The Black Male Two Step?

Over the last few weeks there have been incredible positive advancements by black males in society and in their portrayal in the media. Barack Obama clinched two more primaries, moving ever closer to the possibility of a monumental and historic presidency.

While in New York, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson rose from the ashes of the Governor Eliot Spitzer scandal to become a unifying force for the state. Today, he will be sworn in as New York's 55th governor; only the third black governor U.S. history and the first for that state.

These two men, not only demonstrate the ability of the intelligence and integrity of black men to bridge the country's racial divide, but both men are married to black women, exemplifying the strength and power the black family can possess.Yet, three men stood to overshadow these necessary and strong achievements. In stark contrast to these symbolic males, we were also bombarded with images of black males that show our dark side.

Last week, we saw the face two young black men who were allegedly involved in the shooting death of the University of North Carolina student body president. Just a week before, another black former serviceman was arrested for the shooting death and attempted rape of another white Georgia native attending Auburn University.

These individuals reinforce the stereotypes that black males are a menace to society and especially threatening to white women.

So, is it possible that for all the Obama's and Paterson's in the country to inspire our young black men, there will always just as many negative to distract them? And, if simply provide the possibility of a better life, better future, and better image isn't enough to stem the tide of violence by our community members, then what is?

This question reminds me of the case of Bobby Cutts, Jr. Back in the summer of 2007, we were slammed with images of former Ohio police, who was convicted of killing his 26-year-old pregnant girlfriend. On the surface, Cutts was a black man doing well. He was a married cop and father who should've been on his way up in society; rather, he gave in to primal instincts and lost everything.

The number of articles and books written on the plight of black males is exhausting. Still, the reason for our continuous downward spiral despite advancements is not clearly explained. Blaming those outside of our community is frequently one explanation. But, the truth is bad choices like the ones made by the alleged shooters in the college student cases, is in large part the problem for black males in the US.

In March 2008, black men were shown the yin-and-yang of their possibilities. The question is will black males continue to take two steps forward or two steps backward?

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