13 - Her Parent's Challenges
Angelica did not experience an ideal childhood. It can be assumed her parents did not also. Mark’s videos document that there are far too many damaged Americans, producing damaged children. They also document that people of all races and ethnicities are part of that pattern.
This is not an individual challenge; it is a social system problem. A society is a giant, complex organization that, if properly arranged, will satisfy the physical and psychological needs of a large percentage of the citizens. Our society did not previously experience the kind of and degree of social negatives seen today. Angelica, her parents, and thousands of other parents are being damaged by a social structure that continues to fail us all.
Being old, I can state with confidence that our society started to change in many ways the mid-1960’s. In the fall of 1964, I personally listened to President Johnson explaining his wars on poverty and inequality at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Sixty-one years later there has not been an overall assessment of his programs. Such a review would highlight successes and provide directions for changes. To achieve successful adjustments of Johnson’s efforts would be a win-win for everyone.
There have been many positive improvements. For example, in 1964 it would have been unlikely for there to be black millionaires and billionaires at any time in our future. Today Forbes magazines, tracks an ongoing increase in numbers. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jabariyoung/2024/12/19/forbes-blk-50-2024/
But there continues to exist a historic income gap between blacks and whites. This is not an acceptable outcome and needs to be examined. And there is also a need to examine why new social negatives have developed.
Mark’s goal is for our society to have better parenting of current and future generations of children. The magnitude of our challenges is documented in his videos. To enhance the capability of people like Angelica’s parents and many other parents to raise children with positive self-images requires successful adjustments to our overall social structure.
Informed citizens are needed to better understand the abstract emotional issues involved. Most of what is identified as “help” involves efforts to satisfy physical needs and overcoming drug addiction, but Angelica reports there is an additional need to help previous addicts to move forward with satisfying their psychological needs.
Is it possible that elements of Angelica’s successes and Frederick Douglass’ insights may provide direction for adjustments to Johnson’s efforts? 4 What Would Frederick Douglass Think?