Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Op-Ed #2: Abortion and Poverty: The Two Biggest Challenges In America

Op-Ed #2: Abortion or Poverty? The Two Biggest Challenges in America

In the United States of America, there are many challenges. However, a few challenges are caused by others before children are born. Those two challenges, in my opinion, are abortion and poverty. The reason why they are big to me is because they are controversial to talk about.

Abortion has been a problem for years, especially in American Negroid communities. A phrase I see from pictures of billboards is “the most dangerous place for a black child is in the womb”. Of course, me as a boy didn't know what that means until I knew how to research. Black women are more likely to abort their children than any race of women. I wondered why. Well, I realized I was raised in poverty, and a good reason would be that the reason black women abort their children is because they cant afford it. I've also seen that most of the black kids that I went to school with were raised in matriarchal households, which the women was the lead like my mother was. We were in situations in which the mothers knew were not great, but has us willingly anyway. My mom is against abortions and adoption, which is why she had me. Speaking about abortion, there was a question I saw on Facebook:

“Which scenario is more insensitive - aborting a helpless child or giving birth and subjecting that child to a life of poverty and deprivation?”

When I saw this question, it was really something to think about. It is a question that would stump most people, I believe. It is a question that has no clear cut answer, but is a question that people that the majority of people do not think about. Now, if you're a religious person, you would say that every life matters and that abortion is murder. That's understandable. You would also say that life begins at conception, which is also understandable to say. If you're pro-choice, you would reject all arguments and would think it is woman's right to choose and that it should not be infringed.

Here is how I see it: both issues, abortion and poverty, are big. However, wouldn't the best answer to prevent problems like these is to not have sex at all? Wouldn't you wait until you are financially, emotionally, and socially capable to have children? Also, would it best to have children with the right male and female, and that both partners actually want children? These are basic things to do in life, and it is not about politics. It is just common sense.

I know what it is like to live in poverty. It is horrible. Not knowing when your next meal will come or even where you may sleep. I would say this: I wouldn't steal. I had some respect of myself by not stealing, but I am a exception, and I believe that a exception to a rule doesn't make the rule false. I was blessed to not fall in to the trap of criminality, teenage pregnancy, or worse, death.

I know every life has a story, but why should a story start off with “I was raised in poverty”. I understand we can make decisions different than our parents, and that they should be great decisions that are actually beneficial.

Monday, March 19, 2018

Op-Ed #1 - My Opinion On The American Criminal Justice System

Op-Ed #1 - My Opinion On The American Criminal Justice System



Before I get started on the topic, I first want to say that I have been busy with college and family situations that I have to deal with, which is the main reason why I have not been on top with my posts for a long time. I also have been thinking about what topics I have been thinking about writing about. Well, I have been thinking about controversial topics like politics, economics, or American culture in general (I'm a American). I want to talk about something that people would say black men are the main population in, which is the criminal justice system.

I would have to admit, the criminal justice system in America needs reform. The War on Drugs, which was started by the Nixon administration, but was more prominent during the Regan administration, did a good job on black imprisonment. Also, Bill Clinton signing the Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, also known as H.R. 3355, was also responsible for the black male incarceration rates going up. However, how I see it, I know that these things happened. What I mean by this statement is that I know that the criminal justice system is not fair. Pro-blacks and white liberals tell blacks that if they commit a crime, they would get harsh sentences that white men would. I will let them have that statement: I would get a harsh sentence as a black male, fine. Even if that is the case, wouldn't I make sure I would not commit a crime that I know I will not get at least probation? I think that would be the logical statement to make. If you do not want to do the time, do not do the crime. 

Many of the crimes (including non-violent crimes) are felonies. Distribution of narcotics and infringing copyrighted work are two small examples that I can think off out of hundreds more. I know that these crimes exist, and what do I do to make sure I do not go to jail? Do not do any of these crimes. Just like gang prevention. What is the best gang prevention? Do not join a gang. What is the best sex prevention? Do not have sex. What is the best drug prevention? Do not do drugs. The point is if you know that bad things are going to happen to you doing these things, you just do not do it.
Why? Because I want to do something productive in the only life I have. Many jobs would not hire people with felonies or drug addictions, especially if it is more that one.

Is it easy for everyone to follow? No, and that could be for many reasons:broken homes, raised in abusive households, the whole family may be criminals, etc. I think it is easy for me because I have a support system that felt my life matters. Great male role models to a mother I have at home are a great support system. The criminal justice system has flaws, and I would let you have the statement that the system is not for American Blacks. If we believe that, then we as a people would make sure that we do not get caught in the system and our children and children's children would not get caught in the system.