1. Publication:RochesterDemocratandChronicle
Publicationdate:Sunday,January14,2007
Page number:25A
Edition:
From: Readers
Section:SpeakingOut
Day:
Byline:CarlosCoker
Byline ID:
Copyright:
RESALE: yes
archive~98044380
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Callingonyoungblackmento take the driver'sseat
CarlosCoker
CarlosCoker
Guestessayist
The Rev.Dr. Martin LutherKingJr. was steadfastandsure in hisapproach,and the people of histime
shareda commonperspective andpurpose.
Today,the African-Americancommunityneedsfocused,intelligentpeople whounderstandthe
importance andnecessityof traditionalethicalguidelines.MenwhofearGod,respecttheirenvironment
and neighbors,will be the newleaders.
I believethatblacksolidarityisnotwhatitwas andwill neverbe thatagain.

2. I believethatmostmenof my generationhave beentaughttorespectnoone or anythingbeyondtheir
ownindividual aspirations.
CouldDr. Kinghave envisionedAfricanAmericanscomprising13percentof the U.S. populationbut
almost50 percentof the prisonpopulation?
Or performingsopoorlyacademicallyastoridicule andshunacademicpursuit?Couldhe have
envisionedthe crackepidemicorAIDSaffectingthiscommunitysodisproportionately?
If my generationrefusestostepup,we will leave the nextgenerationunderpreparedtocompete ina
global marketplace.
However,we cannotrecycle the methodsof the past.Thisisa completelydifferentstruggle;itisself-
inflictedandsustained.
Thisapathy andirreverence forone anotherleadsyouthstodeathbygunfire.Itleadsotherwise
talentedandenthusiasticyoungrapperstonarrow theircreative energyintosongaftersongabout
killingandhustling.
Childrenleftwithoutfathersactively involvedintheirlivesisthe norminthe 'hood.Andyoungmen
learningonthe streetshowtoconduct themselvesleadstodeathor imprisonmentata devastatingand
acceleratingpace.
The chiefsof the Six Nationsof the IroquoisConfederacy,whommanyhistorianscreditwithhaving
playedamajor role inthe establishmentof Americandemocracy,routinelyconsideredthe impactof
theirdecisionsonthe sevengenerationstocome.
It woulddowell forthe youngblackmenof myera, bornbetweenthe early1970s and mid-1980s (the
hip-hopgeneration),tofollow thispractice.Menof principlemaintainacertainfocusand ascribe to
certainactionsthat ensure andpreserve the community.These qualitiesare noteasilyassociatedwith
the hip-hopgeneration.
We needtostandup and be accountable toourselves,ourwomen,childrenandcommunity.
No one can leadthiscommunitywhodoesn'tunderstanditshistory,orthe reasonsbehinditscollective
habitsand thoughtpatterns.
The cyclical povertyof America'sinner-citystreetsraisesandpromoteshardmen,hyper-masculinity.No
one whois docile ormeekcanleadthiscommunity.
I can count a childhoodfriendof mine,Rochesterschool boardvice presidentMalikEvans,asa new
leader,aswell asKevanSheppard,founderof the Monroe CountyBlackGOP, of whichI am a member.
It istime we get seriousaboutworkingtoredefine whowe are,justasDr. Kingdidsome 40 yearsago.
Coker,of Rochester,ranlast yearfor state Assembly,133rdDistrict,onthe RepublicanPartyticket.He is
a motivational speakerformen'sgroups.