Black Youth
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Whether one is black, white, or any color, it is difficult to open a dialogue in reference to race issues without opening oneself up to criticism from one group or another or one individual or another. This is even more true in the current politically correct climate where idiocy and misunderstanding have risen to the pitch where a man is forced to resign from his job for using the word niggardly. Niggardly is defined as “like or characteristic of a niggard”, so people jump on the defensive and believe it is a racial slur, not knowing, of course, that the word niggard is defined as “a stingy person; miser” (Newfeldt 916). Be this climate as it may, there is no sensible manner in which to discuss black youth and mentoring without venturing forth distinctions based on culture. Not doing so would add to the very problems that make it crucial for black youth to have mentoring experience in their development. For it would also amount to denying that while we are all human beings who share universal qualities, different cultures have different experiences, perceptions, viewpoints and training. With this in mind, we will now explore the need for mentoring among black youth.There can be no doubt from the statistics that black youth in America are faring poorly, and that some kind of mature direction and companionship might be of benefit to them. Black youth statistics strip the clothes off the emperor who claims we are making great strides in progr
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dopted youth for various reasons. All too often the reason is because of lack of education on the issues confronting black youth, condescending and stereotypical attitudes regarding black youth, and a lack of cultural history and socio-economic history regarding blacks in America. Why are these aspects generally missing in our mentors for black youth? Because 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. Instead, we are somewhat lacking in tru
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Approximate Word count = 2826
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)
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