Strengthening the African American Family

WHEREAS, the African American family faces challenges, difficulties and extinction;

WHEREAS, numerous maladies within the African American community stem from stresses to family life including a failed education system, high unemployment rates, discrimination and single parents struggling to provide basic needs for their families; and

WHEREAS, three times as many blacks as whites live below the poverty line; and

WHEREAS, disproportionate incarceration among African Americans has a negative effect on the African American family and African American youth in particular; and

WHEREAS, African American crime has a negative impact on our community; homicide is the leading cause of death among African American males aged 15 to 19; and

WHEREAS, homicides among African American men aged 15 to 24 increased 158% from 1985-1993 and young African American men are ten (10) times more likely to be murdered than young white men; and

WHEREAS, the disproportionate impact of disease on our community stems from a lack of health care resources;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP in coalition with the faith community and other grassroots organizations lead a public campaign highlighting the need for promoting individual and collective community responsibilities along with public policies to assist African American families that alleviate the impact of criminal activity, inadequate health care and insufficient educational support on the African American community; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP in coalition with youth leaders of other grassroots organizations embark upon a campaign to reduce the impact of the poverty/death cycle on our youth, educate our youth on positive alternatives and instill self-pride; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP advocate through its units and promote activities that will strengthen and fortify the African American family structure.