The legislators are being asked to take up the problem of the growing gap with unemployment statistics between whites and blacks. I find this to be a problem, too, because most of the social issues we have going on between blacks and whites stems from frustrations the black community has to do with no jobs for their young people. One of the reasons for no jobs, and this goes for everyone, not just blacks, is lack of education. Employers want people who are qualified. Most of them are running a business and not a school. The jobs are going to people who stayed in school and did their homework.
Here is the number one thing that needs to be done. Keep kids in school instead of dropping out in the ninth grade. Efforts need to be directed at this and it's not an easy job. You see parents need to be involved in this, too. Parents need to care enough about their kids to see that they stay in school and get their education and here again this goes for everyone. One only needs to visit our Native American reservations to see other examples. If you can't convince the parents to see that their kids stay in school, you're spinning your wheels. If kids won't listen to their parents they surely won't listen to the government.
A lot of these young people are being employed by people engaged in illegal activities that promise them big bucks and ignores the risks they take at being caught and going to prison. A lure that most educators have a tough time fighting.
Mike Holst
Crosslake
