Inspiring. I grew up poor with a single mother. I made it. I worked brutally hard to establish a business. Days of hunger, cut utilities and desperation. Having an education, faith and determination pushed me. I never used my poverty and ethnicity as an excuse. Thank God. May my daughter be proud of me.

My father who was born in 1931 and in a small town in Virginia tells us stories about how his family lived one block over from the "black neighborhood". He says they played together, fought with each other and he delivered groceries as a young teen to the black families in the neighborhood. I was blessed with parents that had no judgement of a persons skin pigmentation. I have taught my children and grandchildren the same.

Turning poverty into a commodity seems to be the root cause of near every problem we currently face.

I don’t comment often but this was absolutely amazing. He couldn’t have explained it any better than this. I’m black and I’ve been black all my life and it’s truly time to “heal” from the past and move the freak on!!! We’re better when we’re healed and not looking for pity. Smh

I’ve been commenting about our black community’s for a while now about how our black youth is being absolutely destroyed from within the community and most importantly the home. It’s crazy to see how it’s literally the best time to be black in American history yet the self sabotage is at its highest.

I grew up in a diverse lower middle class neighborhood in the 70’s and 80’s. The most successful financially to come out of the neighborhood is a young black man that became a dentist. We all played ball together and spent more time with each other than we did inside the house. It has not, will not, and will never be inherently skin color that defines who you are. It is and will always be the content of your character.

A great interview and a clear minded intelligent leader, we need many more leaders like him, “let’s look at the evidence”, simple and effective, but often overlooked in today’s news media, schools and colleges.

It's wonderful to see and hear black elders coming forward to discuss these topics and offer their perspectives and work to resolve these issues.

It’s not a race problem, it’s a mindset problem. It’s the wanting to be a victim. And in today’s world, everyone is standing in line to be victims instead of taking charge of their life.

One of the best interviews. I could listen to him speak for hours. He's so calm, informative, thoughtful... wow. Thanks PBD

I have been convinced for the last 30 years that when children grow up to be rotten, most of the time it's poor parenting.

I am a physical therapist and I had a patient who was a high school athlete with an ACL tear. He was black and on medicaid. Mom and Dad were very active in his care and came to the clinic regularly. Mom drove a mercedes and Dad drove a very very nice jacked up truck. I asked the doctor I worked with how could this kids be qualified for medicaid. He said the parents although they live together and function as a family they don't marry. Then the mom is considered a single parent and they go by her income to establish if the family qualifies for medicaid. That my friends is criminal. And over the years I saw many many families do the exact same thing.

He's not entirely wrong. I was raised by my Black grandmother who was born in the 1900's in New England. She told me countless times how the Black family was very important in her day. Everyone she associated with worked, dressed well and developed a sense of dignity from the communities they built. She attended University in the 30's and went on to have a relatively successful life.This was far from the West Philly hood i grew up in, although I watched it go from bad to worse in my lifetime. The one thing Mr. Woodson fails to mention is that this is really the story of America. Culture and a sense of ambition is universally in decline. She went to a school full of immigrants, and had to deal with real racism, yet reaped the benefits of diversity in a segregated era. She focused on winners, not defeat. Where I grew up there was a sense of hopelessness even though some of us overcame decades ago. Yes, welfare can be a step up, but if it becomes a way of life there is a real problem. UBI for example could potentially destroy America, because just like Stallone or J.K. Rowling sometimes adversity can inspire greatness. All I'm saying is I don't want to face the racism she dealt with, and I think it's much better today. People just have to strive for greatness, and ignore the rest.

When you’re failing it’s easiest to blame others. When you’re succeeding it’s easiest to take all the credit

Take a look at music from back then, compared to now in your community. This influence is unbelievably powerful.

Is there a way to download just this segment right here? I have been researching and writing the past few years and everything he said correlates perfectly and is a great summary of what I have. Love it!

That was an EYE OPENER!!! I have shared this video with numerous people. His message, findings, stats and mission should be viral.

