alism, has been prescribed as the answer to this lack oi pridernand self-esteem among young blacks. The theory is that oncernyoung blacks learn that they come from great, ancient civilizations,rntheir self-esteem and behavior will improve. This isrnmerely the latest in a series of gimmicks to get young blacks tornfeel better about themselves. Many Afrocentrists even arguernthat black children learn differently than white, Hispanic, orrnAsian children and that they therefore need a different kind ofrneducation. All of this is seriously flawed. Afrocentrism clearlyrnpromotes fantasies and takes liberties with the facts.rnWhat is needed is not historical fairy tales about Africa butrnthe other black history that took place here in America. Thernhistory of black Americans is a rich one that needs to be promotedrnas a past of perseverence and accomplishment, not onernof sullen fatalism, which saps creative energy.rnThe best medium for conveying this is the black press.rnThe black press used to be a lightning rod of correction tornthe black community. Black newspapers like the ChicagornDefender, which I grew up reading, used to take a leadershiprnrole in the community. Now, the Defender and other blackrndailies, weeklies, and monthlies have little if any role in thernshaping of values in the black community. Values have disappearedrnfrom their pages altogether and have been replaced byrnhype and entertainment.rnOne newspaper, the Buffalo American, long had at the headrnof its editorial column a behavioral guide entitled “Oath ofrnAfro-American Youth.” The oath began with “I will. . .” andrnincluded a pledge “never to bring disgrace to the race by deedrnor act.” It went on to talk about respect for others, the community,rnthe laws of the nation, and family. It urged people tornforgo bitterness in the struggle for freedom.rnToday, there are 214 newspapers and 64 magazines servingrnthe black community. Nearly all are locked into a “white folksrndid it to me” mentality, forfeiting a greater role in the recoveryrnof black dignity and ignoring the other black history. This isrnwhy the black news media must begin to reclaim the bully pulpitrnit once held. There must be more useful information andrnless of the “feel good” news, the endless rantings about racismrnand conspiracy theories, and the reporting on the squarernfootage of some black celebrity’s house. The black press isrnthe best source for focusing on the other black history. It hasrnthe power to rebuild the moral fiber of the black communityrnby letting it be known that the current chaos is just that—rncurrent—and not something that was always a part of ourrnhistory. It must redraw the now-blurred line between rightrnand wrong, recover the concept of morality, and reestablishrnit as a part of black culture. We always hear about the powerrnof the media. Well, the black media can once again bernpowerful if it is willing to take a risk and buck the Establishment.rnIt is unusual for a group of people to have to go back in orderrnto go forward, but that is the state of black America today.rnBy focusing on the values that allowed us to survive through thernworst of American oppression, the other black history can be arnsource of moral and spiritual rejuvenation for black America.rn