Boys and girls in their formative years without exception look at their future by looking at the roles and characteristics of those who have been where they were and even more so look like them. This isn't the father figure discussion, before you leap there.
As a young man my family was filled with law enforcement and millitary so character and discipline was an automatic characteristic I followed. I saw and knew of professional black men as a young man and knew who potential was there for me if I did x-y-z (combination of education, choices, character, etc...)
This role goes beyond family, because seeing young black men owning business or in politics (living in metro Detroit especially) lifted that mental ceiling. Seeing black doctors and engineers lifts that mental ceiling.
There's a term called "imposter syndrome" which effects women, black men, and black women. Its where if you don't see a person who fits your profile doing something, you don't think its possible, even when you get that role...for women its early corporate executives because they didn't think they were qualified when they were early qualified. For black men, its the lack of comfort when they're getting their first professional job, or when they get promoted beyond what they've seen....the
reaction we get when find out "oh a brotha did that?!".
So I ask you,
Do you or have you accepted this reality as a black male? While you have not chosen to be a role model...the role you are in is a model for others. Do you agree or accept this?
As a young man my family was filled with law enforcement and millitary so character and discipline was an automatic characteristic I followed. I saw and knew of professional black men as a young man and knew who potential was there for me if I did x-y-z (combination of education, choices, character, etc...)
This role goes beyond family, because seeing young black men owning business or in politics (living in metro Detroit especially) lifted that mental ceiling. Seeing black doctors and engineers lifts that mental ceiling.
There's a term called "imposter syndrome" which effects women, black men, and black women. Its where if you don't see a person who fits your profile doing something, you don't think its possible, even when you get that role...for women its early corporate executives because they didn't think they were qualified when they were early qualified. For black men, its the lack of comfort when they're getting their first professional job, or when they get promoted beyond what they've seen....the
reaction we get when find out "oh a brotha did that?!".So I ask you,
Do you or have you accepted this reality as a black male? While you have not chosen to be a role model...the role you are in is a model for others. Do you agree or accept this?
of course as I got older I realized I shouldve listened to my aunt who wanted to steer me on the"right" path.
I wasnt looking to be a role model but I came one by default
