[The Original Ape]

We can discuss this until we're all blue in the face.

Each African-American male has to accept this responsibility COLLECTIVELY, not individually. I say this because most of the problems we face as a people exist because we've lost the desire, the will, and the obligation to think, act, and feel COLLECTIVELY. We've lost THE PRIDE we use to have in being African-American. Most people today don't even want to view themselves as coming from the culture of their forefathers. They define themselves differently, and individually.

We are viewed by every group of people in this country as a beast, a threat to society; and this American society has gone as far as to employ "the law" in trying to get rid of us. "Black" men in positions of authority will gladly flex that authority against one of us just to show his european-american counterpart that he can be trusted, that he is a "different" kind of niggah. Black law enforcement officers use extreme measures when arresting one of us. Black attorneys take longer lunch breaks when defending us. Black judges, well, read what I've just said. They give us longer, harder sentences to make an example out of us. Even our women use the system against. We trust them with our troubled past; and the minute they get mad at us, they make that call that gets us cuffed. There's a host of other examples of how the system is inherently against African-American males, but I won't go farther. I just hope yall suck on this long enough to taste it before you discard it.

The only way to change those numbers you mention is for us to get out on the streets, go to the schools, and talk with brothas that want to listen. They need to read the article you presented here. It might change a mind or two.

Looking back on history, when the women felt pushed as a group, they began pushing back AS A GROUP. Look at 'em now! Well, we've got to do the same thang. We have to organize ourselves first; then start pushing back.