Despite the monumental achievements of the civil rights revolution, black children and families are in as bad shape as at any time since slavery. Black children are poorer today than they were in 1968. They are more likely to live in extreme poverty (less than $5,430 a year for a family of three) than at any time since such statistics have been kept. The gap in the rates of infant mortality of white and black babies was wider in 1993 than in any year since 1940. Compared to their white counterparts, black children are twice as likely to be of low birthweight or born to a teenage mother or one who received late or no prenatal care; three times as likely to be born into poverty or to an unmarried mother, to be living with neither parent, or to die in a firearms incident; and 12 times as likely to die of HIV infection. Ways that blacks can help black children are featured. Courses of action are outlined in terms of the position of the helper--parents, organizations, the community, school board, principals, business leaders, record and entertainment companies, churches, college students, and young people. Also included is a recommended scehdule for immunizations of children. Tables