Dear Black Men

Dear Black Men,

I’ve been trying to find the right words, things that sound good, something inspirational, uplifting and motivating. I was trying to convince myself that I could dedicate this post to black men and have them feel reassured of their worth, and have them feel a little safer, like they have a purpose here on earth,because black men, you do. But it’s something about the millions of senseless killings, the prison pipeline systems, the minor charges with life sentencing time behind them that makes it hard for me to reassure you of anything except that this world is after you, I don’t know how many adjectives I can use, how many similes I can play with that will make this letter sound any better, but we love you black men I hope that’s enough, I hope that this letter really resonates with you, I hope that it fills some voids of uncertainty and that it answers some questions for you. Lately there has been a lot of hatred, a lot of violence, a lot of resentment brought towards you. Somewhere down the line people decided that you weren’t of value, that your life didn’t matter, that it was okay to create tactics to eliminate you as a whole.

I’m here to tell you, from a black sister who knows how much your melanin scares the people around you, your sister who knows that you can build a house with your hands, and you can change this world with a vision. I love you black man, I love your resilience, I love your attitude, I love the way you milly rock through the pressure. If there’s ever a time where someone doesn’t see value in you, or they doubt you I will try my best to advocate for you, to allow your voice to be heard and protect you. You have to be one hell of a species to put fear in the heart of someone who has privilege and power, you shadow excellence, your being alone is enough to keep people shook. Don’t you ever dim your light, lower your voice, cut your dreads, or change the way you speak so you could be appealing to someone who doesn’t appreciate you anyway. For every person who has a problem with the way you present yourself, you have a nation of sisters who will love you regardless. I promise to hold you up, I promise to teach boys to men that their melanin isn’t something they should be afraid of, that they don’t have to count how many years they have left, that they can be doctors, lawyers, and business men.

Your life doesn’t stop at the prison pipeline, no stop and frisk laws will detain your strength, no high school teacher who couldn’t see potential in your work will stop your drive, no officer who stops you simply because you were driving while black in a car that they don’t think you can afford will stop the amount of success you will continue to gain. They want you to think that you’re powerless, that you’re weak, that you are inferior. But you aren’t, you’re what everyone wants to be, who every woman wants to date. It’s no one more talented, ambitious, strong minded, smart, and driven than a black man, we love you black men, I hope this is enough, I hope our love is enough, we need you.