I Know The World is Worried About "Birthday Cake" But.....

While the world/twitterverse is all caught up with Chris Brown, Rhianna and their lewd and lascivious affiliations, the Council of Great City Schools finds that only four percent of college students are Black men.  Yet the prison yard runneth over! Black males that are 18 years old and older are 6 and a half times more like to be imprisoned than their White male counterparts.  Everybody talking about these remixe but in 2008 African American men accounted for 36% of nation’s prison’s population and just 5% of the total college student population.  At the state level, the statistics are even more depressing as over 50 percent of the inmates in the state of New York are black males.  And y’all worried about cake?! oh.. ok.  Step in Jesus!

Photo Courtesy of http://gossiponthis.com

BlackYouthProgram.com reported the statistics this morning, citing poverty and a lack of male role models as the root of the “ the school to prison pipeline.” While many secondary schools, community organizations, colleges/universities have implemented programming designed to support Black males in successfully pursuing college/graduate degrees, these efforts must also be supplemented by family and community involvement and engagement with  successful Black males.    Many colleges/universities have implemented program sspecifically designed to recruit and retain Black men of all ages and socioeconomic statuses.  Some have been successful at addressing the issue on a micro scale but we’ve still yet to develop/sustain efforts that will combat the problem on a larger, national scale.

According to Mr. Patrick Johnson, community civility liaison at Mohawk Valley Community College “These young black males need positive Black male role models not only at home but a place that they frequent which is  (secondary) school.  If that (school) is a limited experience ( a lack of role models) , it creates an easy pipeline from public schools to prison”. Johnson also credits the disparity of black men in college to a failure to promote Black leadership and positive representation of Black people in our communities. 

Do I have the answers? No! I'm not on a soapbox or judging anybody over their interest in the latest entertainments news.  I’m just here to remind us all  (self included) to take inventory of our priorities.  Where are we devoting our attention and efforts?  Yes,  Chrhiannagate is a  good messy story that can make for some decent conversation but at the end of the day those children are going to do what they want to do regardless of our opinions.  Why not focus on an issue that really warrants/requires our attention. Chris and Rhianna have their issues but let’s be honest, they also have jobs and very comfortable celebrity lives. They’ve made it clear that they are not interested in serving as role models or examples of civility or healthy relationships.  If they want to ruin their lives/careers I say… Let have!   Education, on the other hand,  is gift.  It’s an opportunity that most of us still have some form access to.  If we play our cards right we can develop a knowledge/base skills set that will improve the conditions of our lives and our communities.  These statistics show that almost all of our Black men are positioned to fall through the cracks. This is a big deal.   Damn the birthday cake and whoever licking the icing off.. Let’s do something about it  #ImJustSaying

For more statistics and for more information on The Council of Great City Schools check out the linksbelow.

The Report- A Call For Change: The Social and Educational Facotrs Contributing to the Outcomes of Black Males in Urban Schools 

The Council of Great City Shools

Dear Chris Brown

I'd love to know why there seems to not be one grown, rational, reasonable, thinking person within Chris Brown's circle that is able to advise against and/or attempt to impede his impulsive behavior.  I decided to write him this letter more so to vent my feelings about his terrible decision making but who knows, I just might send it to him.  :-)

Dear Chris Brown

I’m a fan. I’ve always been but as a loyal supporter I’ve got to tell you it’s been really hard to be in your corner this year.  You’re a person, a young person in the public eye so any expectation that you would not make mistakes is greatly unrealistic. But honestly, to have to stand by and watch you unknowingly relentlessly complicate your life and exacerbate your situation has been painful.    I mean this in love, but hear me out.  I believe that if you would just get somewhere and sat down and shut your GahtDamb mouth you’d really make things easier for yourself and those that love you.

We get it, life for you ain’t been no crystal stair but baby, life happens to all of us.  In spite of all that you’ve faced in the last two year you’ve still managed to make it through with more than decent album sales, three grammy nominations, a great deal of notoriety and a second chance from a public that once turned its back on you. Maybe I’m biased but not only are you cute as all things warm and snuggly but you’ve stepped right into your I’m-a-grown-man sex appeal with an ease that most child stars fail to accomplish.  On top of those things, unlike most of your celebrity counterparts, YOU’VE GOT REAL TALENT.  Please sir, do not let your pride and emotions out shine your gifts.  

I had to write this letter after this whole Raz B melee that completely oppressed my timeline yesterday.  I’ll be honest I didn’t even read what was said , so I don’t know what prompted the whole thing.  I’m not going to apologize because, as should be the case for you, Raz B just doesn’t exist in my world.  Not saying that he’s not acknowledged as a human being but what has he done/what does he do that would ever prompt any level of interest or concern from me and especially from you? Chris, baby, this was not an attack on you this was a desperate cry for attention from someone who’s relevance in the world is no longer.  Think about it, what is Raz B’s place in the circle of life that moves us all?  So this pie face, former poking post for Chris Stokes feels a way and says boo and now you cursing, carrying on and jeopardizing your character.   Ummmmm FOR WHAT?!? Raz B? Chyle please.  You mad and saying a rack of shat you ain’t got no business saying and you just got back in the public’s good graces.  Way to shoot a hole in the bottom of your boat.  Listen, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone, especially a Raz B. This is not about being scared or silent.  Grown folks know when to pick their battles and this was not one you should have cared enough to fight.   I know people talking will always be a constant drain, but you’ve got to learn to not to be so reactionary, especially when your brand is at stake.  You’ll probably never read this letter but anybody in arm’s distance of CBreezy, tap him on the shoulder and tell him Tykeia said “ENOUGH!”

I’m certain you’ve got other things to do, other places to be.  *Clears throat * Get off Twitter and get a publicist.  Find someone who knows and understands the industry but is genuine and skilled and can handle you and your star quality.  All we need you to do is sing and dance and keep learning and growing.  Seek out a mentor. Hell, read up on others who’ve dealt with adversity and still managed to do their jobs successfully while balancing life’s challenges.  You’ve got a lot more living to do and there will be other disturbed, hurt people who will seek to leech off what you’ve been blessed with for their own gain.  I love you Chris and I’ve remained a loyal fan through it all, just keep singing and later for all the other stuff.  Hear?

PS if you need a date to the Grammy’s I’m more than ready to accompany you on the red carpet to help you figure out what and what not to say. :-)

XOXO, Tykeia