The statistics aren’t new. It has become the norm–more and more households are being led by single mothers. Single mothers trying to make boys into men.
Dig even deeper into the stats and you will notice that more grandmothers are raising and burying their grandsons.
I just recently returned from New Orleans attending the ‘Yes We Care’ rally to cover for The Final Call Newspaper. Story after story after story was shared by grieving mothers and grandmothers who have lost young boys to gunfire in the streets of the Crescent City. One grandmother lost both of her grandsons within a two month span. The stories were unbearable.
Since I’m not one to continously dwell on the problems, let me talk about some SOLUTIONS that are in motion to address these two issues: Gun Violence and Single Mothers Raising Boys.
‘Yes We Care’ was not just a rally that was a ‘feel good’ moment for the cameras but it is an organized and UNIFIED movement of organizations and resources to mobilize in the streets by showing care for those young boys–not with lip service but by offerring them alternatives to drug dealing, violence and gang life. You can visit the website at: http://www.yeswecareno.com
Secondly, New Orleans Nation of Islam student Minister Willie Muhammad is leading men of all faiths and non-faiths, as part of the Peace Keepers program, into the most crime-ridden projects every weekend to engage these young boys instead of ignoring them and acting like the problem doesn’t exist. They are then directing them to resources that will sincerely help them get out of the street life. Every Saturday, for one hour.
Lastly, Deric Muhammad of Houston, is on the verge of releasing a documentary titled ‘Raising Boys: Tips For Single Mothers’. It will also include a book and television program geared towards assisting single mothers and grandmothers around the country who are struggling to raise young boys.
Please watch the trailer below and please share what you think are some solutions to these issues. Let’s BE the change in every way possible.
