Political Debate Centers On Young Black Males

July 26, 2011

Bermuda 101Politicians debated the Mincy Report in the House of Assembly yesterday [July 25], with MPs from both sides repeatedly mentioning education as a key factor to assist with issues faced by young black males.

The Mincy Report  was conducted by the Columbia University School of Social Work, and led by Professor Ronald Mincy. You can download or view the full report here [233 page PDF].

OBA MP Shawn Crockwell said that the legacy of racism still affects us today, and that the key to remedy the problem is to improve the education system as “education is key.” Mr Crockwell also talked about the importance of fathers in their sons lives, saying “boys look to their fathers for guidance, they look to them as role models, so fathers need to be involved fathers.”

UBP MP Kim Swan said last he checked young black men were the ones shooting each other, and make up most the prison population. Mr Swan said that both hurts him, and makes him angry, and that we need to find a way to provide the resources to assist the situation.

Attorney General Michael Scott said education remains a “critical piece of the puzzle,” and also spoke on the need for employers to open barriers to employing black males, while OBA MP Louise Jackson said she hopes we get more money for education, not less.

OBA Leader John Barritt said the problem is such an “imperative one” and we need to work together on this or “perish as fools.” Mr Barritt said he feels that the vast majority of Bermudians – black and white – want to see the island succeed, and we need to find things “that will actually work to turn this country around.” Mr Barritt also spoke on the importance of education, as well as obtaining ‘soft skills.’

PLP MP Ashfield DeVent spoke about social aspects, saying we collectively need to take a look at ourselves. He asked can Government make men spend time with their children, pointing out they cannot. He said its not just a young black male issue, as “women keep making babies with these same men.” Mr DeVent said we need to look at these issues and talk about them.

Minister Zane DeSilva said we have to discuss the issue, and that pushing it under the carpet only creates a bigger issue. He spoke on initiatives the Government has undertaken thus far, saying the initiatives are “multi-pronged”. He also said “we have gone in to debt, for the country.” Minister DeSilva said we cannot talk about the issues with young black males, without talking about the income disparity.  He called for businesses to give young black men a chance, and called for young black men to look for work.

Deputy Speaker Randy Horton interrupted Minister DeSilva and said he had five minutes left, to which Minister DeSilva replied already? He expressed surprise, and said “previously I would be the quickest one, two minutes and that is it,” which drew some snickers from fellow MPs.

PLP MP Marc Bean said as a young black man he doesn’t need “much quantitative data and a degree to understand the predicament of myself and other young black men in our community,” and also spoke about the importance of education.

Politicians previously debated the Mincy Report in May 2010.

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Comments (34)

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  1. Liars says:

    how many hours and years are we going to waist on this subject? its simple teach the parents…..stop letting them quit school and go into construction so they can rent the parents “spare room or apartment” …………………young black males……..WAJ (what a joke)

    • LOL (original) says:

      WOW buddy that’s feeding the fire. You might be tired of the topic but you must agree it needs to be adressed.

      LOL

      • Black Soil says:

        Too many young black males had sh!t parents. Parent reap what they sow. And the community pays the price. My dad never said much, but he let us know that touch love was only one belt away. He cared.

    • Reality; says:

      I sort of agree with you , its been a big waste of time ,money and energy trying to eradicate racism…..can someone maybe shed some light for me , on where it has been eradicated ..??? Cause then, we can follow thier lead huh?
      Oh!… and im not hearing about WE being the first or setting a precedence worldwide ? We are jus one flea on an elephant….goodluck to the one flea that can change that elephants direction…actually i dont even think about that until i watch or listen to mass media
      One minute you all want DIVERSITY…but of course you also want EQUALITY…equality means all the same …sounds like the one world order is about to engulf you …then we’ll all be equally poor…The word racism is a profitable word but not to you or i….education is needed but not what the ed.system is teaching…too much ,too little time

  2. the nanny says:

    PLP MP Ashfield DeVent spoke about social aspects, saying we collectively need to take a look at ourselves. He asked can Government make men spend time with their children, pointing out they cannot. He said its not just a young black male issue, as “women keep making babies with these same men.” Mr DeVent said we need to look at these issues and talk about them.

    Truth be known , whites have been talking about this for 40 years but everytime ‘the word gets out’ they’re shouted down as racists.
    Strange there was nary a peep mentioned when the Col. said ‘Government didn’t make these babies , so why should Government pay for them ?’

    So , exactly WHO is it that needs to ‘look at these issues and talk about them’?

