20 Challenges: What Black America Must Do Now

See 20 challenges facing Black America and what we must do now about them.

Broaden Our Scope - We have heard this over and over again: “anything is possible.” Now that we have witnessed the near impossible with the election of Barack Hussein Obama as the nation’s first African-American president, it’s time to believe that anything really is possible.

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Broaden Our Scope - We have heard this over and over again: “anything is possible.” Now that we have witnessed the near impossible with the election of Barack Hussein Obama as the nation’s first African-American president, it’s time to believe that anything really is possible.

Become Involved - It’s time to take an active role in the well-being of our neighborhoods, communities and nation. In addition to voting, we must join civic organizations, run for public office and otherwise participate in the day-to-day workings of our democracy.

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Become Involved - It’s time to take an active role in the well-being of our neighborhoods, communities and nation. In addition to voting, we must join civic organizations, run for public office and otherwise participate in the day-to-day workings of our democracy.

Avoid Prisons; Go to College - We must reverse a trend that sees more Black college-age men landing in the penitentiary than in the university. We must ensure that more young Black males finish high school and even then that a diploma is only a stepping stone to education and training beyond the 12th grade. But encouragement alone is not enough. We must also provide opportunities and resources for those who have the will but not the means.

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Avoid Prisons; Go to College - We must reverse a trend that sees more Black college-age men landing in the penitentiary than in the university. We must ensure that more young Black males finish high school and even then that a diploma is only a stepping stone to education and training beyond the 12th grade. But encouragement alone is not enough. We must also provide opportunities and resources for those who have the will but not the means.

Define Oursleves - True freedom and power means the ability to define oneself. Descendants of the world’s first civilized people, creators of the first written scripts and developers of vast pre-colonial empires should not submit to negative stereotypes about Black culture and the Black community. We must stand proud of our collective accomplishments and reject those – even in our own communities – who work to undermine progress.

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Define Oursleves - True freedom and power means the ability to define oneself. Descendants of the world’s first civilized people, creators of the first written scripts and developers of vast pre-colonial empires should not submit to negative stereotypes about Black culture and the Black community. We must stand proud of our collective accomplishments and reject those – even in our own communities – who work to undermine progress.

Expand Our Our List of Heroes - Kobe Bryant, Donovan McNabb and Mary J. Blige are true legends, but so are those who beat the odds in other arenas. We can’t forget the likes of Mae Jemison (the first Black female astronaut), Dr. Ben Carson (one of the world’s preeminent neurosurgeons) or Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King (the first female commandant of any race to head the Army’s drill sergeant training school). The scope of African-American excellence goes from sports and entertainment and extends all the way to the White House.

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Expand Our Our List of Heroes - Kobe Bryant, Donovan McNabb and Mary J. Blige are true legends, but so are those who beat the odds in other arenas. We can’t forget the likes of Mae Jemison (the first Black female astronaut), Dr. Ben Carson (one of the world’s preeminent neurosurgeons) or Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King (the first female commandant of any race to head the Army’s drill sergeant training school). The scope of African-American excellence goes from sports and entertainment and extends all the way to the White House.

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Stress This Notion: Education Is Cool - Too often, our children are bullied into believing that acting smart is a “White” thing. Truth is, African Americans since slavery have endured tremendous obstacles in the quest for educational opportunities. Many of our ancestors lost limbs to angry slaveowners who caught them reading; determined protestors endured water hoses, nightsticks and worse to integrate schools during the Civil Rights Movement.

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Stress This Notion: Education Is Cool - Too often, our children are bullied into believing that acting smart is a “White” thing. Truth is, African Americans since slavery have endured tremendous obstacles in the quest for educational opportunities. Many of our ancestors lost limbs to angry slaveowners who caught them reading; determined protestors endured water hoses, nightsticks and worse to integrate schools during the Civil Rights Movement.

