My Responses to a Blackmansdream Questions

1.When did you become a black man? When did you become a man?

I became a Black man at 18 years old.  I was in college and went to a party in Los Angeles with 2 other friends.  We were on our way home and stopped by the Police.   We were told to get out of the car,  get face down on the ground with 3 feet between us.  Each one of us took our turns at having a knee in our backs and asked our names and what we were doing in the area.  We were searched and then told that there had been a robbery in the neighborhood and we fit the description.  Knowing we were nowhere near this supposed robbery we all realized that we were being stopped for driving while Black.  One friend protested a little too much and was punched in the back.  We were then let go when the other Policeman simply said lets go.  Don't think I ever thought of myself as a Black Man before that other than simply knowing that I was black. With those types of stops being on the news all the time I now was able to categorize myself along with the other Black men that had been stopped previously by Police for no reason.

I became a man in my mind when I rented my 1st apartment and could control that environment the way I chose. No more following the rules of others who gave or assisted me with shelter.

2.How would you describe your interaction with other black males in your youth? Adulthood?

In my youth I had a few close black male friends and felt good about the relationships.  We simply enjoyed each others company as we were all learning who we were growing to be.  With others that I wasn't close with I was guarded an always ready to fight.  However, I always knew that they didn't know my secret.  In adulthood I get the feeling that there is competition all the time.  Even when there is nothing to compete for. It's hard to explain but I always feel like there is some type of judgement taking place.

3.What makes you angry? sad? happy?

What makes me angry is not being listened to. What makes me sad is knowing there's nothing I can do about it.  What makes me happy is art of all kinds.  Music, Books, Paintings, and theater.

4.Have you ever dealt with emotional stress directly related to being a black man?

Yes, recently at work I was in a training session.  I was the only black person in the room of approx 20 white people when the facillitator decided to bring levity to the class.  He decided to show several videos of Terry Tate Office Linebacker. This was originally a Super Bowl commercial for Nike. While funny if I was at home, in the work environment I felt it was very inappropriate and a stereotypical depiction of black men being violent, using crazy language and in general being aggressive.  The room exploded with laughter but I didn't and when I told Human Resources after the class that I'd like them to remove the videos from future classes so that no one else would feel the way that this made me feel.  I could tell they felt as if I was overreacting.  From that point on the environment for me changed and I was questioned a lot about my work and accused of behaviors that just weren't true.

5.Have you ever been depressed? What caused it?

Yes I've been depressed a couple of times...once due to a bad relationship and the other due to a person with a superior position at work who wanted to intimidate me.

6.Were you able to express your depression to the people around you? If yes, how did they respond--if no, what stopped you?

Not people at work.  I already knew that whatever I said would have been taken as a complaint and not valued.  Was told by my manager once that I needed to accept the responsibility for my actions.  When speaking to friends they understood but it felt as if this is just par for the course of being black.

7.What has stopped you from expressing yourself emotionally?

Thinking that it would have no value.

8.How were you raised to deal with your emotions?

I wasn't really.  My father never expressed any and my mother would act as if there was no issue or that it wasn't a big deal and I should get over it.

9.How do you feel you're perceived by other black men?

I'm not really sure.  At this point in my life I behave I don't care.  Even if at times I may be affected by their perception.

10.Do you cry? When was the last time you cried and why?

Yes.  I put on an event for the Black LGBT community and felt like people appreciated the experience that I helped develop.  I felt like the event accomplished all that we had hoped.  Then Daniel Black recited a poem that he wrote that spoke to my heart.

11.What has your mother/father told you about expressing your emotions,and when?

Nothing that I can remember. Except..don't let people outside our house know what's going on inside ours.

12. What's the hardest thing about being a male? a black male?

Being a male:  Always feeling like you have to prove yourself.  Being a black male: Having to be smarter, work harder, and still not shown the same level of respect that others with less experience and intelligence as you who are always praised and rewarded. 

13. Whats a repetitive happy dream/day dream you can remember?

Winning the lottery and being able to tell my job to go to hell while not having to worry about sustaining myself.

15. What's a repetitive nightmare you can remember?

Falling.  I think it has to do with not being able to sustain myself or loosing complete control of my life.

Black Men Dream

Blackmendream is a film that I think will cause you pause.  Why you pause will be due to your own experiences.

Click on the picture of film maker Shikeith above to view the film.  Shikeith asks Black men the following questions.  Share your responses if you like.

1.When did you become a black man? When did you become a man?

2.How would you describe your interaction with other black males in your youth? Adulthood?

3.What makes you angry? sad? happy?

4.Have you ever dealt with emotional stress directly related to being a black man?

5.Have you ever been depressed? What caused it?

6.Were you able to express your depression to the people around you? If yes, how did they respond--if no, what stopped you?

7.What has stopped you from expressing yourself emotionally?