    • sandgrownan says:

      You can thank LBE, partly, for the social acceptance of this problem.

    • Get a clue says:

      I think the way blacks breed is the key factor as to why we behave how we do. I hear many people talk about having children like its the same as buying a bike. Until we get to a place were we actually see childbearing as something that takes responsibility and sacrifice i dont think we will make any progress socially. How do you expect to raise a child properly if you dont have sufficient resources (time, money, family to pitch in ect) to do so? For God’s sake its not even taboo to have a child out of wedlock anymore its the norm; unitl the changes i dont expect much to change, how do you expect a man to be responsible if society accepts his negligence? If you bring a child in a world where they feel there is no hope/support how do you expect the child to act? Of course they will act out and this will be reflected in the crime the community experiences. Im a young black men of 25 years and i have tons of friends that really see no hope in achieving things such as buying a house or even having a succesful career, most would settle for a job. My opinion is that we need some sort of legislated planned parenthood to control ourselves.

      • Andy p says:

        well said mate. i think that the problems and issues that we face today with this crime wave stem from a multitide of other problems that tend to go un-noticed or un-addressed in mainstream society.

      • Scott P says:

        Well said.

      • Black Soil says:

        Unfortunately too many of our youth are out there banging with no sense of consequence or responsibility. You reap what you sow. Keep your seed in your pants!

      • Reality; says:

        i think it should be part of the school curriculum… one day of the week will be parents day ..all day they will care for a baby…obviously properly supervised but in noway released from thier responsibilities…starting at 12 or 13yrs of age…at least if they do encounter an unexpected pregnancy they will have some experience and will know what to expect…

  3. David Henry says:

    I don’t know why time has to be spent “debating” this in Parliament. I also don’t know why the finger is almost always pointed at education. Really?? Ok, here’s your education: A young male needs an older, stronger male influence (ideally, the father) in his life to help guide him. Who in 2011 needs to be “educated” on this??
    As a young (28), Bermudian male, I thank God every day that I had a father who was… well… a father. I did dumb s### as a kid, and I’m not perfect, but what kept me from doing REALLY dumb s### was not my education, not a fear of Bermuda Police, not a fear of my teachers, but because I had a father who DID HIS JOB and kept me in line. The older I get, the more I realize how fortunate I am in this regard. I know the answer to this issue, and unlike some politicians and others in the community, I don’t need to spend time debating this or convincing myself that there’s something wrong with the education system. The strides we as a community could make if we just realized that it takes TWO parents to raise a child, and ESPECIALLY, a father to raise a son.

    • Black Soil says:

      Agreed. If the “answer” was education we would have no trouble at all in Bermuda cuz we spend more money per child than anywhere in the world. The answer lies in the home. More babies with sh!t parents need to be placed with good ones. Govt has a responsibility to keep babies and young children away from sh!t persons.

  4. Terry says:

    If you think legislation is gonna stop you from dipping your wick………

    Come on “Im a young black men of 25″………

    Describe for us what you want legislated parenthood to control “OURSELVES”. It’s up to you dood. Keep it in your pants or play with it.

    • Just wondering says:

      what is China’s legislation on kids?

    • In General says:

      Well for first we should be teaching Children (you know those that are preparing for the arrival of a baby at 16, 15, 14 and even 13) that if they are sexually active they should be safe from STD’s through the use of condoms, and for the girls actively using birth control. Condoms are cheap and birth control is FREE at the clinic!!!!

      We have professionals that are qualified on the island to set up “Planned Parenthood” type facilities – GUESS WHAT – they are Bermudian too! They are out there doing what they can to educate, but without Government support!

      I have to agree with “Get a Clue”, we have too many children having children, that are ill prepared to raise them creating a “lost boys” society.

  5. PAS says:

    Boys raised by single mothers is much, not all, of the cause of this problem. And yet we encourage single motherhood in this country. When a single, young woman has a baby we, churches, social clubs and offices throw them a party, buy them presents and make them the center of attention. When a young woman graduates from school or university or becomes professionally certified we say “well done” and generally do not make nearly as much fuss over her as we do with the mother. What message are we sending these young women? We will celebrate you more for having a baby that you will struggle to raise alone than for academic or professional achievement. Until we change this around there’s not much any Government can do.

  6. Hmmm says:

    How do we teach those who do not want to learn?

    • Terry says:

      Take em aside and keep trying. Thats all you can do. At least you will have done your part that you set out to do.

      • sandgrownan says:

        It is all you can do. That’s why “big brothers/ sisters” is so key in our community.

