?The election of a Black President is a good step in the right direction but it will not change the fact that Black males are suffering in the South and can no longer be overlooked.? ?Christopher Crothers

The Foundation for the Mid South disagrees and wants to take action.

“The election of a Black President is a good step in the right direction but it will not change the fact that Black males are suffering in the South and can no longer be overlooked,” said Christopher Crothers to The Final Call.

The foundation released a report showing that Black males in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, or the Mid South, are more likely to lack quality health insurance, lose their lives in a homicide or drop out of school.

“Many people, especially Whites and the middle-class, have told us they are tired of seeing these numbers and hearing about racism. They want us to stop bringing this plight to the forefront as if everything is fine now,” said Mr. Crothers, who serves as the foundation’s communications director.

The report, titled “Black Male: Why the Mid South Cannot Afford to Ignore The Disparities Facing Its Black Men and Boys,” was released in early December with a focus on men and boys ages 16 to 44. The idea was born out of forums attended by the foundation that brought together others to discuss the state of Black men and boys both nationally and in the South. It was also to call leaders and philanthropic organizations to get involved with their resources.

“A lot of these conversations are being held on a national landscape, but not in our region,” said Mr. Crothers. “There is a lot of data out there but we don’t have initiatives that specifically focus on Black males. We feel that there should be a field that’s developed around these issues because it’s serious.”

The Mid South is home to nearly 10 million people—roughly 3.3 percent of the U.S. population. The three states, although majority White, possess a high concentration of counties and parishes where Blacks comprise over 50 percent or more of the population.

Poverty was the leading indicator of disparities in the region with a 17.3 percent poverty rate. In just Louisiana and Mississippi alone, non-White households’ average net worth is $5,100. That’s 14 times less than Whites, according to the report.

“I think some of us are under the illusion that just because (Barack) Obama is in office that magically our problems as Black men will just fade away,” said James Brooks, a resident of Jackson, Miss., to The Final Call. “I got laid off this past year, lost a son to violence and have no health insurance. Capitol Hill can’t help me, we need to unite in our own region.”

Brenda Charles, a resident of Little Rock, said to The Final Call, “Our Black boys are on the road to death on a daily basis. Unprotected sex among our young people is out of control. There are no jobs for them so they turn to dealing drugs only to enter the prison system. We already know the statistics. Where is the help from those with the money?”

In Mississippi, 46.9 percent of Black males are uninsured, compared with 25.3 percent of White males. And, 23.5 percent of Black males in the three-state region don’t have a high school diploma. Citing U.S. Bureau of Justice statistics, the report says that Black male homicide rates were 8.3 times higher than White males. Black on Black offenses accounted for 94 percent of the homicides between 1976 and 2005.

Who will stand up for the South?

Mr. Crothers cited organizations such as the New York-based 21st Century Foundation, as a model of what can be done in the Mid South to address the problem. The 21st Century Foundation provides grants for strategies and programs geared toward issues affecting Black males.

“Where is the outrage? It seems like we are ‘raged-out.’ The crisis facing Black men and boys is becoming a part of the culture,” said Rev. Alfonso Wyatt, 21st Century board member. Over the next five years, 21st Century plans to fund and/or incubate Black Men and Boys research and action.

Sedrick Muham-mad mentors Black boys in New Orleans through his Models for Success program. “There is a lack of consistent and effective programs for our young men in the South due in part to lack of funding. Without being connected to resources, programs decline because there aren’t a lot of high industries in this area to feed the initiatives.”

“The indicators of disparity are sounding an alarm,” said Dr. Naccaman Williams, in the foreword of the report.

“We recommend more investment in research and data, an increase in public knowledge, the convening of state advocacy institutions around local policies, and that leaders work together. Action is needed,” said Mr. Crothers.