3/20/2007 HEADLINE

Stronger black family ties will save their ‘villages’

By JOI TROUTMAN

HAMPTON, VA. – The problem of the 21^st century has become “The Crisis of the Village,” according to Robert M. Franklin Jr., keynote speaker of the 29^th Annual Black Family Conference held March 14 at Hampton University.

The opening ceremony, held in Ogden Hall, capped off a two-day celebration honoring the black family as a whole, particularly recognizing Kenneth Olden and Sandra L. White-Olden, major contributors to health knowledge and education. 

Hosted by Hampton University’s School of Pharmacy, this year’s conference theme, “The Journey to Living: Maintaining the Fountain of Youth,” was garnished with numerous wellness seminars and exhibits that coincided with Franklin’s opening address pertaining to African-Americans keeping the dream alive.

“Many of the hard-ought achievers are nearly fading away,” said Joyce Jarrett, university provost, when introducing Franklin. “If the village elders do not stand up and take control of our village, the village idiots will.”

Franklin, a Chicago-native and renowned lecturer, scholar and author, tackled the issues and concerns of the present-day black family.

Franklin’s “Eleven Things Educated People Should Know” offered historical background African-Americans should attempt to incorporate in the 21^st century for the betterment of the black family.

“Africans were brought to the United States to work,” Franklin said, indicating the importance of the black family today. “Never did they intend for us to have family bonds.”

The renowned lecturer also recalled the trials slave families endured.

“Despite the frequent break up of families, many succeeded in maintaining heroic bonding.” Franklin added, after telling a story of a slave family and their various secretive outlets of communication.

One of Franklin’s main points focused on including the students in attendance by “taking it back to the hood,” suggesting that as time progresses, the bonding the black family once owned will continue to become loosened by thugs and gangs, lowering society and corrupting the minds of many African-American youth.

“As a psychology education major, Dr. Franklin’s speech encourages me as an African-American to aid in the awareness of the importance of the black family,” said Brittany Hogue, 18, a HU freshman. “With all the violence my generation is creating, it seems as if the idea of the black family will become obsolete.”

Said Franklin, The black family can still be obtained: “We have what it takes to turn this village story around.”

 Troutman is a student at the Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.