'Social toxins' infect black males

The advent of young black men 18-25 years of age dying at an unprecedented rate, particularly in Oakland, caused Shawn Ginwright, Ph.D., associate professor at San Francisco State University to ask himself, "What's the use of my degree if I can't save my brother's life?"

In a presentation Nov. 4 at Laney College, Ginwright discussed the "Urban Trifecta"--a three tiered cause/effect seen in urban communities--and the subsequent downward spiral among black youth. Ginwright also presented the theory of "Radical healing."

Ginwright's concern for black youth and love for Oakland led him to create outlets for improving troubled communities within the city.

Realizing that the theories he learned in school did not explain what was happening in his community, Ginwright took the helm in organizing programs that have a positive impact on black youth in Oakland.

Speaking in a room filled to capacity, Ginwright took his audience on a historical tour of the genesis of crises among young urban men that impels them to commit such crimes as the recent brutal gang-rape of the 16-year-old girl in Richmond.

"The consequences of what happened in Richmond are a result of an unhealthy condition existing in those young men," Ginwright said.

According to Ginwright, pervasive social toxins are poisoning this group of young men. During an interactive session, the audience helped identify specific social toxins, which Ginwright maintains are similar to physical toxins that lead to illness and eventual death. These toxins include fear, poverty, anxiety, racism, violence and uncertainty as key factors in limiting the functionality of individuals within urban communities.

The "Urban Trifecta," a three-fold phenomenon, has been a major contributor to the breakdown of communities housing urban youth. Ginwright asserts that this "Trifecta" consists of:

1. Exodus of Jobs

2. Emergence of a "Crack" economy

3. Violence

Tracing the development of the "Urban Trifecta" in Oakland from the 1960's to the 1980's, Ginwright chronicled the emergence of the Black Panthers to the loss of industry, which led to a loss of jobs, the first stage. Then, the emergence of crack cocaine, which Ginwright categorizes as the "second holocaust," began drug wars, which escalated violence within Oakland communities.

These three elements comprising the "Urban Trifecta" which are barriers to academic achievement and well-being, continue to plague youth in Oakland. To change the face of the community, Ginwright suggests "Radical Healing" to foster well-being among youth.

The four "C's" to "Radical Healing" are caring relationships, consciousness, community and culture. One way in which "Radical Healing" has been introduced to the youth of Oakland is through Leadership Excellence, a program for African American youth 5-18 years of age.

A benefit of being involved with Leadership Excellence is attendance at Camp Akili, a six-day residential program that transports Bay Area Youth to Santa Cruz. "Black youth are not being served by traditional camps," noted Ginwright. Each day of the program at Camp Akili, youth are forced to face unresolved trauma. With the goal of healing the community, each day's activities become more intense.

Ginwright played video from a day at Camp Akili that focused on sexism. Young men and women first met in a group setting to discuss sexism and then were separated to facilitate opening up about the pain they have suffered at the hands of sexism.

When the segregated groups met again, the young men had to endure the abusive verbal sexist taunts that they heaped upon the opposite sex. The young women formed two lines and the young men had to walk "the gauntlet" while the young women vocalized their pain by repeating the very words men spewed at them over the years.

While it was a liberating experience for the young women, the young men felt the impact of such degrading speech. Their posture changed, they lowered their heads and some were even brought to tears. According to Ginwright, the young men are "shocked into consciousness."

The participants also re-enacted the middle passage during one day of their program at Camp Akili. One young man admitted that hearing how the slave master used the "N word" completely changed his perception about its use.

After his presentation, Ginwright autographed copies of his latest book, "Black Youth Rising: Activism and Radical Healing in Urban America," which is available in bookstores nationwide.