As a kid we are all told to act a certain way, be a certian way, think a certain way. There's is one memory burned in my mind that scared and molded me at the same time. I was about 14, spending one of my many summer in Mobile, Al. with my pops, at an indoor football game enjoying the atmoshpere with a friend when an older Black man came up to me and said "Where is you pride as a 'young black man'? Ya'll kill me sagging your pants like that!"
I was in a state of shock, i was caught off guard, yet i gathered my jaw from the ground and replied, "what are you talking about my pants aren't saggin' (proceeded to show that they weren't due to my Jersey)!!!" In a state of shock himself, he apologized and continued on to his seat. But it forever left a mark for me in my child hood.
As a young black man i took serious offense to his statement but still understood it. We as young black men are the fish in the barrell waiting to be shot. How? you ask. Because we are already marked men from birth, no matter where you are from, what your parents do, your clean record, or your financial status. Problem is for the most part we continue to live up to the way america potraits us, as gangsta's, thugs, violent, disruptive, loud, ignorant, disrespectful, drug dealing, individuals. Question is what are we doing to change this?
I know when i was younger i went with the trends and fads of the day (baggy pants/shirts, a mug meaner than a pit, an attitude of fuck the world n let em die) partially because it was what was popular and because its what i felt i had to be to make it in this cruel, cold world. Yet what did it get me, fearful stares, not to say it didnt amuse me but it also made people think i was mean and grouchy(far from the truth).
I dressed comfortable and still do but with all trends and fads it eventually fades as we grow and i grew quickly. I never saw a problem with how i dressed because just like now i dont care what everyone else thinks. You can think im the son of the devil (n i will laugh at you) but if thats what you want to think im not going to take time out of my day to prove you ignorant (ignant). I would much rather prove you wrong with my actions, if i look like a thug but work a 9-5 in a suit should you still feel im the same dude in music videos talkin about crack, killin, stealin, and women? No! Yet most of america still will. Racism? Eh. Prejudice? Prolly. Do i care? HELL NO!
When someone questions your pride as any given race you take offense to it. I took offense because you questioned my pride as a black man something i am very prideful of. I understand the struggle that happened even though i never lived it but that doesn't make me hate white people because of what happened it makes me hate that people still feel like they are better than me because of my skin. I didn't have to fight their fight but we have a whole new fight. Not one of freedom, or equality, but the fight of giving my children a reason to be "Proud Black" kids. Our music is rarely uplifting, our dances are rarely non XXX related, and our television is rarely lacking ignorance beyond belief. We take to the internet and promote more ignorance, head to jobs with very little care of who's watching and who it may effect. Yet we get heated when someone calls us a "nigger"(a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, etc.). Although when your actions are Ignorant, inferior, blah blah blah, what should you expect?
- If you see something and its wrong why teach your kids the samething?
- Why sell drugs to the block you live on and wonder why the neighborhood is so bad?
- Why drees like a thug/slut and wonder why you're treated like one?
- Why expect respect when you dont give it?
- Why get mad when someone questions your pride when you don't have it to start with?
- Why complain about our schools when you take no part in helping?
- Why fight for a block but not fight to keep your family?
- Why ask why when you dont want the answer?
It's not on our parents to make us strong prideful black men/women, nor is it on them to make our kids the same. That duty now falls on us... so now i'm asking...
Where's Your Black(& any other race) Pride?
