The Plight of the African-American Male: An Informative Guide to Healing and Restoration - Tapa blanda

This book addresses the internal and external forces that work to prevent the African-American male from fully engaging positively in society. It addresses, openly, sensitive issues that are surely discussed privately within the confines of our (African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, etc.) homes. The hope is that this book will help to create a space for dialogue, as it is my belief that if we talk openly and honestly about these issues, without fear of reprisal or retaliation, we will begin to create pathways that lead to healing not just fixing socio-cultural pathologies. I attempt to present methods and life events that will help the reader to deconstruct destructive social constructs that prevade society, with the hope that re-construction toward positive social behaviors that work for the common good will begin to take place in the reader's life. This book begins with a lay approach to addressing issues that work to divide and defeat and that work to the demise of the African-American male, his family and community. It journeys much of my life in rural Mississippi as a means for illustrating the impact of these issues on the psychological, behavioral and relational capacity of the African-American male; then transitions to an educational and academic approach to identifying, analyzing, addressing and overcoming these issues. Subsequently, it addresses, first-hand, internal forces that work against the African-American male in being positive contributors to family in particular and to his community at large, such as our attitudes towards sexuality and gender identity-based cultures. Lastly, it examines the role and effectiveness of the African-American church as an instrument of healing, as spirituality is central to the African-American community. This is a book for everyone. Please approach it with an open mind and you will experience increasing liberation with each page that you read.

Larry McCullum is an ordained Elder at The Cathedral International Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey where Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr. is the Senior Pastor. Larry holds a Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey, a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississippi, and a degree in Pharmacy from Howard University, Washington, DC. Larry's life journey has been a first-hand experience in breaking out and breaking through the socio-political constructs of racism, discrimination and systematic oppression prevalent these United States of America. Despite being raised by parents who were not high school graduates and despite living below the poverty level for much of his life, Larry beat the odds and has three earned degrees. Larry has a unique understanding of the plight of the African-American male through his own personal journey that began in the fields of rural Mississippi. He knows very well the psychological toll that discrimination, racism and disenfranchisement has on the African-American male. Additionally, Larry has overcome a history of family dysfunctionality to become an involved, engaged and loving father of two beautiful daughters and one incredible son. Larry is a positive contributor of his time, talents, and treasure towards the rebuilding of families and communities.