The Introduction of Successfully Raising Young Black Men

In August of last year, after reading one of Daniel Whyte’s books, Letters to Young Black Men, and being greatly impressed by it, I invited him out to our church, Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church, in Oakland, California, to speak, and to have a booksigning there. After he left California, he called me and told me that he was very impressed with the way my three sons carried themselves when he had been with us, and congratulated me on doing such a good job in raising them. He further went on to share with me, that, in his opinion, a man’s greatest success in life is measured by the way his children turn out.

He then suggested that I write a book outlining the principles that I used in raising my sons to help other African-American parents raise their young sons successfully. And this book is the product of that inspiration.

Beyond that inspiration, another reason why this book is in existence, is because I feel as though I am obligated, or indebted, to share the knowledge that God gave me, and that I used in raising my sons, with other African-American parents, so that they can implement this knowledge in their family life. But, let me say here that this book is not intended for parents whose sons are already grown into manhood, or for parents whose sons are almost grown. Because if we are going to raise our sons up for the glory of God, we have to start when they are young.

In this book, we have included several principles. These principles are not based upon my opinions, or the opinions of anyone else, but, solely upon what the Word of God states. These principles will not work for you unless you live up to them daily, apply them prayerfully, and obey them whole-heartedly. Stephen Covey, in his book, Everyday Greatness, asks this thought-provoking question: “Will we live our lives in accordance with proven principles, or will we suffer the consequences of not doing so?” Then, he goes on to describe, quite eloquently, the power of principles:

Principles are immovable; they are timeless and universal. They do not change. They are no respectors of age, creed, gender, or status—everyone is equally subject to them. Principles provide permanent markers against which people can set their direction in times of both storm and calm, darkness and light.

Thanks to the Einsteins and Newtons of the world, many such principles, or natural laws, have been discovered in scientific domains. Pilots, for example, are governed by the four principles of flight—gravity, lift, thrust, and drag. Farmers must learn to master similar principles, or laws of the harvest. Gymnasts and engineers work within principles of physics, including laws of opposing forces. But neither the pilots nor the farmers nor the gymnasts nor the engineers invented the principles, nor can they alter them. Instead, they can only choose whether or not they will set their courses by them, or suffer the consequences. For while values drive behaviors, principles govern consequences.

If African-American parents grasp the principles contained in this book, and apply them in raising their sons, they will become a part of the solution for the problems that we face in the black community of America.

—Kevin D. Barnes, Sr.
Vallejo, California