Abortion is the number one killer of black lives in America. It has killed more Black lives than AIDS, Cancer, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and even the entire Vietnam War, but no one speaks out about this. Alcoholism, drug addiction, child abuse, and molestation plague the Black community, but no one speaks out about this. 70% of African American women are single, and 42% have never married. This means 70% of African American women are left alone and unprotected, and 70% of Black children grow up without fathers. Contrary to popular belief, fathers provide more to the household than just money. They provide financial stability, yes, but also protection, leadership, and guidance for our children.
In fact, the state of the black man and woman relationship is worse today than it was over 50 years ago (and even during slavery. We were more communal as a people during slavery than we are today). In the 1960s, 40% of Blacks had their own businesses and 87% of black families were two-parent. Today, less than 7% of blacks own their own business and only 25% of black families are two-parent. But, no one talks about this. However, African Americans have been told over and over again what the problems are so this post is really not about that. This is not just about Slavery, Jim Crow, and Discrimination. This is about the revolution of self.
The African American community is in a state of spiritual crisis. As a community of people, we continue to fight for change that never comes. We continue to vote in an attempt to change our political clout. We continue to march, speak, and debate about the many changes necessary in this world, from education to discrimination and from discrimination to gender equality. But while we seek to change everything around us, we have yet to seek to change ourselves. We know what our problems are, but what we need at this point are solutions. Solutions that are deeper than government-funded organizations, protest marches, and ballot boxes. People cannot change anything around them if they cannot first change what is inside them, no matter their color.
In the words of the African Proverb, “When there is no enemy within, the enemy outside cannot hurt you.” Freedom is deeper than social economics. Freedom is spiritual and spiritual freedom begins inside the individual. To change the way that we live, we must first change the way that we think. Otherwise, if we continue to depend on outside sources to change our current conditions, we will be marching for the next 50 years while our sons’ blood cries out to us from the ground.
The PBS Blog 
As a black woman, this was an eye opener. Thanks for sharing this information with me.
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You’re welcome hun.
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Thank you for opening my eyes wide.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I think the whole world is in a spiritual crisis. It’s so hard to know where to start – but the future probably lies in the education of the next generation.
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I think so too. Well said.
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Everything is in a crisis. Unfortunately these clinics pop up where they think they’re needed, in low income, urban areas. These places are where there’s an instability in the home. Whatever changed over the course of the years to break down the family unit is definitely something to explore, but it won’t change the turmoil we face today Unless something is done to stop it. Thank you for sharing this.
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Planned Parenthood clinics pop up in black communities deliberately and strategically. Its just part of the history. From the eugenics movement to the Negro project. You’re right in that something needs to be done and I believe the first thing that’s needed is discussions. People need to start talking about it and being real about the tragedies plaguing the world yes, but most especially the black community.
As for the family unit, I believe that’s another conversation in itself that need more attention as well. Its an issue of role reversal and a misunderstanding of what a healthy relationship consists of.
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I agree. I just hope enough attention can be paid to these issues to resolve some of the fundamental core problems before the rest can be fixed. It’s like putting a bandaid on a broken bone.
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Yup. Can’t change those things around, until there are changes within.
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I totally agree with this post and bravo for writing it. I always say if black people feel black lives really matter in our communities we would stop leaving our children un-fathered, dis- suspecting our women in music/media and take time to volunteer/serve with our youth BEFORE injustice happens not once stuff hits the fan. But we dont really wanna change ourselves— we just want someone else to do it.
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Indeed, well said. Thank you Maya for leaving a comment on the table.
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*dis-respecting
Thank you for putting this much needed topic out there!!
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Well said. Great way to stay “woke” and to waking others up. The story of Margret Sanger is phenomenally unknown. Every time I speak to the younger generation they have absolutely no clue to who she is. The media is now keeping these kids in the dark. I keep telling them knowledge will not come knocking on doors or fall into your lap. Wake up and search for it. Amazing to find other black women who are as awake as I am.
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As the quote says, “In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.” Thanks for leaving a comment on the table and following the blog, yaass.
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