Is It Time for A Black Men’s Movement?
By Phillip Jackson
When we talk about the violence in our communities, we have to ask, “Where are the Black men?” When it is time to take responsibility for the education of Black children, we have to ask, “Where are the Black men?” When it is time to raise little boys into strong, positive men, we must ask, “Where are the Black men?” And when it is time to prepare our communities for the globalization that threatens to eliminate our communities from cities across the country, our children scream out to us, “Where are the Black Men?”
There are some great Black fathers, husbands, community leaders, mentors, businessmen, men of God and generally good guys in the Black community. But my question is this: When the blood of Black children is literally running in the streets, where are those Black men? Where is the Black men’s movement that can revitalize the Black community? The answer: It is nowhere!
Black men must re-define what it means to be a Black man.
- Real men nurture their children
- Real men educate their children
- Real men mentor children not their own
- Real men provide security for their families
- Real men build their community
- Real men create jobs and control the economic destiny of their community
- Real men ensure the safety of their community
- Real men organize to solve problems in their community
- Real men take care of the elders in their community
The Three Essential and Dynamic Principles for Black Men:
1) Black men must become the catalytic force in rebuilding the Black family. By rebuilding the Black family, you rebuild the Black community. Everything that is important to life flows through the Black family – education, economics, spiritual values, resistance to violence, character, reverence for our elders and more. In fact, it flows through all families, through any family. That is how nature and society is made.
2) Black men must take control of the education of Black children – formal and informal. They must set high standards and become the teachers of the knowledge and principles that will cause the Black community to survive and thrive into the 21st century. There is absolutely a place for government, Black women and people of other races in this effort, but Black men must take the lead for it to impress Black boys.
3) Black men must create and control a new sub-economy in the Black community. In 2008, the whole world is hustling except the Black community. Sure, there are a few Black billionaires, but they do not teach young Black boys how to get off of corners selling drugs or how to hustle goods and services legitimately in our communities. They don’t teach them to open up stores, to start business or to hire their relatives. The Black community is a community that has forgotten how to hustle legit! The Black community is being hustled. Black people beg for others to give Black children jobs but for the most part, we do not work to create jobs for our children.
In the Black community, the harvest of young Black boys is plentiful but the laborers of Black men committed to working with them are few.
We need black men! Women! Please pass this on to a strong, positive Black man.
- Phillip Jackson
- Executive Director
- The Black Star Project
- 773.285.9600
Black Men In America 
May 27, 2008 at 1:48, pm
I respect your opinion of what you think a black man should be. However reader be reminded it is just an opinion.
June 13, 2008 at 7:21, pm
Black, White, Red, Green… don’t forget that Obama is half white! Nevertheless, it is time not to see a “man” through his color rather through his convictions! This country is the “United” States of America and is the only place on this “green” earth that every color with conviction has an opportunity. So… why don’t you get off your soap box and start a “United” movement of truth and conviction and not on color!
June 21, 2008 at 9:52, am
In the “United” States, in the Justice System is “Just Us”! There are more Black men in prison in the United States than in all 185 other countries in the world combined. Are you working to change that. I am. If you are a “good” American, you would be working to change that. You would be teaching Black boys how to read; teaching Black boys to respect Black girls and women; teaching Black boys how to work and become entrepreneurs; teaching Black boys to build and revitalize their communities. That is what you would do if you were a good American. I am a good American. I want this country to be better. I will work to make it better. Please join me. What is wrong with making Black men equal? Because right now they are not and you seem to be content with that. I am not. We need a movement of Black men.
January 18, 2009 at 7:54, pm
Black men need to realize that it’s either now or never. Whether if Obama won the election or not you are responsible for YOUR actions and YOU alone. The examples you’ve left behind for someone else to sort through to find clarity, sadly becomes another perpetual cycle of misguided choices and detrimental consequences. Black women are tired of the excuses, and embarrassment of supporting unchanging men. The hardest fight in your life is when you stop trying to rise above where you are.
January 2, 2011 at 3:56, am
Sorry, I’m not buying it. While it is true that their does exist men in the Black community who could use a serious overhaul, we have PLENTY who are doing just fine. Ironically, those Black men who are stellar are more disrespected and disregarded than the men who could use improvement. When Black women are attacking our men who are progressing, and welcoming less than desired Black men with open arms…we have a SERIOUS problem. I’m not buying into the idea that has been sold and told over, and over and over that Black men need to do this…Black men need to do that. It sounds like nothing more than the same “Black man” bullshyt. When I see Black women responding to Black men who are stepping into their roles, I will give this some consideration. Unfortunately, I’m surrounded by Black women with graduate degrees whose husbands who are ex-cons and look like they are members of the bloods and crips..and with Black women continuing to define Black men as thugs, players and gangsters…this bullshyt isn’t going anywhere. Until our women are worth fighting and building something for…I’m cool over here.
September 22, 2011 at 11:41, am
Luca De Beau, your comments are right on target. All the talk about what a blackman needs to do or what he’s doing wrong, is just a bunch of bullshyt handed down from generation to generations, starting back in kunta kinte days. I’m tired of hearing it. What we need to do is position ourselves into key positions to help each other out, “for example, human resources, business owner, recruiter, law enforcement, or any legal field, etc”. We nee to act now because Black Afro American’s future in America is very shaky. We just can’t up an leave, where will we go.
December 4, 2012 at 10:40, am
From your title I thought you were going to say something else, but when I read I was pleased, especially since I just finished debating some rude people on the fact that Black men or women should not be divided. But I feel your idea of a Black male movement is very positive, and doesn’t disengage the need for us to still be together, even if we’re dealing with our individual issues.
August 2, 2013 at 2:23, am
Philip thank you for sharing your passion about the state of Black Men. Everything you said is true for those Black men who are living now and have lived most of their lives without a father. My son grew up without his dad, i did all i can as a mom to guide, teach, set examples and create a positive home environment. But yet my son still went in the opposite direction. He struggles as a man at the age of 23. He asks me where are the men. He has asked this on many occasions and i have no answer. I pray that he can find someone he can respect,look up too and take advise from. it is hard as a mom to see a child struggle and have no solution.
Please understand i do agree that a man of any color can step in and take action. A man of any color can be a positive influence, but there still is not enough reaching out to build another man up. Instead they are waiting for someone else to do it- Many feel if i can do it so can you. Unfortunately that is not always true. I believe people (not just men) give up too easy and do not want to deal with problems that will add to theirs.
There are other facets that make people hesitate to get involved such as violence/safety. Neighbors aren’t neighbors anymore, people keep to themselves.
I also agree that those in need must be willing to be teachable. It does go both ways. To help another takes heart, skill and will. Because it is not always an easy task to help someone that seems so far out of reach.
The question is how do you re-fine the black man? What method can be used to reach a larger amount of young men? especially between the ages of 17-25? There is a big lack of support for this age group.
August 21, 2014 at 11:54, am
It is clear that several respondents took this message personally…….that is unfortunate and speaks volume as to why we find ourselves in this predicament. This message is written for the “progressive” brother out there trying to find his way…..seeking validation for himself rather than looking at the “Big Picture”. If you are truly a strong black brother out here making it happen, your success should speak for itself…….you should not need validation from black women to feel good about who you are and what you’re doing.