8.How were you raised to deal with your emotions?

9.How do you feel you're perceived by other black men?

10.Do you cry? When was the last time you cried and why?

11.What has your mother/father told you about expressing your emotions,and when?

12. What's the hardest thing about being a male? a black male?

13. Whats a repetitive happy dream/day dream you can remember?

15. What's a repetitive nightmare you can remember?

Where Are You?

1st I want to start by saying forgive me Penn State Legal Students for using your picture for my blog but I wanted to illustrate that there are Black Professionals in our communities in every state.

Where are you?

There are many aspiring and seasoned Black Legal Professionals in Legal, Political and many other fields that have influence and knowledge.  It is so disappointing to me that there is not a collaborative thought our conscious that exists in our community.  I know that groups take some work to get started and to create a mission and it takes work to come up with a satisfactory vision that all in the group agree on.  But where are you and what are you thinking about the countless known and unknown incidences that are killing Black men in this country.

My opinion is to use the K.I.S.S theory.  Keep it simple stupid.  If we were able to do this and garner a larger voice in our society then I am certain that decisions in cases such as the Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and a host of other cases would not end so tragically.

Why are our professionals sitting back and just watching cases like this unfold from the comfort their televisions, smart phones and other devices that keep us far from taking any action.

I agree with a quote of Thomas Jefferson's that says: "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical."

Another quote from him:

“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

I am not suggesting that we should revolt in the times of old.  However, I am suggesting that we have gained much knowledge of the processes in the Legal and Political landscapes. Thus should use that knowledge to come together and revolt in a brand new and sustainable way.

I am sickened by the ease at which our legal systems have victimized Black men.  I'm disgusted to see the unnecessary deaths and injustices that have occurred agains us.  

My last words are:  Where are you, we need you!?!?!

A Message From Morehouse

I don't need to add anything to this. What do you think? I'd really like to know how people feel about this.

A Message From Morehouse

By Colbert I. King

Eliminate young African American men, and what would police, jailers,social workers, and sports and entertainment moguls do for a living?

After all, young black men live to get in trouble, make babies, actout on stage, slam-dunk and dance in the end zone. That, at least, isthe mass-media-influenced image that is accepted as "authentic" by people who should know better.

Someone who does know better is Robert M. Franklin, the president of Morehouse College, the venerable, all-male, historically black Atlanta college noted for building up and turning out generations of outstanding leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., the theologian and writer Howard W. Thurman, and prominent D.C. lawyer James L. Hudson.

Franklin's remarks to students at an April 21 town hall meeting on thecampus didn't make headlines. But excerpts from "The Soul of Morehouse and the Future of the Mystique" are making the rounds in African American homes and in social settings, thanks to the Internet and a communications phenomenon called the "black express," which preceded and outlives the Pony Express.

Franklin's speech focused on Morehouse students. But his message has caught on because it speaks to a larger community of up-and-coming young black men who are studiously ignored by arbiters of popular culture.

He translated the mystique into eight simple words: "Renaissance men with social conscience and global perspective."

Franklin said that after two years at the college, he had recognized acritical ingredient that bonds Morehouse men: a fundamental sense of discontent with mediocrity and nonsense. He encouraged the continued development of young black men "so sensitive to the presence of disorder, mediocrity and injustice that they cannot sleep well at night." And he used the moment to take on what he views as the corruption that threatens the soul of young men and women "inside and outside the Morehouse village": the young black male antics so celebrated by popular culture. That conduct, he suggested, represents the behavior of "the spiritually ill and disoriented.

"He demanded, that students instead embrace his "Five Wells":well-read, well-spoken, well-traveled, well-dressed and well-balanced. And he highlighted three: reading, speech, and dress.

"I have seen too many students standing in lines wasting time. You should carry something to read and make good use of your down time. Read books, not just summaries of books. Choose an accomplished and prolific writer as a role model," he declared. "But just as important-- if not more -- study grammar and syntax and the art of composition. Learn the power of accurately constructed sentences andwell-positioned words."

"It matters," he said, "how well you write."

He spoke of choosing words carefully.

"This reduces the necessity of relying on profanity or empty verbal placeholders like, 'um, um, ahh . . . ' or nonsense like 'you knowwhat I'm saying?' "Profanity does not reflect your verbal grace and style," he said. "It suggests a lazy mind.

"Franklin's thoughts on diversity and decorum are required reading.

"As an all-male institution with the explicit mission of educating menwith disciplined minds," said Franklin, "the great challenge of this moment in history is our diversity of sexual orientation."

"Why don't we," he asked the students, "use this opportunity to model something our community needs?"

"Straight men," Franklin said, "should learn more about the outlooksa nd contributions of gay men. Read a book by a gay author. Have an intelligent conversation with a gay neighbor." Franklin reminded theMorehouse students: "At a time when it was truly scandalous to have homosexual friends or associates, Dr. King looked to Bayard Rustin, ablack gay man, as a trusted adviser. And, Malcolm X regarded James Baldwin, a black gay man, as a brilliant chronicler of the black experience."

