The Plight of the African American Man
Written by Najmah Hill

The rate of suicide has increased tremendously over the last couple of years. Teens have the highest rate of suicide
associated with the pressures of being accepted among their peers.

Most recently Def Jam Recording executive Shakir Stewart committed suicide. He was attributed to the signing of
artists Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to the label. He was instrumental in putting Atlanta on the map in the industry
working with Noontime Entertainment with Jazze Pha at the helm.  He was well received among his peers. Even with all
of his successes he still felt the need to take his own life.

There was also scenario recently in the news where an African American healthcare worker in Ohio killed himself and
his family reportedly because he lost his job.

What is the problem? The African American community has always faced adversity. Always has and probably always
will. What can we do to help prevent this form of voluntary extinction of our men? I think we can start by accepting the
fact that every one is not able to cope with life’s issues and getting help is not a bad thing. I think that our men feel
they have no one to talk to. Most of our young men were raised in single parent households and were the “man” of the
house. Therefore they feel like they have to “handle”whatever issues they have because that is what they have been
told to do. Suck it up and be a man are the words that ring in my mind. But this is obviously not healthy and requires
some professional help. Your local church is a start. There are also mental health services through your county health
department and various other services through your local hospitals.

Everyone needs to stand up and fight for our men. We have to support them and not make them feel like less of a
man because they need help. Lets not continue to let drugs and alcohol be the way we medicate our problems. Where
are all of those educated, strong, independent African American women? Lets support our men and help them get
back to where we originate from a land of kings and warriors. We can and we will prevail. So in the words of President
Barack Obama YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!
SUICIDE ON THE RISE