Three Useful Books

COMING OF AGE: African American Male Rites of Passage.

Author: Paul Hill, Jr.
126 pages, $9.95 (paperback)

The African American Male has been labeled as dangerous, obsolete, endangered, and at risk. Much of who the African American male is has been externally determined by the circumstances of Western existence.

Coming Of Age: African American Male Rites-Of-Passage provides an overview of the issues confronting the African American male and a strategy to nurture a new generation of African American males. The book is diagnostic and prescriptive. Coming Of Age: African' American Male Rites-Of-Passage was written out of concern for the collective welfare of the African American community; however,the book specifically focuses on the male. Rites-Of-Passage is presented as a coming of age strategy for males which is necessary for their survival.

This is a work, which is both reactive and proactive. It is reactive in that it represents a response to the cumulative forces currently operating in the United States, which if not abated, will give truth to the statement, "Black males in the United States are endangered." The convergence of these forces, inclusive of but not limited to, homicide, suicide, imprisonment, infant mortality, AIDS, alcohol, drugs, toxic waste, and cardiovascular disease all have the net effect of hastening the demise of Black males. It is a proactive work in that it calls upon the collective consciousness, will, knowledge, and creativity of the Black community to institutionalize Rites-Of-Passage as part of the socialization process for rearing male children.

A succinct overview of issues confronting African American males and a strategy to nurture the younger generation (the RITE OF PASSAGE process and community socialization based on an Afrocentric world view and value system). Includes program activities. The author is CEO/President of East End Neighborhood House in Cleveland, Ohio, and pioneer in RITE OF PASSAGE programming for youth. He has more than 20 years experience in community needs and programs.

Training African-American Parents for Success.- An Afrocentric Parenting Guide.

Author: Marquita Hill
91 pages, spiral plastic bound, $15

Being an African -American parent in White America is an issue that become complicated simply by the difference in cultural values and traditions passed down to African -American families that are generally contradictory to contemporary White American culture. This guide addresses a number of issues for African-American parents in the following chapters: (1) "Parenting in White America"; (2) "The History and Legacy of the African-American Family"; (3) "Rites of Passage for Families. Its Effect on Parenting"; (4) "Cultural Awareness/Family Diversification"; (5) "Communication Skills between Parents and Children"; (6) "Discipline and self-esteem in African-American Children"; (7) "The Developmental Stages of Children"; and (8) "Health and Spirituality." Each chapter contains exercises for children and parents. A 22-item bibliography is supplemented by a list of 16 children's book for the Black family. (SLD)

Coming of Age can be purchased by calling Toll Free 1-800-552-1991.
Training African American Parents for Success can be purchased by writing The Rites of Passage Institute.
The Journey: Adolescent Rites of Passages can be purchased by writing The Rites of Passage Institute or calling 216-707-6000 (ask for Mr. Paul Hill, Jr.).

Att: Paul Hill,Jr.
2749 Woodhill Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44104
(216) 791-9378
(216) 791-9754 (fax)
Cost & Handling is $15.00

Return to Rites of Passage Home | Return to East End History Page