What social issues impacting African American young people should be considered when developing program proposals?

"Doing Some Good in the Hood"

It felt good to be out in Champaign community. I had the unique opportunity of seeing "Hip-Hop Express" at work this Saturday at the Block Party. It was a great experience in deed. The children around the neighborhood was excited to listen to music and play a state of the art video game "DJ Hero 2". Just seeing how engaged the children were, was inspiring. After talking to a couple of students they agreed to visit the Boys and Girls Club, which will obviously provide opportunities for leaders like ourselves to really engage and interact with them. "Hip-Hop Express" is truly changing neighborhoods one block at a time!

As a whole, why are black people in the position and condition they are in?

I want you to think about this question and answer with first thoughts that come to mind, or from an instance or life experience that makes you say that "wasn't fair" or "something isn't right."

Make your argument for the final class project.

When we first began class, I expressed the premise of this course is to provide students with theoretical knowledge about how to address issues that are impacting the black community as a whole. However, due to issues arising on campus and in the community as it relates to crime and police enforcement policy, some African American students are feeling the sting of racial profiling. So the question is how can we as a class address these issues affectively based on some of the things that Asante Jr. has pointed out thus far in the readings. Basically, how do we theorize and put it into action. The parameters are a class project or individual group projects. Make your arguments and we will finalize in class tuesday night.

What steps can black students take to improve relations with campus police?

I’m not able to do anything alone. In order to improve black student life on campus is to come together and keep each other informed. Also, we have to not only inform the ones that think that this isn’t a problem. I feel like every meeting, forum, or protest we put together will be meaningless if we don’t get the word out to those who are actually doing the acts or are being affected by acts. At these meetings I feel like the majority of the people that come are people who are not affected by it and or not committing the acts. We need to talk to those who don’t think it’s affecting them.

Considering the topics that were discussed during the forum, what can you do to improve black student life on campus and in the community?