According to reliable sources, a dilemma is a problem with at least two solutions, of which none are desirable or acceptable. This definition fits the reality of the lives of millions of Black males in America like a glove. For more than 400 years now, America has pondered this “Black Male” problem, but has yet to solve the riddle what do we do about Black men?
Do we imprison them a la (Nelson Mandela, Marcus Garvey, H. Rap Brown), take them out of the limelight and away from the masses of people who are influenced by them? Do we assassinate them (Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Che` Guevera, Fred Hampton, Martin Luther King) thereby effectively silencing their powerful voices, and hope that even the people’s memories of them will die?
Or, maybe we dehumanize them by altering their public image (Jack Johnson, Paul Robeson, Stokley Carmichael, Muhammad Ali) and reshape them as a public nuisance, reintroducing them as violent, militant sociopaths? Finally, maybe we go another route, and showcase/support the non-threatening, safe, race-neutral, ever-smiling, company-type guy, e.g. (Clarence Thomas, Bryant Gumble, Al Roker, Tiger Woods and Dr. Ben Carson).
Statement of the problem. According to the Department of Justice, (2008) 29.4 percent of African American males born in 1991 will spend some time in their lifetime incarcerated.
• The number one cause of death for 15-24 year-old Black males is homicide (2004 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
• Black men in the United States have the shortest life expectancy (69.5 years) of all other racial and ethnic groups—averaging more than six years less than White men who live 75.7 years (2005 National Center for Health Statistics).
• Unemployment among Black males is higher than any other population at 14.0 percent (Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2013).
• More than 70 percent of Black children in America are raised in single-parent households where no father is present (National Center for Health Statistics, 2007).
In addition, the report “A Call for Change,” released Nov. 9, 2010 by the Council of the Great City Schools—an advocacy group for urban public schools—states that only 12 percent of Black fourth grade boys are proficient in reading; 12 percent of Black eighth grade boys are proficient in math; Black boys dropout of high school at nearly twice the rate of White boys, while Black men represent only 5 percent of college students.
In October, America found itself in the midst of an infamous, insidious, socially excruciating, economically draining federal government shutdown. This was primarily the fault of a fringe element in the Republican party (Sen. Ted Cruz and the Tea Party), and mainstream Republicans, whose devious backdoor promise (January 2009) to shutdown anything President Barack Obama desired to do, informs their current actions.
Further, anyone who does not understand that the color of President Obama’s skin inspires Republican political behavior is living in a fantasy world. These (Republicans) simply don’t like our first Black president; his very existence has been psychologically burdensome to them since day one. President Obama is an American dilemma.
Our film festival, “I’ve Known Rivers,” espousing the theme, “Black Males, an American Dilemma” focuses on the reality of being a Black male in this society, and covers a broad range of experiences we’ve had, and the successes we’ve been able to realize, even in the face of overwhelming societal odds. The weekend of Nov. 8-10, 2013, is a three-day period where through the magic of film, the compelling experiences of Black males in America, and around the world will be explored.
The program includes films showing Friday from 6:30-8 p.m.; Saturday from noon-8 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. A symposium and panel discussion on Black manhood on Sunday from 10 a.m.-noon will feature Professor David Horne, author Michael Datcher, activists Damien Goodmon, and Brother Pianky, “Grasshopper.”
Other films to be screened include biographies on dynamic men such as the first Black heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson; exiled revolutionary, Robert Williams of “Negroes with Guns” fame; the life and death of slain 14-year-old Emmett Till; the tragic case of the nine Alabama youths—the Scottsboro Boys; legendary pimp-turned-literary genius, Iceburg Slim; and “Daddy Hunger,” and a critically acclaimed film about missing fathers to name a few.
It is our hope, that through a process of cinematic education/entertainment, we can inspire people to learn more about Black males in American society, strip away ignorance concerning their collective plight, and consider what we all can do to contribute to solution minded efforts.
The film festival and program will be held at KRST Unity Center, 7825 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles.
Torrence Brannon-Reese is the founder and director of FAMLI Inc., the Foundation for Arts, Mentoring, Leadership and Innovation, and the I’ve Known Rivers Film Festival. He is a consummate artist, singer, guitarist, poet, writer, and community/cultural advocate. Most importantly, he is a father, grandfather and is totally committed to his community and the people.
