This video has sparked a discussion on social media the past day or so about Dr. Umar's comments regarding Black men's role in being leaders in the community. There's been a good number of comments from men along the lines of "It ain't our responsibility to mentor/lead fatherless kids", that's the clean version of what's being said by some. While others are saying that it should be the job of the community and Black men to step up and be leaders especially in situations where other men have fallen short. And by mentors it can be anything from coaching a youth league to a simple "Take your ass off the street and do something productive" conversation not literally raising somebody else's child. Thought I'd see where this could go on ABW...
Do Black Men Have An Obligation To Mentor Young Black Boys?
- Thread starter BlackRain
- Start date
This video has sparked a discussion on social media the past day or so about Dr. Umar's comments regarding Black men's role in being leaders in the community. There's been a good number of comments from men along the lines of "It ain't our responsibility to mentor/lead fatherless kids", that's the clean version of what's being said by some. While others are saying that it should be the job of the community and Black men to step up and be leaders especially in situations where other men have fallen short. And by mentors it can be anything from coaching a youth league to a simple "Take your ass off the street and do something productive" conversation not literally raising somebody else's child. Thought I'd see where this could go on ABW...
Bobjones
Active Member
Ideally, yeah. Playing a leadership/mentor role naturally rubs off on the people receiving it. They'll learn the value of leadership and brotherhood and will be better equipped to carry that spirit on for present and future generations, like a snowball effect.
Thing is, many men (or just people in general) who might be candidates to mentor need their OWN mentorship or form of soul searching to even entertain the idea of extending knowledge and wisdom to other people.
A communal/collective spirit needs to overtake the western tendency to individualize. This forum, and threads like these, are a microcosm of that goal. We get together, we communicate and we spread ideas.
Thing is, many men (or just people in general) who might be candidates to mentor need their OWN mentorship or form of soul searching to even entertain the idea of extending knowledge and wisdom to other people.
A communal/collective spirit needs to overtake the western tendency to individualize. This forum, and threads like these, are a microcosm of that goal. We get together, we communicate and we spread ideas.
konceptjones
The one between three and three.
DOS_patos
Unverified Legion of Trill member
Before I respond, just curious why I was called in here. But I’m going in regardless
konceptjones
The one between three and three.
because this is the very same thing you've been saying since the IC.
StellarAtoms
New Member
That’s heavy.
Teaching/Mentoring is a necessity for cultural development.
It’s why we lack culture now. And at this rate social media/AI will be the mentors of all our future generations.
Teaching/Mentoring is a necessity for cultural development.
It’s why we lack culture now. And at this rate social media/AI will be the mentors of all our future generations.
Hater Hearst Helmsley
I AM THE GAME
If you see a young man that needs guidance, what do you gain by not helping him? I understand that not all the kids will get the message but we should give guidance to any child or young adult who’s seeking or who needs it.
Mister B. M. Ed.
The Devil’s Greatest Advocate…..
………
I’ll withhold my thoughts for now.
I’ll withhold my thoughts for now.
Swabbie
Active Member
That's the biggest hurdle, imo. Some of these little mfers are absolute demons my nigga. When I hit up the old way it ain't nothing to hear a story of some little mfer you knew as a happy ass toddler walking down on someone like they just walked out of the gates of hell yesterday. It's tough for a mfer to go off and do his thing, find some success, and then come back and try to connect with that; they are just on two totally different wavelengths.
Swabbie
Active Member
The idea of community is under attack in the western world. It's all about the individual and completely ignores anyone's responsibility to society.
As black ppl, we all have a responsibility to the community imo. I hate when ppl have that "no one owes you anything/you don't owe anyone anything" mentality cuz all we got on earth is each other. You damn right we owe it to each other to look out. It's hard and thankless but wtf else we gon do.
Swabbie
Active Member
It's conspiratorial to say, I know, but I can't help but think the reason why that mentality is pushed so hard is because it's easier to conquer and control a divided people.
Exactly that. Individualism is not natural. Connecting with and being concerned with the wellbeing of those around you is what we're wired to do.
SeaSnake
OG
Glad to see these responses because if you click the tweet you can see the discussion devolved into a bunch of loser ass dudes saying "I'm not playing step dad to a woman's bad choice in men"...and it was wild as hell to see the same people who often say community efforts are needed while being 100% against being part of that community and boiling the discussion solely down to dating when it's much deeper
SeaSnake
OG
Based on what Umar is saying it’s easier said than done. Maybe we can create after school programs where we school them on game. But that door to door shit ain’t gonna work.