Do you know the percentage of young black men who grow up without knowing their father’s in the U.S.? Do you know the effect not having a father will have on their life? President Obama knows. He was one of those young black men without a father. He knows the mistakes that can be made without a fathers influence.
On Thursday, the President made a stand for young black men throughout the U.S. He announced an initiative he will be starting entitled My Brother’s Keeper. Citing his own experience growing up, he recalls getting high and not caring much about school.
“I didn’t have a dad in the house, and I was angry about it, even though I didn’t necessarily realize it at the time. I made bad choices. I got high without always thinking about the harm that it could do. I didn’t always take school as seriously as I should have. I made excuses. Sometimes I sold myself short.â€
How many young black men you know face the same problem? Despite best efforts from their single parent, they are angry and misguided. The President knows the statistics, young black men are less likely to be able to read, are more likely to be suspended from school, and more likely to encounter the judicial system.
My Brother’s Keeper will be a five year, 200 million dollar initiative. An idea that occurred to the President after the death of Trayvon Martin. He calls on the support of business leaders, athletes, philanthropists to help tackle the issues and intervene so young black men will be able to reach their full potential.