The black middle class dropping the ball w their children

[MLL1127]

That's not all the black middle class, elected black leaders, etc., etc., are dropping the ball on.

Source: Ceyseau(dot)net and Inept Leaders

....... and the treasonous "sellout" Black middleclass who fit the description.

It won't be business as usual. To get my support or vote, President Obama, or any other elected Black leaders must uphold the U.S. Constitution in behalf of law abiding U.S. born descendants of slavery egregiously violated by the atrocities of government.

[beamn318]

This is probably your best video. Good stuff!

[lovelynann]

It was a time when having class was not base on money and high education, It true now we live in a world where we are told that we are nothing without a higher education , having things have nothing to do with if you have class, its morals and values, but i have to say that if we keep telling the children they are nothing because they are not able to have a higher education its always other things that you can do legally,

[theherdmentality]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!

[agrandis88]

This couldn't be any more true. I come from a well off upper middle class house hold. My sister is getting her master's in biology. I am persuing a BS in Biology and Chemistry. And my older brother the middle child is in prison for drug possession.

[benarddor]

I had a similar conversation two days ago with a friend. That we as black people will never get it together collectively as a whole. We consistantly drop the ball with raising our children and passing on the knowledge of wealth from those who have acheived success. some are not going to like this, but I feel the black church is partially at fault for making sure a lot of us stay ignorant about ways of the world. a lot of us still blame whites for our lack of accomplishments.

[willia3r]

@benarddor

I agree.

[benarddor]

@willia3r thank you!

[LifeChanger711]

The whites that control the mass media r behind the narrowness of showing only blks in a neg. view and influencing our youth in that manner. It is critical that parents have the morals and values to begin w/then control the media influence on their kids

[sugarbrownrabbit]

@LifeChanger711 Control the tv, and control the hearts and mind of children. So I think that the job of the parent is to limit what your children watch and see.

[LifeChanger711]

@sugarbrownrabbit Exactly my point..take care.

[benarddor]

@LifeChanger711 you can't blame whites for portraying us in a negative light.  Understand that it's our people (blacks) that create the black productions, (the majority of black films written by black, are about the hood, drugs, gangs) white owned networks that choose to purchase and air those types of show. it's up to the parents to decide what they want to expose their children to. we can't control once a child leaves the home, but you as a parent you have all the say in your household.

[LifeChanger711]

@benarddor I agree with the latter part of ur response. However, in reference to the first part. In order to get on TV blacks have to create and produce what is sellable to the mass media (i.e. whites). Therefore, they produce (not all the time, but more than not) projects that have the stereotypes to enforce the norm. Take care.

[benarddor]

@LifeChanger711 perhaps, but who's fault is that? we can stand up to racism why can't we stand up to ignorant media execs.

[djpioneer937]

@benarddor Young man, White media has portrayed us negatively for centuries. This did not start recently w/ the advent of Rap music, hood films, or BET. Even when Blacks where fairing decently (within context of overt racism) during the 50s and 60s we were still portrayed the same way we are today. My grandparents grew up in the 20s & 30s, even in the so called "good ole' days" we were cast in a very negative light by the media.

[djpioneer937]

@benarddor Perhaps you mean, we contribute to a depiction (w/ roots in racism) of Blacks that was already ingrained among many Whites through centuries of conditioning (both Blacks and Whites are conditioned)

[benarddor]

@djpioneer937 no. i meant exactly what i said, although you do bring up a good point.

[benarddor]

@LifeChanger711 it's funny how our parents (or at least mine) never had this problem. they had rules!

[LifeChanger711]

Ur points r well taken. But I think we have to be very careful in grouping things that r in common. I don't think all rap music or the entire hip hop culture is the problem. It would be better to label it by using the type that is showcased day in & out in the media. .

[willia3r]

Let me play the devil's advocate here:

I would defend Black American class affinity on the basis that this unity however imperfect it is, helped to provide as a bulwark against Jim Crow segregation. I would also add that despite my complaint in the past if BA was seperated from America we would be a 3rd world nation, I would have to say we probably be 1 of the better functioning 3rd world nations, similar to eastern Europe.

Our problem is an inability to keep the low-class in check.

[TatutKhem]

On point. It all relates to "being Black"—that one-size-fits-all, stereotypical definition of being Black that so many of us cling to.

[Nergy4life]

I have a Mexican-American girlfriend who is exactly the middle class latina you are talking about. I see her put the seperation between herself and other Mexicans. I have to work hard not to grimace at it; while I understand it for the reasons you mentioned, in the black culture, that is blatantly criticized. But I would be lying to say that in some ways, it works! I just think they have a higher comfort level with the class symtem as would east indians be with the caste system.....

