PROJECT H.U.S.H.
Homicide, Unemployment, Suicide, HIV/AIDS
and other disparities facing men of color.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter. — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
BREAKING THE SILENCE
It only takes one person to shine a light on what’s being kept in the dark, but a community to TURN ON THE FLOODLIGHTS. Here is my attempt to shine that light.
David Stuckey, in his blog “Before I am no longer, Young, Gifted and Black” (a great blog by the way), wrote something that struck a chord. He said that basically there are some great writers out in the world; writing great, if not, spectacular work. But are they really saying anything of importance? So, with $40.00 to purchase royalty-
Homicide Unemployment Suicide HIV/AIDS
Since 2009, I’ve been promoting issues affecting young boys and men of color, and have even incorporated those issues into my work; such as my recent novel Black Coffee, which touches on how issues can impact lives and future relationships if not resolved or properly addressed. Hopefully, more voices like Sixx King (homicide) and Dr. Donald E. Grant, Jr. (Mental Health/Suicide) and many others will be heard as we attempt to shine a light on what’s kept in the dark.
TURNING THE FLOODLIGHTS ON
HOMICIDE
Homicide has consistently been the No. 1 killer of Black men between the ages of 15 and 34.
UNEMPLOYMENT
For the past six decades, the black male unemployment rate has been 2x higher than that of white males.
SUICIDE
Suicide, according to CDC statistics, is the number three cause of death among Black males aged 15 -
HIV/AIDS
Blacks represent approximately 14% of the U.S. population but, account for over 40% of new HIV infections.
EDUCATION
The 2012-
QUICK FACT ON BLACK HOMICIDE
According to The Atlantic article “A Matter of Black Lives,” more than 260,000 black men have been killed in America since 1980.
To put 260,000 deaths into perspective (using 2014 U.S. Census Bureau Black Population Estimates); the loss is equivalent to wiping away the “total” Black population of the state of Delaware (black population estimate of 223,770) or the 10 lowest black populated states combined (Hawaii, Alaska, New Hampshire, Maine, South Dakota, Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming, Vermont and Montana).