African-American Men in America

Fifty percent of African-American men will drop out of high school (although, I have heard from reliable sources that, if you begin tracking in middle school, the number goes well over seventy percent).

African-Americans were brought to America over four hundred years ago to be bought and sold as cheap labor.

There are more African-American men in prison than there are in colleges.

One out of every three African-American men will spend time in prison.

In prison, an inmate makes around $15 every two weeks while incorporated prisons in America constitute a billion dollar industry.  

The irony presented in this video is that the African-American population seems to be going headlong back into slavery.

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While the video is very insightful, informative, alarming and undoubtedly inspiring, it lacks biblical instruction, a Christ-centered goal, and relies heavily on the individual's will power to "Bring his A Game." 

I must confess.  My immediate tendency is to separate myself, as a white man, from this community - being some sort of "savior" rather than a brother.  I begin to think about how I can help and how things could be different.  

I am reminded of Dr. Gordon's (an African-American) words one day: "The African-American community in America used to have the right eschatology as they longed for heaven (their only hope).  It was truly their promised land...Just look at the hymns they used to sing."  "Sure, we may get on to the MLK's and Cone's for their liberal theologies, but we must not overlook the fact that they were not allowed in the conservative [white] seminaries at that time."

Sure, the video singles out the African-American community.  In so doing, I believe it serves a powerful purpose.  I like the video.

But while the numbers for the black community may be troubling, I resist the temptation to say "they" are in trouble.  I resist the temptation to say that "they" have to do something; that "they" need to get responsible; that "they" need to bring "their" A game. 

The black man in the video was always alone.  This should not be the case. 

We are all in this together.  WE must humble ourselves and pray.  WE must seek His face and turn from OUR wicked ways.  In so doing, it is possible that God, in His mercy, will hear US, forgive US, and heal OUR land (2 Chron 7:14).