More black women taking care of business
It really is something to behold when so many folks absolutely refuse to accept certain facts. And then there are others like yours truly (and a whole host of socially/politically conservative bloggers) who have become empowered to discuss some of our realities ever since Dr. Cosby gave his catalytic and infamous 2004 NAACP speech. It appears that MSNBC is running a week long investigative piece centered around women of color addressing the fact that Black women statistically are out performing their male counterparts. I do not know if this news special will discuss what I have always surmised as perhaps one chief cause for the stark disparity in gender achievement-the drug-like affect that street life induces in Black men. And then there is a profound statement that noted educator and author Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu has exclaimed over the years-Black women raise their daughters but love their sons. Dr. Kunjufu's simple mantra is quite telling-Black women appear to be adept at giving their daughters the proper guidance to seek excellence but their sons are being coddled and loved to their detriment. Here's more on the MSNBC special, courtesy of EURweb.com:
NBC 'NIGHTLY NEWS' TO EXPLORE BLACK WOMEN: Week-long series includes health, dating prospects, politics, hip hop and more.
*Beginning tonight, "NBC News with Brian Williams" will examine issues facing African-American women across the U.S. in a new series "African-American Women: Where They Stand."
The series will cover a wide-range of topics - from their role in the
'08 Presidential race, to the increased health-risks that have been of longtime concern.
Monday's installment will discuss the progress of African-American women in the field of education. Nearly two-thirds of African-American undergraduates are women. At black colleges, the ratio of women to men is 7 to 1. And that is leading to a disparity in the number of African-American women who go on to own their own businesses. Rehema Ellis will talk to educators, students and businesswomen about the reasons behind the disparity.
Tuesday, Ellis will look at the relationships of African-American women, and how the gender disparity in education and business has an affect on relationships sought by African American. Some even say the implications could redefine "Black America's family and social structure." In the past fifty years, the percentage of African-American women between 25-54 who have never been married has doubled from 20% to 40%. (Compared to just 16% of white women who have never been married today). Ellis sits down with the members of a Chicago book club and talk about this difference and how it impacts them.
Dr. Nancy Snyderman will discuss the increases risks for breast cancer for African-American women on Wednesday. Mortality rates for African-American women are higher than any other racial or ethnic group for nearly every major cause of death, including breast cancer. Not only are African-American women more likely to die from breast cancer, but they're less likely to get life-saving treatments. Dr. Snyderman will profile one of the only oncologists in the world who specializes in the treatment of African-American women with breast cancer.
On Thursday, Ron Allen will take viewers to South Carolina -- the first southern primary state -- and ask the question: Will race trump gender or gender trump race? In South Carolina, black women made up nearly 30 percent of all democratic primary voters in 2004. This year, polls show a significant number are undecided, torn between choosing the first African-American or first female Presidential candidate. Allen talks with the undecided, as well the state directors for the Clinton and Obama campaigns, who happen to be African-American women.
To close the series on Friday, Dr. Snyderman will raise the frightening statistic that African-American women are 85% more likely to get diabetes, a major complication for heart disease. And, like breast cancer, more black women die from heart disease than white women. Dr. Snyderman will profile a leading expert and a unique church-based outreach program in South Carolina that seeks to spread the word about heart disease risks to black women congregants.
Meanwhile, Mara Schiavocampo, Digital Correspondent for "Nightly News," will address two hot topics in the African American community:
interracial dating and the impact of hip hop music on black women.
. An Essence.com poll found that 81% of participants approved of black women dating non-black men. According to a U.S. Census Bureau report in 2000, 95,000 black women were married to white men. In 2005, that number increased to 134,000. Schiavocampo will talk to experts about the trend and discuss how this defines the "Black family" of the future.
. Schiavocampo will convene a panel of leading black men and women from the hip-hop industry for a discussion on whether hip hop lyrics and videos positively or negatively affect black women. The roundtable also will address how these portrayals are affecting relationships between black women and black men.
A hat tip to our regular commenter, Sergio for informing me about this crucial news piece. And as added treat, click on the above link for a video snippet of the Brian Williams special. Let's hear your thoughts on this as well-what can the brothers do about this dilemma? Or is Dr. Cosby truly the HSIC (Head Soothsayer in Charge) when he told Spelman students that the women are going to have to carry the torch as our men have come down with a case of penal dysfunction. What say you?
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