(ThyBlackMan.com) Save Our Sons Summit is a collective effort between St. Paul MBC of Jacksonville, Florida, Community Connections, and other organizations. The mission is to prevent young men 10-18 years of age from being involved in the judicial system, working to solidify the importance of education and its empowering value of the family structure.
Encouraging mentoring, fathers staying involved with their children and positive parenting. The Save Our Sons Summit was attended by over a thousand youth. This summit provided an opportunity for youth in Jacksonville and surrounding communities to be engaged in discussions about their responsibility and accountability for their actions.
The importance of youth understanding that if they are not personally accountable and have low expectations for their success socially and educationally there is a criminal justice system that can and will incarcerate them. Students from throughout DCPS, teachers, parents, guardians
and grandparents were invited to attend. Importantly to bring a young man with them.
Today’s criminal system has been compared to modern day slavery. The lack of educational resources, counseling (education and substance abuse) and vocational education to help you to get back on the right path in society.
Judge Mathis a noted community activist and national speaker on prison systems stated many times his criticisms. The prison system is designed for the failure of Black men, not to help them re-enter society with marketable skills. Judge Mathis has pointed out Black men are 60% of the prison population the results of bad schools, diminishing mental health resources,
lack of fatherly involvement and no employment opportunities that often result in African American men being in prison.
The value of education, the importance of self respect, the priority of valuing life and living should continuously be taught to youth. Parents should talk to their children every day and if there are no responsible parents, then a mentor or positive adults should take the effort to bond and support that youth through schools and churches. It is easier said than done, but the priority is here and now. Each of these elements and more were discussed in detail for the attending young men and even several young women.
Community organizations from 100 Black Men of Jacksonville, Churches, Fraternities, Law Enforcement and other community groups were in solidarity for this initiative. Attending were Mayor Alvin Brown speaking about the Learn2Earn Experience and how he strives to get first generation students to enter college. Even though Gov. Scott has vetoed monies for this summer event that is a now a national model, Mayor Brown understands with a college education employment and career doors open.
The community, churches, businesses, fraternities and their sister organizations are encouraged to support the Learn2Earn Experience because their children may need helped in their aspirations for college.
Dr. Vitti, Superintendent of Schools for Duval County Public Schools, discussed parental responsibility and how parents are their children’s first teacher, mentor and foundation for educational and social excellence. New direction for parents to be more involved and active in schools, taking a lead in working with teachers and administrators for the growth of educational successes. Dr. Vitti has stated many times that schools cannot do it alone in the educational process they need parental support not criticism. Parents can help with student discipline, truancy, bullying, and even the potential for criminal behaviors that create too many opportunities for youth to be involved in the criminal justice system.
Pastor John E. Guns St. Paul MBC http://www.spmbcjax.org/ heartfelt words of his experiences presiding over funerals of youth that have been murdered showed his passion and commitment to youth and the Jacksonville community. Parents need to be involved in their children’s lives each day. No child should be incarcerated, killed or involved in the killing of another person. More can and should be done by churches and organizations throughout Jacksonville. Pastor Guns announced this is only the beginning.
Next will be Save Our Daughters.
Each of the community organizations involved represents what is good and positive in Jacksonville. Speakers spoke to parents and youth to inspire, encourage and engage the reality of our world for young men Black, Latino, Mexican, Asian, Haitian and even White.
The direct discussion by men that were incarcerated, gone astray in life and their experiences were shared to show youth how life is precious and should be valued. To show those attending what social and educational paths NOT to go thru because of the long term negative effects of being involved in the juvenile justice system and even the adult system.
The school to prison pipeline is shown to be affecting the lives of millions of youth especially Black youth. The implementation of preventive measures are many times not in place to help youth that are challenged educationally, socially and the instability of the family structure.
Emphasis was on more could be done. As Pastor Guns stated multiple times, “more can be done for our youth in Jacksonville. More organizations, fraternities, professionals and others need to step-up and help youth of our community.” Save Our Sons is just the beginning of a wider initiative, expanding soon to Save Our Daughters.
Data shows more young girls from the ages of 10-18 are challenged academically in schools, exposed to bullying, sexual situations and the lack of male and female mentors. This is only the beginning and to be successful more Churches, Chamber of Commerce’s, Educational organizations and community groups need to be involved.
Resources:
Save Our Sons Summit 2013
https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSonsJacksonville
YouTube Videos from Save Our Sons
http://www.youtube.com/williamjacksoninfl
Pastor John E. Guns, Dr. N. Vitti and Mayor Alvin Brown
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
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