African American Youth and Positive Youth Development
Article by Breonni Sawyer
Description: African American youth have a difficult time pursuing Positive Youth Development for various reasons. African American youth’s cultural values are very different from other cultures. Education in the African American community is not thought of as important. Because education is not stressed, more than half of African American families live below the poverty threshold. In the African American community many children don’t have a stable home life. Many live in fatherless homes and the role of each family member is ambiguous. In the community, many African American youth like to feel a sense of belongingness, so many join gangs for acceptance and protection. Cultural connectedness is also a prohibiting factor of PYD. African American youth attribute articulation, intelligence and stability to ‘acting white’. I believe these stereotypes come from slavery. Caucasian people did not allow the African Americans to be educated. Even as time went on, African Americans received sub-par educations. I believe in creating programs where youth are leaders. When selecting the committee of student leaders, we should appoint youth of different cultures. I also believe we should have semi-annual multi-cultural fairs at the local recreation parks. At these fairs, many cultures should be represented equally. The leaders from each culture should speak on their culture for two minutes and prepare some authentic cuisine. The way to advertise these fairs would be by flyers. We can also offer a credit for World Studies to promote attendance. These fairs will broaden their horizons, and in doing so, they can meet new people. The purpose would be to notify youth that there are other interesting cultures besides their own.
Contact Person: Cindy J Liberton
Funding for Academic Year: 2008-09