[Nergy4life]

I think with our history of being in the lowest class, we find it hypocritical to now use those same methods and sepearate ourselves. Its a valid hesitation I think...."lest we forget". But at some point we have to see its not working and we're losing an entire generation....or two. There's no simple answer, but we've got to confront the question and find a solution....for our children's sake.

[Nergy4life]

Great topic Pink. I have seen this in my own family. My brothers really dropped the ball with their own kids. My parents were working class and kept us on the straight and narrow. Now that brothers own home in West LA and Lafeyette Park, they took on the attitude, "It doesn't take all that!" Saying that my parents were too hard on them. Well now, they both have children in their early to mid 20s who are NOT on the college track and can't keep a job for more than 2-3 months. They just quit!

[MetaSensuality1983]

Listen to G Craig Lewis about the hip hop. But fomr personal observation when middle class blacks are joining gangs/ geetting bloodied up fighting/becoming felons/ having multiple babies by different baby mommas what kind of music do you think is influencing their outlook on life. It sure isn't rock music. It's hip hop.

[JazzyZenBrotha]

@MetaSensuality - You are absolutely correct. And it ALSO is Not Jazz or Classical that influences their out look either. My Dad took away my brother's rap CDs. But my bro found a way to hang out with the thugs & kept getting exposed to Rap music. Well, it's funny cuz now he smokes weed, is always ready to fight & he never smiles.

MetaSensuality Keep in mind that because you & I acknowledged the negative influence of Rap, we BOTH run the RISK of being called a hater.

[Empha84]

@JazzyZenBrotha I agree to an extent but positive hip hop never gets recognition. Plus many rappers graduated from college but no one wants to talk it.

[JazzyZenBrotha]

@Empha84 - I agree. But these rappers that you speak of need to be more vocal about their positive accomplishements of education. The rappers who have international superstardom (& who have influence on youngsters) need to start making it known that they've finished college & PROMOTE more positivity in their music. But you & I know that degradation & debouchery sells so we know that won't happen.

[Empha84]

@JazzyZenBrotha that is the problem. They don't do because they do not want to lose fans or aka money. I mean like talking about education means they are not hard enough. They should but its not enough of them that do it. Lupe Fiasco is a good example even though he did not finish college. Another is Pete Rock who has a degree, DJ Premeir who has one too, and even Plies has a degree but is afraid to speak up about it. It is a sad situation.

[nothing5630]

Pink you're right. Alot of people and media like to believe that there are only two kinds of black people in America -- the poor/uneducated underclass and the lucky rich athelete/celebrity.

They don't want to believe there are decent everyday middle class blacks.

To address the topic: the title of the video is the MAIN problem with the BC. Parents have dropped the ball every since the civil rights gen. Don't let anyone tell you it's the 40 and under crowd that started these problems.

[MetaSensuality1983]

people and stuck predominately with Indians/Asians/Africans who were not raised in the U.S. I stayed away from American people predominately (unless it was a woman I was trying to talk to) because they were just too crazy whether lower/middle/upper class. This American culture screws us all up and in our community the hip hop culture is fostering our economic/social/spiritual/lite­ral demise as a people. The writing is on the wall.

[Remedymp]

Hip Hop? Really? Or do you just mean rap itself?

[MetaSensuality1983]

@Remedymp

hip hop.

[Remedymp]

It would probably be wise to learn more about hip hop as a culture before you use it as a crutch. For the record, hip hop has nothing to do with what you're talking about.

[themack411]

cosign 100%

Values and any acquired skills are what the middle class have to pass on to their children.

[Remedymp]

I think lower class blacks are trying to influence a form of class "class exchange". The class exchange would force Middle class blacks to adopt lower class blacks way of life. There was a video in Pinkks favorites where the young boy spent like $150 on watch & was trying to be thugged out. But, yet both his parents were established -working class blacks-. But, in order for the young boy to feel black, he had to behave or adopt lower class black behavior. Thus, he drops the ball.

[MetaSensuality1983]

@Remedymp

You know what it is. It's crabs in a barrel man. that's what it is. we can't help see one of our make it without us trying to pull him down. that's all it is. crabs in a barrel

[MetaSensuality1983]

with him to going to basket ball games /etc. He'd always tell me that the cool kids are going to be on the corner 10 years from now while you will be having a career/money/family/etc. And you know what nearly 10 years later they were doing just that. The thing is is that my family had certain standards and if I didn't conform they would seriously let me know what was/wasn't acceptable. As a result while in college I hung around the preppy conservative types. I stayed away from hiphop

[MetaSensuality1983]

It just boils down to choice. In my life I've lived and seen the same dynamic go on between sibling who were raised under the same roof. One sibling took advantage of the opportunities given to him/her or simply made opportunities while the other sibling(s) wanted to live the ghetto lifestyle and have multiple children. I've seen this same dynamic occur right before my eyes in lower/middle class environments amongst male/females. For me I spent a lot of time with my dad. From going to work

[MetaSensuality1983]

I really see no difference between upper,middle,lower class blacks because of the black culture which affects us. Particularly if you change the music you can change black culture and the results will be different. I've had friends from back in highschool who were raised in middle to upper middle class areas and they're having multiple kids/going to prison/working dead end jobs/etc. Some had both parents in the house some didn't.

