Signed Sincerely Shae

In this article, a reporter wonders why so many students at Robeson High, in Chicago,  are pregnant.  The school has a population of 800 students. Almost 15% of those are pregnant. 1 out of 7, to be exact.

A 2-year-old is in a Memphis hospital in extreme critical condition after he was pulled out of a burning house in Memphis . The toddler’s 3-year-old brother was also pulled from the burning house but, later died from smoke inhalation. The children were left alone by their mother and aunt who left to drop off a friend.

I heard on the radio that Lil Wayne might be facing a year in prison due to gun charges.  And this morning came into a great slew of blog posts that have me thinking… Why are the wrong people having babies?? 

I’m so serious when I say this too.  I’m not a parent, but I know how I would be as a parent. (Save all of the “you don’t know how you’ll be until you’re a parent” comments because I do know).

Anyways, what really matters is that (while they may have societal problems of there own) people from other communities are wondering the same things that I am.  Why are the wrong people having babies???

While doing my morning reading, Necole Bitchie led me to A Belle in Brooklyn who posted the following email:

Last weekend I attended my best friend’s bday dinner (the big 30)! A bunch of us were sitting around engaging in the regular banter of late 20’s/ early 30 young professionals. My BFF segues from into a story about a visit at her Ob/Gyn where her doctor, a white woman, begged her to start multiplying. The Ob/Gyn hoped not to offend, then told her more educated, professional AA’s need to start having babies and need to start having them soon, to balance out the craziness in our community.

She asked my BFF if any of her friends have babies (which none of us do). Upon hearing that we did not, her OBGYN was futher alarmed. She asked what is going to become of African- Americans if all of the educated folks continue to be baby free?

This really got me thinking. at that brunch table were all act right, educated, self respecting AA’s. And we’re ALL baby free? Then I thought about my circle at work and beyond who are mostly baby- free too. The more I thought about it, the more I realized my BFF’s OBGYN may be on to something!

The more I think about that, I think her OB/Gyn could be on to something too.  Ok so I thought maybe its not all about education – but damn how about a woman with some sense?  Simple people shouldn’t be raising kids.  Simple people will raise simple kids.  And 15% of high schoolers at a Chicago school = simple. SMH.

Very Smart Brothas touches on the male perspective of things.  Educated males feel the same:

basically, how will black america prosper if people like you (educated, no records or missing teeth) are waiting longer and longer to maybe get married and maybe have one child while d-block and chardonnay are producing a new seed every 14 months?

The potential parents with sense are being outnumbered.  What are YOUR thoughts?  Those without kids, do you think you’re obligated to bring at least one well-mannered, educated African American child in the world? Those with kids, do you feel obligated to raise a well-mannered African American child to offset the reputation that African Americans have already? Talk to me….