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In other words, there is a divorcing of the woman and the children. I see this in all ethnic groups.

I am a public school teacher, and I, too, see it in all ethnic groups - but, IMO, the situation and statistics are staggering when you look at blacks, and consider how many black children are born out of wedlock.

I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what would have most helped my black students (having a father would have helped, and having an employed father would be even better).

But beyond the obvious need for blacks as a population to somehow build a family unit, I think blacks who make it financiallly need to do a whole lot more to promote education. It is very tough to convince a black teen not to drop out of school and to clean up his act when the black teen idolizes someone like Snoop Doggy Dog and knows very little else about accomplishments of other blacks in today's world.

Also, it is odd to me that some black teachers will not even consider teaching in a black neighborhood - they consider themselves a success only if they land a teaching position in a white school. That kind of attitude needs to change. I don't know how to change it, but I know it's not helping black kids back in those neighborhoods.

Well stated... I think that too many of the examples that young people take their cues from tend to encourage a desire for "instant gratification"... And I would be lying if I said that I would want to teach in a rough neighborhood again... My first teaching job was in South Gate, CA back in 93 and I remember seeing the working girls out in force during the daytime near Tweedy and Long Beach Blvd.... I was very pleased to get past the 710 on the 105 and head home...

You are talking about giving something back and I agree that it should occur... I have no easy answers on that because I have dealt with the bigotry that some black people perpetrate on others... Not an easy thing to deal with...

However, I would like to be like this guy who goes quality of life at age 52 (money saved, 401K in good shape, kids graduated from school and doing well)... I know, however, that with social security being unreliable when I get 65(I am 40), I have to do as much as I can now to secure my future.... When I see people having a hard time in any community, I sometimes say "there, but for the Grace of god, Go I"... Keeps me focused on trying to do good... Wish I had a better answer for you because I know that I feel like I have paid my dues and deserve better but I know I need to find a way to give something back... Like many with a few letters, I spend so much time helping myself, I find myself going into a situation where I can not help others... I will have to work on that....