Urbain Chains

Milkhais Haile

Eng4 “Even Odds” response

8/26/2013

The three part story “Even Odds” by Jill Tucker brought to attention the heartbreaking realities of our African American youth in Oakland. Her data and stories aren't at all surprising to anyone from the Bay Area or with access to local news. She was able to give the much needed understanding of why things are the way that they are. Why we can’t go a day without seeing an African American mother crying on television for her murdered child. She challenged us with the harsh reality and provoked us to step up and do something about it. Her story showed that it isn’t too late to address the issue like the men and woman in her story did.

I’m a firm believer that the choices we make are what make us. Everyday we are faced with choices and our answers are the building blocks of our identity. But in the case of the millions of Black youth represented by Olajuwon their choices were stripped from them by their harsh realities. They didn't choose to be born in a city where the number of their African American peers to graduate high school eligible to attend a UC or a CSU are identical to those who will be murdered.

I found the comparison of the African American youth with 19th century American  slaves in part two mind blowing. Reading the students relate to "The Making of a Slave"by slave owner Willie Lynchn was even more shocking. His strategy was to “pit slaves against each other - the light-skinned slaves against dark-skinned slaves; female versus male; old versus young.” Jill continued to record a student say “‘It's black on black,’ he said, bridging the 19th century to the violence he sees in his own life” This couldn't have been more accurate. How can we expect our Black man to make the right choices while they are enslaved. Even worse, they are born into a society that has equipped them with 21st century shackles to enslave one another.

I believe its the obligation of every American to change the social reality of this youth and give them a choice. Supporting organizations in this communities funding programs such as Manhood Development Program is key.