A few days ago, a woman by the name of Elizabeth Lauten took to Facebook to spew her frustration about Malia and Sasha Obama's demeanor during the White House Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning event. Lauten, the Communications Director for Congressman Stephen Fincher, was upset because the young teenagers sported attitudes, clearly annoyed with the White House Tradition they were forced to attend. Though some of the commentary on both the event and Lauten has been laughable, Lauten's words come at a time when we should be analyzing the way that young Black children are valued in America. Her rant is just another example of the way that young Black children are demeaned in our culture without any serious consequences. Do I think that Lauten should be lynched and burned, of course not. But most media outlets have belittled the commentary; showing that in America, it is okay to attack young Black children. Less powerful people have lost much more for attacking the children of non-minority moguls. If Lauten's words had been directed at the child of another race, Anti-Cyber Bullying campaigns would have been launched. But, shocker, shocker, we are laughing at Lauten and her piss poor apology. It does not take a nationally aired trial, like Trayvon Martin or Mike Browns', for us to realize that Black children can be brutally attacked without repercussion, Obama's presidency has been a brilliant example. Over and over, GOP members have attacked the young women, without losing their jobs, endorsements, or audience. MSNBC does a brilliant job of reminding us how heinous Republicans have been in this article. Until even the far right values Black youth, children who have no real defense for themselves will be murdered, attacked and belittled. Until the American Dollar is pulled out from under individuals and organizations who don't have a stand on The Black Youth Crisis, black children will remain the least funded group in our schools. The statistics have been screaming for years, Elizabeth Lauten just came at an opportune time; one just days after we watched Darren Wilson walk away from the reality of his actions; one when Blacks in America are protesting and upset. I have no children, but I don't know how I could face them during times like this. Not even the children of one of the most powerful people in the world are off limits. Black people have to prepare our children for life. They can't just live. When young Black children are successful, American Media stops the press. It's as if success is such a rarity; a celebration has to be thrown. Where as success in other cultures is expected. When young Black children are aired in the news they are demonized, even if they are a victim. Think I'm taking my stance too far? Show me where in America the young Black isn't faced with the crisis of being menacing to society. I usually like to present solutions, so I will say this. We, Americans, can't make young Black folks valuable by comparing them to other races. We can't make the lives of young brown children more precious by show-boating their success. The only way to make Americans value young Black life is by tearing down the systems that make their lives less valuable. The school systems that keyhole potential until only a few can make it out. The judicial systems that make Black youth a target. The social systems that promote welfare instead of public health insurance. These systems are obsolete and they only benefit individuals outside of the lower class and the Black community.
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ATS MagAgainst the Stream Magazine is an urban platform. We edify our readers by finding noble, pure, and true talent and giving it a stage to flourish. While we love bragging about the folks around us, we also tackle urban issues by giving real world solutions. Archives
October 2015
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