Yeah my mom had to lie about my dad being in the house. When the case worker made her visits my mom had to remove all evidence he was there. To this day I can’t imagine how this made him feel. He only had an 8th grade education and did his best to take care of 8 kids. We needed welfare to survive. My dad taught everything about hardwork and being a man. I’ve been married for over 35 years and I am a cpa with a bs In accounting and a mba in finance with a masters in public administration.

I applied for a job, with a masters degree years ago. Complete my application with resume, handed to HR Technician and left. Forgot to add something to my application so I went back about 3 minutes later and asked for my application to add to it… it was pulled from the trash and handed to me. My dad was a lawyer at the time, I told him what happened. We sued and I was compensated. Getting higher interest rates with great credit when buying a house that is much different from “other” people with less credit I can go on and on because my dad is s lawyer. And Racism is alive and well…period!

Racism is systematic. Its not based off individuals

I’m black and doing pretty good for my self . I went through prison and all types of things before I got my act together. The sad thing is most these young black men don’t make it to 21 so they never get to reach their full potential . The way I think at 32 is day and night to how I viewed and thought about things in my late teens early 20s. We have to get these young men at an early age and keep them busy the energy we have especially in our youth must be put towards productive things!

Bob Woodson's been a hero of mine for years. I hope the black community can finally get to hear him the way they're finally getting to hear Prof Sowell. For too long all the media would allow to be heard were from the likes of Rev Jackson and Sharpton. Thank God for podcasters like PBD.

@16:00 that's the key: people need a witness to their lives, to say "Hey! I see you, and its okay!" Makes a big difference when someone's life is honored and respected. ❤

He managed to talk about marriage rates, education, drug addiction prior to the 1960s. But he never considers the degradation of American society as a whole. Prior to the sixties, there was no slogan, Sex, drugs, rock and roll. There was no sexual revolution prior to the sixties, "free sex" was not considered rational, prior to the pill. Teenage sex was overly stimulated by a cocktail of culture and tech, being television influence on the boomer generation and beyond. Not excluding the porn magazine affect on the youth, which has morphed into a industry of influence in itself. With black culture in general, he never mentioned blaxploitation cultural influence. I remember as a teenager in the early 90s, being looked at like a alien from another planet, because I never seen The Mac, Dolemite, Supafly, nothing. I'm glad I didn't see them, before my teenage years, subject matter was inappropriate for small children. He leaves out the crack era, and how that drug along with so called" gangsta rap " and the music video urbanized black communities from the bricks to the sticks. I had family in little Mcnairy co. Tenn, claiming crip and blood in the mid 90s. Influence music culture and the cocaine pipeline, which has a lot to do with the flow of the prison pipeline.

PBD always open to have real voices on. Gotta love it. Big Bob Woodson fan.

So many of us appreciate Bob and his wisdom. He’s an American treasure.

Also, do you do transcripts of your podcast? I would love a transcript of this segment. Thank you so much!

I stand corrected Sir... Great interview.... I agree 100% I grew up in St Louis MO. An extremely segregated city in the MidWest. My family consists of lawyers, nurses, veterans(me), accountants, cops, firefighters (me), thugs and drug dealers. The drug dealers mostly did long stints in the penitentiary, then got out and went to school to become electricians and welders.. Some of them own respectable car sales lots. The victim mentality is the worst thing that can happen to any community.

Bob Woodson is one of your best guests. I can listen to him for hours. The man is eloquent and insightful.

I'm on my lunch break. I started watching this clip and realized the value of the message. Part of my brain, though, was trying to get me to switch to something fun and inane to enjoy during lunch. The strength of Mr. Woodson's message kept me on until the end.

He’s so correct, my 74 year old mother tells me all the time how when she was a child black communities had everything they needed within the community.

This was an enlightening conversation, it changed the way I think of the roots of current social problem.

Thank you for having Mr. Woodson on. I will share this clip with as many people as I can.

