"What does it mean to be a Brother of Color "
I have been thinking about this question for the last 48-hours non-stop. I guess to be honest with you even further, I have been thinking about this my entire life (or at least the part of my life in which I have became enlighten about the world). As I have thought about this question, I made the mistake of trying to answer it in one definition. Heck, even right now I am making the I won't say mistake but the miscalculation of trying to answer a life-long meaning in a essay. For life is much more than words on a paper. The meaning of life is especially more valued for "Us" knowing the statistics, traps, and obstacles set up for Us to fail.
Therefore, although I can not answer what being a Brother of Color means all of Us. I do want to take a time-out to give some insight on what it means for me.
Being a Brown Brother is so complex and comes with so many levels that at times its even hard to truly describe myself. Contrary to what the media produces and shows, we have so many diverse meanings. We are united in so many ways, however what makes Us so special is also the things that distinctively makes each of Us unique. Again, contrary to belief; what I like may be the exact thing that you dislike. No, one man or woman is the same. So, I guess the very first definition can be what does it mean to the a Brother is being diverse.
Second, I think about what it means to be me or you (vice-versa) is pressure. As I sated above, the obstacles, pressures, even being honest the fears (rather failure, destruction, or fearing not seeing another day); fear is real. Although, I never fully let pressure or fear get to me; I would be lying if I didn't say it is there. I mean just image having a target on your back, a label or negative cloud above your head constantly, even a fear of being imprisoned (falsely or unfairly), or killed just for being "You" (rather by the "outside", a rogue neighborhood watchmen, or even your own blood). In addition, pressures can came from numerous other ways. At times in certain situations, I feel I have to be ten time better than the next or "average" man, because people expect me to fail. I feel also, that at times the weight on the world is on my shoulders to succeed; I feel that if I mess-up or even the opposite, I have success I feel that my performance (good or bad) will have a effect on the next Brother that comes.
Last, being a Brother of Color means wearing "a lot" of different hats. It means having to be perfect or at times being seen without any flaws. It means being oppressed and/or pre-judge before you can even show your own "individual" character. Being a Brown of Color is a constant job and something that has to keep you on your toes. Unfortunately, in most cases it does not come with privilege. However, it does have its benefits. Being a Brown Brother means that you can actively change the world. It means that you are a part of a exclusive club that can bring the best and worst out of you. It means that your roots, heritage, and obligations as a man are the strongest of any other person on the planet. Being a Brown Brother means constant strength against adversity, proven and tested strength in situations that would make any other person crumble, it means being a Man of GOD; for it takes Us putting our full and total trust in GOD just to make it through another 24.
What does it mean to be a Brown Brother? It means a great number of things, many which are full of opportunities only reached when you succeed against obstacles. Further, Being a Brown Brother means exactly what you think or spiritually feels it means. Who do you feel you are, will also go a long ways into answering this question. However, it will still take a life-time to figure out. In closing, I love who I am and I could not as well as would want to be anything other then who I am.
I have been thinking about this question for the last 48-hours non-stop. I guess to be honest with you even further, I have been thinking about this my entire life (or at least the part of my life in which I have became enlighten about the world). As I have thought about this question, I made the mistake of trying to answer it in one definition. Heck, even right now I am making the I won't say mistake but the miscalculation of trying to answer a life-long meaning in a essay. For life is much more than words on a paper. The meaning of life is especially more valued for "Us" knowing the statistics, traps, and obstacles set up for Us to fail.
Therefore, although I can not answer what being a Brother of Color means all of Us. I do want to take a time-out to give some insight on what it means for me.
Being a Brown Brother is so complex and comes with so many levels that at times its even hard to truly describe myself. Contrary to what the media produces and shows, we have so many diverse meanings. We are united in so many ways, however what makes Us so special is also the things that distinctively makes each of Us unique. Again, contrary to belief; what I like may be the exact thing that you dislike. No, one man or woman is the same. So, I guess the very first definition can be what does it mean to the a Brother is being diverse.
Second, I think about what it means to be me or you (vice-versa) is pressure. As I sated above, the obstacles, pressures, even being honest the fears (rather failure, destruction, or fearing not seeing another day); fear is real. Although, I never fully let pressure or fear get to me; I would be lying if I didn't say it is there. I mean just image having a target on your back, a label or negative cloud above your head constantly, even a fear of being imprisoned (falsely or unfairly), or killed just for being "You" (rather by the "outside", a rogue neighborhood watchmen, or even your own blood). In addition, pressures can came from numerous other ways. At times in certain situations, I feel I have to be ten time better than the next or "average" man, because people expect me to fail. I feel also, that at times the weight on the world is on my shoulders to succeed; I feel that if I mess-up or even the opposite, I have success I feel that my performance (good or bad) will have a effect on the next Brother that comes.
Last, being a Brother of Color means wearing "a lot" of different hats. It means having to be perfect or at times being seen without any flaws. It means being oppressed and/or pre-judge before you can even show your own "individual" character. Being a Brown of Color is a constant job and something that has to keep you on your toes. Unfortunately, in most cases it does not come with privilege. However, it does have its benefits. Being a Brown Brother means that you can actively change the world. It means that you are a part of a exclusive club that can bring the best and worst out of you. It means that your roots, heritage, and obligations as a man are the strongest of any other person on the planet. Being a Brown Brother means constant strength against adversity, proven and tested strength in situations that would make any other person crumble, it means being a Man of GOD; for it takes Us putting our full and total trust in GOD just to make it through another 24.
What does it mean to be a Brown Brother? It means a great number of things, many which are full of opportunities only reached when you succeed against obstacles. Further, Being a Brown Brother means exactly what you think or spiritually feels it means. Who do you feel you are, will also go a long ways into answering this question. However, it will still take a life-time to figure out. In closing, I love who I am and I could not as well as would want to be anything other then who I am.
Comments
Post a Comment