Publisher’s Notes
Dr. Michael A. Robinson The Re-Defining Our Narrative Is No Longer A Silent Movement I want thank my wife, the publisher of Living Education eMagazine and the CEO of our parent company Forest Of The Rain Productions. She graciously offered me the opportunity to provide the Publisher Notes for this very special edition of Living Education eMagazine. It was her idea to develop an edition which exclusively featured the voices of African American men who in her words are “Making a difference that only their difference could make.” So with honor, I accepted the opportunity to express to our readers how the diversity in perspectives, opinions, professions, research, education and action of African American men re-defines the immense misrepresentation of African American men views on spirituality, family, community health and education. Throughout my life and the lives of countless men of color we have battled the low expectations of our success and the high beliefs in our failure. Conversely, the challenges confronting the African American man; are equally associated with the African American community. Overcoming expectations of failure as a community rest squarely at the feet of African American men. It is a well-known African proverb that states “it takes a village to raise a child.” However, before that village can begin to become a community it must be developed. It has to be built and that responsibility falls on the shoulders of African American men. The African American history is rich with men of all means standing up for self, for others and their communities. Their legacy of self-help, family, spirituality, community development, education and entrepreneurship remains prevalent in many aspects of our community. Contrary to what some would have the nation and yes the world believe, African American men who believe in hard work, valuing family and supporting one’s self has not been lost. Their assertions are veil efforts to demonize the African American man by insisting he is without a culture, history or direction. These fabricated narratives; which are grounded in baseless facts, misleading data and outright untruths are proven to be nothing more than fabrications and media distortions by African American men who work determinedly in their communities to make a difference. Their silence and unwavering work represents a bond between the struggles of civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcom X, Medgar Evers, Thurgood Marshall, Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, John Lewis, Joseph Lowery, Ralph Abernathy, Stokely Carmichael, and so many more. The issues confronting the African American community are not lost on those who are by birth the protectors of its essences’. African American men from the halls of academia to the gritty streets of urban community based youth programs labor in love to impact the lives of a generation of future American leaders. These men stand in silence when compared to the insulting characterization of African American men often used to depict a group of Americans whose contributions have changed the course of America and saved lives throughout the world. As leaders in the fields of law, education, medicine, technology, arts and sports African American men have shown they are guided by purpose, determined to make a difference by being a difference. These men are Narrative Changers who are re-defining the narrative about African American men.