<p>Nearl, I don’t think anyone would disagree with your conviction that growing up in the ghetto makes achievement more difficult. The question is this: How do we change the situation? Increased civil rights wasn’t the answer. Years of government funding wasn’t the answer. Talking about the problem for years wasn’t the answer. So let’s try something new. </p>
<p>First, let’s recognize that the problem is getting worse, not better. Then let’s recognize that the root problem is the lack of stable homes in the AA community. Let’s then conclude that it’s time to stop blaming racism. Rather, what the community needs to do is refocus its attention on fixing the wall one brick at a time. </p>
<p>You’re right. It’s wrong to blame the victims. But we ask young AA women to stop having children without fathers. We can ask young AA men to quit being absent fathers. We can explain, as President Obama is trying to do, that the situation won’t improve until AA family structure heals itself. A person can’t choose their parents or the situation in which they were born, but they can choose how they will behave tomorrow and the next day. Having self-respect and respect for others does not require “being born on third base.” Anyone can do it.</p>