Make Family<br>A Priority - Nobody has a monopoly on family values. We know right from wrong, and we need to instill those principles in our children. Whatever our religious beliefs, we must recognize the importance of being grounded spiritually. That means having a moral compass guided by ideals, principles and ethics.

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Make Family<br>A Priority - Nobody has a monopoly on family values. We know right from wrong, and we need to instill those principles in our children. Whatever our religious beliefs, we must recognize the importance of being grounded spiritually. That means having a moral compass guided by ideals, principles and ethics.

Be Better Fathers - It is important for boys and girls to see positive men in their lives. Sadly, between 60 percent and 70 percent of Black children grow up in households with no father at home. Studies show that those who do have a father at home are better adjusted, have fewer psychological problems and do much better in school. It’s time to raise the sons that we create.

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Be Better Fathers - It is important for boys and girls to see positive men in their lives. Sadly, between 60 percent and 70 percent of Black children grow up in households with no father at home. Studies show that those who do have a father at home are better adjusted, have fewer psychological problems and do much better in school. It’s time to raise the sons that we create.

Fight Obesity&lt;bR&gt;And Poor Health - As a community, we tend to smoke too much; eat too much; exercise too little; and get health care in the emergency room. We need to pay more attention to what we eat, treat our bodies better and get routine checkups with a regular physician.

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Fight Obesity<bR>And Poor Health - As a community, we tend to smoke too much; eat too much; exercise too little; and get health care in the emergency room. We need to pay more attention to what we eat, treat our bodies better and get routine checkups with a regular physician.

Give Back Through Philanthropy and Service - Give – and give generously – to those organizations and efforts that make our communities stronger: historically Black colleges and other institutions of higher learning, scholarship programs, community-service organizations, humanitarian groups, charities, and secular and religious nonprofits. Some of us can encourage our professional organizations and companies to donate money or provide scholarships and internships. In addition, we can volunteer at soup kitchens, nursing homes, etc.

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Give Back Through Philanthropy and Service - Give – and give generously – to those organizations and efforts that make our communities stronger: historically Black colleges and other institutions of higher learning, scholarship programs, community-service organizations, humanitarian groups, charities, and secular and religious nonprofits. Some of us can encourage our professional organizations and companies to donate money or provide scholarships and internships. In addition, we can volunteer at soup kitchens, nursing homes, etc.

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Make &quot;Going Green&quot; A Black Thing - African Americans are more likely than Whites to live near landfills, waste-treatment plants and other toxic venues. We have more of a vested interest in cleaning up the environment than anybody else. While recycling and using environmentally responsible products and practices are important, we must also get involved in shaping policies that affect our communities.

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Make "Going Green" A Black Thing - African Americans are more likely than Whites to live near landfills, waste-treatment plants and other toxic venues. We have more of a vested interest in cleaning up the environment than anybody else. While recycling and using environmentally responsible products and practices are important, we must also get involved in shaping policies that affect our communities.

Promote Math, Science&lt;br&gt;And Technology - Black students are the least represented group in college science, engineering and math-related courses. One reason is that elementary and secondary schools are often more concerned with diagnosing educational deficiencies than unlocking educational potential. But, once again, parents and educators must take up the responsibility of ensuring that children are enrolled in vigorous math and science courses.

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Promote Math, Science<br>And Technology - Black students are the least represented group in college science, engineering and math-related courses. One reason is that elementary and secondary schools are often more concerned with diagnosing educational deficiencies than unlocking educational potential. But, once again, parents and educators must take up the responsibility of ensuring that children are enrolled in vigorous math and science courses.

Leave a Legacy - As our president said, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” We have the power to shape the direction of our communities for generations to come. That means we must be prepared to face challenges head on – to sacrifice, to build, to educate, to grow, and, yes, to dream. This is our time, our planet, our destiny.

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Leave a Legacy - As our president said, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” We have the power to shape the direction of our communities for generations to come. That means we must be prepared to face challenges head on – to sacrifice, to build, to educate, to grow, and, yes, to dream. This is our time, our planet, our destiny.

