all too often our mentors for black youth are well-meaning white mentors who make a botch of things in the relationship with their black youth because they do not understand how to truly be a mentor for black youth. The sad fact is, many of these deficiencies are also observed in black mentors of black youth. This analysis will now address some of the most challenging aspects of mentoring that must be brought into the light of common sense and ration. One of the biggest challenges facing mentors of black youth is attitude. Whether the mentor is black or white, many mentors approach the situation as if the child should be immediately thankful and embrace the experience open-armed with appreciation. Yet, few of us make relationships where we are immediately appreciative and open-armed with acceptance for the new friend or guide. In excerpts from Willie Lynch – The Making of a Slave, incidents and conditions in Paris Texas appear to mirror the kinds of images written about over 200 years ago. … The Black slaves after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self refueling and self generating for hundreds of years, maybe thousands. Don't forget you must pitch the OLD black Male vs. the YOUNG black Male, and the YOUNG black Male against the OLD black male. You must use the DARK skin slaves vs. the LIGHT skin slaves, and the LIGHT skin slaves vs. the DARK skin slaves. You must use the FEMALE vs. the MALE. And the MALE vs. the FEMALE.
You must also have you white servants and over- seers distrust all Blacks. But it is NECESSARY THAT YOUR SLAVES TRUST AND DEPEND ON US. THEY MUST LOVE, RESPECT AND TRUST ONLY US ...
Evidence in the 14-year old’s case lends credibility to the modern day lynching going on with our Black youth at the hands of “safe” Negroes who have sold their souls to the master for crumbs and a few pieces of silver. According to Cherry, Michael Johnson, one Black teacher, even turned the 14-year olds words around making it seem as though the girl would do something bad to the school. Althea Dixon, another Black educator from the Paris District, never met Cotton, but testified during the sentencing phase in favor of having the 14-year old removed from the home.
Black preachers in Paris and Lamar County were neither outraged nor concerned about the way African-American youth are being persecuted and sent off. None of those so-called men of God raised Bibles, fists of defiance or demanded justice. Not one pastor even showed up at the trial or made any statement on behalf of the Black community.
Also at issue is the stiff penalty and intimidation Black face for speaking out in Paris. Officials are all but using the same principles used during Jim Crow to terrorize Black folk and scare them into a quiet state of fear and fright.
Cherry also believes that Cotton is a victim of a new Jim Crow system intimidating young Blacks and telling grown Blacks in the county to be good “Negroes” or else. “The message here is simple. Negroes don’t complain or question us or this is what will happen to you,” she said. “They want to get to us by going after our children.”
According to Cotton and Cherry, years of documentation, tapes and materials reveal how Paris school and police officials attempt to justify the harassment, pushing, beating, stopping and threatening of Black youth and harassing adults on a regular basis. “We need help here. We are being hurt here by the racist action of whites and the do nothing attitude of Blacks,” Cherry said. “Our children have no rights, no voice and will continue to be put down because Black pastors, leaders and community are sitting on its hands and helping white folks throw away our kids.”
Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Wednesday, September 22nd 2010 at 6:47PM
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