The short answer to the question is embedded in beliefs that Black Americans have been impacted by the ills of slavery. In order to understand this theory, one must (minimally) attempt to appreciate Black American’s life-experiences since slavery ended in 1865.
The egregious treatment of Black Americans in the slavery and post-slavery eras has contributed to a broader plan to mitigate their progress and equality.
Relentless strategies in the post slavery era connected to legal lynchings, Jim Crow laws, segregation, racism, discrimination, police brutality and mass incarceration have been the basis for vigorous pursuits of the inequality of Black Americans.
Consequently, a large faction of Black Americans is still being impacted by the norms of slavery “passed down.” The validation of these theories has been best articulated by Dr. Joy DeGruy in her book “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome.” Her work is structured, comprehensive, direct and offers unprecedented clarity on the topic.
We cannot ignore the in-accountability of Black Americans who continue to fall short of taking complete ownership of their respective successful life-outcomes. On the other hand, we can no longer ignore the effectiveness of systemic headwinds purposefully designed to impede Black American’s progress. The impact of such headwinds breeds hopelessness in many Black American communities.
The numbers are telling. Black American children lag in most education progression-metrics. They continue to fall behind in reading, math, science and education in general. A part of the problem is far too many parents (of all races) are not skilled at levels required to appropriately teach/guide their children. Some parents do not know what they should be teaching their children about the the fundamental requirements of education and the soft-skills necessary to ensure their integrity is always in tact. Consequently, millions of our children are left with no recourse but to learn the hard way. They live their lives by chance. Imagine the child who was never taught the profound importance of being educated and working to earn money to live and prosper in this great nation. Now imagine the child who was never taught the unforgiving consequences of his or her bad conduct.
It is estimated over 32 million adults (of most races) in the United States are illiterate (14% of the population). It is estimated 85% of all single parents are mothers. In the Black American community, this problem is compounded by the fact Black American men represent just 6% of the populations and 37% of people incarcerated. In addition, recidivism in our country is exceptional. The cycle of being incarcerated, released and returning to incarceration is almost guaranteed.
The United States incarcerates more people than any other country worldwide. These are just some of the reasons why it is necessary to finally respond and solve the Black-inequality issues once and for all. The focus must shift from Black Americans simply surviving to them thriving in a nation more prosperous than any other.
The only way this vision will come to fruition is via a broadly sustained cycle of achievements.