New Haven Independent

Perry’s talk on Saturday, however, was not about lamenting the problem. “I believe this community has the power to transform itself,” he said. “If you wait for someone else to do it, you will be waiting forever.”

In a riveting discussion that garnered echoes of “yes” and “yup, you’re right” from the audience, Perry said there are deeply rooted problems weakening the community. The most important of these is education. He appealed to everyone in the audience—and black men, in particular—to take the responsibility of raising children. “It takes two to create a child, and at least that many to raise a child,” Perry said.

In response, Perry also urged the community to mobilize—attend school board meetings, become better parents, and demand the highest quality of education possible for children. Community mobilization, he said, is about understanding that “nobody is coming to save us.” He explained, “One problem is the perpetual victimization of ourselves. When you accept the role of a victim, you take on the role of the victim.”

Victimization is part of what Perry called “internalized racism,” or a community’s “notion that we don’t deserve better.” Perry mentioned several examples, including complicity in sending children to ineffective schools, poor eating habits, and negative images in popular music. The solution is precisely the title of the book about which he spoke: Man Up.

After he concluded his own thoughts to roaring applause, Perry opened the floor to community discussion. He asked audience members to think concretely about solutions. “If we decided to do something today, then today would be the last day of yesterday. If you think I’m wrong, prove me wrong,” said Perry.

Educators, ministers, and youth spoke in response. Dara Johnson raised her hand from the back of the room and suggested several concrete solutions. “How many of you can volunteer one hour a week?” she asked the crowd. Johnson sent a paper around the room and said she plans to organize community members. She and several other audience members will host their first open discussion for youth on Thursday, October 5th, at 7 p.m. at Stetson Library.

“We have to apply ourselves to reach the kids—everyone knows what needs to be done,” commented another audience member, James Brown.

Steve Perry came to the Stetson Public Library on the invitation of the Greater New Haven African American Historical Society. The organization’s President, Valerie Bertrand, said that the association wanted to be a part of Perry’s speaking tour. The Historical Society is part of the Ethnic Heritage Center and Southern Connecticut State University and welcomes new members, she said.

Perry concluded his afternoon at Stetson by imploring that the community get together and take small steps. While Perry will continue on a speaking tour across the country, he said that hopes New Haven will organize. Improvement begins within individuals; anyone who improves himself improves the community. His message was clear: regular people can make a difference. “Opportunity is often heard in a whisper,” he said, “if you have heard that whisper today, run with it.”