  7. Me says:

    I can’t believe that in 2011 we still have to have this discussion. Here is a list of solutions for we black people:

    1. Stop breeding indiscriminately
    2. Stop smoking weed all day everyday
    3. Pay attention in school
    4. Stop buying cell phones for your children
    5. Stop buying a bunch of useless latest technology
    6. Save some money
    7. Raise your children

    And there is a bunch more that we can do, but here is a start.

    • sandgrownan says:

      It really doesn’t need to be debated does it? Well said. Well said.

    • Get a clue says:

      @ me I agree but dont agree totally.

      1- Yes we shouldn’t brreed undiscriminately.
      2- Not everyone smokes that much, and even if you do why does that mean you can’t be productive? I smoked weed everyday in Uni and had a 3.7 GPA, i have two degrees and a decent job and still burn. Too much of anythings bad i dont think we should single out the weed.
      3- I agree that we should pay attention in school, but we need a goal(future) thats is going to maintain that attention, keep us driven. I feel that the welfare state that government has created has caused people to be less driven because they feel the PLP should provide.
      4- Its 2011 i know it doesn’t seem normal to us but i feel that a cellphone is very usefully in allowing kids to learns skills that could help them in the long run.
      5- Instead of stop buying useless technology lets just not buy things we can’t afford.
      6-You hit the nail on the head, many of us arent taught to budget and save properly and this carries through to adulthood.

      Do you guys think it would be possible to compile a similar list to present to Government? Maybe we could have some sort of Bernews lobby lol!

    • B, a Lady says:

      I would like to add to your list, if you do not mind:
      8. Get a job, any job if you are uneducated.
      9. Do not spend indiscriminately – think before you hand over your hard earned money for stupid stuff.
      10. Keep your friends to a minimum. They cost money, what with hanging out and all.
      11. Have a weekly, monthly and annual budget.
      12. Pay your bills on time, and only have bills for essentials. Time-sharing is not an essential, nor is eating out every day.
      13. Honor you job. Work for your pay, and stop complaining about your boss and co- workers.

      I, for one, am sick of hearing about young black males. We raised ours with an iron fist and, today, they are fine young people. There was no confusion about right/wrong, and there was no confusion about who the parents were or how crazy the parents could get if our children did something idiotic. In a nutshell, stop asking the government to raise your children.
      Hope people keep adding!

      • Black Soil says:

        As with “Me” “B,a Lady” needs to run for parliament too.

      • PAS says:

        The problem with #8 is that Financial Assistance gives more than a low paid job so Bermudians are loathe to take them

        • B, a Lady says:

          I think you should have said ” Bermudians with no pride are loathe to take them.”. Have we become so entitlement- based that we would rather accept dole than take a menial/ low paying job? I know the cost of living is high, but Financial Assistance should SUPPLEMENT those who are working in marginally paid jobs. You cannot say that it is better to lay up on the country because Financial Assistance pays more. I would rather help someone who is trying to help themselves. Personal pride, like our grandparents had, has vanished.

    • Black Soil says:

      @Me. You need to register with one of the political parties and be a candidate in the next election. Just write what you said on your shirt and you should get enough votes to get in Parliament and sort things out!

  8. Terry says:

    Well, must have missed a few numbers…..

    10. Don’t go to Cup Match with your children.

    11. Go to Cup Match with your children.

    12. Just go, have fun and then go sit under a tree or an umbrella and enjoy………

    Wish I could be there but I am stuck on a sandbar in ( can’t say) looking for Geronamo II……………..

    See yah….Happy Conch Stew Day…….

  9. furthermore says:

    Stop going on multiple cruises/shopping trips every year .

    Stop buying massive ,unneccessary cars/suv’s when a bike will do.

    Stop with the hair-do’s and nails and bling

    Stop buying fast food for every damn meal and then throwing it in the trash because ‘it’s dry’

    Stop going to every social event just ’cause you’re afraid you’re going to miss something.

    Get a minimal Cable tv package even if you don’t really need one.

    Can the cell phone/blackberry … How much better off are you with it , really ?

    Save money and soon you’ll be buying a nice house overlooking south shore like all those other ‘privilidged’ white people up to theirs a$$ in mortgage loans.

    And one more time … have children under the sanctimony or MARRIAGE !

  10. Riley B King says:

    If someone does the following things they will do well in life.
    1. Finish and graduate high school.
    2. Get a job after school and keep employed for 5 years.
    3. Avoid having children prior to marriage.
    Simple.