In the 1850s, information was circulated on how to produce the ideal slave.

1.Establish and maintain strict discipline. Slaves were to obey at all times, in all circumstances, cheerfully with alacrity. Unconditional submission was the goal. Slaves were not to exercise will or judgment in opposition to the master's order. The master governed absolutely.

2. Create a sense of personal inferiority. Slaves had to know their place and there was a vast difference between the place of the master and slave, Their African ancestry was a curse and their color a badge of degradation. All white people were superior no matter who they were and slaves had to give way on the street to those of even the lowest social position.

3.Slaves were trained to be in awe of the enormity of the master's power, instilling fear in the minds of slaves. Slaves were to adhere to rigid rules of conduct and were punished severely if they did not.

4. The well being and worth of the slave was inextricably linked to that of the master. Many slaves accepted the master's standard of work and conduct.

5.Condition the slave to consider himself as helpless and dependent. They were not allowed to take care of themselves.After hours they were to engage in rest or simple entertainment and not education.In so doing they would be less likely to develop or pursue ambitions to self-sufficiency.

- Excerpts from Charles M Christian's Black Saga.

After viewing the movie, The Help, adapted from the book by Kathryn Stockett, I started to reflect upon our history.

During times of slavery, black men were highly prized for their docile submission to the master and ability to produce multiple offspring. They were acculturated to disdain long term family units and not harbor long term goals. They were to live for the moment because the future was uncertain.

Freedom from slavery inherited the death-like vise of segregation and discrimination. The world was narrow, constrained and constricted. Any desire for advancement or change was frowned upon, discouraged, far-fetched and met with great resistance. Any black man who demanded movement, complained about the system or tried to buck the trend was regarded as a rabid troublemaker and threat. He had to be caged or put down.

In fact, it is common knowledge that the notable World War II American general George S. Patton, deemed Blacks as a useless race.

Against that backdrop, we fast forward to the present and find ourselves thoroughly acquainted and familiar with the phrase, "The more things change, the more they remain the same."

According to a July article by Lolly Bowean of the Chicago Tribune, there are 100 black females for every 75 eligible black males in Chicago, there are more black households headed by single black mothers than any other culture and black women have the least chance of getting married than any other race.

This is grim.

If you are a black reader in general and black male in particular, ponder the following as I pose this question. Do I live up to God and his expectations or live down to theirs?

A police sergeant shot himself and claimed a black man did it. Why? He stated the story would be more believable. Susan Smith drowned her two young sons and blamed two black men. Lindsay Lohan crashed her car and accused the only black male passenger of driving.

It is very sobering to be considered the fall guy for so much that's wrong in America. The evil influences that surround and follow us make us a convenient prey. The foregoing shows it is easy and quick to think negatively of us and never in a positive light, let alone being the best of anything.

So, what do we do?

The cry is the same as two thousand years ago. What shall we do to be saved?

Firstly, let us examine our idols and those who influence our mindset today. Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Lil Kim, Lil Wayne, Kobe, Shaq, Dwyane Wade, Tiger Woods, Jesse James and Lawrence Taylor, et.al.

We must turn from them and turn to the one who loves us, cares for us and wants the very best for us. We must acknowledge and understand God.

God is perfect.

All his ways are perfect.

God lives in eternity. Time and conditions cannot affect or preclude him.

God is all powerful.

He can do anything, anytime and no person, place or thing can prevent him. Therefore, He is and must be the only way out of this mess.