Who They REALLY Are! An example..
You know, I am alll about positivity! Positive thoughts, positive energy, positive images! I believe that it is what we think about ourselves that makes us who we are because its embedded in our hearts. Thats why it saddens me everytime I turn on the tv or I read the news its always about negative things. More specifically, about the negative image that is portrayed about African American men.
Today I read a story about a charter school in a "tough" neighborhood in Chicago, where the ENTIRE senior class has been accepted into a four year college or university. Read the story here. My heart was elated!! This school is an all male institution with all African American students. It's rare that we would even hear about something like this. So I couldn't help but feel over-joyed for these young men.
But my excitement comes from where? I am thrilled about anyone who is at an disadvantage becase of the disproportion of lower income and high crime rates (hence myself) that go on to beat the odds of pursuing their dreams by going to college, but its NEVER talked about! African American men have been stereotyped for years and years that the most they can become are baby daddies of several women, pants saggin, weed smoking, noncontributors to this society. And if they do make something of themselves, they're only proned to be athletes and rappers! This is CRAZY!!! Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I come from a city (a suburb of chicago ironically) where that is the majority of what you see...but my point is they are all not that way! I learned that myself when I first stepped foot on my alma mata back in 2001, through the friendships I have now with black men. And I'm seeing it here! That is why I am sharing this story to everyone I can! To dispell the rumor and thought that we can't do anything like this.
It is my hope that more stories alike will continue to get its shine! And that these young men get all the publicity that they can out of this. This is what we should be talking about!! This is what should make the homepage of Yahoo!. Young men who are on the road to making a difference. I will continue to talk about it, post on my facebook page, and use as an example that young black men are more that what the media portrays them to be. It is also my hope that younger black boys will see this, and believe that they too can do the same! Congratulations Fellas!!
.jpg){kind=small}