I love DrX threads because within them, there usually is a nugget for some really interesting conversation. The problem is, realism can be mistaken for pessimism and quite frankly people probably feel like you're depressing them.
I used to tell friends of mine to watch shows like MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE (TNT) or MARRIED (FX), when they were on, but ultimately they just refused to watch because deep down they found that the escapism was lacking. It was too real and a mirror was being hung in front of their faces as to what their life would become. The best they could hope for is to remember the times of success from their youth. That's scary to a person who once had "dreams."
When I was in Chicago, back in June, every restaurant I went to Downtown, had young black people working and they all just looked so hurt. Nothing but white folks in line ordering heart-attack inducing hot dogs or italian beef, for the most part. I started to empathize because, I was doing those shytty jobs when I was in college, over a decade ago, but I am not so far removed that I couldn't easily be right back there with them, unless I continue the sacrifice I have undergone to improve my life.
The one thing I can say about this particular topic, is that older black men who haven't achieved anything, are more than likely already depressed. So why would you want to accept nuggets of wisdom from someone who has a defeatist attitude already. It's not even a crab mentality, so much as it is, they never tasted success, so they have no frame of reference.
It's sad, but Frank Sinatra said it best... that's life.