This post is where I write about daily life in America, from the perspective of a black man. While I believe all demographics experience struggles some in which overlap between demographics. I do want to make it clear and reiterate that African American Men in 2024 is the only demographic that I am speaking from the perspective from; as that is who I am.
Sometimes, I feel like speaking on these topics is completely pointless because of how society treats me for various reasons. Whether it’s my complexion, appearance, personality, or past, it’s clear that people are fully aware of how their actions make me feel but choose not to care—in fact, they’ve embraced it. I interpret their actions as reflecting a belief that, to them, their behavior toward me is the correct and justified way to treat me, based on the reasons outlined above. An analogy I like to use is the relationship between a human and a lion. If I told you a lion slept outside last night, it would seem reasonable—after all, a lion is a wild animal; why wouldn’t it sleep outside? That same mindset is applied when interacting and coexisting with me as a Black man in 2024.
Still, it helps me personally to let it out and talk about it. I understand that everyone is struggling and that life is hard for everyone, but respectfully, this post is about me. This reflects my individual perspective, shaped by the complexities of my unique experiences. I emphasize this because I strive to address every facet of complicated situations, scenarios, and interactions. However, I’ve observed that people often excel at identifying faults in my words that align with certain realities—realities which, at times, appear to be becoming mutually exclusive.
I’ve compiled a list of things that modern society enforces. Here’s a note of caution: there are consequences to a lack of compliance with these principles, but it’s best to ignore them.
Modern Society Enforces:
• Demeaning Blackness:
• Labeling Black people as “ugly.”
• Forcing Black people into stereotypical roles (e.g., interpreting all their actions as “gangster”).
• Compelling Black people to play roles that reinforce white supremacy.
• Exploitation of Black Culture:
• Stealing and exploiting Black ideas, culture, and lifestyles while claiming them as their own.
• Sabotaging Black culture and community growth.
• Using wealth to divide Black communities.
• Tactics of Intimidation:
• Constantly threatening and boasting wealth to discourage and intimidate Black people.
• Employing shameful and disgraceful methods to gain power and wealth.
• Systems of Enforced Supremacy:
• Contracting with women and light-skinned immigrants to maintain white supremacy.
• Omitting critical and valuable information from Black youth.
• Withholding accurate public information on technological and societal advancements.
• Psychological Manipulation:
• Gaslighting repeatedly.
• Implying that minority existence is a punishment for their relationships.
• Blaming minorities for social dysfunction while benefiting from their presence.
- Providing the oppressed with just enough recognition to maintain their hope, yet not enough to translate into meaningful progress.
• Undermining Achievements:
• Rewarding multiple people for one individual’s accomplishments to undermine their success.
• Celebrating those who conform to oppressive narratives rather than those who perform at the highest level.
• Stereotyping and Division:
• Applying the same stereotypes and treatment to everyone of the same race, despite diversity within racial groups.
• Encouraging subjective fairness over true equality.
• Shifting Priorities in Society:
• Transitioning from requiring labor to demanding certain emotional states (e.g., happiness or lack thereof).
I will never advocate for self-pity or self-sabotage, and if you ask me, I’ll tell you this: No empire in history has ever stood forever. History proves that there is a 100% chance this social construct empire of racist will eventually fade and fail.
Finally, communicate—let it out. Stay strong. I will continue to add to this list as I observe more things:
- Forcing your reality to be tailored to their perceived superiority; at times even expressing a sense of pity
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