Why is it so hard for Our Young Black Men to get “it”?
Why is it that they’re more focused on becoming a rapper or pro basketball player rather than going to school to further their education and becoming more than the expected?

I believe that social media, society and their environment play a big role in their decision making. Yes I know I can’t blame just those few reasons, because their upbringing plays a big role in the matter too. In a sense it’s kind of confusing, we tell them they can be anything they want to be with hard work and dedication along with it right? But yet we criticize and belittle them with the choices they make. Instead of supporting them and encouraging them along the way we’re quick to judge and ready to condemn them whenever they do something not worthy. I say “we” because, as a young black woman when I see a “brother” trying to get my attention I’m more focused on his attire rather than who he really is. That’s just like society, it pays more attention to his attire, to his failings and also his tone when approach people. So why not change our mindset on how we view them?

If we want to see our young black boys turn into young black men, then we have to help support them and not give up on them when they don’t get it right the first time. What they need is guidance, not us making excuses for not wanting to help. The saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child”, well my new quote for that is, “It takes a willing person to guide them in the right direction”. In most cases the father isn’t in the home, so in that case we have to step in, not play the role of “daddy”, but to show them that someone cares and will be in their corner to help them grow.

I’m tired of seeing young men settle, same for our young women. We all need to become leaders and stop following the latest trend that comes about. Stop just settling to be rapper or a basketball player and if that’s what you want to do, still get an education to be knowledgeable in what you’re trying to do. We have to change it up so we can all get it. It’s not just a race thing, but as a young black woman I want to see my fellow ones aspire to do the best they can. This is a national importance for all to get it!

Tramekia Charleston, Ujima Magazine Contributing Writer

Follow Tramekia on Twitter @Meekk_Meekk