Is ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ a Marshall Plan for Males of Color?

obamabrothersIn President Obama’s last State of the Union address he said, “I’m reaching out to some of America’s leading foundations and corporations on a new initiative to help more young men of color facing tough odds stay on track and reach their full potential.” These words built excitement across the country and many of us found ourselves asking – could a Marshall Plan for young men of color be on the horizon?

The answer is no, but that does not mean the effort is without merit. To create serious traction any effort to help young males of color must battle on two fronts: the empowerment of young males and changing the institutions and systems through which these young males travel. Choosing one front and not the other is a dangerous move.

Read more at Ebony.com.

Filed under: Activism, Affirmative Action, Black Men, Class, Conservatism, Ebony, Economics, Education, Electoral Politics, Food for Thought, Grassroots, Harlem, Inequality in the Promised Land, Masculinity, Obama, Politics, Public Policy, Race, Schools, Sociology, Waiting for Superman, Work, Youth

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