Dear Black Men,
As much as the world seems to beat you down, devalue you and haunt you – know that you are loved, respected and protected. We live in a world where hatred, violence, and abuse of power has continued to take your lives, endanger you, and dehumanize you all within a matter of seconds. It is unfair, it is unjust and it is evil. Through this evil though, we see your steadfastness, your perseverance, and unwillingness to accept defeat, and through it all, we are here for you, we support you, and we love you.
You are feared in America. Not because you’re dangerous and not because you’re threatening, but because you’re strong, you’re intelligent, and because you stand for something. You carry on the legacies of our ancestors who led civil rights movements, who’s inventions have become necessities, who’s words are so powerful that they are still being spoken this very day and many more things. You come from a line of brilliant leaders who did what they could to advance themselves, their families, and their communities. You are feared in America because they know what you’re capable of, but their ultimate fear is your own knowledge of what you’re capable of.
From a very young age, we are conditioned to think that the vulnerability of black men displays fragility, but as strong as you all are, your mental health matters. We must continue to change the narrative and encourage emotional expression within our communities. Years of built up silence and pain is eventually going to show itself and a lot of times, it does so through anger and rage. It is okay to be angry and frustrated, but those aren’t the only emotions you as Black men are limited to. Emotions are not for Whites Only like so many things were in the past. Your emotions are what make you powerful, and not acknowledging them is what they want for you. Don’t let them shut you up, and don’t shut your emotions out.
Being a Black man in America means being a target. The system is designed for you to fail, designed to put you in a box, and designed to keep you bound. Yet, with all the disadvantages you face, you continue to fight through them and continue to succeed. You are barrier breaking kings that have caused so much havoc on the plans designed to tear you down. Despite the world being against you – you’ve consistently demolished negative expectations of you. You are getting educated, you are starting businesses, you are giving back to your communities, and among so many other accomplishments, you are simply being great. Black men, I personally want you to know how much you are loved and adored. So many Black men in my life have made me feel safe, comfortable and appreciated, and my prayer is that they feel the same way. Being Black men and Black women, we are bonded together by our pasts, our struggles, and our culture. We were made to be in each other’s lives to protect and uplift each other in times of tragedy and in happy times. We love you Black men, even if this world doesn’t.
Sincerely,
this Black woman
