Is the Black Boy Child Prone to Prison in America?

-


As a mother, I wake with a start. I realize I’m subconsciously praying for my boys. Praying for my boys in hypnopompic – the stage between sleep and wakefulness. Praying.

The Black Boy Child (BBC) in America faces a unique set of hurdles – life and the quality of life.

He may escape with breath in his lungs, but he’s restricted on where to breathe.

Temptations and trials magnify in middle school and college; alcohol, drugs and sex spin a rope so strong that he easily gets trapped unable to shake the braids loose. Decisions made mold the road ahead.
A permissive society compounds the situation. The muscle for restraint and delayed gratification is challenged.

“You are free to do as you wish as long as it doesn’t harm others” – a questionable stand but one that many young people live by.

Parent’s desire to hover, guard, sneak around, investigate and literally paralyze a child is strong. Bad habits lurk in every corner waiting for an unguarded moment to pounce, lure and take hold.

Keep them in the house – the internet beckons the curious teenage mind. Allow freedom of the outdoors – odd friendships creep in. It’s a losing battle – it feels that way.

Profanities spew like broken cisterns; clothes are restrictive on and off television. Sensitivity and decency are seared.

King David’s question in Psalms 119: 9 stands: How does a young man keep his way pure? The struggle to hide God’s word in the heart intensifies.

Conservative societies like Uganda do not have it any easier. Children are exposed to adult themes in constricted living quarters. Uncles take advantage of young girls. Profanity is at par with modernity and the cool western lifestyle.

The scenarios are countless, parents are concerned the world over but the case for the Black Boy Child ending up in prison seats heavy in America. Three strikes and you’re out.

What do parents do?

Is the Black Boy Child Prone to Prison?

These questions linger.

Comments

Post a Comment

Hey! Thanks for dropping by :-)

Popular posts from this blog

Kitante Primary School Circa the 1980's

-
Image
In memory of A.D Ssozi the former headmaster of Kitante Primary School who breathed his last on March 19th 2014 at 5:45pm in Texas. He was 81 years old. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Kitante Primary School Emblem: Child between two parents Kitante Primary School anthem: "There's a school near the museum by the road side,   Oh come to the school of the world  No school is so dear to your child   Kitante is the best in the world.  Oh come come come come  Come to the school by the road side  Oh come to the school of the world  No school is so dear to your child  Kitante is the best in the world " The children sang loud when it came to the chorus:  "Oh come come come come COME to the school by the road side " - even those who didn't know the song well knew this part. School prayer: "Look at me Oh God As my heart silent all To you all I turn For all the sins that I have committed I beg to be forgiven Where I have been good I ask to be encour
Read more

The Peeping Petticoat

-
Image
Petticoats! Remember them? If you landed on this planet after the 90's you'll probably wonder what I refer to and no! it is not some fancy coat worn on top of a boob tube. Petticoats or half-slips are little nylon skirts worn as undergarments. Sound like the dark ages? Yeah, like who would wear extra clothes in the African heat? Probably explains why they were made of nylon and light cotton material. It was an essential item on every school girls shopping list next to Always and Vaseline. These skirts were everywhere; in suitcases, hanging up on a bathroom peg, sometimes they showed up on the clothes line outside; black and white - the two most preferred colors. We giggled when girls in primary six and seven begun to wear them - they were mature, things we studied in biology were taking place in their bodies.  Woe unto you if the elastic around the waist came loose or the lace on the hem came undone. It wasn't any of our business but when those little skirts pe
Read more

Uganda Television shows in the 80's

-
Image
When I have time to twiddle my fingers my mind goes into flash back mode--to my childhood. These particular memories get tickled when I have to seriously screen and re screen what Mich watches.  Gone are the days when the mere mention of cartoon sufficed--when you knew that it was something for the kids to watch and it was safe. This is where my love for UTV (Uganda Television) back in the 80’s gets rekindled. I would rush home from school to watch “ Clue Club ” “ Blue Falcon and Dog Wonder ” and “ Scooby doo ”, any body identify? Ok, what about Electric Company and Sesame Street ? Yeah, I knew that would be more familiar. There was even a time I thought if I happened to land in Germany I would find my way “ Pappenheimer ” taught us basic German phrases. Then when the tapes were over and UTV had overly repeated them and finally got ashamed they brought “ Peter and His Toy Box ”. Oh! that was fun, he showed us how things like rubber, glass, and wood were manufactured and used (imagine,
Read more