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Mailman School
of Public Health
Columbia University
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Nurturing young black males: Challenges to agencies, programs, and social policy Ronald B. Mincy, Editor African-American juvenile arrests for drug abuse almost tripled from 1960 to 1990. Ten times more African Americans were arrested than were white males - suggesting a crisis among young African-American males. Asserting that a positive self-identification for African-American men is based on values, family, and an emotional and spiritual integrity that connects with cultural history, the authors describe youth development programs that target these young men. They also evaluate major community service organizations in the United States for their capacity to provide educational, economic, criminal justice, and health services to young African-American men. Afrocentrism can be used to connect young men to rites of passage, spirituality, and a sense of empowerment, both personally and in the community. Structured activities in the community can foster positive outcomes. These include health initiatives, mentoring programs, and career preparation that involves parents and African-American and other men. Programs should emphasize development and empowerment instead of deterrence. They should be assessed on the extent to which program staff relate to African-American young men. The authors explore the implications of a national policy for African- American youth and the complex relationship between youth policy, community, and government.
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Disclaimer Free To Grow is a national program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University. |