Can Black People Protect Black Children? No
Test Case: The Jena Six (Jena, LA)
By
Charles E. Campbell, 1BAMO

American Injustice for Black People is rising. Black People should have bailed those children out of jail and gotten them competent Legal Representation. Governor Blanco is white and can be expected to do for Black Children in Jena, LA, what she did for Black People in New Orleans, LA during Katrina. "Nothing"

If we as Black People have no ability to protect our children from Racist and their behavior, what hope is there for our Race? Injustice against Black People in Jena, LA, is an injustice to Black People everywhere.

Six Black Jena High students, Robert Bailey (17), Theo Shaw (17), Carwin Jones (18), Bryant Purvis (17), Mychal Bell (16) and an unidentified minor, were expelled from school, arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder. The first trial ended last month, and Mychal Bell, who has been in prison since December, was convicted of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery (both felonies) by an all-white jury in a trial where his public defender called no witnesses. During his trial, Mychal's parents were ordered not to speak to the media and the court prohibited protests from taking place near the courtroom or where the judge could see them. Source: http://www.colorofchange.org/cgi-bin/py/jena-petition.py

Why haven’t I heard any of our prominent Black Politician, Preachers, Athletes, Actors, Black Billionaires / Millionaires stand up, speak out and take some positive action to protect these Black Children? The answer to this question is that these children don’t benefit them. Not politically, financially, personally or professionally! They don’t see the opportunity to gain anything by standing up for justice. That is sad. I believe Dr. Claud Anderson, Founder of The Harvest Institute, when he says that Black People in America are in trouble because our leadership keeps playing silly games.

I ask that you question every Black Politician, Preacher, Athlete, Actors, Billionaire / Millionaire who come before you at your local, state or national level, what is their stand on the Injustice taking place in Jena, LA and what they plan to do about it. At a minimum, they should sign the online petition, make a small donation and write a letter to the United State and Louisiana State Attorney General Offices.

Nobody is going to protect our children, but us, save our children, but us, empower our children but us. So far, in this case we must do better. The Jena Six is a major test case! Hear me well. If they are allowed to perpetrate and get away with this injustice, then Black People will witness the turning back of the hands of time to the late 19th and early 20th Century in terms of Injustices done to Black People. Today it’s the Jena Six, tomorrow; it could be your city with a number. Wake up you sleeping Giant!

Respect!

An Anatomy of Black Father and Son Relationships
By
Charles E. Campbell, LSW, MSW


A Black Father Definition: This is a Black man who constantly gives his children advice and tells them of his mistakes in order to help them be better men and women. This is a black man who sticks by his children although they may not always take his advice and end up in trouble. (Definition is From the Urban Dictionary)

A Black Father is much more. Black men and their sons should have a strong relationship. We want to produce a carbon copy of ourselves. Without sufficient planning father- son relationship start to go wrong. Having a son is an awesome responsibility. It takes money, time, patients and love. In order to get money for all his son’s needs, he first must have an education or some skill to earn a living. Without adequate skills, his opportunities are limited and criminal behavior becomes an option, justified by the need to take care of his responsibilities. If he is too young to be a father, then he will not spend much time with his son, except to show him off to his friends on occasion. When a son is born they demand that a father spend time with them. Without and adequate bonding between father and son, the father feels no obligation to his son and can abandon him without much thought or care. This is a devastating moment of rejection and will produce an anger, resentful son and who need to feel loved by a father. Black boys who group without a father have greater chances of falling in there pitfalls of drugs, crime and teen pregnancy. He has a need to proved that he is much more of a man than his father ever was or will be, without understanding the pressures that led the his father abandoning him. Thus the cycle continues when he leaves his own son and justifies it by walking away.

It is our responsibility to raise our young boys to become responsible men. It is impossible for young boy to become something that he is never seen or interacted with in any meaningful way. How can they become strong Black men, if they know none. Black men on TV and the pros don't count. Being a black father takes a lot of patience. It is not easy to raise a Blacks son, especially when they reached the ages of 14 through 17. They will assert their independence, challenge your authority and break your rules. But if you could show them love and discipline they will be successful in life. This is the hardest part for Black Fathers raising sons in the 21st century. We as Black men are under attack by this system and our sons under attack by the same system. They are being Mis-educated and prepared for incarceration. We must show them the way and lead by example. We must learn to educate them, employ them, nurture them and support their dream.

Here's how we do that. In every town and city where black men exist we must come together and have one place where we set aside one day of the month. Let's call it Third Saturday. On that day, every church, Fraternity, Black professional organization and Black men will pool their dollars and bring Black boys to a specific location and engage them in education, sports, entertainment, fun and empowerment. We will provide them with breakfast and lunch. We will group them by their dreams and aspirations with Black men involved in those professions. For example, all Black boys, wanting to play professional sports will be linked with formal athletes. The goal is to have First Thursday become just as popular as First Fridays, but with the different purpose. We are failing our Black Boys as Black men and we must do more. We are their role models, their protectors, the greatest cheer leaders. They are our present and our future.

Each Black man in that community will voluntarily contribute $10 per month for the purpose of funding Third Saturday, whether they have boys or not. Every community should set a goal of 50 to 100 Black men contributors. The goal is to raise between ten and fifteen thousand dollars each year. Those funds would be used to purchase land, equipment and to pay for activities that the boys participate in. Where there is the will, there is the way, but when there is no will, there are excuses. If Black men are not satisfied with the condition and status of Black Boys, but hear this call to action. This can be done without any federal, state, county or city funds. At some point we must stand up and be leaders, which mean getting it up off our knees and stop begging other people for money to do that which we know needs to be done for ourselves. If Black men are on their knees begging, they why do we to tell Black Boys to stop sagging. Both behaviors are inappropriate and leave a negative image of Black men and Black boys in the minds of others.

1 Black Afrikan Man Opinion (1BAMO)