Last night CNN debuted a panel discussion that is part of it's "Black in America" series, sponsored in conjunction with Essence Magazine. As part of the panel, the usual suspects appeared, such as Dr. Cornel West, T.D. Jakes and Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President of Bennett College for Women.
The discussion started slow with the initial topic focused on responsibility in the community and the lack of fathers in their children's lives. This topic has gained a lot of steam in recent weeks with Barack Obama focused on the topic in his speeches to the black community. The lack of "baby daddy's" in the community is part of a vicious cycle that has engulfed the black community and worsened over time.
The next topic of discussion focused on education in the black community. It was at this point that the discussion started to gain some steam. Two young innovators, Roland Fryer, a black Harvard Economist and Jabali Sawicki, the principal of Excellence Charter School in New York gave real examples of success for black students in their respective areas of expertise. Fryer has instituted a pay for learning program and Sawicki's school is an all black male school.
The final segment focused on the ravages of HIV and AIDS in our community. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph led this discussion and gave some very real and disturbing examples of how HIV is ravaging our community, especially women. The scariest example used was of 11 year old twins being infected with HIV by the same man.
CNN is displaying a noble gesture in developing the "Black in America" series. It's just very disturbing to watch all of our "dirty laundry" being on display for all of the world to see.
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