Posted on 04/28/2006 6:59:05 AM PDT by twippo
TALLAHASSEE - State Sen. Frederica Wilson knows what a little TLC can do for at-risk black boys.
As the founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, the Miami Democrat has seen troubled teens go from life on the streets to college graduation.
For the past two years, Wilson, a former Miami-Dade School Board member, has made it her mission to pass legislation aimed at helping more black men and boys.
She's just one vote away from success.
A bill to create ''The Council on the Social Status of Men and Boys'' has cleared the House and will likely pass the Senate before the end of session next week.
(Excerpt) Read more at miami.com ...
We'll see how this panel approaches the issue. If this is handled primarily as a personal-responsibility forum, then it has a reasonable chance of making an impact.
If, however, it turns into a blame-whitey, expand entitlements, million-whatever-march type of organization, it is as doomed to failure as the Great Society and all other liberal-hatched programs.
Another "feel good" bill, that no one can possibly be against in public. Two key paragraphs say it all:
"The 19-member council, which would be run out of the state attorney general's office, would study the social disparities facing black men and boys, including high arrest rates, drug abuse and school performance."
....
"The council will meet four times a year, come up with ideas of how to combat the problem, and then submit a study to lawmakers, who say they are optimistic good things will come out of the effort."
Will this legislation mandate that those father with offsprings be truly fathers to them? With all that is required, educating, housing, clothing, feeding etc. until they are at least 18 years of age?
Sorry, feeling a bit peckish this morning. Your #2 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1623140/posts?page=2#2 at least begins on an optimistic note...
Just what they need... a panel.
That would be a good start, particularly having a panel of black fathers who've successfully raised socially productive young men . Politicians often overanalyze problems that ordinary folks with sense can figure out, minus using all the taxpayer resources.
"Boys" !? Let's watch our language a little more carefully.
Has there been a study done on how well the black youth who are military brats do for high school and college graduation rates.
You're suggesting youth from that environment may do better. Maybe so.
Don't forget the mothers. There's more to parenting than just collecting a welfare check.
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