The Obama Effect: What does the first black president mean to young black men? November 13, 2008
Posted by Stacey Jordan in 1.5 comments
On November 4, 2008, America made an historic and unprecedented decision to make Barack Obama the first African-American President of the United States. Rallying under the mantra “Yes We Can!”, millions of Americans cast their votes as the world watched and celebrated.
There has been an enormous level of excitement and anticipation over President-elect Obama and the change that he could bring to the halls of power in Washington D.C. Perhaps equally as exciting is the change that Obama’s presidency could mean to another group in Washington—the young black men whose lives hang in the balance on the streets of southeast D.C. each day.
Education Week reports that high school dropout rates among black males in urban areas such as Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore City are near fifty percent. According to a report by Fight Crimes: Invest in Kids, an organization of law enforcement leaders, many of these dropouts are responsible for the high incidences of violent crimes within their communities. This report estimates that 3,000 murders and 175,000 aggravated assaults could be prevented every year in America if the graduation rate were increased by just 10%. With so many young black men being the perpetrators and victims of these crimes, this is definitely the kind of “change we need”.
So what could the first black president do to bring about a change within this next generation of fathers, husbands, and leaders? Many of the examples that are set before young black men are less than adequate. Even those who are viewed as successes by this group are largely limited to being rappers or athletes. If an African-American boy dreams of becoming a professional basketball player he is hailed by many in his community, but if he were to make pledge of becoming president…not so much. This has remained nothing more than a pipe dream for blacks until now.
Through his achievement, Barack Obama has shattered a canopy of stereotypical fears, doubts, and prejudices of what a black man can do in America. And just as many walked through the doors of professional athletics, opened by the likes of Bill Russell and Jackie Robinson, it is possible that the next generation of black men will look at this accomplishment and say, “Yes we can!”.
What do you think the first black president will mean for young black men?
