....coming out of the lurker's dungeon....
This conversation is both sad and encouraging. Sad because I see two groups of black people arguing and unnecessarily disrespecting other black folk in an attempt to get there genuinely positive message across. Encouraging, because all of you (it seems) sincerely want to see us as a people do better.
The Education Argument:
In addition to all of the things I have mentioned that I am a part of, I am also an Associate Director of xxxxxxxxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxxxxx University. Regarding the education argument, black folk are losing this battle on many fronts. First, black men's enrollment has been decreasing while black women's enrollment has been increasing. Additionally, the graduation rates of black students are far lower nationally than any other demographic. There are many factors for this of course: lack of home support, unpreparedness, financial strain, etc. However, the biggest problem is the majors that black students are choosing. It is depressing to see the number of art, business, sociology, psychology, etc. majors at the undergraduate level. Most choose these majors because the requirements are easier. Asians and many white students choose STEM and are more successful in gainful employment right out of undergrad if they do not choose to continue on to grad school. In fact, most Asian students tell me that their parents won't allow them to pursue anything other than a STEM major. Yes, art is needed, but we do not have the luxury to choose those. Besides, you can always do art/ music as a STEM major. Seriously, why wouldn't you want your child to be a scientist, doctor, programmer, etc.
The Skilled Worker Argument:
It is true that not all students are qualified to go to college and should consider skilled worker jobs. The problem as I have witnessed it is that you absolutely can not convince today's high school student that he or she should be a plumber, electrician, truck driver etc. It is beneath them. Additionally, these jobs are not the jobs of the future. AI is real and is evolving faster than people realize. I had a radiologist colleague of mine get super pissed with me because he heard me tell a group of students about how AI is being used to diagnose illnesses and that the landscape radiology is changing which will decrease the number of "traditional" radiologists. Nonetheless, from my experience, the people who appreciate the money that can be generated by becoming a skilled worker are older males, after they have realized that time is running out.
The Systemic Racism Argument:
It is important that we do not ignore this component. This is real and has put American Black folk in a downward spiral for a long time. Foreign black absolutely can not appreciate or understand this. Conversely, as American Black folk, we need to get out shit together. Being a thot is acceptable. Being a thug is admirable. Think about this...... people actually think that what R. Kelly and Bill Cosby are worst than what these drug dealers and strippers are doing. Really? Drug dealers, murders, stick-up kids, etc. decimate entire communities and should be held accountable just like we have held R. Kelly and Bill Cosby. And please do not say what about white people. Fuck them. It is about how can we fix our situation so our children can be more successful. Lastly, monetary reparations are not the solution. I am in the hood weekly, and I know first hand, you will see the Dave Chappelle skill come to life if that happens. Not because black folk are stupid, but because of the "lottery to broke syndrome." When you have nothing and been struggling, it is hard to believe in investing and saving. We all see people walking out of Walmart etc. with 60 in and higher TV's. who could definitely be using the money for something else.
This is a multifaceted problem that is real. Some of you BGOL millionaires have been away from regular people so long that you do not see the poverty of blacks around the country.