The Times has a series of 9 articles, by different citizens of the community, addressing different, relevant issues affecting young black males in America. Here's just one quote, from Neill Franklin, Executive Director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and former narcotics cop and commander of training during his 34-year career with the Maryland State Police and the Baltimore Police Department:
"Our prohibition policies, and the 'us vs. the man' mentality they have caused in our communities, have badly damaged how young black men are perceived -- and not just by white people. As an African-American narcotics cop in Baltimore, even I fell victim to fear and apprehension when I encountered a group of black teenagers on the street. Making drugs like marijuana illegal has made them incredibly lucrative, and it's not hard to see why many teenagers choose to enlist in the dope game and play for the chance at moving up the chain and raking in tax-free money rather than donning a McDonald's uniform." It's an excellent series and seems very applicable all across America, let along to the Kansas City area.
Link to original articles: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/03/12/young-black-and-male-in-america/?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20120313
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