Introduction

There was a time when families lived together in what was called an extended family. Parents and grandparents were close at hand until they passed away. I remember my grandmother being around to give me advice and correct me when I was young. We all need wisdom to live above our circumstances, and the best wisdom comes from God. The next best wisdom is wisdom that comes from older people who have been talking to God. This is what we are losing in our contemporary culture.

This book attempts to provide some Godly advice on contemporary issues that may not be available to many young men today. This type of wisdom and common sense advice is of the father-to-son type. It would be received while riding in -a car, walking in the park, fishing, or hoopin'.

So, let us begin our time together, in the park, discussing some pearls and principles for living.

Preface

If you are a young black man from the age of 9 to 19, the odds are against you surviving and reaching age 40. There are many reasons why this has come to pass. I sincerely believe that if a young man will attempt to understand the bigger picture and the destructive forces that come against him from many directions, a strategy can be developed to help overcome the hurdles.

This book seeks to provide young men with a perspective that helped earlier generations survive against tremendous odds such as illiteracy, slavery, prejudice and poverty. There is a source of tried and true wisdom available that can help today's generation of young Black men not only survive, but excel in our contemporary society.

A recent study has shown that of the Black males alive today, 70% will not be around in twenty years. This statistic points out the destructive lifestyle that has been adopted by a large number of our young Black men. Each young man that dies or is put in jail is someone's son, brother or father. For families, statistics are irrelevant but the loss of a relative is very significant.

This book attempts to address areas that the author feels we should strengthen in our young men in order to prepare them to live a successful and productive life. The questions at the end of each chapter are designed to provide a tool for discussion between older men and younger men.