10 Unacceptable Cycles Black People Have to Change

October 18th, 2010 - By LaShaun Williams

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The world can see the black community in America is failing—miserably. Despite past oppression, we have more opportunity now than ever. Yet, we have found a way to squander the liberties and countless possibilities for which our forefathers sacrificed their lives. As a people we murmur and complain, expecting different results without change. The universe doesn’t work that way.

It takes a combination of renewed thinking and behavior to change the shape of a community, and great strides must be made to break the cycles that ruined it. Yes, some of our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers have perpetuated these cycles. But, change starts with one. There are just some things as individuals we must decide are unacceptable.

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  • HelpUrSelf No1L’z Will

    Every single day I hear lie after lie
    Like “Black people don’t die, we multiply”
    So when I kick a rhyme I represent how I feel
    The sacred street art of keepin it real
    Why I gotta listen, to somebody else?
    How they got wealth, let me talk about myself
    But all I really got is hip-hop and a glock
    The results are obvious, if I’m confined to my block
    Occasionally, in the city I’m released
    to meet other beasts, lookin for the feast
    We grunt and growl, on the prowl, as the air gets thinner
    “Yo yo there he go, him,” there’s the dinner
    White meat, carryin a bag of some sort
    Life is short, white meat is quickly caught
    A scuffle a muffle yet none of us hesitated
    Like Mother Africa, white meat is violated
    We quickly dissapear, like Santa’s little elves
    And go into a area to fight amongst ourselves
    We say, “peace/piece” cause that’s what we really want
    A piece of the pie that America flaunts

    and I know because of KRS ONE

  • Seech

    This is hilarious. Reading a newspaper or magazine article every day expands vocabularies? Er, that depends on the media read, does it not? I doubt the National Inquirer has ever done much to advance the English language. This whole piece is an illustration of poor grammar: it purports to address cycles, yet does no such thing. Instead, we have a list of the screamingly obvious (violence is bad; I’m shocked!) and Cosby-esque index finger wagging home truths.

    3/10. Must try harder.

  • Kendi Prowell

    Its about time this should be called “The Black Girl are Beutiful” revolution.

  • Yo

    I feel like this is too specific and that it applies to all people not just black people.

  • Chazaq

    This article seems okay on the surface but it's like being lost in the woods and someone tells you, build a house, find food, find a body of water so you can drink. It's a repeated list of general ideas on what black people should do without exactly telling them how to do them. I know I need a house for shelter but how do I build one???

    Also number 7 is partially correct. There are many people today and in the past who made it far without a college degree. It is important but it's not vital. Someone who uses their mind to think and not just go with the flow can make a lot of money.Plus there are many people out here with a B.A. and still making a little more than min wage.

    So, the world is changing and we as a black nation should keep up and do what we need to do to keep up with it. And to cover everything that that entitle will take more than a few pages in an article.

  • Caribbean Diva

    agreed!

  • Gabriel Sheffield

    If you think this is stereotypical, you should turn this into a checklist and take it to your local 'hood or housing projects that's full of Black folk. After this, check out your local/national stats on the crimes committed, disproportionate representations in schools, incarceration rates, etc and see where the bulk of them come from. BAMMM!!!! You got it, from neighborhoods in which these 'stereotypes' reign. ALL of the men I knew dealt with at least 4 of these 'stereotypes' if not all of them (from where I'm from). Yes, these are issues across all races, but if you look at the progress (or lack thereof) of Black folks in this country compared to those whose family lineage only goes back 2-3 generations compared to ours you will see this as a problem. To all of you folks who've never had to seriously deal with the 'violence' and 'ignorance' described in this slideshow, you are truly Blessed. Please don't just bat these problems down just because YOU feel they are irrelevant and 'stereotypical' because they ARE REAL PROBLEMS. @Ken-Ken, you ever wonder why the population of Black folks has remained at about 13%, while others have grown…just a question for another day….hint: abortion rates, Black on Black crime, etc.

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  • ken ken

    i agree with the author very much.. positive people….yes these are not only black issues but this was an article title 10 UNACCEPTABLE CYCLES BLACK PEOPLE HAVE TO CHANGE…..so it was speaking to us as a black community and there is nothing wrong with that since this is a black site…Cosmo mag is not dishing out advice for our community and thats just reality…no matter how educated a person may be or how many degrees hang from their walls they are not excluded from many of these issues…so lets keep it real here ladies.

