"Let’s Start At The Root As A Preventive Program."

 

I had the opportunity to attend the NBBAN National Conference. This stands for National Black Bail Agent Network. The keynote speaker was Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney, Jr. from South Carolina, who was the state’s first black elected to the position of Chief Justice of the State Supreme Courts, since Reconstruction. Finney, who retired from the state Supreme Court in 2000, is certainly from the old school started his speak about what it was like back in the days after graduating from law school in 1954. Later covered issue about the responsibility of the black bail agent dealing with today’s youth and how many can avoid being a repeat offender with a little more guidance.

Finney stated, “one day a young black man came into my office with his pants hanging down to his waistline with underwear showing.” He ask the youth “where are you going?” the young man said he was on his way to court. Finney went on to tell the young man “you need to put on some decent clothing before attending court.” Finney’s speech at that time reminded me of a Bail Bondsman in Raleigh, North Carolina area by the name of George Latham. George who is the owner of First N' Freedom Bail Bond, when having to deal with troubled youth take the time to give them a good tong lashing for doing stupid things that landed them within the county jail in the first place. He clearly understands it’s a critical problem with more than 9,400 prisoners serving life prison terms for crimes committed before the age of 18, of which more than 2,225 were serving life without parole. Of those, 16 percent were between 13 and 15 years old at the time they committed the crimes for which they were convicted.

I’m seeing more people that have a voice finally speak out on how today’s youth need to straighten up their act.  I watched an episodes on TV ONE - Sharp Talk with Al Sharpton and viewed the Reverend Sharpton talking to young men in the music industry about how some singers in the past like James Brown use to write and sing songs with meaning for example “I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

In this generation, some Artist in the Hip-Hop/Rap industry tend to call each other the N word, glorify selling drugs, or hurting or else killing their fellow man. I also witness a proud moment when Diana Ross spoke out on the 2007 BET Awards about you don’t have to use the F word or sing about “Pop, Lock and Drop It” in orders to have a lasting music career. Finally the NAACP is embracing the same example.

This is no longer a private family matter. We as People must address the difficult problem in every aspect. Starting from business, churches, and schools to health care, government and the media. By dealing with this issue honestly, all of our US citizens will benefit.

Read more about resolving the problem…

  

 

 

 

Steps To Saving Our Children Starts At The Beginning.

 

Over the last decade, scores of young children have been handcuffed, arrested, shoved into patrol cars, fingerprinted, jailed and convicted of crimes stemming from incidents as trivial as temper tantrums in kindergarten, schoolyard fights or setting off a fire alarm – which once would have warranted a trip to the principal’s office at worst. Now a six year old’s temper tantrum can bring felony charges. Oftentimes, the children’s two writs are small enough to fit into a single handcuff.

To better deal with the social issue of saving our future children, here are some suggestions to start at the root of the problem.

Neighborhoods, Communities of Faith, Social Organizations can develop a pool of volunteers to visit local hospitals to provide support, information and encouragement to new parents at the time of their baby’s birth. A directory can be created of existing local agencies that provide support and/or training for the single parent and covering subject such as anger management to plans for the future.  Support material can be handed out or left in waiting room of nurseries and at parent functions at schools. Hospitals should provide childbirth education courses that are available for the mother, father or guardian.

Communities of faith and community organizations could provide parenting classes where older parents can serve as mentors for new, young or at-risk parents covering all stages of parenting, from pregnancy to sending kids off to college. They could also organize a retreat to talk about their experiences and support each other.

Local School officials could work with counselors, social workers and PTAs to form a support network for parents with special challenges, such as single mothers or fathers who are still in high school. Community Leaders, which is the most basic institutions that need to positively influence children in American, can emphasize the role of the mother, father or guardian.

When it comes to Business, research shows that employees that work for companies that have more family friendly policies tend to have more productive workers.

Media Institutions should spotlight exceptional children that are doing well in society more in the low-income family range, which will encourage those who feel there is no hope to do better.

Story by Merle Adams