I spent a lot of time with black people when I was growing up. The older generations were characterized by deep religious beliefs that emparted to them a quiet dignity. That, coupled with a willingness to fight injustice without recourse to violence lent the causes for which they struggled a nobility no found amongst those of baser passions. THey had nothing, and wanted a level playing field and equality of opportunity. Not handouts, but good jobs with equal pay.
Making a career in education for the last three decades, I've had the opportunity to work with two generations of black children. While the old ways can still be found, there have been some profound changes over that time. The old dignity isn't as prevalent as it was in the past. It's still there, but it is drowned out by the voices of a new ethos, characterized by drugs, violence, crudeness, sexual promiscuity, the basest and most socially destructive forms of music, contempt for intellectualism in all its forms, and contempt for all other ethnic groups. A new form of racism has also developed, which is seen as politically correct and is defended by many of our "intellectual elite."
A sea change....
As a lady friend said to me awhile back; "The Devil is after our kids." Many despair of being able to save the younger generations, to bring them back to the elder ethos. They would love to muzzle racial demagogues such as Farrakhan and Wright...just to end the negative influence those charlatans have over their children and grandchildren.
Perhaps I'm rambling. I know I don't have any solutions to offer...and blacks concerned about the problems just mention don't seem to be able to come to grips with them either. They need our help and sympathy; not elitist arguments that attempt to white-wash or make excuses for the violence, the drugs, and the new racism.
