Black Male Murders Are on the Rise: Is it Too Late to Intervene? Part Two:

In Part one, I discussed the need for better parenting, role modeling, and active leaders in the black neighborhoods. Angry mothers with low self-esteem create angry males and are poor role models. These males' anger can lead to criminal and violent behavior, especially without positive male influences.

The statements in this article by no means represent all black males, mothers, youths, or neighborhoods. This article only applies to black males who commit murder and includes possible causes, those who abuse and sell drugs, including suggestions on how blacks can intervene to stop the violence. This article also criticizes the types of parenting and homes these males are raised in but is not inclusive of all parents and homes.

Our neighborhoods are overwhelmed with violence and drugs, especially crack, a main commodity for young black males' income. Our black males are murdering and being murdered at a horrific rate, despite statistics by the FBI. The crackdown on drugs would eliminate the main reasons for many murders.

Some young black males possess a kill or be killed mentality in their communities, which are correctly labeled as six-gun territory. Youths who possess guns will more than likely use them, especially when extremely angry. These guns are available on the streets where they are too easy to obtain for a small amount of money.

Black mothers whose sons are murdered exhibit a sort of devil-may-care attitude about the fate of their children. They are saddened and exhibit genuine grief, but they must know that the activity their child engaged in has its consequences.

Many residents are very aware of the problems in black communities but are reluctant to intervene, especially as a witness, with a real fear of retribution against their family and for their own safety. There are usually safer areas in black neighborhoods but to be effective in the betterment of the community, it will require unison of all residents. Some residents are waiting for someone else to take the entire responsibility for improving their circumstances such as, law enforcement.

The most pressing question is what can we do to save our angry young black males from the risk of being murdered or murdering that result in a long prison or the death sentence. When and how are our leaders intervening?

I greatly admire TVs Judge Glenda Hatchett for her "reality checks" that seem to really have a major impact on young males. We need more people like those who participate in the beginning process of mentoring these children, with genuine interest, demonstrating a better way of doing things without committing crimes. They stress the importance of education if life goals are to be realized. Judges, college presidents, coaches, popular artists and musicians are just a few examples of professionals who offer their expertise. Her referrals to these mentors would certainly have more influence on our young black males than prisons.

Of course, change will not occur overnight or with the snap of the fingers but we have to start somewhere. Just having black leaders present gives us hope that something good will soon emerge, that someone cares.

I will never forget when Ms. Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, visited our low-income projects in Tampa in the 70s while she campaigned for president. I can still see her walking down the sidewalk followed by children. I so admired her, she stood tall with her head straight as if to say, I am serious and I am here to make changes for other blacks. She was present and that made us proud, she did not fear being around us, I do not think she knew the word fear.

The reasons for killing are just as stupid as the killing itself. Young black males shot and killed two people and burned them in their car, all over a gold necklace. If known, many of us would have replaced the necklace to save two young black people. Then there was the group of young people who killed six in a home over an X-box video game. Dumb, dumb, dumb! Just ask somebody, we can replace it for you if it means that much. Spending a life sentence for games and jewelry is reprehensible.

Jail and prison are not deterrents to crimes, but limiting privileges while incarcerated may feel more like punishment. I am always amazed at how young black males act as if prisons have revolving doors. I worked for the correctional system and found inmates liked being caged like animals in crowded cells. When I see young black mothers bring their children to jail and prison to visit, it breaks my heart. What are we teaching our children when they see how happy daddy (or momma) is behind bars?

There has to be an answer, we are in the midst of a crisis. Recent studies reveal that those who drop out of high school are most likely to commit crimes and go to prison, especially blacks. Decreasing the dropout rate among young black males should be addressed immediately. Next, all residents in the neighborhood must agree at a meeting that it is time to take action before involving others.

It is feasible to request assistance from as many black leaders (or those in the position to help) that may have more experience with producing successful strategic plans. These plans will take a major effort by all residents and law enforcers. They are as effective as the residents who adhere to them. Community action teams are required for support and guidance to keep neighborhoods clean of undesirables.

Maybe we need to have another savior like Martin Luther King, someone not afraid to address all our ills and bring the black race together for a workable solution. Right now, the main reason for inequality for blacks is blacks.

Churches play an essential role in black neighborhoods but mainly serve religious people who attend and actively participate in its functions, including donating money. Many young black males, who deal drugs and commits gun crimes, do not attend church. This fact should not prevent churches from reaching out and sponsoring several courses such as to teach skills to young and single parents.

Many other programs can be held in churches because of available space and proximity to the community. Programs such as conflict resolution with role-play acting are very beneficial for black males and females. Anger management courses are usually attached to jail sentences of many black males, which only prove that anger is a real problem.

What responsibility do radio stations have for the violence when they play music that glorifies gangs, promiscuity, violence, murder, and drugs? For instance, a song that makes it clear that someone who diss a person and do not produce the drug money, will be murdered.

Young black males began drinking gallons of Hennessey, buying special shoes like "Air force Ones", smoking blunts, wearing certain jewelry, and name brand clothes because of rap music. If they can be influenced by song, then present music that is more positive. We should demand music that is more constructive or refuse to broadcast negative music. We want our kids to say "no" to drugs why can't we say "no" to vulgar contents of a song.

Why would stations buy music that clearly disrespects women and young girls? Is it all because of money when knowingly causing further harm to the black community? Some music truly degrades young girls who will do anything sexually to please her man.

One positive note, the music reveals our young males are creative in writing songs; having the ability to recite the lyrics of rap music takes ingenuity and real talent. Once these young males settle down, it is just amazing the skills they possess. These skills, such as drawing, painting art, calligraphy, writing lyrics, books, and poems, can produce a decent income if cultivated.

Many of these black males are unbelievably intelligent but, unfortunately, being intelligent has its downside. They risk being labeled a nerd; this is why so many fail to thrive in schools. I remember, as a child, many of us were being picked on for talking "proper" when we spoke grammar correctly. We need an avenue for their talent outside of prison, some type of free art studio. There is just too much talent locked behind bars.

Video games are another culprit that seems to teach that violence is okay. These games contain bloody murder scenes with killing throughout and participants can earn more lives in order to continue the game. Books that contain game cheats are available at many stores.

I can see how all of this can be very confusing to youths. Now that they have that taste for violence, it will be almost impossible to change and enforce a new rating. What signals are we sending the kids when we are trying to decrease violence in the real world but produce violence in video games, music, and on TV?

One video game is Grand Theft Auto; it is astonishing because in reality, youths are imprisoned for this crime. The nature of these games give children the opportunity to commit crimes in video games to assuage them so they will not duplicate the crimes in reality. Reality TV programs such as Masterminds (major jewelry heists by real pros) are even worse.

Children should participate in more productive activity that does not encourage them to commit violence and criminal activity. These games, music, and TV programs are other poor influences on young black males. When we are assessing reasons for violence and other crimes in our youths, we must visit all of these possible etiologies.

We as black people have to learn to help ourselves and stop blaming others for our woes. We urgently need recreation centers to remove younger children, who are the next generation, off the streets in order to deal with drug-ravaged neighborhoods. Any help we can get from our wealthy musicians, actors, etc. are greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately, some black leaders have no investment in improving the drug and gang ravaged neighborhoods Black leaders need to take off the blinders, things are not OK. Churches need to stop doing just for the religious who provide more money to them than to the needy neighborhood. All blacks need to wake up we are our worse enemies!