Black men talk to young black men

“Ten men. On the surface, they have little in common. They include schoolteachers and community activists, a professional storyteller and a journalist. They live in cities as far separated as Philadelphia and Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. Some dropped out of high school; others graduated from prestigious universities. Some grew up in stable, supportive homes; some were abandoned as children. Some have been in trouble with the law; one works in law enforcement.

But these ten men share a bond that transcends their differences: Each is a Black man in America. Each in his own way has given careful thought to what it means to be a Black man in America. Each feels a deep concern for and obligation to the younger Black men growing up in America. And as a result, each enthusiastically agreed to contribute an essay to the book you are holding in your hands.”

This is an extract from the introduction to Brother to Brother: Black men talk to young black men. Although this book is set in America, the issues discussed by these men from different backgrounds will be familiar to many young and older men living and working in South Africa today. Let us know what you think of these stories and whether or not you share similar experiences.

FunDza is very grateful to Townsend Press for allowing it to showcase these inspirational stories on its mobi network.