The image of the Black man in America

By: Adam

Have you heard about  Darius Simmons? He was a 13-year-old boy  who was gunned down by a 75-year-old man named John Henry Spooner (full story here) Sound familiar?  I couldn’t help but think about Trayvon Martin. I remembered that this time two or three months ago we were fired up about Trayvon’s death and the fact that his killer George Zimmerman was a free man . I remember how everyone spoke up and eventually George Zimmerman was arrested. Now not even three months later another young black man is dead at the hands of someone who thought they were doing the right thing. A man who probably believed that Black men are violent and will rob and Kill without thinking twice. He believed the stereotype and this bothers me.

I take this personal because I am Darius Simmons, Trayvon Martin or any other Black male that is a victim of a stereotype. Most Black men feel this way, but where does stereotype comes from? Why do PEOPLE see thug when they see me in “Urban clothing” but not someone of a different race? Why does a hoodie look different on me a 6’4 black male than say ummmm Geraldo Rivera (Geraldo’s views on Hoodies on Darkskin men)? Why are PEOPLE afraid to ride the elevator or walk past me at night?  Why did a BLACK woman seem afraid to get out of her car when she saw me walking in her directions? Why do Black men assume I sell drugs or work with Hip Hop artist?  Help me out. Does this come from, Racism? I know what its like to be a black man in America and have people look at me like the enemy. I remember being a teen and getting harassed by cops for nothing. Or having a group of goons staring wondering why I was on their block. Sometimes you just laugh it off and other times you can not! But you do eventually just live with it.

 I’m not saying whats right or whats wrong right now, I’m just sharing my story, Fighting a stereotype is not easy, but it’s not just white people’s fault. It’s an image of the Black man in America that needs to be dealt with. How do they view us and how do WE view ourselves? I just want us to get deeper with this conversation so maybe we can begin to save our young men.  Thats just my opinion, what do you guys think? We would really love some feedback on this subject.

2012

06/19

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