Separation

Living in a class apart: The separate world of America's Black elite

As Graham discusses in his article, elite Black families can be traced back almost 400 years ago to a time when slavery began in our country with the distinction between house slaves and field slaves.  Just by proximity to their master’s home, the house slaves had more access to better food, clothing, work conditions and, to some extent, an “unofficial” education.  This distinction between types of work soon evolved into a distinction between color – light vs. dark.  As the lighter-skinned slaves were placed in the slave owner’s home, the world of the Black American became increasingly separate.  As I read the article and began to think about the impact of the issues Graham raises, I realized that by being White, I would not be able to fully discuss the impact of the issues on African Americans today.  I can however speak to comments that my Black friends make on this subject which confirm that the impact still exists for African Americans today.

 

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

In Offner’s article, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, he explains that there is something new happening within the African-American community…black women advancing, while black men are falling further and further behind.  He also mentions that this is a subject black leaders steer clear of.  When I read this, I wondered why?  There is much evidence to support this widening gap.  Some of it is based on the history of matriarchal Black society where mothers made sure that if any of their children were to receive a higher education, it would be their daughters, thus sparing them from a lifetime of domestic work.  While women were moving in a new and positive direction, men continued to earn less.  And, in fact, by 1980 there was good cause that it was the Black male who needed assistance, not the Black female.  Additionally, there is also evidence of the demonization of young Black males, stricter policies related to their antisocial behavior, and increased incarceration rates, all of which contribute to reduce college enrollment rates for young Black men.  Another factor is our current government policy on welfare assistance.  Mothers on welfare receive assistance to attend, while fathers typically not on welfare receive no assistance in this area.  Going back to my question of why Black leaders step away from addressing this problem head on, I can’t help but wonder if because it is so big that they are stumped over where the best starting point is.  I agree with Offner that a plan to increase the rate of college attendance among African-American men would be a good place to start.  However, even that small piece is complex in and of itself. 

 

Successful women who are childless

In Raspberry’s article on Successful women who are childless, he states that 29% of the African-American women between 28-55 years of age and earning over $55,000 a year are married.  Additionally in this article, Raspberry discusses Cornel West’s findings that the ratio of Black men to Black women Harvard college students has changed from close to even in 1970, as compared to close to 9:1 today. In Franklin's article, he discusses the strength of the Black family and its ability to survive slavery, legal segregation, discrimination, as well as enforced poverty.  Eventually though hostile societal and governmental practices, policies and attitudes weakened the strong family structure that had endured adversity for generations.  In comparing these two articles, the common thread is the breakdown of the African-American family.  It appears that today and in the future, greater numbers of women will attain higher education, earn increased incomes and hold leadership positions all while remaining childless.  And, the idea that Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon raises is a valid one.  That people without children are more individualistic in nature, therefore the stake in a collective future is weakened.  And, as Glendon asks, “Will this affect our goals and values?”  (Raspberry, 2002).

Plight Deepens for Black Men, Studies Warn

In Eckholm’s article on the plight of Black men, he discusses that this problem has deepened in the past two decades due to the continued disconnect from mainstream society as high school graduation is becoming the exception, “real” work is more scarce than ever, and prison is often a given.  Eckholm also supports the idea that women on welfare have been able to enjoy the benefit of support for additional education and improved living status, while young Black men continue to fall further behind.  Harry Holzer and colleagues describe two factors for keeping Black employment rates down.  First is the high rate of incarceration and the increase in former offenders returning to neighborhoods.  The second is related to what most would view as an otherwise successful policy – stricter enforcement of child support payments.  With this improved system for collecting money from absent fathers, these young men can feel overwhelmed and deterred from seeking legal employment since most of their earnings could be held to pay due child support.

Bring Me Home A Black Girl

In Edwards’ article, “annihilation through integration” means the weakening of the Black community and its economic resources. This idea relates to the Black marriageability index today with the increase in interracial marriages.  Both the McLarin and Evans articles describe situations that could have implications for the marriageability index among African-Americans.  The woman in McLarin’s article struggles with finding a partner with the same interests, etc. within her own race; however, finding a partner who is White, shares similar interests, but does not understand or have the ability to relate to her own culture that is so important and relevant in her own life.  Situations such as this could negatively impact the Black marriageability index.  Somewhat to the contrary, the Evans article discusses the idea of appreciating one’s culture, one’s self, and be accepting of one’s own race.  With this in mind, there is the encouragement to marry within race and therefore strengthening the Black marriageability index.