CNN’s Soledad O’Brien covers a special report call Black in America all this week. Covering topics about the Black family, woman and man, CNN attempts to cover the problems facing Black Americans today and what people are doing about it.
Racism isn’t the primary problem!
I have a very big problem with this special. With so much emphasis on the color of one’s skin, CNN is overlooking the fact that the bulk of the problems are not racial, but spiritual. Of course, I don’t expect CNN to come from that angle, but the report is useless if problems are not examined in the context of what makes people do the things that they do! Single-parenthood, divorce, incarceration, drug use, women being single and alone are more because of issues in not having a right relationship with God. Even in the case of the biracial couple and their children where the husband and wife were having issues raising the child because the wife wants to bring “black culture” into the picture - that’s also spiritual! Just let your kids be kids and raise them up as the God would want parents to raise their children - under His principles!
I’m even more bothered by the fact that if we are to ever strive towards a nation of racial equality, then why do we keep putting emphasis BACK on the color of our skin? Racism is a color issue, but this show wasn’t so much about racism as it was about problems within the Black family period. Although at times it seems as if CNN tried hard at times to blame black problems on whites, such as the incarceration of black men and their high percentages and media focus. If black men would do the things to stay out of jail, then there be very little to talk about! Again, It has very little to do with our color but how we are living our lives!
SEX is the problem!
Specifically the problem of sexual immorality I feel is the major problem within the American culture PERIOD! It is a problem rampant nationwide, not just within the black family. If sexual immorality is addressed alone and if people took steps to wipe out immorality then how many of our problems would be solved? How many would still be single parents if they weren’t having sex resulting in illegitimate babies? How many children would be stuck in poverty because only one parent was taking care of them? How many of those children would be off the streets if they had dads at home disciplining them? How many would be affected with Aids if not practicing sex outside of marriage? How many marriages would still be intact if no one cheated on their spouses? Lack of sexual responsibility found within the confines of commitment in marriage is the biggest problem facing MOST Americans today!
Insulting!
AND just how would we feel as Black Americans if a special was done on “White” in America? Why is it even necessary? This idea of addressing of po’ little black folks as if we need different solutions than whites is insulting. Let’s address the problems of each person, then go about solving them!
Okay, I may be a little hard on CNN because after all, the reporter Soledad O’Brien can relate to a lot of the issues being discussed being a biracial woman. Perhaps she’s very passionate about gathering information that she feels would help Black Americans. But it’s not helping. If nothing else, it’s pouring salt into the wounds without any bandages to stop the bleeding.
Solution: Know God and Follow after HIM!
Real problems require real solutions and it must start with the individual - an individual’s relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ!
Thank you CNN for giving me something to rant about!
Go to CNN here: Black In America