Bob Woodson always comes with facts. He, Thomas Sowell, Larry Elder and Walter Williams are always locked and loaded.

God Bless Brother Woodson for finally explaining what I can only refer to as "old school" where we just gave respect n got respect. Decent, civilized, upstanding. Thank you too, Mr. Denzel.🙏🏼

This gentleman is 100% correct. Unfortunately, it’s so much easier to remain ignorant, stay in your current situation & continually blame others for your problems while perpetuating hatred. NOTHING good comes from that mentality.

Bob Woodson came with the receipts and he knows the history and the facts by memory, and he is very confident in how he delivers it by memory. Awesome guest.

"A witness is more powerful than an advocate" - So powerful. I grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood, where a few of my friends grew up in single parent households. All of them are now productive members of society, married, and active fathers. They have all told me at some point in our friendship that they were inspired by and patterned their parenting skills from my dad.

Bob Woodson was a great guest. I hope you will bring on someone who is a more radical Black spokesperson the next time you visit these topics.. even if they are polarizing and upset your audience. Someone like Dr. Umar Johnson, Rizza Islam or Marc Lamont Hill are all great spokespeople who are educated on history, understand the struggle and also hold solutions

Great interview!! Very informative. I enjoy your professionalism.

For once as a black American valuetainment finally presents a black speaker who doesn’t hate themselves but rather loves us so much his critique is met with statistics and analysis not rhetoric and self-slander.

If you believe you're a victim, then a victim you shall be. Good morals and determination will rise you above the rest.

He's right about the Welfare part in destroying the Black Family. I can remember as a child growing up in the Inner City back in the 1960s and early 1970s when it was considered shameful for a kid, particularly a Black kid to let other kids at school know his family was on welfare. You would have been laughed out of the class, if not out of School altogether. I can remember when two kids, for example, would get into an argument, and one would ridicule the other with the retort "At least my mama ain't on welfare!" and all the other kids would equally chime in in ridiculing the economically disadvantaged student. Or if you were an adult, you were ashamed to even let anyone know in the community that you were a welfare recipient; neighbors would have treated you with contempt, imagine, the nerve of them getting up everyday to a 9-5 job while you idled around seemingly all day in the neighborhood waiting for a welfare check, they felt you were 'living off their dime', 'ripping off the System', you would been viewed as a "social parasite". Now welfare is viewed as a handout, an entitlement, like a badge of honor. Truly a very sad and dismal situation in today's Black Communities.

The sad part is, is that people hear what they want to hear. But in actuality, what he is doing is, he is explaining the purpose of the crack epidemic. He’s explaining why it was intentionally done because there was fear about Black people becoming leaders in society, and a certain group of people did not want that to be status quo.

It's a moral problem not a social problem - seldom have I seen so much wisdom in so few words

"A witness is more powerful than an advocate" - words to live by

As a middle age man myself i start to realise that its important not to discredit young ppl challenges because it didnt look or is not bad as my generation...all generation move the needle in evolotion ....when i was in my 20s my views was more liberal and now in my 40s its more conservative which make me realise the older we get its more we see the world for the stride we make and for us things are great because its better than how it was but for young ppl our great world is what they born into and they are seeing a world that need to be better on all angles...yes racism is a factor for young ppl it just dont look like how we old heads know it to be.

I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1965, just like Robert Leon Woodson Sr., (a Philly native), the American civil rights activist and community development leader. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania the year I was born. I have been an admirer for years. Now almost 60 years old, I understand things differently. Yes, race is still a part of the equation. I grew up poor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with my stepdad, mother, and siblings. My parents, like all black Americans and the working class and working poor, benefited from LBJ's War On Poverty, which extended Roosevelt's New Deal of the 1930s, which mainly benefited white Americans. Still, it was Kennedy-LBJ's policy that opened the door and extended the New Deal to include prosperity, freedom, equality, and economic prosperity for black Americans while also defeating Jim Crow and segregation. We, as Black Americans, have a long way to go. I want to mention something: I never claim that I succeeded. Why? Because homelessness is just one paycheck away, and poverty can quickly follow. If a major recession turns into a significant depression, we could end up like Weimar Germany in 1921 with hyperinflation or experience a second Great Depression here in the United States. In either case, we would be back to square one.

