Local Voices:  Uplifting and Empowering Young African-American Males

By John L. Horton

“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it, too, dry up like a raisin in the sun?”

– Langston Hughes

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“We cannot reasonably expect others to do those things that we should do for ourselves.”

– Paul Robeson

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      Recent media coverage about crime and violence in the Hampton Roads area, specifically in some of our inner city and disadvantaged communities, caught my attention. While there is much “huffing and puffing” as to how to deal with these “criminal and violence” issues, not much will improve for these neighborhoods and the rest of us until substantive and permanent “social-economical-political” issues are properly addressed and resolved.

Come September 20, I shall be an 84-year-old African-American male who has previously worked and volunteered in juvenile justice, social services, community services board, public housing, public schools, and colleges and universities. Moreover, I am a retired Marine sergeant major (E-9), 30 years (October 14, 1958 – November 1, 1988), 100 percent disabled, Vietnam combat veteran.

My heart aches and my mind is troubled every day of my existence.  This is because I see so many of our youths, especially African-American males, who have gone astray and/or who have no future in terms of achievement and success.

These disenchanted youths are profoundly alienated and they are experiencing a sense of powerlessness and hopelessness.  They do not feel as if they belong in today’s or tomorrow’s society – at least not as a positive force and/or contributing factor.  These youths feel as if they are society’s lost cause … its scapegoat.  As a result, they feel no connection, no investment, no ownership, and/or no partnership in their community and society at large.

Sadly, even today, I still see too many shattered dreams, broken promises and hopeless futures, especially among our young African-American males.  This all reminds me of Langston Hughes’ powerful words: “What happens to a dream deferred?  Does it, too, dry up like a raisin in the sun?”

Without further delay, we as a nation must help our young African-American males to “see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.”  For, they, too, are our “brothers” and our “children.”  In essence, we are our “brothers’ keepers.” To quote Paul Robeson, “We cannot reasonably expect others to do those things that we should do for ourselves.”

The time has come for African-American men, especially fathers and elders, to accept collective responsibility for making things happen … and for bringing about positive changes in our families and communities.  I boldly say to you, “You must always remember that you are braver than you think you are, stronger than you think you are, tougher than you think you are, and smarter than you think you are.”  We are capable!  We can do it!

Rather than accept these gloomy realities and negative projections that buffet us, we need to come up with some strategies and solutions to empower ourselves.  Together, we can overcome many of the social, economical and political ills that buffet us.  In that regard, we can overcome tremendous odds and obstacles by doing the following:

1. Show a willingness to know something, to be smart, to be curious, and to be willing to learn and accomplish a lot more.  While the world we inhabit may not be all fair or just, as a people we must be “willing to try.”  We need to perform and achieve at our maximum capacity.  For, the time for action and result is now.  We owe it to ourselves to give life our best shot.

2. Contribute on an individual and communal basis by giving assistance to whomever is most in need.  We need to give more of our time, skills, knowledge, money and leadership to others.  For, if it is to be, it is up to us.  We can no longer expect others to do those things that we need to do for ourselves.

3. Implement effective strategies and methodologies on how to involve parents, particularly “missing fathers,” in the raising and nurturing of their children.

4. Create ways to plant the seeds of self-esteem and group empowerment early on, particularly for at-risk and disadvantaged children, families and communities.

5. Learn about “Silver Rights.”  Be concerned and knowledgeable about competitive education, economic literacy, job training, and entrepreneurial development.  Make this the essence of “being in the know” and “what’s happening.”

6. Live the “Golden Rule.”  Be concerned and knowledgeable about pay equity, saving, investing, ownership and producing.  Never forget the old adage, “He who has the gold gets to make the rules.”

To renew and empower the African-American family and community, we will need grassroots activism and eclectic leadership.  Among other things, we need to learn how to coalesce and compete as we move forward into this new millennium.  Simply stated, we will need to work “harder, longer, stronger and smarter” to overcome our shortcomings and deficiencies.  If it is to be, it is up to us!

To the rest of America in general, I beseech you: “Together, as one, we can do this.  We can make it happen.”  Let nothing stand in our way.  Let us make this our neo-Manifest Destiny.  Let this challenging task become the most powerful force in the universe – an idea whose time has come.  Let us, together, be in the vanguard of achieving “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” for all of our people.  This is truly the American way … the fair, just and equitable way.

In closing, I have been told by many of my peers and colleagues on a regular basis that this is too daunting of a task to undertake.  I strongly disagree.  This is an “honorable” and “humane” endeavor and it can be done.  All we have to do is put our minds, hearts and backs into it.  Now is the time to do this.  We can wait no longer.  Let “us” do what needs to be done.  “We” will truly be the better for it.

John L. Horton is a frequent contributor to the New Journal an Guide.