Black Pastors Work To Prevent Youth Violence
From Austin Weekly News
It was birthed from the experiences of slaves, and handed to their sons and daughters. When thousands of blacks migrated north at the turn of the 20th century, they brought their church with them, and it developed a deeply rooted tradition of activism.
Over the decades, black churches have helped change history in Chicago and in the country. Chicago’s oldest African-American church, Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal, played an integral role in the abolition movement. In subsequent years, black churches were at the forefront of civil rights, education, housing and health reform.
Today, the black church is addressing youth violence.
“African-American churches are still relevant,” said David Byrd, the youth director at Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn.
While at the black church’s center has always been a message of spiritual restoration, it has also had a multifunctional role in the community. Many churches conduct clothing drives, provide food to the hungry and offer financial counseling to their members. Today, churches are working to channel young people’s energies in productive activities, providing supervision and adult role models.
Byrd said his church offers more than 40 activities, including after-school sports, music and tutoring programs to 3,500 youths. “The doors of the church never close,” he said.
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I lived in Chicago for almost 5 years. It was a nightmare, My son was always being confronted be kids that wanted to fight or jump him for no reasons. These kids would run out of school like they was locked up some where. There was nothing to do for them out there. Even a principle at this one school to;d my son he was not going to be nothing, did not want to do nothing. No one cared about giving these kids positive roll models. I just did not see it there. I moved back home to cal. My son is getting A’s B’S. When we was in Chicago he got F’s D’. They even suspended him for one day not doing his homework. It was hell living out there what they did to me and my kids.
I lived in Chicago for almost 5 years. It was a nightmare, My son was always being confronted be kids that wanted to fight or jump him for no reasons. These kids would run out of school like they was locked up some where. There was nothing to do for them out there. Even a principle at this one school to;d my son he was not going to be nothing, did not want to do nothing. No one cared about giving these kids positive roll models. I just did not see it there. I moved back home to cal. My son is getting A’s B’S. When we was in Chicago he got F’s D’. They even suspended him for one day not doing his homework. It was hellm living out there what they did to me and my kids.
Optimism is for those who don’t want to critically and constructively analyze what is so very plain to see. Many Black churches and preachers/pastors, have paid lip service to this issue, yet have NOT been put a dent in this problem. Most of their “solutions” usually entail, stricter laws, increased police patrols, marches, neighborhood watches, prayer vigils, conferences, etc. These people don’t understand the root causes to youth violence, so why should anyone believe they can effectively solve this problem?
The brother in the previous post may have a good point. However, we need to be a little more positive and optimistic about this. I’m all for anyone or any organization that will help stop youth violence and black on black crime. This cycle of senseless violence and our young people going in and out of jail has to stop. Also, they (the black church) has been outspoken on other related issues including: police brutality in our community, poverty and other social failures and disasters in our community.
Black pastors are phony and offering to little to late.young men don’t want to hear anything selfrighteous,uppity,lÝing black preachers have to say.their members worship them like their gods but normal people know their nothing but thieves,using God’s name to rip people off.and they don’t even follow the bible,which is the blueprint of christianity.most so called religious people are full of it.and who wants to be like them.they play with and use the name of the perfect soul to set themselves above everyone else.I’m glad they keep to themseves.!