The more and more I learn about American history and economics in relation to Black people, the more I become convinced that the Civil Rights Movement in 1961-1965 did more harm than good for Black people. Especially in setting the foundation for the current setbacks that plague the Black community including the entirety of Woke movement, single-parent households, Black on Black crime, the lack of education and economic development, and the general deincentiving of economic growth in favor of welfare dependency. All my life as a Black man, I revered the Civil Rights movement, and now I'm growing more skeptical of it.

It makes me so happy to hear this man speak. Every word that comes out of his mouth is so.. Wise. Thanks for having such an inspirational human on. The lessons he teaches are for everyone...

I was called out of retirement 15 years ago and asked to manage a project in Nigeria. At the same time Obama was elected president. After my first year in Nigeria I finally understood something about the black man. I went back to America sold my home and moved my family to Thailand. Never went back and for the 14 years I have lived in Thailand have never been happier. Wonder why?

The point is in an equal society all those struggles would not occur. He basically stated racist situations in which black peoples overcame and in the next breath says racism is not an issue. There are many people who don’t know what racism is.

"many of us have good memory but poor judgement" Great way to put it!

My parents passed when I was 13, and foster care could have ruined my life. I am now a software developer, gainfully employed, and was given most of my opportunities by both black and white men. We have definitely improved

All self determination and discipline in the world doesn’t mean you won’t encounter racism you can be anything you want in America that dose not mean you won’t experience it

Trevor Noah said it BEST ; As a South African our Racism was *VERY CLEAR* thus you can defeat, bamboozle, outsmart it... In America it's invisible and suttle STILL to this day 😳😢

The culture needs to hold themselves accountable. ☀️

Destruction of the family core and it's only getting worse.

He makes a very compelling case. One thing I want to add that often gets left out is the sexual revolution and popularization of pornography also happened around the same time as welfare got introduced. When you talk about things that undermine family formation, those I also believe were powerful factors.

What an elegant gentleman. I wish the younger black people who live in a victimhood mindset would listen to a man like this, who’s actually gone through stuff. A lot of black people I know don’t live in that mentality. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings, and if we’d just talk to one another, we’d realize how similar we are.

We really need a REAL History lesson.... thank you!

If the situation is not about race then why are we asked about what race or gender identity we have and not just about the ability to do what is being applied for Yes sir it's not about race but it's about the invention of the racial policy that was created by the people who were in the position of economic and political power and that has been the standard operating process of the government in the United STATES of America CORPORATION

As a black man in the military that was raised by a single mother I can say I’m not going to let race be my excuse to become nothing in life. I’m going to work hard/smart and trust god to lead me to success.

This was very, very good. This gentleman is right on point. I know from experience. It's not what you are confronted with, it's how you deal with what you are confronted with. High moral values and spirituality was the norm in our household and in our community. You feared or rather revered both these qualities more than anything else. They were the unseen eyes always watching and ready to put you in check if and when you strayed just a pinch.These are the qualities that brought me through as I became a single parent at 31 with four young children. I walked out with just the clothes we had on our backs. You didn't look for handouts or cheat sheets. There was a difference between a handout and a helping hand. You had to know the difference.You were warned from a child that handouts were pitfalls that you may never get out of. You were taught to have tunnel vision or be on a mission with whatever you undertook; there by, you would always have a way out of no way at your fingertip. It worked for me. Most of my time was just plain miraculous; it was that way out of no way. There's no other way I can say it. There was no way that I physically did all that was done for my children and me. All of my children graduated college, two got masters, one a Ph.D., raised 3 of my grands. The 3rd just graduated college in May 2023. Out of 9 grands, got 6 ready for kindergarten. Been working with my 2 great grands since they were a toddler and baby. They are 4 and 6. Yes! The gentleman is right on que.

