It’s no surprise that Negroes, innately prone to adversity, are suffering bleakeconomics’ biggest hit. An article on Black Commentator.com reported last month’s startling statistics: joblessness spiked to 15% overall and men and youth facing unemployment rates of 17.2% and 34%, respectively. With so many jobs undergoing the knife, counting ourselves among the casualties has become routine. Since discrimination is a denominator in economic erosion’s equation, what equals recession for others amounts to a necession for us.
Economists, eager to spin reality’s wheel to encourage spending and quell fear, say things are easing in the U.S. economy, but the assessment radar excludes social dysfunction dynamics derailing success for some of Black America’s youth and young adults. For instance, consider these comment posted in the blogosphere: When asked if he had found a job, one teenager said, “Nope, they gotta come to me if they want my work.” Albeit there are many factors driving the unemployment course, the current colored community trend is not exactly mind-boggling.
Black youth and young adults, stymied by life preparation, often present prospective employers with undesirable packages wrapped in ignorant bows. I’ve seen first-hand the lack of adherence to job hunting’s cardinal rule that commands professional dress: elaborate multi-hued hairstyles, sagging slacks, tennis shoes, skin-tight clothing, gold grills and sunglasses accessorized with unsightly tattoos. More often than not, what’s revered in Hollyhood is worthless in the workplace.
Seemingly, the self-respect direction steered by teachers and parents is still veered by thug life’s magnetic allure. To the freedom fighters that risked their lives to open doors previously closed, the cultural insult must be crushing. With hope on a faraway horizon and small eyes sabotaged by glamorized blight, garbage will always find a home in minds unexpanded by possibility. However, birth in the ghetto never means one must adopt it as a permanent residence, at least not mentally.
Economists, eager to spin reality’s wheel to encourage spending and quell fear, say things are easing in the U.S. economy, but the assessment radar excludes social dysfunction dynamics derailing success for some of Black America’s youth and young adults. For instance, consider these comment posted in the blogosphere: When asked if he had found a job, one teenager said, “Nope, they gotta come to me if they want my work.” Albeit there are many factors driving the unemployment course, the current colored community trend is not exactly mind-boggling.
Black youth and young adults, stymied by life preparation, often present prospective employers with undesirable packages wrapped in ignorant bows. I’ve seen first-hand the lack of adherence to job hunting’s cardinal rule that commands professional dress: elaborate multi-hued hairstyles, sagging slacks, tennis shoes, skin-tight clothing, gold grills and sunglasses accessorized with unsightly tattoos. More often than not, what’s revered in Hollyhood is worthless in the workplace.
Seemingly, the self-respect direction steered by teachers and parents is still veered by thug life’s magnetic allure. To the freedom fighters that risked their lives to open doors previously closed, the cultural insult must be crushing. With hope on a faraway horizon and small eyes sabotaged by glamorized blight, garbage will always find a home in minds unexpanded by possibility. However, birth in the ghetto never means one must adopt it as a permanent residence, at least not mentally.
Black gurl, you hit the Negro nail on its head. And this is the future we have to look forward to? Social programs have disappeared so how can we make progress here? Why aren't more community leaders stepping up?
ReplyDeleteI want to know what was the source of that photo?
ReplyDeleteThe black gurl is on point! I have preached for years to students that when hard times befall this country, the pink slips start out black. There is a racial component to the economy. I have had so many argue that "that was back in the day, and some how I am out of touch." Like Oprah, many have "never been touched by discrimination." They have never suffered the slings and arrows shot at n&ggas. They think it an aberration when a James Byrd is dragged behind a truck and decapitated....he must have pissed them off!
ReplyDeleteGood observation.
ReplyDelete