Being A Black Man in America
Why we are able to overcome adversity in society today
The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness.
Marcus Garvey
When you see a black man, what are you thinking? Be Honest. What about a group of black men? Do your thoughts change based on the environment?
Does the type of clothes they are wearing make a difference? Do they make you feel uncomfortable?
Have you ever had people following you around a store? How about being pulled over because the officer said they thought your registration had expired, even though the number on the sticker was for the next calendar year.
Or what about having police officers draw their guns on you while you are parked at your parent’s house after coming home from a Dallas Cowboys game.
These are my experiences and many black men have had similar experiences. Many others have had it much worse.
If you have never experienced anything near those situations but still find it hard to believe that racism still exists in this day and age, then you are part of the problem. Yes….you.
Being a black man in America is a unique situation. On one hand, it feels as if you have a large population who views you with uncertainty. Like they have to get a feel for if you are “one of the good ones or one of the bad ones.”
The other side of the coin is confidence, swagger, and a feeling of proudness of who I am and where I came from.
Growing up, my Dad always preached values like hard work, determination, and empathy. As a black male, I knew that from time to time I would be treated differently than others.
I was ok with the fact that I would have to work harder than others in certain situations to get ahead.
For me, I often feel misunderstood by non-black people. It can be frustrating sometimes because I feel like I’m a laid-back, funny, intelligent, friendly person when you get to know me.
All people can be judged by their clothes or body language etc. It just seems like black people are the only ones who get judged by the color of their skin in this country.
Having to go through this day in and day out can affect people in different ways. For me, it just gave me a chip on my shoulder and made me more relentless.
However, many become depressed or angry with the world. It’s tough to feel like everyone is against you, especially for something you can’t control, like your race.
For all of the negative things black men in America face, there are many positives that I would like to highlight.
If you are a black man, you are automatically cool. At least from the perspective of non-black people.
You are automatically assumed to have culture, be athletic, and have sexual prowess. It doesn’t make any of these things a fact, but it’s the perception.
Being a black man is also special because it places me in sort of a fraternity. We call each other “brother.” There is a certain level of admiration and respect from one black man towards another.
This is something that has been passed down from generation to generation, and I hope that never goes away.
Finally, we are simply built differently. Knowing the history, the struggles, and the discrimination, forces us to have a toughness that some others are lacking.
From early on in life, we understand the challenges that we are going to face in our lives. It becomes a challenge to overcome these things, and even though there will be many who are not able to conquer these obstacles, knowing that they are evident creates a mindset of perseverance.
If this comes off to you as bragging or putting black men above other demographics, that’s not the case. I’m simply highlighting the reality of what we face in society today. All races are unique and face certain challenges.
So despite the many struggles and obstacles that black men face in the world today, I wouldn’t change my life for the world. I love being black and everything that comes with it.
We will continue to rise above the obstacles and force change in the world today. Our presence will never be ignored.