons. Law enforcement authorities point to the introduction of crack cocaine and the accompanying crimes associated with drug sales and addiction. At the same time, the U.S. gun market was flooded with cheaper, but more lethal handguns that frequently found their way into the hands of juveniles.
Juveniles were also likely affected by the prevalence of single-parent families and limited parental supervision after school. Finally, extensive research has shown the impact of media violence on the development of aggressive attitudes and behavior.
Although there is great reason to be hopeful, let's not sleep on the fact we have a great deal of work to do to improve the quality of life for African-American youth. The inspirational moments of the historic inauguration gave me a new sense of responsibility to serve my community.
Deon Price is a youth advocate and freelance writer who lives in Suisun City. He can be reached at eon.Price@comcast.net.">Deon.Price@comcast.net.
We are in a conflicted time when a black man who was once considered one-third of a man can be elevated to the highest position in the world, while at the same time, black youth are still in the basement of society.
I hope the spirit of Obama's leadership reaches the urban community where the condition of African-American youth has deteriorated in the last 10 years. Consider these frightening facts; the highest homicide rate; the highest high school drop out rate; the lowest amount of high school graduates; and the most incarcerated.
What that indicates is that there is a low value for life, education and freedom among African-American youth.
The new year doesn't bring a new sense of optimism when you consider the latest study that reveals an alarming 40 percent increase in juvenile homicides since 2000. Yet the national crime statistics have continued to report an overall decrease in juvenile crime. That's like having the doctor tell you that 'your blood pressure is going down but you have cancer.'
Released by criminologists at Northeastern University in Boston, the study showed that black males 14 to 17 who were victims of homicide increased nationwide by 31 percent from 2002 to 2007. The number of black male juveniles accused of murder rose by 43 percent over the same time frame.
The 4.5 million African-American men 15 to 29 represent 14 percent of the U.S. male population of that age and 12 percent of all African-Americans in the U.S. Their high rates of death, incarceration, and unemployment, and relatively low levels of college graduation rates raise concerns for African-American families and the nation's economy.
The contribution of social factors to the health problems of young African-American men deserves more attention than previously received. By documenting the extent of the problem and by examining the factors associated with the lives of young African-American men who avoid problems and lead successful lives, policymakers will be better informed to develop and implement solutions.
Violent juvenile crime likely increased for several reasons. Law enforcement authorities point to the introduction of crack cocaine and the accompanying crimes associated with drug sales and addiction. At the same time, the U.S. gun market was flooded with cheaper, but more lethal handguns that frequently found their way into the hands of juveniles.
Juveniles were also likely affected by the prevalence of single-parent families and limited parental supervision after school. Finally, extensive research has shown the impact of media violence on the development of aggressive attitudes and behavior.
Although there is great reason to be hopeful, let's not sleep on the fact we have a great deal of work to do to improve the quality of life for African-American youth. The inspirational moments of the historic inauguration gave me a new sense of responsibility to serve my community.
Deon Price is a youth advocate and freelance writer who lives in Suisun City. He can be reached at eon.Price@comcast.net.">Deon.Price@comcast.net.
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