Young Buck, Buck Wild By: Jase Overby

This book is dedicated to Damien.

For everyone that ever doubted you, I w

iill still

have your back a thousand miles away.

Dear Readers, Every summer theres comes along a group of young boys, primarily young black boys, that I become emotionally attached to whether I want to or not. After spending nine hours a day and five days a week with these young boys I became more of a mentor--a big brother. This photo essay explores the space that young black and Latino men occupy in urban society. This photo essay challenges how stereotypes have continuously shaped the perception of African-American and Lati-no males and how young boys determine their identities based upon the values and ideas that urban society projects in mass media outlets. It is a story of abandonment, aggression, and misunderstanding. Bringing together a group of African-American and Latino young men, Young Buck, Buck Wild depicts a neighborhood in which young men sub-scribe to stereotypes and struggle with self-determination and self-actual-ization. The summer is often used for a break from the academic year, al-though the young boys spent their summer in a state of awareness and happiness, the playground served as a safe space and home. With the sum-mer full of violence and teen deaths, the playground was their safe space—an intermission. A space where they could be themselves. There are three primary goals of this photo essay. The collection will serve as a catalyst to eradicate the stereotypes associated with young males in urban communities. In the urban communities young males are at risk everyday due to the way mass media outlets, such as hip-hop and televi-sion, portray them and they adapt this identity at a young age.

Reform: There is a responsibility to make changes in the social practice of the way young boys of African-American and Latino culture react and conduct themselves in certain situations. Due to the rules society has con-structed: stay tough, act a certain way, be a man; many African-American and Latino boys are struggling with self-actualization

Remind: It’s imperative that young African-American and Latino boys un-derstand the culture and heritage from which their people are from. With the lack of knowledge of their rich culture, both groups of men--collective-ly-- are often misguided in urban society.

Reroute: In light of the continuous murders of young African-American and Latino males, there is a point in time that someone must identify a problem and construct a better path. In particular, this means producing highly effective programs that help prepare young males for high school, college, work and proactive lives.

Niggas been ballin

Devin and Craig

don't express your feelings or you're considered angry

Craig

Is this masculine enough ?

I'm just seeing,Seeing for a sight that's so unattainable,so unimaginable,so unbearable.beyond this blight

i write to writei write to right.Jase Overby

contactJayson.overby@morehouse.edu216.209.5655

interMission:Young BuckBuck Wild