| "What They See Is What They'll Be" News from the 100 Black Men of Madison, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
If You Cannot Read, Very Little Matters
... Literacy and Freedom
 As another school year begins, consider the current state of Our Community:
- Homicide is the leading cause of death for African- American males between the ages of 10 -24.
- In some states Black Men are incarcerated on drug charges at rates 20-50 times greater than those of white men. Yet, studies show that people of all colors use and sell illegal drugs at remarkably similar rates.
- In major cities wrecked by the war on drugs, up to 80% of young African-American men now have criminal records and may be subject to legalized discrimination for the rest of their lives.
- If current trends continue, one in three young African-American men will serve time in prison.
- The United States imprisons a larger percentage of its Black population than South Africa did at the height of apartheid.
- 611,000 Americans were killed on the streets of America between 1980 and 2011, more than all the lives of Americans lost in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, combined.
As you ponder these unimaginable outcomes and what could be done to eradicate this systemic plight, consider literacy as a significant factor of this "solution puzzle."
Before actions of violence, before drug charges, before involvement in the justice system, the vast majority of African-American male children were designated as "non-readers" by the end of third grade.
The irony of the current-day situation is beyond comprehension.
Historically, irrespective of the barriers before them, African Americans did everything within their power to learn how to read. Although it was illegal, although they would be punished, although they had to sneak around to do it, they found a means to learn to read.
Those African Americans of yesteryear knew what many have forgotten, today.
The ability to read is tantamount to freedom.
Reading is not a privilege for a vested few. Reading is a right and the cornerstone of humanity as we know it and the existence that we seek.
For this school year, when possible, please become an active participate in the effort to teach our children to read. And please be supportive of all who are willing to move our children from ignorance to enlightenment and from potential incarceration to freedom, via the unused tool of reading.
The American Lung Association uses the tag line, "If you cannot breath, nothing matters." Comparably, it is suggested, "if you cannot read, very little matters."
|
|
10 September
Mingling, Mentoring and Mama's Treats
Members of the African-American community, local high school students, university students and faculty of the University of Wisconsin are slated to attend the fifth annual Mingling, Mentoring and Mama's Treats on Thursday, 10 September 2015.
This community/campus reception offers opportunities for social interaction and information sharing among younger and older African-American men with similar career interests. With the theme of "Intergenerational Mentoring," the goal of the 10 September activity is to initiate cross-generational relationships.
The event will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the East Atrium and Plenary Room at Grainger Hall on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
|
|
19 September
Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk
The 100 Black Men of Madison will stage the 3rd Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk, Saturday, 19 September 2015, in downtown Madison, Wisconsin.
The objective of this event is to raise awareness about a disease that is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States and affects African-American men more than any other nationality.
Encouraged by the vision of Curley Dossman, Jr., Board Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., this event endeavors to encourage men to be screened. The theme of the event is "Help Save the Life of Someone You Know."
To register, please visit
|
|
10 October
100 Black Men of Madison - General Membership Meeting
The October General Membership Meeting of the 100 Black Men of Madison will be held Saturday, 10 October 2015, 8:00-10:00 a.m., at the Bonefish Grill, 7345 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI 53711.
Our Guest Speaker will be Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Cheatham.
|
|
14 November
100 Black Men of Madison - General Membership Meeting
The November General Membership Meeting of the 100 Black Men of Madison will be held Saturday, 14 November, 8:00-10:00 a.m., at the Bonefish Grill, 7345 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI 53711.
Our Guest Speaker will be Mayor Paul Soglin, City of Madison.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Now Accepting Articles & Photos |
We are currently accepting stories and photographs for future issues of "What They See Is What They Will Be." Please submit your stories and event photos for consideration. Submission does not guarantee placement in this publication.
Stories should be 200 words or less and electronic photos should be 300 DPI or better in .JPG format (NO SCANNED PHOTOS). Include captions for each photo (who, what, when, and where). Photos without captions WILL NOT be considered.
|
| Submit your stories and photos (with captions) to [email protected]. |
|
|