I 100% agree with this gentleman, your environment does not need to define who who become as a grown adult. Use the bad experiences that you went thru to help build and strengthen you and lead by example. People have to be shown that it can be done.. is it easy? No!! But it’s worth it .

I don't get the championing of misinformation or providing limited information. There are so many reasons behind the issues with black family after the 60's.

Very Intelligent Gentleman. He lived in the Past and can evaluate what went wrong. He can be Very Proud of Himself. May God Bless Him ❤

It’s a culture problem. When the inner city culture celebrates the lack of morals and principles, irreverence, vulgarity, lack of responsibility, and victimhood, it’s not a surprise to see the behavior that exists today. Discipline is a missing word from their vocabulary.

1920 to 1940 black kids were taught to read and write and out tested white schools by 1940’s, proof positive black family’s coming together and making learning for their kids (black or any group), especially reading and writing, raise their opportunities to make something of themselves. Great interview. Family and caring parents is this solution.

Not only a mindset problem, but overall a heart problem. During those terrible times, our ancestors Faith got them thru. Not religion, but their faith in Christ. Today, you see the repercussions of not having that foundation, and it's a mess.

Preach the truth Brother! I'm a white man. Born and raised in Central/Eastern Kentucky. Which is a place some have labeled as a racists area. That may be true for some, but not all and most deffintantly not myself. This video is a topic and explanation of truth that I have believed since I was in grade school.

He's spitting 🔥 👌 about reality of race. Life is about choices in life

I love this man, he's wise, intelligent and thoughtful. We need more like him.

As a black elder, most blacks I knew had no generational wealth however, many had land which was often stolen or lost by poll taxes in the South. Generational wealth can, in some instances, really propel groups to success. Here in Georgia, there is a popular sporting attraction-- Lake Lanier and beneath that lies an entire black community destroyed by hate. Mr Woodson has forgotten a huge spiritual and psychological factor, HOPE, our elders even with Jim Crow felt that it could get better because in there eyes it was better in comparison to their ancestors. Many have lost hope in the face of redlining, brutality, and lack of educational skills geared to the needs of this economy i.e. coding. Good points but take a deeper dive.

Good conversation...appreciate this platform.

The US needs more people like Mr. Woodson.

SPREAD THIS MAN'S MESSAGE FAR AND WIDE!🙌

I love this man. Preserve his message at all costs. He is a national treasure.

The damage from racism already been done that's kind of like Me breaking your leg, then turn around and ask you why you can't get up.

I was a full time student with a job. When I lost my job I tried collecting assistance but because I was a student and not working I didn't qualify for assistance. I asked if I didn't go to school would I qualify, she said yes. So if I'm a "do nothing" loser not striving for anything I get the help NOT deserved. Everything is backwards.

A man who arrives at a discussion with facts, real facts not a bunch of anger or passion based statements. This is an example of how a discussion can have positive outcomes for all parties instead of groups yelling at each other abs hurling insults and obscenities, very refreshing

Integration was the biggest enemy to "black" people as it is merely social integration, as opposed to economic integration.

For many Blacks, the way out is through sports, but the sad truth is that there are not many job openings. You got to use your head instead of your body. Train your mind like you would train your body. There are a lot of job openings out there for people who can use their minds.

Who pass the laws to break up and break down the family structure?

I’m a white guy and I listened to this black guy very carefully and all I can say is that everything he said is absolutely spot on the truth . Much respect for this wise old timer . 🙏

All I can say is this. My parents are black and were born in the Mississippi Delta, mother in 1944 and dad in 1945. The youth of the today have no clue! To use racism as a “crutch” as something that would determine your success in life in today’s times? Is laughable.

This was a great interview! I know so many brothas and sistas today that need to hear this so they can take responsibility for their actions and stop making excuses!

