Which is more likely for an African American male to succeed in: College Degree or Criminal Record

In Chicago for an African American male to receive his college degree would be an honor. It’s not an everyday thing you see, even though it’s something you would be able to get use to. Mothers and fathers would be proud to see their son get a college degree, then to be depressed and sad, looking at their son in jail. You can’t deny the fact that African American males are likely to have a criminal record than receiving a college degree, we can only change it.
To me I think the reason why African American males receive an criminal record before a college degree do to the fact that they may not have a role model or father figure in their life, but they shouldn’t use this as an excuse, even though it would of help them have a better life. Many of the black males today know that some things they are doing is wrong but continued to do it. That’s why some have records before they reach the age 15. In Chicago there is a 65% chance of an African American male receiving a criminal record than a college degree.
Although all African American males don’t have the same mentality, doesn’t help the fact that there are most of our black males out there failing as an individual. Many negative minded African American males feel if they are not going to succeed in life why should they let anyone else succeed. Which causes a epidemic to arise. If all black males think with there hearts instead of there thoughts, we would have several African American brothers receiving a college degree, instead of a trip to the county. In the back of my mind I know there are still some good in our African American males today and I know that they can and will change.
In my opinion I feel as if a African American wouldn’t be most likely to receive a criminal record if people would lift their spirits up once in a while, instead of putting them down with negative comments. Such as “you will never amount to anything but a failure”, “you are to dumb to go to school”, and “you might as well find you a spot on the corner like all the others brother, cause that’s the only place you know”. Comments like those does nothing to a black males mind but messes it up. With a little guidance and discipline a black male would be receiving his college degree in no time. If he continues to be influence with the negative that negative is going to become positive to him. Then he will no longer know what’s right, from what’s wrong. If we don’t save our African Americans brothers today, then who will save us?
The facts states that the only reason an African American male would ever go to college is if he is being force, I disagree. Anyone can not want to go to college, but no one can be force into to college. College is something you must want for yourself and not just for any one else. You must know you can do the work like all the rest of the students. If you go into college with a negative mindset then that’s what type of behavior, work and energy you will have. It’s not an ok I’m going to go this day and not the next. You have to put your all into it and want it at the same time. If you don’t want it don’t waste your time going than.