Before we enrolled in kindergarten we should have known the importance of sharing. Right? I recall the numerous pleas my mother made for me to share with my brother and sister: “Brian, you know you are suppose to share.” I also remember how I begrudgingly shared my Salvation Army toys and grandma prepared food with them. It was a much more difficult task for me when moneyless friends surprisingly appeared as the ice cream truck clunkered through the neighborhood hocking expired ice cream. So much for my two Blue Bunny Strawberry Shortcakes! Had to give one to Mookie!Recently, I mentioned to a friend: “Black women may want to consider sharing the remaining good black men. She may also want to contemplate dating outside her race or not date at all.” I supported my statement with the following information.
*At midyear 2008, there were 4,777 black male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents being held in state or federal prison and local jails, compared to 1,760 Hispanic male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents and 727 white male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents. The rate for black males is expected to climb as it has for years.
*The statistics reveal that less than 1/3 of black males that enroll in college graduate within 6 years and that black women out number black men by a factor of nearly 2:1 in college. 2:1 appears to be a small factor. However, when one considers the imprisonment rate for black men the 2:1 factor becomes considerably significant.
*While African Americans comprise 13.5% of the U.S. Population, 43% of all murder victims in 2007 were African American, 93% of whom were killed by African Americans.
The numbers are not alarming to me at all! For years now, I have been sadly aware that black men are entering Uncle Sam’s and private corporation’s penitentiaries by the numbers, that black men are rare novelties on college campuses, and that black men are slaughtering each other over foolishness e.g. No Snitching Rule.
With this understanding, I have come to the conclusion that black women have some tough decisions to make. Some are already prepared to face reality: “And if by chance I run into the love of my life and he knocks me off my feet, is able to provide for his family, raise and lead our children in a positive direction, and love me with all his might, treats me like the queen that I am, I will not have a problem with the fact that it may not be a brother!!!” –Sherri Rushing
I conclude with a question that immediately prompt my friend to boldly exclaim, “I ain’t sharing no man.”
Really? One, she may be sharing him now – and not know it. Two, she may eat that knee-jerk response sooner rather than later. That’s if she’s unwilling to date outside her race or enjoys going to bed alone for the long term.
Question:
Ladies, are you willing to SHARE a good black man if the circumstances are beneficial to you in some capacity?
-The Shadow
