Study: Racial pride can help protect young Black and Latino men

[sheshe2]

In the wake of the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012, President Obama launched an initiative called My Brother’s Keeper to send the message the lives of young men of color matter.

One of the key ways to help Black and Latino young men thrive is through racial pride. This may sound counterintuitive in a world in which a majority of young people in a recent poll said they thought their generation was “post-racial.” Our research with young men leaving jail and returning home suggests just the opposite, that embracing racial and ethnic pride can really matter in ways that can help these young men protect themselves.

Based on our research in New York City jails in the last 15 years, we’ve found that workshops that focus on “racial pride” – teaching about historical antecedents to contemporary movements like #Black Lives Matter – offers a powerful shield against the discriminatory policies that result in the mass incarceration of black and brown bodies.

What we, and a team of colleagues, offered was a 30-hour educational program that served as a bridge between the young men’s time in jail and their return home. The eight sessions focused on a range of topics, including the political economy of the drug war, gender and sexual relationships, and a session on racial and ethnic pride called, “My people, my pride/ Mi gente, mi orgulla.” Half of the 552 people in the 5-year study participated in the educational program, and the other half got the usual discharge plan from jail. The focus on these young men, in particular, was driven by the complex intersections of masculinity, race, criminal justice status, and health.

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Read More http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2015/05/19/study-racial-pride-can-help-protect-young-black-and-latino-men/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+racismreview%2FnYnz+%28racismreview.com%29

[guillaumeb]

1. That is part of the horror that was slavery.

Separating people from many different tribal areas from their history. Forcing them to assimilate the culture and values of the southern US. Forcing them to learn English. All part of re-making them into American slaves.

I remember reading stories that young females of color often preferred to have a white doll rather than a brown doll. Yet another example of internalizing a message that white is preferable.

Also from the link:
"It has been heartening, against a backdrop of police-perpetrated racialized violence in the U.S., to watch young people take to the streets to let their voices be heard and join social movements that challenge this type of violence. There is some evidence that lawmakers, prosecutors, and even President Obama continue to listen. We know that racial pride can be a source of strength and resilience but the true test is whether society can support such resilience."

When they ask "whether society can support such resilience" are they asking whether whites will feel threatened? Sounds like it to me.


Nice post sheshe.

[sheshe2]

2. This

I remember reading stories that young females of color often preferred to have a white doll rather than a brown doll. Yet another example of internalizing a message that white is preferable.

Is just plain sad. Take away their heritage. Make them believe they are inferior.

Thanks for bringing that quote over, guillaumeb.

I know you read this. The President is truly listening. Sadly he is criticized daily for not doing anything. He and Holder were both on it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/110228781

[guillaumeb]

3. Interesting response

When you wrote:
" The President is truly listening. Sadly he is criticized daily for not doing anything. He and Holder were both on it. "

When he talks about race he is accused of "racializing" the dialogue, even as the police have declared open season on black males.

[sheshe2]

4. Yes.

Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

With some, he just can not win, no matter what he does. Never a kind word or kudos for an accomplishment. They just move on to the next issue they wish to beat him for.

Holder and Obama are going to do more great things. Baby steps. I truly wish it could change in a day. I has taken us over a hundred years to come this far, sadly we regress.

[Oktober]

5. It's a step backwards and perpetuates racism....

The cure is worse than the disease...

[sheshe2]

6. Explain.

[MFrohike]

7. Doubtful

There's a world of difference between claiming that part of human history that is the story of your ancestors and being a giant racist tool. To an extent, it helps give you a place in the world. Given that humans function best when they at least have some semblance of a niche in the giant scroll of human history, I don't see why this is a bad thing. Everybody's ancestors did good and bad. As long as you're honest about it, which is a challenge for anybody, it can be a source of strength and resilience.

[romanic]

8. I don't entirely agree.

Having pride in one's race and cultural roots is a great thing; especially for minorities who feel downtrodden and discriminated against just for their skin color alone. I speak from experience as a biracial person and having pride in my black and Puerto Rican roots; I don't feel like a victim, I feel empowered having pride in myself; it keeps me from being victimized by racism and pushes me to fight it.

Now if that pride turns into supremacy, then yeah that would be a step backwards. But I don't think the OP was angling for that.