......Black Men and Poverty

Living in New York City gives a person a great deal of advantages!

I love the big apple, it has such a diversity of shops, people and foods.

From Central Park, to Times Square this city is where it all happens.

New Yorkers like to work, and they work hard!

The most dangerous time to get in a New Yorkers way is when he

or she is on his way to work.

Given all of this one thing that has annoyed me some what

is the reports of huge unemployment in young black males here!

A report by the The Community Service Society came out last year saying 51.8 percent of black

men in New York City were employed last year.

This takes into account all those who were without a job, whether or not they were considered to

be in the work force.

By comparison, 75.7 percent of the city's white men and 65.7 percent of Hispanic men were

working in 2003.

Most liberal groups say this increase is primarily "racism" or what may be termed racial

stereotyping they also blame the city's school system!

While I concur that these things may give black males a disadvantage.

This does not fully account for my own personal experiences.

I am black a male and I also went to public schools.

Too me these two things do not account for the real issues underlying "African

American Males.

I personals belief that this has to do more with character traits and family!


If you go to a job looking like Wu Tang Clan, the employer does not know to call the cops


or give you an application.


A year ago , I got a job waiting tables for extra cash, I got hired pretty easily!


I had a smile and I presented my self very well.

I did not present an application, I just went and got hired on the spot.

These people did not know me, they just liked my personality!

Employers hire a lot based on character skills, and personality which allow them to sum up

a person .

I would bet even if you had a great resume and a bad attitude you would not be hired!

Most of the African American waiters who worked with me, were cheerful and in good spirits!

There were males and females but all were all African Americans.


The ability to have people who are not seemed as a threat is conducive to a great working

environment.


This has to through the employers mind when hiring .

Most employers want good workers.

And if and employer hires someone who has goals and is responsible,

he or she going to create a good work environment.

The debate around black employment should be "How to keep a job,

not how to Get a job.

Job centers in the Bronx, and Harlem are irrelevant if the person can not

keep the job.

character must be taught, in other words teaching boys to get rid of

the hip hop attitude!

Using offensive words and having an "I don't care attitude" will not

keep anyone employed black or white!

Character problems or what Psychologist call a" character structure" are a

number of traits that are manifested in the characteristic ways that an individual reacts to

various kinds of challenges.

So how does one respond to lets say work stress?

How does a person respond to a boss who is in a rush giving blunt orders!

If character traits are learned at a young age and taught by parents,

how one repsonds to these issues may enormous.

And this brings us back to that word FAMILY!

The issue of black male unemployment may be direcly influenced

by the fatherless welfare state!

If a child is growing up in a family where the father is not there,

Then his view of authority figures may be hindered!

This may effect his life down the road with regards to lets say a future boss!

Just looking at my own life, and my personal involvement in this city,

the facts cry out all around me.

Many black immigrants from African nations do very well,

and so do African American females.

These two groups grew up and are raised in the same environment!

And they are the same color.

Immigrant African children usually have both a mom and dad.

Even when a parent has been taken by HIP, this

gives African immigrant children a strong boos to do something

to make there fallen parent proud!

Young males in there 20's come from African countries

like Sierra Leone they still, have families back home who they

support!

They do not run away from there responsibility they

in fact it gives them a moral boost!

Also America is the land of endless jobs, and there is a whole net work

to go to get those jobs ounce here!

Black females who may not have had a father still have a mother.

A black gilr may do better than the boy who has no similar experiences in a father!

Latino's despite poverty also place a strong emphasis on family.

This to me explains why Latino men who play and eat with there black brotha's

have more jobs!

The truth is the same Latino men working grew up in the same poor communities .

A recent study shows that 65.7 percent of Hispanic men were working in 2003.

Some not even citizens!

To deal with the issue of poverty one must deal with the issue

of the family!

Families produce wealth and thus an extra incentive for raising responsible children.

The left in America is scared if that term because of its perceived religious undertones!

In a country where even gay Americans seek family recognition, should not

African American leaders be the ones advocating for a strong black family.


But no these cowards are shamefuly hidden when dealing with the real causes of poverty.


The simple fact is in order to effectively deal with joblessness and poverty you must first deal


with that other time tested institution the family!