Next Book Reading: February 25th

So I'm getting ready for another book reading coming up on the 25th, but this time I'm letting our suns take the podium to have their say on what it is exactly they want from us grown ups, Obama, our educational system and male/female relationships. If you too have something to say about the plight of young males of African descent, let me know so I can make sure you're part of this important, open and free discussion. I'll provide the details soon. In the meantime and always, peace n gratitude!

Pro Doesn't Have to Mean Anti

Teaching our youth that the white man is responsible for all of their problems is the same as naziheads teaching their youth that all their problems come from Black people. Our marginalized sons, esp and their marginalized sons are hungry for fathers, big brothers and answers, so it's very easy for us to lure them into our personal agendas while in the end leaving them disillusioned and stuck in anger mode. As elders, it's important to remind them of accountability, personal responsibility, reflecting on the self, owning up to their poor choices and refusal to look at how they themselves add to their own demise. Yes, Euro-Americans and anyone with similar skin traits benefit from racism. Yes, the system is set to fail Black children. And yes, we have a President that looks like them but is too afraid to represent them for fear of losing conservative votes. And yes too, the white man exploited the beef between Elijah Muhammad and Malcom X. But who pulled the trigger?...

Pause/Reflect...Now, What?...

Teacher, don't just ask for an essay on the I Have a Dream speech. Think beyond formula. Ask us where we think the dream is now; if our education changed much since the 1950s, if we have jobs, and if police crime watch towers are in all neighborhoods or just in ours.

Our Sons in Art Form...

Later this summer I'm giving 12 local artists and photo-storytellers a chance to display their artwork with the general population. The theme will be around my book on young, marginalized males; their everyday struggles and how they overcome. Below are some samples of what we hope will both inform and inspire--





























Cecil Bernard


Jay Doune


Steve Williams


Ije Akpoke


Jimbe


Chris Carter


Ocean Morisset


Paven Carter


Terry Beverly





































































































Stay tuned...

Why Your Kid Doesn't Like to Write...

Teacher spends more time on correcting spelling
than on what he has to say;

She was taught early on that good writing means
having someone else's voice;

He doesn't want to get picked on
for being different;

If she stays still
she's forced to reflect on her actions;

He won't ask for help
cos he doesn't know what help looks like.

The Andrew Glover Youth Program

I recently had another opportunity to not only sell my books, but also talk to a group of teens who avoided incarceration by entering an alternative program for youth offenders. The Andrew Glover program is one of those jewels in our community that work to keep as many youngsters as they can from entering the prison system. I was honored to be asked to speak to their current clients and grateful for the respect the youth gave me. It was a reminder to myself of why I chose a career in helping young people reach their potential in and out of the classroom. It began as a chance visit on campus by one of their staff. She read my book and within days contacted me about purchasing copies for the Program, then invited me as their guest speaker for an event celebrating the completion of required time and work. I was especially honored by the fact that the Program's director, Angel Rodriguez gave the okay for all this to happen. I'm looking forward to more collaborations with these good folk, as well as other forward thinkers who are dedicated to the saving of our sons and daughters.

Pause, Reflect and Eject: A Note to Parents

My understanding is that we’re here to bring forth a well-adjusted young man; to bring the spark back in his eyes. The same spark he lost some time around junior high school, and maybe even before that, when the world went from amusement park to war zone. Let’s not ask what they don’t hear. Young people hate stupid questions— What’s wrong with you? Why do you stay out late? Who are you hanging around? Did you do your homework? Try, instead, Are you happy? Are you happy living here? What is it like to be you? How can school become more fulfilling for you? What am I not getting? So let’s put the punitive approach aside and find alternative ways of relating to our handsome young man, without all the judging and usual chastising, but to allow him to process and relate back in his own way. Let’s press PAUSE, REFLECT and EJECT old ways of parenting and teaching, since he’s not responding to traditional formula. Pause to notice what isn’t working. Reflect on how it felt when you were his age and add to that his indifference, disillusionment and functional depression. Eject your assumptions about him and start from here.