Manage Our Money - We have to become better savers, investors and planners. We need to get better at putting our money to work for us. We’ve all heard the stories of the multi-millionaire who’s big-ballin’ one day and broke the next. It’s not about the bling but about saving for our children’s future and our retirement. There’s more excitement in financial security. We must redefine what “valuable” really means.

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Manage Our Money - We have to become better savers, investors and planners. We need to get better at putting our money to work for us. We’ve all heard the stories of the multi-millionaire who’s big-ballin’ one day and broke the next. It’s not about the bling but about saving for our children’s future and our retirement. There’s more excitement in financial security. We must redefine what “valuable” really means.

Excel at Good Parenting - Don’t let video games babysit your kids; don’t let fast food be the closest thing they get to a home-cooked meal; and don’t let their teachers be face-less names. It’s time to relinquish the nightclub/party scene and replace it with PTA meetings, homework time and family meals.

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Excel at Good Parenting - Don’t let video games babysit your kids; don’t let fast food be the closest thing they get to a home-cooked meal; and don’t let their teachers be face-less names. It’s time to relinquish the nightclub/party scene and replace it with PTA meetings, homework time and family meals.

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Be Better Mothers - when a woman decides to have a child, she must understand that “mother” is much more than just a title. A mother is caring, nurturing, and the one who helps a girl define herself as a leader, a role model and the thread that binds society together. It’s time to raise the daughters that we create.

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Be Better Mothers - when a woman decides to have a child, she must understand that “mother” is much more than just a title. A mother is caring, nurturing, and the one who helps a girl define herself as a leader, a role model and the thread that binds society together. It’s time to raise the daughters that we create.

Encourage Patriotism - From the Revolutionary War to the War in Afghanistan, African Americans have sacrificed their lives defending America. These men and women bravely fought and died because they believed that the hopes and dreams of this nation applied to them. We must reinforce the notion that military service is something to be proud of and honor those who make the decision to help make America a more perfect union.

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Encourage Patriotism - From the Revolutionary War to the War in Afghanistan, African Americans have sacrificed their lives defending America. These men and women bravely fought and died because they believed that the hopes and dreams of this nation applied to them. We must reinforce the notion that military service is something to be proud of and honor those who make the decision to help make America a more perfect union.

Reduce Violence - We need to be as outraged about drive-by shootings as we were about the hooded midnight riders. We must get the guns off the streets and not allow gangs to replace families. It’s one thing to tell our children that life is worth living and protecting and another to show them a world that is full of hope, magic and fulfillment. That means spending quality time with our children. And it means standing up to the thugs who terrorize our communities.

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Reduce Violence - We need to be as outraged about drive-by shootings as we were about the hooded midnight riders. We must get the guns off the streets and not allow gangs to replace families. It’s one thing to tell our children that life is worth living and protecting and another to show them a world that is full of hope, magic and fulfillment. That means spending quality time with our children. And it means standing up to the thugs who terrorize our communities.

Support Local Business And Entrepreneurship - We must circulate dollars within our communities as much as possible. By spending “at home,” we build community wealth and create job opportunities.

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Support Local Business And Entrepreneurship - We must circulate dollars within our communities as much as possible. By spending “at home,” we build community wealth and create job opportunities.

Vote - Throughout most of our experience in the United States, African Americans have relied on the political system to broaden opportunities and ensure equality. Yet, Census data show that there are still roughly 8 million African Americans who are not registered to vote. Do what is necessary to see that everybody we know is informed about the issues, gets registered and casts a ballot on Election Day.

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Vote - Throughout most of our experience in the United States, African Americans have relied on the political system to broaden opportunities and ensure equality. Yet, Census data show that there are still roughly 8 million African Americans who are not registered to vote. Do what is necessary to see that everybody we know is informed about the issues, gets registered and casts a ballot on Election Day.