“The Solution” from Stop Killing Us (SKU) Solutions Campaign Founder, Rev. Curtis E. Gatewood.
Today’s Black youth are dying in record numbers, and it is not the fault of the Black child nor “the parents” alone. Here’s why… Please pay attention:
Today, an average of 12,400 Black Americans die from gun violence, which is a totally unacceptable number, and it seems that no one cares. In the year 2020, “death by a firearm” became the highest cause of death among all youth in America for the first time, even though Black youth are 2.3 times more likely to die from this violence.
- The Whole Village:
Today’s children need the “whole village” experience. If you are 60 years old or older, chances are your childhood was shaped by a time when parents and neighbors worked together to love, encourage, and “discipline” their children, without pointing fingers of blame if a child fell short of expectations.
The concept of “it takes the whole village to raise one child” was in full effect 60 years ago. Unfortunately, today’s Black children have not experienced this African proverb’s “whole village” concept in their lives, and it is not their fault. For instance, just as it takes the whole village to raise one child, similarly, if the child is not “raised” properly, the whole village is at fault, not just “the child” or “the parents.”
The disappearance of the Black “love village” is largely due to the fact that today’s “church” has turned into a self-exalting money-making enterprise, where leaders, for the most part, collect “offerings” but offer nothing in return to those children and families in need. Today’s church has services but lacks community “service.” Its leaders, in general, are “hired hands” who collect money and then flee, leaving the sheep scattered by the wolves.
- The Devastation of Imitation Integration:
Some Black Americans believed that “integration with Whites” was the key to the “Promised Land.” This is not to say that “segregation” was better overall, but this synopsis deals with facts and certain realities. The intent of “integration” was good, but the way it was enforced did more harm than good to Blacks.
For example, during the Jim Crow era, the mistreatment of Black Americans could be likened to wolves (Whites) versus sheep (Blacks). If you suddenly “integrate” sheep with wolves, common sense tells you that the sheep will be slaughtered without effective measures in place to tame or restrict the wolves and strengthen the protection of the sheep.
In life, disputes between bullies and victims are not resolved by having them live, work, and go to school together without ensuring that the bully is held accountable, restricted, and rehabilitated, while the victim receives support to become strong and independent.
Blacks have been systematically weakened, abused, terrorized, and bullied by the system of so-called “White Supremacy.” This is why Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. openly admitted that he feared he was integrating his people “into a burning house.”
Imitation “integration” has caused adverse effects, as it has not led to true integration where both cultures and races mutually respect and benefit from each other economically, educationally, culturally, psychologically, legislatively, and through media messaging.
To rebuild the Black village, we must transform the trajectory of “Black on Black crime” into a spirit of “Black on Black” love and defeat the indoctrination of “Black self-hatred” with a spirit of “Black self-love.” Regardless of the true vision of “integration,” there will always be a need for Black Americans to stand united under the umbrella of Black love and independence without depending on or needing our White counterparts, whether we are loved by them or fully integrated with them.