Black are the demographic that many public policy institutes focus considerable resources and intellectual energy on trying to resolve the issues that plague them.

Friday, February 8, 2019, The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research (MI) hosted a panel forum titled: “Barriers To Black Progress: Structural, Cultural, Or Both?” I’m honored to say that I enjoyed a working relationship with MI over the years. As a matter of fact, I was participating in an event there in 2008 when I received word that I had been nominated and chosen as the Conservative Man of the Year by the Conservative Party.

Which brings me to my response to the question engaged upon by the panel at MI.

I’m willing to be the skunk at this picnic to point out what political and social policy-wonks will never admit to and/or consider publicly because: 1) they fear how it will make them look in the eyes of their peers; 2) they themselves do not believe.

Volumes have been written, countless speeches given, and near incalculable dollars spent trying to resolve the black man’s so-called problem(s) and they have accomplished nothing.

Skin color based affirmative action became a reverse form of prejudice and bigotry for entering colleges/universities, that succeeded only in seeing many students who weren’t prepared academically, dropping out in massive numbers. Skin color based affirmative action also succeeded in lowering the bar to pass employment entrance exams to record lows, which resulted in the employment of unqualified personnel, which resulted in greater responsibility upon the taxpayers.

Without belaboring the point, I say without reservation that the same two things that holds everyone else back is responsible for those blacks the panel referenced. And they are very simple.

Bad decisions compounded by more bad decisions followed by bad decisions and a fallacious if not absent relationship with Jesus Christ.

I know the same thing Frederick Douglas knew and that is the best thing for blacks is for the government to stop inculcating them with the lie that they are different predicated upon melanin content. I know what Booker T. Washington knew and that is people should learn a trade, and I know what every born-again child of God should know and that is God is not a respecter of persons.

Black people have not always reveled in bad decision-making, but then came the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Great Society Initiatives – which I contend destroyed the family and accordingly destroyed the individual.

Black on black crime, gangs, drugs, and unchecked sexual immorality are commitments to failure regardless of skin color.

Why does Prison Fellowship and Teen Challenge have the astronomical success rate that they do in ending criminal behavior, drugs and alcohol recidivism compared to secular treatment facilities? It is because of the foundation they are built upon, i.e., Jesus Christ and making good decisions.

I could write a volume on this subject and I could speak even longer. What I have to say isn’t popular because my words hold the individuals accountable and responsible for their decisions. I do not blame it on slavery or run down neighborhoods or a lack of government handouts.

I’ll take all of the criticism those who disagree with me have to throw, but at the end of the day I am right and it matters not that they agree or disbelieve. It doesn’t matter because there are in fact many who do agree with me based upon their empirical experience.

George Kelly in his book on Personal Construct Theory wrote: “A psychological disorder is any personal construction, which is used repeatedly in spite of consistent invalidation.”

Christ said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian Church wrote: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. … To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17,19 KJV)

Whosoever will, is welcome to disagree with me. I welcome them to try, because the evidence of the truth that I speak is universal and incontrovertible. There is a remedy for moral failure and that remedy starts with personal responsibility and Jesus Christ.