Saving Our Daughters

In the midst of all the attention being focused on what is occurring to young black men involved in gangs and the criminal justice system in particular, many in our community have also lost sight of what is happening to our young black girls.   In most cases they go unnoticed, overlooked or just taken for granted and to say… they will be OK, is not fair to them.   

If we take a closer look, our young black daughters are paying a high price in terms of their identity, self-esteem, education opportunities, dreams and future.  They are being lost in the shuffle of this new age that is being dominated by far right or far left interests.  They are feeling the pressure that comes from racism, sexism, prejudice, poverty and indifference.  Their value in this society is clouded by the views of others and even by how they see themselves through the lifestyles and the treatment of their mothers.  From those viewpoints, many young black sisters are struggling to find their place in a complex world that is controlled and dominated by men.  

To make their life more difficult is the fact that many of them are growing up and dealing with absentee fathers and mothers, many of whom are impact by drug additions and incarceration.  Some are being raised in the ever expanding foster care system and in many cases being separated from their siblings, who are themselves in the same system.   Additionally, they are too often living in impoverished neighborhoods, on dangerous streets and attending poor schools.  In addition, they have to deal with the mounting peer pressure to join gangs, use drugs, sexting, poor role models or being seduced into making money by selling their bodies.     

As we continue to push forward in the 21^st century, we must continue to find positive ways in which to engage our daughters to fulfill their dreams and help prepare them for the challenges they will face.  In many major cities all across America numerous organizations, businesses, non-profits, churches and schools have created programs, clubs and events to address the needs of young black girls.  If fact many of those new initiatives include …Black Girls Rock, Color of Change, Black Girlhood Celebration, My Black is Beautiful, Pearls for Girls and Father  & Daughter dances, to name a few that are making headlines and a difference.   As I view it, more needs to be done and with the emergence of a new generation it gives us all an opportunity to become more active in shaping the future our young black daughters… they need our help so that their future can be brighter.