I've spent the past 10 years of my life as the Executive Director of a NPO that serves underprivileged children and families. I'm pretty well informed. 84% of the families we serve are black. So I think it's safe to say that I have my finger on the pulse of the black community. I'd be willing to bet I've spent more time in the black community, interacting with black folks than pretty much anyone poasting on this board. Before I took my job here, I worked in the black communities of Charleston, SC. And before that, I worked in the black communities of Greensboro, NC. I've been around. My opinions are not formed by reading something in a book or by having CNN tell me what I need to think. I'm on the front line. So, please, and I know you're new here and you didn't know what I did for a living, but please don't act like I'm out of touch. I'm very aware of the problems that exist and I'm very aware of the problems that are created by the folks in those communities. I've seen more single parent homes than you could imagine - homes where black fathers have run out on their families. I've seen more cases of abuse and neglect in these communities than you would want to hear about. I've seen more families that are allowing their children to participate in gang related activities. I've seen homes where no premium is put on school work and parents who slough off their parental duties onto someone else. I've also seen where my appeal to black churches for support has fallen on deaf ears. I've seen that my organization is funded primarily from blue collar white folks. I've also seen that while 84% of the families we serve are black, roughly 90% of the volunteers we have are white. I've watched black city leaders call more black people to action and then when approached to become a volunteer with my organization or to financially support my organization, they've proven to be all talk. But what I haven't seen is how any of that is the fault of the white man.
#Real talk.