What can we do with the resources that we have?

[cwhurd]

Even though we have a lot of obstacles to over come as a people, racism, unemployment high incarceration rate, drugs and much more. We are a very strong and resilient people. We have the same blood that coursed through the veins of our ancestors. We have been talking about the blight of our people for so long. How about, starting right now with the simplest explanation possible where we can start, realistically with the resources that we do have. In working to changing and building better circumstances for our selves not looking for anything from the establishment? What are your thoughts on this?
Here is a start:

Parents should be more involved in school activities, parent teach conferences, helping with home work helping their children choose a career path that fits them.

No matter your financial status, religious status, political status, skin tone, or what region of the country you were born. The one thing we have in common is Our Story.
http://www.blackprosperity.net

[soulbrotha]

I can't let this thread disappear into the history banks of AC without a comment.

Simply put, education and learning is a start. Unlearned, uneducated people are the easiest to manipulate and mentally control. Even if the school books are old, math and reading subjects are still the same.

I agree with parents getting actively involved in their children's schooling. I also think all these Black folks who've moved "up" in the world need to do more for those of us who haven't, instead of moving on with the attitude "I got mine, you get your's". Dedicating time and money to neighborhoods and people in need is very important.

[jimihaze]

I also think that more parent involvement and more educational emphasis goes along way. I think that we as a people are our greatest resource. So that means that we should invest in us.

[ImaJon]

I was involved as my children began the formative educational process and now my interest is still strong as I encourage my grands to compete and not be left behind.

[jimihaze]

We should take charge of ourselves first. We should hold ourselves accountable for the actions take we take. It starts with us first. The first person that we should be a leader to is ourselves.

[love2talk]

All of what everyone has said is so true... Another problem is that so many blacks have single-parent homes where no father is present, and I don't think people think about just how much of a negative effect that has on a child. I never knew my own father, and wouldn't know him now should he ever show up on my doorstep. Were it not for a deeply rooted family, and a mother who wanted nothing but the best for me, I would be another statistic. I was fortunate to have been sent to private schools because my mother knew my potential, and that was definitely a financial struggle. She also wanted me to be a well-rounded person, so that included getting me involved in afterschool activities. (gymnastics, tap, ballet, Girl Scouts, piano, clarinet, etc.) When you bring stuff like that up to lower-income families (as far as things they can get their kids involved in) they feel it's something they have to have a ton of money for. If you look hard enough for ways to keep your children occupied rather than coming home watching music videos & playing playstation all day, it's possible.

Something I will never understand, (and by no means do I mean to sound judgmental) is that if these women who are living below poverty level are continuing to have child after child after child, why would they want to keep living a life of barely scraping by? Why continue having them just cause you can get $400 of food stamps for having 4 kids? Too many blacks are not socially informed enough to understand that those food stamps are paid for by other people's money. (our taxes)

[Mrs. Alexander]

Parents should definitely be involved in the education of their children. Unfortunately when parents do being to organize and make their voices heard in school settings it is not welcomed because it's a threat to white hegemony. They are seen as trouble the makers and "those" parents. But regardless parent involvement can get some issues resolved.

Parents need to be involved on a deeper level, not just as "homework monitors." Parents need to demand culturally relevant material, and stop allowing the white man to miseducate our children and damage their self-worth and respect.

We as a community need to take control of our children's destinies, whether we be rich, poor, or whatever.