Changing the image of young black males

The recent spate of shootings at the Peachtree Mall has drawn quite a bit of attention this week.

In the most recent case, which occurred Saturday, it looks like black-on-black crime was at play, and we lost another young life due to a senseless act.

As details unfolded in the media, the situation only reinforced a negative image that has evolved in this country over the decades - that of young black males as violent criminals. Not only has it affected how many of us view young black men in this society, but it also has influenced how some of them perceive themselves.

But the image of the black male as a detriment to society is only a myth that’s been perpetuated by an unbalanced view of that segment of the population.

Right here in Columbus there are young black men doing positive things every day, but they aren’t the ones getting incessant media coverage.

An example of that occurred Thursday at the community room of the Bradley Park CB&T building, where a group of young black men donated more than $15,000 to six charitable organizations. The charities were the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus, West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition, House of Heroes, Hope Harbor, Sickle Cell Association of Columbus and the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home.

The young men raised the money while participating in a biannual Beautillion Ball organized by the local branch of Jack and Jill of America. Leading up to the ball, they had to sell ads for a souvenir journal, organize a community service project, and participate in workshops, along with other character-building activities. In addition to raising the money, they helped the House of Heroes landscape a veteran’s home.

Audrey Boone Tillman, executive vice president and general counsel at Aflac, is president of the local Jack and Jill branch. She said 26 young men participated in the ball, including her 17-year-old son, Wesley. The group consists of youths from various socioeconomic backgrounds, she said, and the organization aims to prepare them for a life of success.

“The beautillion experience is one thing and it’s fantastic for any of the boys who are in it and their families,” she said. “But on top of that, and the reason why we’re here today, is that they’re not taking. They’re giving to organizations that they selected because they feel they’re worthy to invest in. For any young people that’s a beautiful thing, but for our young men, it’s really emotional for me.”

Alexander Hicks, 18, is a senior at Harris County High School. He was voted “Best Leader” by the other beaus, and helped organize the project.

“It opened up my eyes to more things that are around me and what I could do to better myself and others in the community,” he said.

That’s a vision we need more of in this community.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Changing the image of young black males."