Suicide & the Black Community | Folks (1988)

This segment from the January 10, 1988, episode of the series “Folks” focuses on suicide and homicide in the African American community. Sonya Masingale first presents highlights of a speech given by Dr. Jewelle Taylor-Gibbs, an associate professor at the University of California, at a recent meeting of the Louisiana chapter of the American Association of Suicidology. She discusses her research into life threatening behavior in the African American community. Masingale also interviews Dr. Taylor-Gibbs, who discusses: the reasons for the low suicide rate and high homicide rate for African American youth; her view that suicide and homicide are opposite sides of the same coin; the responsibilities of middle class black families, the black church, and black professionals to help black youth; and her research into the impact of the exposure of black youth to violence on television. Masingale also conducts an in-studio interview with Dr. Myron Moore, the executive director of the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center. He discusses: suicide and homicide as preventable deaths; the new morbidity and minority groups; the risk factors and warning signs for life threatening behavior; suicide in Louisiana; and how to help at-risk youth.

This segment from the January 10, 1988, episode of the series “Folks” features Sonya Masingale’s interview with Lottie Weaver, a nurse in Jackson, Louisiana. She discusses her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines and Africa. This segment also includes highlights of President Ronald Reagan and President John F. Kennedy discussing the Peace Corps program.

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