'Black Manifesto' is a call to rally the African-American community

In a powerful column in Erie's Sunday paper, Bishop Dwane Brock voiced his call to action for the black community. "We cannot expect others to do for us what we can do for ourselves," Brock writes.

The piece empowers the reader with the possibilities for a better society, yet it takes a critical look at the downward spiral and reinforced stereotypes plaguing the black community.

The manifesto is a "prognosis for civility," in three major areas:

1. The strength of black women
2. The courage of black men
3. The need to disintegrate stereotypes

Brock highlights "sexual responsibility" as being imperative to the future and health of the community. He encourages teens with the following:

There are activities that you are too good to involve yourself in. Your
attitude must be: 'I will not give in to the societal or hormonal pressures of being sexually active before I am ready to pay the high cost of
consequences.' Your mentality must be rooted and grounded in a hot pursuit of your goals, dreams and vision. These must become your priorities.

In the manifesto, Brock calls black mothers to teach their daughters the dangers of sexual activity and the weight of out-of-wedlock childbearing. For the men, he highlights the dangers of "uncontrollable passion" and how "having multiple sex partners is irresponsible, ridiculous, unheathy and ultimately will backfire on you."

For all adults, Brock's call to action is this:

If the more mature and experienced generation doesn't teach the younger generation, how shall they learn?

Will we, black and white alike, heed this call to action? That decision is up to you.

Read the Erie Times News article by clicking here