We have to find a solution!!

I am ready for the smack down on this one but we have to come up with a solution to our problem. I know there is war going on in Iraq, Afghanistan, The Philippine Islands. Yes my people, the U.S. Army and special forces are fighting a war against so called Islamist in The Philippines. Yet, we have a war situation here at home concerning the youth in general and especially our Black youth. I have pondered this over and over as to a possible solution and I know what I have come up with will stick in the craw of some of you but drastic times call for drastic measures.

We, in the U.S. have a prison population of around 2 million people, the highest in the world, and of that population approximately 41 percent are Black men and women. There have been studies that suggest that the prison incarceration rate is directly affected by the high school graduation rate. In 2006 the overall graduation rate, this includes Blacks, so called Hispanics and white was 70 percent. For Black people it was 55 percent and Hispanics 53 percent. Again, the amount of Black people locked in prison is about 41 percent of that approximate 2 million. We are in an educational crisis which appears to lead to crime. I am well aware of the injustice of the “just-us” system yet we can overcome some of the issues leading to the environment our children have put themselves in, that may lead to criminality. My solution for the country in general, and more specifically for my people, is based on a proposal in Jamaica that all males serve in the Jamaica Defense Force, for two years immediately following high school graduation. Jamaica has suffered over 1100 murders this year not including over 200 police killings. Something has to be done. Here in the U.S. I have seen too many very intelligent young men just fall into street gang life, homelessness, and of course jail time.

My solution is very similar to what is proposed in Jamaica. All children must graduate high school. Should they fail to graduate, they will be compelled to join a military service of THEIR choice for a minimum of three years. They will be required to pass the GED during military basic training. Should the student graduate from high school he/she must enter in to a junior college, college, vocational college, or university. They must take a minimum of 6 units of study maintaining a “B” average or if a full time student must maintain a “C” average to avoid entering into the military. Or, upon graduation they must find ample employment with in three months should they choose not to go into college. If not, they must join the military service of their choice. A youngster that has previously graduated prior to the implementation of this rule, and is between the ages of 18 & 25, and not have gainful employment but has been jailed for no more than 5 misdemeanors or one non violent felony must immediately join a military service of their choice. Should a youth have employment and lose their job due to a company layoff, and not find another job with in 30 days, must report for the military service of THEIR choice.

I believe we would see in increase in higher grades while in school, a higher graduation rate and more college applications being filed by the youth of the United States and an increase in college attendance. I have heard the argument that, suppose a child cannot receive grants or enough in loans to go to college. At this juncture they still have the opportunity to get work (since they will have a high school diploma) at a corporation of some kind that has will pay for school or go to a vocational college or go directly to the military service of their choice.

I know this may seem harsh or extreme, but something has to be done. I have seen too many children with time on their hands and no direction.  

What say you????

Comments

[DJ Black Adam]

Good suggestions. However, that would also mean that in conjunction with your suggestions that we create and implement better curriculems for children at the earliest stages of education at the least, that has to preceed any change on the back end.

[victor amenta]

Excellent point DJ. I am actually disgusted with the way the educational system works. Too much emphasis on testing rather satisfying the natural curiosity with in our children. I say this because teachers have told me directly that they cannot spend too much time on any one subject no matter how interested the children are in that particular subject. They have to move on to cover areas to prepare them for their testing. A pure shame.

[Heber Brown, III]

This is a quite interesting suggestion, Victor. I've been talking it over with others in my circle and they seem to like the idea.

However, I'm a bit more hesitant to embrace it because of the feeling that I get when I think of young Black men/women joining the military of a country that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the "greatest purveyor of violence in the world today." (a descriptive that I believe still holds true) Having members of my own family being in the armed services; I've witnesed first hand what the realities of armed combat or even just supporting the military in a non-combat role does to the soul and psyche.

Therefore, I'm hesitant to endore this idea, though I certainly acknowledge its intent. As DJ suggested, perhaps putting the resources in place to educate and mentor our children/youth on the front end will help them to avoid the pitfalls of life in the later years. Certainly, a country that spends $720 million dollars a day (according to the American Friends Service Committee) on the ongoing occupation of Iraq has the resources to make similar fiscal commitments to America's children and youth...that is - if it wanted to.

[DJ Black Adam]

I agree with Heber, even if the US Gov doesn't foot the bill, how about the Black church and other groups like the NAACP and Push, etc., working towards allowing their facilities and some of their income to go towards tutoring our youth, or how about starting schools instead of holding offerings for "pastor's appreciation" dinners?

[Victor Amenta]

Actually I do not disagree with either point. But, what do we do with the young adults that are breaking into houses, raping women, stealing cars and such right now? What do we do with youth that are not committing crimes, yet have no employment nor are they going to college, vocational college anything just falling away? I anguished over this idea before I put it out and still have to deal with the thought that I even considered advising someone to go into the military that has been a "...purveyor of violence arond the world...". But, I feel there has to be something done and maybe, just maybe if some of these youngsters went into the Navy, Coast Guard or the Air Force, just maybe something may inspire them to do better. Maybe, just maybe they will catch a glimpse of a world bigger than the "hood" of their minds. I feel this is a better alternative than prison. Many youth are commiting non violent crimes, misdemeanors. But over a course of arrest of these types they will be labeled "career criminals" and have to still do hard time in prison. I only thought of this as a possible solution, as it seemed to be an escape route for men of my father's age and era. Could not some of the training in the military help guide a youngster, that had little to no guidance early in life?

[DJ Black Adam]

I agree that military service does help instill discipline, I am a former Marine and enjoyed my time in the corps, however with our government in this state of corruption and folks getting sent off to places for no real good reason (at least no real good one given), I am slow to suggest the military to young folks.

[Victor Amenta]

@ Dj Nuff respect.

@ Heber, thanks for chiming in.
I appreciate both of you insights on this issue.