[Mhendeb]

The problem Pinkk, is that unlike Mexican culture, African American culture from the 80's onward has taken the down and out or thug culture as Black Culture. So the idea of going to school and doing well through education goes against Black Culture. Mexican's on the other hand like most Minorities are all about getting over and doing well in America.

[Mhendeb]

@Mhendeb

cont-

So a lot of Middle Class Black families are made to feel guilty by other Black people for being successful. Unfortunately, a lot of parents buy into the guilt and let their children fall into that down and out, or thugged out culture. Because today, that's what it means to be Black.

Many Parents don't crack the whip, because they don't want their children to be outcast by other Black Children. They want them to belong, like they secretly want to.

[kuunami]

@Mhendeb

I agree. I think AA middle class kids are the only group who receive so much pressure do be like AA kids of a lower class. And it's not only individual to individual pressure but now it's a media effort in the form of hiphop with the promotion of thug culture like you said. I think were the parents drop the ball is that they fail to instill strong enough counter values in their kids to resist. The kind of values that would make the kid feel guilty about making the wrong decisions.

[nothing5630]

@ kuunami -- you are spot on. They don't instill strong enough counter values. Well said.

[willia3r]

@kuunami

Agreed.

[cnell25]

@ Mhendeb

BINGO!! you hit the nail on the head you dont know how many young black kids in my neighborhood try to live the thug culture.

Driving cars with big rim and systems, houses go for anywhere between $140k to $250k a nice middle class area .

Just this past weekend i was mowing my lawn, and across the street to teenage wannbe thug boys had the car stereo blasting rap music in the driveway doing the lasted coon dances in the street between passing cars. AND THERE AFRICANS!!!

[pinkkelephant]

haha. dam. i dont think we as black people are ready to accept that our culture is finished. When standard behavior is glorified and championed we have a serious problem. the sad thing is that most of the successful blacks that are not famous and used education dont even mess with standard black culture - ie obama.

[drfan2004]

@pinkkelephant

Did we ever have a culture even to begin with?

What passes for black culture, universally has been for the most part dictated by low class black Americans,who have the worst form of non-culture the world has ever seen.Now we are all suffering.

[willia3r]

That's the other issue that I am concerned about, & I'm glad that you brought it up. I wonder what strong values that the black american middle class has that could reinforce a sense of pride in oneself & the group & sense of belonging to something greater than oneself.

East Indians have Hindu religous beliefs customs. Chinese have their own unique calendar. Some cultures in Africa have Santeria & cultural practices of living off the land.

What do us black americans have?

[visionimagify]

@willia3r Lil' Wayne, Forced Obesity and high sexuality rate. Yeah, gotta' love it! 

[termanology85]

@Mhendeb the importance of education needs to be stressed. This is what I get angry with black revolutionaries who speak out against post secondary education.

[Empha84]

@Mhendeb That is not the problem. Some blacks feel they are copying white culture. Believe it or not we do care about education and learning. Blacks are doing well individually but not as unit like other minorities. Some feel like hey I made it, oh well the best of luck to the rest of you. I am black I graduated from college. Too many individual attitudes and not enough as a unit. The system is already set up for the average black male to fail but you don't have to if you make the right choices.

[wendyjeanlouis]

@Mhendeb you are so speaking the truth. i had such a bad experience in school with come african americans when i migrated here. especially because i was doing my work and stuff. they called me an oreo

[rdokoye]

In conclusion, I don't believe there is any real fix to this problem; the only real solution to the problem would be the establishment of some sort of elitism, which ultimately would end up only benefiting a small few.

[rdokoye]

I do believe that it is the responsibility of the parents to raise their child, that's simply the reason why these children are wayward. You grew up in the same communities as these other black folks, but you didn't turn out anything like them...again, you were simply raised better than they were.

[rdokoye]

I think the problem is that the lower class (if I can say that) set the mode or trends for all other classes amongst black people. Black deviant culture is propped up and celebrated amongst all groups (White, Black & Asian), so it's understood (in a sense) why a black person, born and raised in the Western World, would be more drawn to that mode of thought.

[kambridge967]

I respect u and ur videos because theres so much truth to them.

[marcdaddy33]

yes, there's 2 much hood influence on black middle and upper class