    I am a black woman who grew up in a home with two parents and had options when it came to my education but this article is a topic that will not get old until the black community rises above many of these issues.

    Its sad that anyone would discredit the author or make a negative comments out of a positive message…we could talk about this 1000 times a day it will never get old. especially if the numbers of people not doing so well in one community ( black community) is higher then those doing well….this is not a third world country and the data and stats for black women and men reflect that of one.

    It is not a stereotype that is being pushed it is reality. I work in social services and the author is not skewing the numbers. About 64.6 percent of african american children are born to single parent homes. Yes there may be a man in the home but marriage is not as on the rise as some may love to believe, divorce and multiple children with different fathers are on a higher wave then those running to the wedding chapel. It is very sad out here for are community on a whole. We have amazing people in our communities and many people trying and moving outside of many of these issues but the reality is many african americans that do become educated begin to remove their selves from these community issues. we dont have to all think the same or have the same level of appreciation for various topics but the basic issues that were mentioned here.. violence, poor health , HIV epidemic, and other issues mentioned need to be tackled by everyone…people use to care about their neighbor , wanted to seem them do well , looked after each other. not anymore. don't get caught up in the hype of elitism. The black community only make up 12.4 percent of the united states. we are a minority and we should and can make better "strides" so that whole blacks have made great strides yes we have but the goal is not achieved so lets keep STRIDING .

    Lets lift each other up with words so that actions may follow …..this article i feel was a positive kudos to the author **

    ** There is always room for growth, lets keep growing as a community **

  • Tired Of Ignorance

    All black people deal with these issues is stereotypical. I agree with Mr Sosa and Ms Esquire. No one is mad at the truth. Just the ignorance displayed. Hilarious and stupid.

  • Mr Sosa from London

    I completely agree with Ms.Esquire in relation to these traits not being synonymous or exclusive to the cycles of those within the black community. The black community to which consists of a diverse group of individuals ranging in lifestyle choices, levels of intellect and overall outlook. It is patronising to suggest all black people share the same concious way of thinking however there are lessons to be learned here from all races as opposed to solely ours as black people.

  • Coley

    Ouch, the truth hurts and you can tell by all the comments from folks fsearching for a way to discredit the author. I'm from Chicago and everyday I see a plethora of examples from this list. Wake up folks and STOP blaming everyone else for the things we create, allow and condone in our communities. We're that only ones who can change us!

  • JAM

    why are blacks so sensitive? its an article people! its article addressing social issues that plague us in life. Even if it's not specifically happening to you doesnt make it less valid or devisive. WAKE UP- blacks are not perfect and it's okay to let go of the false pride that we have overcome it all. We have not and this writer is simply encouraging thought in hopes of inspiring action. The hyper-sensitivity i read from some of these responses to being critiqued is pathetic and paralyzing change. NO ONE IS PICKING ON YOU. Congratulations you got a degree and/or no baby mamas….then the writer is not talkin to you.

    • Caribbean Diva

      SAME words im saying, they need to get over it!

  • Ms1670

    sometimes……the truth hurts. The sooner we get over it and realize that even though we may not want to accept these facts, they are true in a large part of the black commmunity. Let's deal with these issues if we want them to change in order to have better communities

  • J

    This article lost all credibility with me as soon as the author starting advocating TV and particularly Yo Gabba Gabba as good parenting. Seriously? I think TV as the babysitter is one of the biggest problem in kids' development today.

  • Kigali

    Fear of commitment? I dont think so. That man just isnt into you. Getting an education? I have to agree with another poster. Trades schools should be the number option for black people. You are no more ready for the world with a degree in the soft sciences than you would be if you didnt have one. Unless you are going into the medical or science feilds, dont bother. If there is a career path to be had, than exceptions can be made. Raising your own children? When we step away from the, it takes a village, than possibly.

  • LabyB

    The article list things that are true for some black people and families, but Black people have made great strides in this country, and more needs to be focus on that. I have a college degree, and it doesn't guarantee you a job. Remember we are the last one's hired, but first one's fired. We need to be focus on teaching young people on how to create jobs through education.

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