This article centers on the accomplishments and volatile lives of black men. The reason I say volatile is that regardless of his positive endeavors, the results are tragic sometimes. Looking at this condition and trying to examine why there may be questions that have no answers and believing most are hypothetical.

In the conclusion, I hope to explain why it may show the reason it's necessary for them to avoid their peril if they continue keeping serious concerns to himself, and outwardly, taking things too lightly.

However, one thing this won't suggest is sympathy. It's about seeing what is wrong and finding a way to change it. If black men do not realize there's a reason these things are happening to them, he will also avoid seeing the danger of becoming extinct. In the actual world, anything he has done, doing, or about to do, is usually played down, unfortunately.

Most black girls have some relationship with their mother and their mother's mother and sometimes the older matriarch that started it all. But black boys have rarely had the same relationship with their farther or other male forebears as far back as the beginning of slavery. So trying to gather any kind of information that would connect me to mine also, I realize it takes less effort to understand that line is un-repairable.

So, for them as well as myself, this may be the negated source that would help avoid living our lives in a migratory manner. Not in the since of a man who travels, but a man whose character reflect a nomadic demeanor. Although some may question this, looking at their wide-ranging instability, in many situations, it should be obvious.

Although the exploitation of any living thing would be wrong, usually within a period of time, the worse of it usually lessens. What hasn't happened since the end of slavery is no real improvement in his circumstances, which would be expected after acquiring certain liberties; it seems the problems of the society from crime to social dependency have become his mode of identification.

Since some may disagree, there's no reason for the majority to believe it, although there may be some criticism from men at the top towards those men who are still struggling. But if we observe both groups as one, it wouldn't be difficult to conclude those men who have yet stabilized their lives, are more capable of providing viable resources than those who resist support of him.

This may seem absurd, but the reason why it has merit is that the most innovative ideas have come from black men who live and fought their way out of adverse situations. But sadly, what happens after they get there, they are quickly inclined to compromise. Not because of their new wealth, but more seriously, their lack of understanding; not in the since of being smart, but in the since of understanding the process and effort it took for them to get there.

Oddly, this is seen more in black men than black women. What I believe contributes to this is their immediate coronation of self, which allows them to become controlling, arrogant, and sometimes antagonistic.

The most obvious would be the noteworthy of the hip hop community, where it seems to be mandatory to validate who they are. But staying with this community, women are more accommodating to other people especially if they reveal some of the same skills and qualities. They often include them and support those who are less fortunate.

Using, A.P. Asbourne, creator of cookie cutter in 1875, to Granville T. Woods overhead electric lines for trains, we see examples of black men under extreme situations still able to give the best of themselves. But what is the dark side that causes many to fall short? What causes, maybe evil spirits, to pounce on him and shred his dreams as soon as he has a foothold on his goals?

Although some may not believe, the curse of HAM in the Old Testament may have some significance to some of the things he's going through. But it could also create some doubt by observing black women in the same circumstances that not only beat the odds, but also excel in most of their endeavors.

Makes me wonder if that's the reason black women are cautious about incorporating themselves with black men, in most things. Before I go any further, I must assure the reader this is not to pit black men against black women, we've got enough of that going on already. It's to ask questions about the difference in their conditions, although they both were initially brought here to be slaves.

So why do the circumstances for her seem to be easier then it is for him, even with his success. Looking at this, I would believe the "Willie Lynch" theory is alive and well today. In another article I wrote about blacks financially dumping their businesses after they spent years building them, although I didn't say what gender, statistically it has shown to be the black male.

So why are black men more apt to suddenly give them up when it often takes a lifetime to get them? So again, what demons appear to terrorize their spirit and cause them to lose interest and give up everything? More strange, why aren't those same demons working their horrors on black women. Is there a spiritual guardian protecting women because of their gift to give life? Who knows, maybe it's something that can't be answered, yet something to think about.

But for those believers, the Bible says we all have a spiritual guardian that protects us. So what in the character of black men cause this to not work for him? Is it because of his gifts to recover from most things that provoke the arrogance, which keeps him acting out of character?

In addition, could it be he's allowed egotism to take over to become an impulse for his personal gratification, instead of being more accountable for spiritual obligations that would work in his behalf. Some of this may sound religious or even hypothetical, but his failings are entered into the court ledgers, filled with cases of prominent black men who ended up with cases where most charges wasn't for their transgressions doing business. But more towards something physical or sexual.

So I will conclude with my own personal feelings. I believe what encourage many black men to fail, although he's capable of many great things, is the inner conflict he usually hides from others and his outer struggles few people are willing to be concerned about.

Having no awareness that he's experiencing a combination of many things, his brashness, encourages him to endure. But paranoia, mistrust, anger, compassion and oddly respect, becomes the demonic concoction. Paranoid, feeling they could lose what they have as quickly as they got there. Mistrust, knowing if they want to stay on top they have to be cautious of the people around them.

Anger, remembering the prejudice and other obstacles that was put before them before getting there. Compassion, wondering because of his financial success it has to be compromised and a need for respect from other blacks that may feel they could eventually forget them.

Of course, this may also be up for debate, but I'll add this. In every area of this society, from A to Z, where black men have been able to break through to obtain some success, many are no longer notable.

© 2004 By Thomas Duffy
Afromerica staff writer

Brother Thomas Duffy will be keeping the Black community updated on the most current Black expereinces effecting our lives. Visit regularly for new information that could help you overcome and make the best of your everyday experiences.

To subscribe to Duffy's column join the Afromerica email list to receive new information as it is updated. Or E-mail T Duffy at: tduffy870@msn.com or tomas@afromerica.com

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