Black men are often mischaracterized as threats, absent parents, or violence-prone. Older adults can be stereotyped as technophobic, rigid, low energy, and past their sell-by dates. Yet the truth in most cases is the opposite. At first glance, your answer to that question might be “not much.” However, the unfortunate fact is that both groups […]
I have to accept the fact that Black men are not allowed to deal with their mental health issues — specifically personality and schizoaffective disorders. The man I considered a deadbeat dad for most of my life is a victim too. The last conversation with my father didn’t go well. I remember wondering whether I […]
“As a black male, there is an expectation for us to be the epitome of masculinity. Living up to that expectation is not only challenging, but it’s also destructive.” The latest fashion trend, the romper for men—or as it’s affectionately called, the “romphim”—has received mixed feedback on social media. Many find fashion flashbacks like this strange, but […]
Clothes do not matter when the mark of terror is visible on your skin. Race relations has always been a hot topic in America, but in recent years tensions have skyrocketed. It has become common knowledge to avoid the comments section of all articles—unless you want to be pulled into a keyboard brawl. Racial discussions […]
If you are a mom of a black boy, the level of fear and anxiety that you feel regarding your children’s basic safety can be overwhelming. There is a lot of animosity in this country right now. The most discussed topics are race and police brutality. All over social media people are giving input. Some […]
I am sensitive because I am blessed to have a mother who validated the continuum of my emotions—a mother who encouraged me to acknowledge my hurt. When I am not OK, I can ask for help. I am a sensitive black man. Being sensitive became a badge of honor after a conversation with a male friend. I […]
Well-intentioned white people don’t want to acknowledge our own racism because it doesn’t fit the image we’ve built of ourselves. Asking the question, “What does racism look like in 21st century United States?” seems straightforward but I’m betting most white people’s answers are frustratingly incomplete. I know mine are, even in the wake of the […]
Racism and misogyny are inseparable everywhere, but their intertwining is exceptionally pronounced in the United States. During the past few weeks, coverage of nationwide racial justice protests and the fallout of Rolling Stone’s stupendously flawed UVA rape coverage have overwhelmed the media. The fight for racial justice has finally become a large-scale, public, and highly […]
Unwanted sexual contact has become way too common in the gay community. On a Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C., I decided to hang out with the crew at our usual gay club hangout. I was having a great time drinking and doing a little two step, when nature called. I left my friends and went to […]
After the decision in Ferguson, my fear of bringing you into this world has begun to outweigh the joy and honor it would be to raise you. As much as I love you before I even know you, there are twice as many people who will hate you already. The color of your skin will […]
When it comes to standing up for black women, empathizing with us, and understanding our vulnerabilities, too often black men are not only missing from our side—they’re battling against us. I’m so tired of black men. I didn’t want to start with that thought, but there it is. Before I started writing, I talked this […]
