Y'all, we bout to get personal; here we go.
In my life as a Young African-American male, I have ran into a lot of diverse and unique situations. One of the unique situations that each of us has or will go through in life is "identity.'' When I say identity I don't mean being lost or not knowing who we are. What I mean is a trend that has been going on in society since probably the (I don't know) the sixties or when ever our ancestors really start making the front-page (I guess you can say). That is people, groups, and many others have been trying to give a title to what it means to be a African-American Male. Rather through bias media, stigmas/labels, or even our own friends: all have tried to make a standard or label what it actually means to be "You" or what it means to be "Me." The more I think of it, this is not just a African-American male thing: everyone has been "titled." However, I do feel it is even worse on us, because of the stereotype that have been tagged to us from outside sources.
Therefore, let me tell you something my "Brothers" that many want or do not have the vision to tell you: you are who you want to be. In life every young adult has to make that decision for themselves. No one should have to label themselves, but you yourself be your own man. Stereotypes and statistics will always be around, but who we are: no one can change that. No circumstance, no temptation, or human being on this planet can dictate or label us. Believe me, if you have not experience the weight or burden of constantly having to identify or prove yourself: you will. But, don't let that scare, fluster, or shame you. Be who you are and do not let anyone label or try to make you something your not. Know in your heart and do in each as well as every action the things that make you a man of character, prestige, and excellent (no matter what neighborhood your from or what society sees you as).
I end this blog posting like this (on a personal note). This is a piece from a essay contest that I was featured in.
"Who am I?
I am an African-American male. It is at times hard to articulate my feelings, emotions, and interests. Being me means strength through adversity, turning statistics into inspiration, and not being ashamed of who I am.I want to be the exception to the statistics. In closing, I love who I am and I'm not ashamed. Although I may be labeled or stigmatized; I truly believe in myself. You may look at me and ask who am I? I'm just a regular person with incredible dreams.
In my life as a Young African-American male, I have ran into a lot of diverse and unique situations. One of the unique situations that each of us has or will go through in life is "identity.'' When I say identity I don't mean being lost or not knowing who we are. What I mean is a trend that has been going on in society since probably the (I don't know) the sixties or when ever our ancestors really start making the front-page (I guess you can say). That is people, groups, and many others have been trying to give a title to what it means to be a African-American Male. Rather through bias media, stigmas/labels, or even our own friends: all have tried to make a standard or label what it actually means to be "You" or what it means to be "Me." The more I think of it, this is not just a African-American male thing: everyone has been "titled." However, I do feel it is even worse on us, because of the stereotype that have been tagged to us from outside sources.
Therefore, let me tell you something my "Brothers" that many want or do not have the vision to tell you: you are who you want to be. In life every young adult has to make that decision for themselves. No one should have to label themselves, but you yourself be your own man. Stereotypes and statistics will always be around, but who we are: no one can change that. No circumstance, no temptation, or human being on this planet can dictate or label us. Believe me, if you have not experience the weight or burden of constantly having to identify or prove yourself: you will. But, don't let that scare, fluster, or shame you. Be who you are and do not let anyone label or try to make you something your not. Know in your heart and do in each as well as every action the things that make you a man of character, prestige, and excellent (no matter what neighborhood your from or what society sees you as).
I end this blog posting like this (on a personal note). This is a piece from a essay contest that I was featured in.
"Who am I?
I am an African-American male. It is at times hard to articulate my feelings, emotions, and interests. Being me means strength through adversity, turning statistics into inspiration, and not being ashamed of who I am.I want to be the exception to the statistics. In closing, I love who I am and I'm not ashamed. Although I may be labeled or stigmatized; I truly believe in myself. You may look at me and ask who am I? I'm just a regular person with incredible dreams.
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