I remember a one year old Black boy huffing and puffing so much that he was barely able to breathe.
He was upset, and was trying hard not to cry. He didn’t want to cry because he was always told to
“Man Up” when he started to cry.
Even though he had only been in this world for one year, he had already been programmed
to believe that crying was a sign of weakness for Black males. He was being taught during his foundational years that he wasn’t supposed to express his emotions as a Black male.
Even though he was only one years old, he was being forced to adapt to the label and
expectations of a “man”. Of course, he didn’t understand what the word “man” meant at
such a young age.
Unfortunately, the words “Man Up” will still shape his identity when he becomes a man.
A Black man that still believes he needs to “Man Up” instead of expressing his emotions.
A Black man that is afraid to cry because he was taught that crying was a sign of weakness.
A Black man that is suffering silently, because he has suppressed his real emotions for so long
that it feels like they are about to implode.
Stop telling Black males to Man Up.
Start telling Black males that there is strength in vulnerability.
Start telling Black males that crying is not a sign of weakness.
Start telling Black males that it is okay to express their emotions, because they deserve to heal.
