Suicide Among African Americans

Young black men in America face a great number of challenges. Challenges for a greater chance of them being unemployed. Higher incarceration rates. Greater chances of being killed due to the color of their skin. Being a successful African-American in America is difficult, but not unattainable. Not all African-Americans are “homogenous”, meaning not all Blacks are one or have the same views. Not all Black people share the same beliefs on sex, gender, police brutality or even race. You have Blacks like Angela Davis, Al Sharpton, who push forth their agendas for social reform. Then you have Blacks like Dr. Ben Carson, who push aside social reforms to push their political agendas acting if racism doesn't exist. Not using their social platform to start conversations and achieve greatness, but for the advancement of themselves. These egocentric people contract the fight for change in Black culture. It can be hard to find yourself within a large group as this one. Still trying to find individuality, but simultaneously sticking to the “norm”. …show more content…
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among Black youth. Suicide rates among Black children have doubled in the past two decades. Overshadowing suicide rates in white children which have dropped over the past years. Mental health is looked at as a “white folks” problem in Black culture. Which extremely explains the dramatic increase in suicide fatalities in the black community. My personal view on this issue is that mental health isn't a “white folks” problem. It's a people problem, it's a human problem. Skin color shouldn't define whether or not you receive the correct medical care. The next question after coming to the realization that suicide in the Black community is real , why is the black youth population so