"To my straight brothers," he said, "diversity at Morehouse is an opportunity that can enrich your education if you are courageous enough to seize the opportunity. We cannot force you, but we invite you to learn from your environment."

On decorum and dress: "I have not desired to be overly prescriptive about this. You do not have to wear a tie and jacket to class, although no one would object to it. You're a college student. You can enjoy yourself while wearing comfortable clothing that respects the fact that you are part of a community of educated and ethical men. "But, he demanded, "in the presence of adult learners, do not sag your pants, do not show your undergarments. Do not wear do-rags, and do not wear baseball caps in class or in the cafeteria."

"Wear what you wish to off campus," he said. "But, while you are here on the ground where [Benjamin] Mays and Martin [Luther King Jr.] and Maynard [Jackson] walked, those items are off limits."

"If you want to be part of something rare and noble, something that the world has not often seen -- a community of educated, ethical, disciplined black men more powerful than a standing army -- then you've come to the right place."

To the knuckleheads and clowns who exploit their color while degrading their legacy, Franklin declared: "If you cannot follow the guidelines of a moral community, then leave."

Let the church say "Amen."

kingc@washpost.com

Dear Anonymous

You who read my blog know that most of the time I do not respond to negative comments. You might not know that a lot of times I delete them. I made a post after Obama's victory. Short and sweet. My post mentioned change as did President Elect Obama's campaign. If one believes that there would not be some type of a change by just him being the president is misguided. I would not venture to guess what the changes will be but there's no question in my mind that there will be some. Be it his policies, america's thought about black men, or just that the president is Black and not White.

More than anything in the world I hate statistics simply because one can say whatever one wants using them. As did Anonymous.

He/she said, Obama won because of 60% of the white and Latino vote went to him and that... only 20% of the black population even voted. Just looking at those numbers makes a statement. However, the numbers do leave some important information out. What percentage of the White population voted? What percentage of the Latino population voted? Was it 20% of those populations that voted also? Is this 60% from White and 60% from Latino populations or from all votes 6o% were White and Latino? I won't claim to know the answers. For the numbers to mean anything those questions should be answered I think. I will agree that if only 20% of all the Black population voted that that is sad. I wonder if some of the Black people that would have wanted to vote couldn't for some reason good or bad? Guess more statistics are need for that answer.

I do believe that Obama was voted in by all faces of America and I have heard no reports nor did I state that the Black Community should take credit for his win. The anonymous he/she quoted a study that was conducted on why Blacks were voting for Obama and that not one could come up with a reason except change. When asked what they wanted changed they couldn't answer. Hmmmm, that sounds suspect to me. Anonymous if you watch most network news you'll notice that sometimes reporters gravitate to those that might give an uneducated response to any question. Still I even find it hard to believe that an uneducated person wouldn't be able to verbalize one change. Hmm was the interviewer too aggressive or condescending and the person being interviewed just refused to answer. I guess we'll never know unless you Anonymous were the interviewer and can shed some light.

Later Anonymous says that 60% of whites that voted for Obama did so because of the facts that he brought and that he/she believed the election showed that the racial divide still exist, but with the Black population. So we're back to the 60% again. So again is this 60% of all whites that voted or 60% of the whites that voted for Obama? If it's 60% that voted for him then 40% only voted for change and possibly didn't know what they wanted changed either?

Anonymous states he/she comes from an area that has overcome the racial divide. Please let me know what that area is so that I can move there! This is an assumption on my part but I suspect that Anonymous is not Black. It's sometimes difficult for those not experiencing racism to know the many subtleties of it. That's no fault of Anonymous' own it's just very difficult to empathize with things that you have no real understanding of. But I see he/she is trying and that should be commended.

The last statements on my blob by Anonymous I'm posting verbatim.

It will not be until all of us can stop separating each other till we all can come together.It was a historical election, not to say the least.

I have no idea why Anonymous chose my blog to make his/her statement. Anonymous...you damn tootin it's historical! As you saw, my statement on President Elect Obama's win was simple and did not say that We Black People Did It. So Anonymous (which i think is Bitch-Assness to post anonymously) if anyone is perpetuating a divide it is you. So maybe your area has not progressed as much as you think it has. You certainly haven't. I take my earlier statement back. I don't want to know what area you live in or want to move there. It would appear that there is still some unresolved racism lurking deep within the bowels of your area's population. I wonder what percentage that is? When you're down to 0% and all have shit that ignorance out and wiped your asses truly clean then let me know where that area is. Until then Anonymous I do sincerely hope that I have facilitated some change to your heart and thoughts.



Oh yeah Anonymous...who started this anyway? I know I want it to stop!