Morning:
14°c
'Role models' scheme to boost young black men
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor15.07.08
Fashion designer Ozwald Boateng is to help choose 20 black male role models as part of a government drive to combat under-achievement among Afro-Caribbean boys.
The Savile Row tailor will be on a panel of judges which will select the new role models in a bid to highlight successful black achievement in areas such as medicine, the law and the arts.
Ministers, who will launch the idea today, say the aim is to offer young people from black and mixed race backgrounds a positive alternative to the culture of "crime, drugs, guns and gangs" into which some are lured.
Announcing the move, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said she wanted to "shine a light on positive images of black male achievement" by finding at least 20 new role models.
She said: " It is crucial that we improve the life chances of young black boys. Too few black men and boys are achieving their full potential and the consequences of that are being seen socially and economically.
"There needs to be a collective effort to combat under-achievement and low aspirations amongst our young black men. There are thousands of role models who offer great examples for black boys to follow.
"This programme is about harnessing their potential and getting more young people on the right track."
Mr Boateng, whose colourful and sharp designs have made him one of Britain's most famous tailors, added: "There is a real need to inspire young black men and I think that can only be achieved by demonstrating how different black men from similar backgrounds are doing well in all kinds of different professions.
"That is going to be a powerful thing for young people to see, and I would encourage as many black men as possible to apply."
As well as Mr Boateng, others who will help to choose the new role models include the entrepreneur and Apprentice contestant Tim Campbell, the founder and director of Operation Black Vote, Simon Woolley, and Metropolitan Police Superintendent Leroy Logan. They will seek candidates from across the country and announce the winners, who will then visit schools, youth clubs, young offender institutions and other venues, in the autumn.
Mr Campbell said: "The role modelling project has massive potential to change the way that our community addresses some the issues around young black men's underachievement.
"We need to find people who can really connect with and inspire the next generation to get on and do more."
• Those who wish to become a role model can find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/reach or contact REACHrolemodels@communities.gsi. gov.uk
Reader views (4)
I completely agree with David McQueen. The role models being trotted out are hardly 'street'. It's rather like putting forward V S Naipul as a role model for Asian youth. Black youth need people they can relate to. I've been working with the former boxer and father of one Errol Christie on schools talks - we did one at Hackney Community College recently - and it went down very well. Because he talks like the kids, had a tough background and still lives in south London - Lewisham to be precise. Oswald Boateng might as well live on Venus as far as most Peckham gang members are concerned. Get real!
- Tony Mcmahon, London, UK
Niko, we are already well down that road and you are right to say that these people have no interest in abiding by any laws except their own and they cant even get that right. I don’t know how these people have got into power but their sole intention is to destroy anything that smacks of decency and people trying to better themselves. I think a lot of the voters are easily conned and are not quite as sophisticated as the media keep telling us. We have more so called universities and academies than ever before and yet they still produce mental dwarfs. Our government is run by complete dross and people who use sound bites that are hollow and just for the moment. Criminals and gangs of all colours and races do not respond to someone trying to help them they just drag everyone down to their base and that is one of the reasons why we are in such a mess. The gang members and their friends are very clever at manipulating anyone who tries to change them and the law as it stands has given them a good armoury. The governments are petrified of offending anyone so anything goes and we will reap the rewards sooner than later. Good luck to you people on your side of the pond.
- Stephen D., London England
I write a blog called championwalk. The aim of this site is to promote positive roles for many young black people in London. I think this is a good initiative but would work better as mentors. The celebrities that we trot out as role models don't work at a grassroots level. At grassroots level role models are fathers, uncles, brothers and peers. Why? Because they are there every day reinforcing their messages be they positive or negative.
The truth is the disenfranchised young men in our schools, colleges or not, pay no mind to such elevated role models. They are living in their sphere where survival is a priority. Getting to the end of the week is seen by many as success. The sooner we realise that the better.
One more twist. Many successful black males have had white role models and mentors. What is said about that then.
- David Mcqueen, Watford, Herts
As is happening in America, campaigns to "look at the bright side" of failed cultures do nothing to prevent the crime and drug problem. Note in California, USA, minorities are a majority and also have the highest crime rates. Non-minorities such as myself are sickened not only by the uncontrollable crime, but by the government's failure to realize that these people have no interest whatsoever in policing themselves. Good luck Britain, you will be overrun with crime and poverty soon because the P.C. govt. can't see the forest from the trees.
- Niko Bellic, Liberty City, USA
