Baltimore is merely a microcosm of urban life in America for black people. What is happening in this city is similar to what is happening to all our cities around this country.

The number of homicides last year in the Baltimore (211) and the high percentage of black dead (89.5%) will not surprise you. Many of our neighborhoods are full of violence and something must be done. These things we know, but the Mayor of Baltimore wants to see more black male participation.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, age 40, is the Mayor of Balitmore. During her State of City address Monday she called for more black males to mentor, tutor and be community activist. She believes this will help reduce the city’s homicide rate and make an overall better community.

From the Baltimore Sun:

“Too many of us in the black community have become complacent about black-on-black crime,” she said afterward. “While many of us are willing to march and protest and become active in the face of police misconduct, many of us turn a blind eye when it’s us killing us.”

In her address, Rawlings-Blake laid out a plan designed to create jobs by bolstering small businesses.

Of her call to reduce violence, the mayor said the city would hold a forum this month to recruit men “committed to making a difference in the lives of our children” and dedicated to bringing down the number of African-American men killed each year. She said the Rev. Jamal Harrison Bryant, pastor of Empowerment Temple, would lead the forum. Bryant declined to comment.

“Our African-American men need to believe in their future,” Rawlings-Blake said.

“We will reach out to organizations that are already working on this issue, and we will encourage others to join,” she said. “We will not do it alone. We cannot do it alone. And most importantly, we cannot afford to fail.”

Source: Baltimore Sun

Many in the black community not only agree with Rawlings-Blake, they are applauding her for having the courage to come forward and say it. Many people don’t want to have this conversation, but more of us need to step up to the plate…myself included.

SOUND OFF: What do you think about the Mayor calling out black men? Is she on the right path getting people involved with the city?