When I am reading about how parents are portrayed in the media
I put on my critical lens.
Needless to say, any mention of Black
parents and I have the hawk eye on.
Will Okun’s latest blog post has images of Black folks that you
never see in mainstream media.
In fact the shots could have easily been stills from a Juve Video,
or stills from your cousins photo album.
There were also quotes from students stating what they were greatful for.
Real talk. Go get the kleenex.
?We are not out on the streets but in a house under a roof.? ? I.D.
?My family is getting together for a celebration and not for a tragedy.? – D.S.
?My Aunt Ethel and my grandmother who have stepped in as my parents after my mother died. These two women are so powerful and have so much wisdom. They are all I have.? – R.B. ?I am back in school. It took me a year to realize the streets aren?t everything.? ? L.A.
And finally, one of the MOST powerful ones.
?I met my father this year.? T.E.
I was really taken aback by the image of the teenager,
with her tight turquoise top on, standing diagonal towards the camera,
so as to emphasize her roundess, face full of pride.
The commenter’s were taken aback by her as well.
The tone of your entries make me sad, Mr. Okun.
You silently condone into every community and self-destructive action by these students since you are afraid of seeming racist, judgemental or both.
So you don?t say a word when a young girl gets pregnant. In fact, you posted a picture in this entry of a pregnant girl who couldn?t be more than 15.
Keep tiptoeing around that giant, self-destructive elephant in the room – your idealism is not manifesting itself in any meaningful action. And by idealism, I mean the vague notion you have of saving black folks from themselves.
? Posted by Dale S.
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Notice how old boy started of his comment with how HE felt.
You noticed how the comments by the students were joyful, thankful,
reflective and appreciative.
I found this to be interesting because it reminds me of gangster rap
debate, which revolves around the notion of at what point is
depicting something, artistically condoning and perpetuating it.
And furthermore, WHOSE interests are being served by the mere
existence of such music, and for that matter THESE PHOTO’S
that are appearing in The Times.
Oh, here is another comment.
Dale S., Will Okun made it clear in an earlier column that he is angry, saddened, and horrified by teenage pregnancy.
? Posted by kaleberg
I can see angry, saddened or even disappointed.
BUT HORRIFIED. Why should someone be HORRIFIED by a
Black Teenager that his pregnant?
Teenagers Black, White, Latino, Asian, have been getting
pregnant since er, forever.
Teenagers have been having sex since forever.
And prior to the recent advent of “The Pill”, horrible abortion
procedures killed us, or we dropped out of school, moved to
our aunts house in another state had our babies, who were
then left to be raised by an aunt, uncle, god mother.
=======
=======
Why the rage towards Black teen mothers?
=======
=======
Why the rage towards Black teen mothers?
****
I actually had a long, “moniker”-like diatribe answering your question, but perhaps it’s better for me to simply ask:
“What do you think should be the alternative?”
my issue is how we’re constantly embracing and justifying and coddling the pregnancy of white teens and white women who have kids out of wedlock.
if teen parenthood/single motherhood is a sign of a lack of values, morals, etc. then it doesn’t seem to apply to all women.
We practically showcase white women who are single mothers as being “independent” or “victims” or we pretend it never happens at all. but a trip to the the Unemployment Office in any city will show otherwise.
We accept, almost expect black and hispanic women and young girls to be pregnant. When a white girl/woman does it, it’s news. it’s as if we’re saying, “what went wrong here?”
for example: Tom Brady, 3 time Super Bowl MVP QB got a woman pregnant, left her during her pregnancy for a supermodel. No one criticizes either white woman involved or Tom for ditching out.
By the way: Britney is a bad example because she’s so over-the-top in her behavior, but then again, when you’re a white female, you almost have to be be just to receive the same criticism that black females receive.
“What do you think should be the alternative?”
==========
Compassion.
And a perception that it isn’t the end of the world.
Lol @ Stephen.
I’m going to actually keep it short.
Why?
Because people see it as the root of the bigger issue facing the black community.
I think the hate that Black teen mothers receive is part of an overall campaign against Black people procreating. The powers that be don’t want us breeding, period.
Think about it. Blacks constitute roughly 12% of the total population in the U.S. and look at the stranglehold on popular culture we have. Just imagine if there were more of us…
Why?
Because people see it as the root of the bigger issue facing the black community.
****
I can vibe with that.
Why?
Because people see it as the root of the bigger issue facing the black community.
****
I can vibe with that.
========
Man.
F*ck that neo con bullsh*t.
Do YOU actually believe that a Nuclear family is the ONLY kind of family?
And blood. Please believe. I know you relatively well, so I say this taking what I know about you into consideration.
from a socio economic standpoint teenage mother’s don’t fare well statistically. Under educated, usually equals under employed, which can create a less stable foundation for children who then become under educated and under employed. It’s a vicious cycle.
there are always exceptions to the rule, my aunt who had her first child at 16, got her GED, Under Grad and Law Degree while on welfare, but those stories usually noted when talk of teen age mothers comes around.
AJ…
My latest obsession is High Achieving Low income folks.
Trill talk.
There are so many of us out there….just straight grinding and defying statistics.