This man needs to be honored. So much background in truth, honesty and integrity. He's my favorite of all the speakers you've hosted. I'm getting his book. And he's how old? He's surely blessed with widom, truth, and honesty. My favorite of your broadcasts so far. I love this man. I've never even heard of him. Thank you. PVD.

Hit the nail on the head. The black community proved to the US government that they could succeed even while being treated as second class citizens. The narrative was falling apart fast, and the black community was largely conservative at the time, so Johnson decided to make a move. That administration knew exactly what they were doing, and I’d bet that quote he made is pretty darn accurate.

Here's the balance: Racism, sexism, ageiism, etc. all exist. At the end of the day, it's all about money and opportunity. All the isms are tools to control who gets what. THE KEY is the motivation to flourish, SUCCEED NO MATTER WHAT!

This is what I have seen regardless of race, the reason people struggle with life is personal choices they make every day. Long story short… my 43 year old stepdaughter does not possess the ability to make good choices but she will not allow anyone to make choices for her….. yet blames everyone and everything else for her situation.

It’s so refreshing seeing an honest black person speak the honest truth about what’s going on! 💯

I’ve been told white people were all racist, I was told I was trying to be white by hanging out with a mixed group of friends or by skateboarding or talking white because I really cared about pronunciation and vocabulary. And tbh most of the good opportunities I’ve gotten to be better than what I came from and have a safe place to freely be myself came from whites and other races. I thank god for those individuals , I’ve stayed out of trouble and I liberated my self from the shackles of race bias and white hate. I love all my brothers and sisters but in order to move forward we need to accept the past and do our 100% best to overcome the odds. I’ve seen people of all backgrounds come from worse conditions then I had and still be successful. I’m still here never spent a day in jail worked hard to be better then what I came from. We can do better and should do better. ✊🏾🙏🏾

Earth to this old man. I’m white and grew up in the Deep South. I’ve heard racist remarks constantly for over 70 years. It hasn’t changed a bit. Big money can buy most people. Sadly this appears to be another example of that.

I was so lucky. I grew up in the country. I had black friends and white friends. Because they were the people in our neighborhood. WE ALL HELP EACH OTHER OUT. During hay season we all got together and got up hey. In November we al got together to kill hogs. There are families black and white that I feel so honored to be a part of that community. A black man, the father of a good friend, had past a way about 2 months ago. I cried like a baby. He was a pillar of our community and they don’t make men like that anymore. I see racism on both sides these days. But I think it’s used as a weapon against people to disgrace the person‘s name or a good standing.

I’m biracial (black dad, white mom) and I didn’t think racism ever effected me. Most of the racism I knew came from one side of my family and they’re still racist, so I know racism is real, but it wasn’t racism directed towards me. They’d often say, “We’re not talking about you, we’re talking about them.”. When I moved to Colorado, that’s when I started experiencing racism from… them, as in, complete strangers. They would tell me they didn’t like black people. At my last job, they cracked black jokes towards me and were often times obsessed with my race. I remember one person even saying in a conversation about my race “I know you’re black, but what else?”. I still see people get called the N word in places, usually on the internet, but it’s still happening I see it with my own God given eyes. When slavery ended, a lot of slaves got stuck working for their previous masters. They accumulated more debt than earnings, so they stayed in constant debt to their previous masters. They were still enslaved, just financially. Segregation divided people and my great grandma, whom was white and born in 1927, was always against racism towards black people. I think it’s because she was biracial too, half Whore half Cherokee native America. Her mother crossed the Great Plains in a wagon in the late 1800’s after having no choice but to leave her ancestral home. There is a race problem in this country, there always has been and you’d have to be delusional not to see it. We are all related to each other, that’s why we all look the same on the inside.

Way to go PBD you're killing it

My main objective of Government it is to acquire Power. The best way to do so, is by incentivizing dependency

OMG?! A man who speaks with facts and NOT rhetorical victimhood dialogue! What he cites is why "we" are at this impasse! How (thankfully) refreshing!!!

This is the history that needs to be shared with society.....restore and protect the family