Understanding The Dream AS IT PERTAINS TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN

The Mission  Encourage love, not hate.  Create an awareness of the detriments affecting African-Americans. Economical Societal Education Lack of community structure Fatherless families Unfair judicial system  Offer solutions.  Identify the risks of inaction. 2

Racism Vs. Bigotry Racism 1. A system of advantage and privilege based upon race. It does not mean hating or not liking another race. That is Bigotry. Bigotry 1. Extreme intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own. 2. Obtuse or narrow- minded intolerance, especially of other ra ces or religions. 3. The attitude, state of mind, or behavior ch aracteristic of a bigot; intolerance. 3

Racism Is The Obstacle, not Bigotry  Racism can :  Hinder one from obtaining employment  Cause one to lose employment  Cause police harassment and brutality  Cause the judicial system to be unfair  Affect healthcare, politics and education  Promote privilege for some, barriers for others 4

The Keys for Overcoming Racism  Take back our identity  Re-insert the father into the family environment  Create communities  Make education important  Take action 5

Taking Back Our Identity  Challenge the music industry Some rappers promote murder and drugs. Some rappers promote misogyny and promiscuity. Hip-Hop was founded upon empowerment, not hate.  Challenge the media Stop the slander of the black image. Criminals are of ALL races, not just African-American. We have done more good than bad. 6

The Role of The Father  It is the father’s responsibility to: Teach his son how to be a man. Reveal to his daughter her worth. Enforce the rules of the house. Instill morality and values within his children. Instill work-ethic within his children. To ensure his children are confident individuals. 7

Communities Are Not Just Neighborhoods  Communities are made up of: Homes and home-owners Entrepreneurs and businesses Schools Local politics and law enforcement Churches and/or centers for worship Cooperation 8

We Must Control Our Destiny  Entrepreneurship is important because: Businesses control the community’s politics Businesses help the community to thrive Small businesses create 70% of all jobs Black unemployment doubles the national rate Children mirror that which they see 9

Education Is A Virtue  Education can: Spark ambition into professions such as politics Lower teen pregnancy Lower the African-American incarceration rate Heighten the high school graduation rate Boosts college entry and completion rate 10

The Benefits Of Taking Action  Sustainable national economic growth  Lower crime rates  Less violence  Stronger communities  Children will have a sense of purpose  It’s a win-win for all races! 11

If We Do Not Take Action  Ongoing economic instability  Higher incarceration rate  Higher unemployment rate  Higher teen pregnancy  More police brutality  Possible civil war and hate-driven violence 12

The Essence Of The Dream  King’s dream was motivated by: His understanding of America’s Free-market economy His want for African-Americans to enter the market His want for African-Americans’ protection under laws His want for us to utilize America’s system His want for us to compete 13

The Essence Of The Dream  King’s dream was not motivated by: Helplessness Victimhood A want of dependence upon handouts An easy path to victory 14

Victory Is For Those Who Are Willing To Play The Game  Financial liberation means we must cooperate  We need to become financially literate  Let’s invest in each other  We have to begin thinking from the end  We must lift each other up  Risk big to win big! 15

In His Own Words 16

Summary  Understanding The Dream Understanding The Dream  The Mission The Mission  Racism Vs. Bigotry Racism Vs. Bigotry  Racism Is The Obstacle, not Bigotry Racism Is The Obstacle, not Bigotry  The Keys for Overcoming Racism The Keys for Overcoming Racism  Taking Back Our Identity Taking Back Our Identity  The Role of The Father The Role of The Father  Communities Are Not Just Neighborhoods Communities Are Not Just Neighborhoods  We Must Control Our Destiny We Must Control Our Destiny  Education Is A Virtue Education Is A Virtue  The Benefits Of Taking Action The Benefits Of Taking Action  If We Do Not Take Action If We Do Not Take Action  The Essence Of The Dream The Essence Of The Dream  The Essence Of The Dream The Essence Of The Dream  Victory Is For Those Who Are Willing To Play The Game Victory Is For Those Who Are Willing To Play The Game  In His Own Words In His Own Words  References References 17

References  Bigotry definition Bigotry definition  CALLAHAN, Y. (2014, August 11). #IfTheyGunnedMeDown Shows How Black People Are Portrayed in Mainstream Media. Retrieved from TheRoot.com: ortrayed_in_mainstream_media.html ortrayed_in_mainstream_media.html  DRAKE, B. (2013, September 6). Incarceration gap widens between whites and blacks. Retrieved from Pew Research Center: blacks-widens/ blacks-widens/  Gorman, S. (2011, December 11). Cantor says small businesses create 70 percent of U.S. jobs. Retrieved from PolitiFact Virginia: businesses-create-70-percent-us-/ businesses-create-70-percent-us-/  III, D. S. (2014, March 13). The importance of Black entrepreneurship. Retrieved from Florida Courier:  NAACP. (2014). CRIMINAL JUSTICE FACT SHEET. Retrieved from NAACP.org:  Orlando, W.. (2014, October 3). State Attorney investigates OPD officer after body-cam video of alleged beating surfaces. Retrieved from WFTV.com: officer-after-body/nhbmQ/ officer-after-body/nhbmQ/  Racism definition Racism definition 18