Hand-wringing over incarceration won't help city's young black men

Baltimore Sun ^ | March 19, 2005 | Gregory Kane

[Cincinatus' Wife]

..... There are, no doubt, young white men -- and Hispanic men and men of other races and ethnic groups -- who are in prison, in jail or on probation or parole in Baltimore. But there's a difference between them and young black men: It's assumed the nonblack ones have some responsibility for, and control over, their actions.

If that's not a classic, textbook definition of racism, I don't know what to call it. And it's an insidious racism that will, in the long run, hurt the young black men those JPI bleeding hearts think they are helping.

"The system is to blame" is not what these young men need to hear. They need a stern rebuke, some scolding, perhaps a foot up their derrieres and some sage advice about getting their acts together. And they should definitely be reminded that being in jail or in prison is neither a rite of passage nor a cultural imperative for young black men.

But I've overheard that discussion a dozen times if I've heard it once. Two or more young black men in Baltimore -- on a bus, at a bus stop, on the subway, on a corner -- talking about themselves and their friends. Which ones are in jail. Which ones are out. Who did what to get sent up this time.

This is said loudly, so that folks standing nearby can hear it. There's no shame. There's no embarrassment. Going to jail or prison, these young black men figure, is something they're supposed to do.

You'll forgive me if I refuse to blame police, lawmakers, prosecutors, state and city government and judges for this sorry state of affairs. This sounds more like a failure of way too many families to instill proper values in their sons, nephews and cousins......

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A cry in the black education wilderness

[goldstategop]

Like going to jail is a badge of honor for black men. And its abetted by white liberals who make it clear the felon vote is a cool thing to have.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[JohnD9207]

This sounds more like a failure of way too many families to instill proper values in their sons, nephews and cousins......

Good words falling on deaf ears e.g. Bill Cosby. For all of his efforts to talk openly about problems in the Black community, all he got was a sore throat and a kick in the backside.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

And America's youth is emulating prison culture with their clothing and tattooing.

[sure_fine]

damn good article

[sure_fine]

And America's youth is emulating prison culture with their clothing and tattooing.

don't forget

RAP MUSIC

[L98Fiero]

They think it makes them look "hard". Which in itself is just a shortened form of "hardened" like "hardened criminal".

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes! He mentions hip hop further down in the article.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks for the info. You learn a lot on FR.

[sgtbono2002]

I am 62, all my life everything that has happened bad to unsuccessful black people has been the fault of "the man".

Every black person I know that has become a personal success has taken responsibility for their own lives and ignored this batch of crap. Public school education is there for everyone in this country, those who refuse to educate themselves, black or white or hispanic, doom themselves to menial jobs and a hard life. Those parents who carry on the legend of being held back by "the man" are only condemning their kids to lead this hard life.

Anyone CAN be a success in this country but it wont be awarded to you as a reparation, or something your great-great grandaddy may have paid for, you have to earn it yourself.

The only ones who get a free ride are the ones who had rich forebears like the Kennedys, Kerrys, and yes the Bush's. But somewhere back in their family someone made themself a success, some of them carry on that success and others like Paris Hilton make fools of themselves.

[wolfpat]

"Rap music" is an oxymoron.

[hoosier_RW_conspirator]

Absolutely...and the rise of the Gangsta Culture has nothing to do with skin color or gender, either.

[CBart95]

More silliness from the vaunted Baltimore Sun. Lets laugh our asses off as the Sun sets on yet another tired goofy "Poor Me The Black Man " piece.
"E'body know Whitey keeping da black man down".

The MSM is clueless on why the bloggers have taken the reins? Answer: TRUTH.

[yer gonna put yer eye out]

Excellent post.
I'm in total agreement, as I'm sure many are here on FR.
Sometimes I wish that a copy of these words could somehow be delivered, read, understood, and implemented by the families of young black men.

I suspect I'll be waiting quite a long time.

[Unknown Freeper]

bump for later discussion

[Cincinatus' Wife]

This is a "get your act together" column by a conservative black columnist.

[libs_kma]

Excellent post, I agree.

Ask 100 whites if incarcerated white people deserve to be in prison and the percentages would show a resounding "Yes".

Ask 100 blacks if incarcerated black people deserve to be in prison and it would be a resounding "No".

[squirt-gun]

We all know that ALL people are created intellectually, morally, physically, and emotionally equal.

With that firmly in mind, it is essential that we reduce the black prison population to 13% of total prison population and let most of these black folks back on the streets....Its affirmative action for prisons.

[joesnuffy]

Imagine a disease whose root cause was not allowed to be correctly diagnosed

No doctor on earth could cure it or be allowed to prevent it.

[daddyOwe]

Ask 100 blacks if incarcerated black people deserve to be in prison and it would be a resounding "No

Exactly, I have talked to white boys that were in prison. They said that the blacks would say the only reason they are in prison is because they are black. I guess committing a crime has nothing to do with it.