The State of The Black Man Panel Prompts an Impassioned Call for Action, Unveils a Promising Young Leader

By Lynn Pearcey  Since 1619, when the first person of color landed on these shores, the struggle of the Black family has been nothing short of monumental. Nowhere is that struggle more apparent than in the plight of the Black man. Many theories have been bandied about as to why after more than 400 years, his pursuit of the so-called American Dream continues to offer an abundance of challenges. From stereotypes that halt personal and professional endeavors to overt racist policies that keep him locked in a vicious cycle, gangs, drugs, and the newest iteration of self-hate – gun violence, the Black man faces obstacles at seemingly every turn. Some are able to overcome, while far too many languish under less-than-ideal circumstances, hoping for a better day, searching for a way out.& It was under that backdrop that a veritable who’s who of Dallas’s Black male leadership vacuum gathered at Dallas Roosevelt High School – a place where only days prior to this gathering, fell prey to gun violence, for what was billed as “The State of the Black Man.” The event was headlined by the one and only Dr. Cornel West, an independent presidential candidate universally recognized as one...