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The podcast topic, "African American Men & The Cycle of Hate," stems from me personally taking the time to watch the movie, "South Central," a crime-based film written and directed by Stephen Milburn Anderson, released on September 18, 1992.

The movie sheds light on African American men and our "Cycle of Hate" towards the world because so many of us grew/grow up in the projects, the hood or very impoverished areas. Our communities are much more prone to violence because it is a daily fight for survival because of where we live/lived and how we grew/grow up. It is that out of control anger and hatred inside of us that leads too many African American men to prison, on drugs or selling drugs, gang life or dead, thus leaving far too many moms and especially children without fathers. The movie tells us that so many African American men are either in prison or dodging prison while our kids suffer at home. When kids see a life in the gang world that shows them that school is a waste of time but making money by dealing drugs as well as robbing and stealing is the way to go, then our kids without their fathers are more destined to go the gang route or seek other negative ways of life. The bottom line is that every African American man, and for that matter, any non-African American man who grew up in or still live in a less than adequate communities, please take the time to see if you still possess that same anger and hatred today. In fact, watch 2 specific scenes from the movie that are identified in the episode so that you understand what is meant by the "Cycle of Hate," and then ask yourselves am I still that man today and how do I break the Cycle of Hate I continue to harbor!

Additional Information:

How the Cycle Perpetuates

• Initial provocation: This can be an act of violence, discrimination, or a perceived injustice that one group commits against another.
• Retaliation: The victimized group responds with its own act of hate or vengeance, believing it is justified as a form of justice.
• Escalation: This retaliatory action provokes a further response from the first group, creating a continuous, escalating spiral of conflict.
• Root causes: The cycle is often rooted in deeper issues like power imbalances, historical grievances, and a sense of fear or threat from an "other" group.
• Reinforcement: This cycle is further strengthened through echo chambers, the spread of propaganda, and the normalization of hate within certain communities.

How to Break the Cycle

• Cultivate empathy and compassion: Choosing warmheartedness, kindness, and understanding can help de-escalate conflict.
• Choose forgiveness: Recognizing that vengeance perpetuates a cycle can lead to a choice for forgiveness, which can stop the pattern of retaliation.
• Address root causes: Addressing the underlying issues of power, control, and historical trauma can help prevent the cycle from starting in the first place.
• Promote critical thinking: Challenging narratives that demonize certain groups and being critical of media that fuels hatred is crucial.
• Encourage dialogue: Open and honest communication between groups can foster understanding and break down the "us vs. them" mentality that fuels hatred.