African American Man Narrative

I ran, my feet bloodied and aching, my ankle unsteady and shrieking in pain. I ignored it, gasping raggedly, and trying to go even faster. They were behind me, I knew they were. I could hear them, but I couldn heart. It was dark, so dark. I could barely see, even

The Identity of African American Men: How has it been displayed in the Media; negatively or positively?

As Americans, we are privileged with diverse experiences. With this comes a perceived understanding of many cultures and their influences but in fact full cultural literacy is impossible to achieve.

Thesis Statement: To examine societies contribution to the destruction of the urban African-American male, one must further explain the educational system, racism toward the African-American male, and male role models in society; in doing so it will interpret the meaning to Jawanza Kunjufu first volume: Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys (2004).

This study was only a snapshot of how African American males felt about their experiences at Morehead State University. There is a need on campus to find ways of helping African American males connect with others. Whether it be in the classroom or outside the classroom. If I were to continue this study, one area I would think would be interesting is to examine the results of students who lived on campus, and those who were solely online students. The online learners would likely give a different perspective on the social viewpoints of college.

From past to present there’s not much of a difference. The idea is that all men are equal, but in reality there are boundaries and hardships that prevent other races from being included in equality, next to the white man. The absence of diversity in the United States, interferes with the ability for black men to transition into manhood. Thus, continues this interminable cycle of a black man fighting for his identity, power, respect, and trying to understand who he is as an individual. Black men are portrayed to be lazy,

Identity communicates a strong characteristic that cannot naturally be expressed in terms of a social category. Social and personal identity enable the formation of an individual, reflecting the idea that social categories are assured with the bases of an individual’s self esteem. “Race and racial identity are identifiable as a social constriction culture” (Little and McGivern, 328). However, issuing social categories based on race or ethnicity links to biased regulations and practices. Johnson’s novel, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, examines ways racial identity is socially constructed through the segregation of Jim Crow Laws, the act of "passing off” another race, and through practices of lynching. The Autobiography of an Ex Colored Man explores the way racial identity is socially constructed within legally sanctioned forms of racism and discrimination.

Freedom Riders: Rebels with a Cause “If not us, then who? If not now, then when? Will there be a better day for it tomorrow or next year? Will it be less dangerous then? Will someone else’s children have to risk their lives instead of us risking ours?” -- John Lewis

Consider this scenario in America today - a middle-age African-American man is not eligible to vote. This man’s father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather shared the same misfortune during their lifetime. The original patriarch could not vote as a slave, his son was beaten by the Ku Klux Klan for trying to vote, the grandson was intimidated by the Ku Klux Klan for trying to vote, and the great-grandson was prohibited from voting by poll taxes and literacy tests. The middle-age African-American man cannot vote today due to being on probation for a felony conviction.1 This same man probably had an ineffective attorney to represent him when he was arrested, was offered a choice of a plea bargain as opposed to a stringent sentence, and was subsequently placed under the control of the criminal justice system either by a prison sentence, probation, or parole. Once released from the criminal justice system, the man may be stigmatized for the rest of his life and may return to prison.2 As the middle-age man tries to re-integrate himself into mainstream society, his felony status can negatively impact potential employment, housing, and government assistance. This same man’s treatment could be compared to man living in a southern state at the height of Jim Crow.3 Jim Crow was a practice enforced by laws in the United States (U.S.) enacted between 1874 – 1975 to keep black and white races apart. The goal of these laws was to create “separate but

“do you remember anything before that?” he asked in a monotone voice. “like I said every other time, all I remember was seeing the man in the car behind me in the rearview mirror, and then my car flying off the side of the bridge” I answered, reluctantly.

I wake up and remember that the All Blacks are playing this morning, so I jump out of bed and went to the lounge where I find my brother Jaycob with his All Blacks shirt on, already to watch the game, he had already got his break-fast. So I go and make myself some toast and go sit on the couch and then Clare came in and sat down to watch the game. We waited for the game to start.

“That is of course, if you and your brother can survive the game that you would have to play to become one.”

I am a spoiled rich kid. I live in an upper middle class town located in one of the prosperous countries in the world. I attend to a competitive school with qualified teachers who care about their students. I have seemingly endless opportunity to participate in my community or gain experience in a job. I have fair skin, living in a world where is being Caucasian is advantageous.

The Quintessential Black Man: I am Far From Perfect With my recent launch of the Black Men Lead Initiative, it may easy for some to postulate that I have it all together as a black man. It might be part of a natural and logical progression to establish the belief that I have excelled in the area of being a strong, engaged and infallible black man. However, your speculations and assumptions would be inaccurate. Although I consider myself to be the quintessential black man, I am far from perfect. I have failed on many occasions, by the world’s standard of failure.

“I can try, but I do not remember all that well what he looks like, you are not tall enough which will be a problem if they touch you, and I do not have a lot of energy left. I will not be able to hold it for long.” Right now walking was a bit hard and my head was in so much pain that my teeth hurt. If I did too much more even my full body illusion would drop and I would be in serious trouble. No one could see my real face.