Recent years have seen an increase in the number of cases involving violence against black men. The publicized instances of police brutality and gang affiliation have perpetuated the negative stereotypes imposed by the media. One perpetuated myth suggests that there are more black men in prison than in college. In fact, the number of black men in college is double the amount of black men in jail. Schools such as Morehouse College, an all-male historically black institution, have continued to nurture some of the nation’s most prolific leaders.
In April of 2015 an organization called Top10AUC was founded at Morehouse College by a group of students in order to combat the negative stereotypes depicted of minorities, especially black men, such as being violent, unwilling to work, stubborn, or unintelligent. The platform focuses on evoking a new sense of confidence in the lives and minds of all minorities, especially African Americans, no matter their age or sex. The term “Top 10” derives from some of the premises of well-known civil rights activist W.E.B Dubois’ ideology of "The Talented Tenth," the idea that only the top 10 percent of the most educated black people should lead and save their race from the problems at hand. However, their interpretation embellishes by including all people in the top 10 percent to help solve today’s struggles of race.
Top10AUC plans to make the organization expand under the hashtag #TheNewStereotype, intentionally going against the common stereotypes portrayed and perceived by society. They will be reaching out for community volunteer experiences within the Atlanta University Center (AUC) and the West End area of Atlanta, Ga., providing information and funding for cancer awareness within the black community, providing conscious videos about topics that aren’t discussed in the black community, and pursuing active membership from both males and females. The organization will officially be launched on September 15, 2015. Those interested can follow up with Top10 on social media through Twitter and Instagram (@Top10AUC), send personal emails to Top10AUC@gmail.com, and/or visit their website, www.Top10AUC.com.
The Executive Board of Top10AUC
Pictured (left to right): Michael Coleman, Jawuan Johnson, Raymond Turner, Haki Pratt, Justin Buck, Frank Lawrence, & Devon Fox
Not Pictured: Timothy Rice (Photographer) & Ibn Faiz-Gross
An organization as such is only one of many programs that are provided at not only Morehouse College, but also other accredited institutions and businesses around the world. In fact, President Barack Obama launched his own initiative entitled “My Brother’s Keeper” in 2014. This program aims to “address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential” by providing mentorship, support networks, and opportunity.
Let’s join Top10AUC in their initiative to change the view of minorities across the globe. Let’s change the conversations the media chooses to have. Let’s empower our men of color. Let’s promote the new stereotype!
