April 1992
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, N.C.

What should society be doing to help African-American youth get on the right track to success and self-esteem? Young people themselves have very firm ideas about what their families, schools and communities should be doing.

They speak out eloquently in "African-American Youth: Unleashing the Potential" , part of the Black Issues Forum series, airing Wednesday, May 6, at 8:00 pm. The five panelists, ranging in age from 15 to 22, sparked lively conversation on topics such as families, peers, crime, education, and the future.

Panelists include Waleed Bilal, age 18, a senior at Pine Forest Senior High School; Wayne Hodges, 18, a freshman at Fayetteville State University; Nichole Strayhorn, 17, a junior at E.E. Smith Senior high School; and Jamal Waites, 15, a student at Lewis Chapel Junior High School. Moderating the panel are Lloyd V. Hackley, Chancellor of Fayetteville State University, and Valeria Lee, host and moderator of the program.

Family issues begin the discussion. Panel members voice serious concern about the disintegration of the family resulting in young people without an identity, To instill in the young a sense of history and identity, Jimonique Simpson advises adults to "share the struggles" they themselves went through. When asked if parents really understand the world facing today's youth, the panelists respond with a call for more real listening between parents and children.

Crime within the African-American community greatly concerns members of the panel. In the words of Waleed Bilal, crime by the young is " a call for attention." Jimonique Simpson believes the crime rate is due to the common perception that crime is a means of getting out of poverty...they don't see themselves in the system." the panel believes that family structure would help remedy this problem.

When asked by moderator Valeria Lee what is missing in the community for African-American youths, the unanimous response, voiced by Nichol Strayhorn, is role models. To alleviate this problem, young people suggest more successful African-American be visible in the community; that schools offer more African-American history; and that the media portray a better image of African-Americans.

Despite the current situation, the panelists are full of hope for the future. Although the economy, voter apathy, and lack of domestic spending are key issues for them, they believe things will get better -- and that their generation can be the instrument of change. As stated by Wayne Hodges, "We send people to the moon because it's there...if they can launch a billion dollars into space, they can launch a billion dollars into the ghetto."

North Carolina public television is the program service of the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television, which operates 10 stations throughout the state.