Young black boys embrace your identity
Start writing a post
Relationships

A Note To My Beautiful Black Nephews

Be aware of your identity and don't let your skin color keep you from greatness.

79
A Note To My Beautiful Black Nephews
Personal Photo

Dear Tyler, Ashlynn, and Christian,

When you are old enough to understand some bits and pieces of the world, you will hopefully one day see this article and tease me about writing it.

You will be made aware of your identity the older you get and you'll see how the world has changed and question whether or not it has been good. The president would have changed so you won't have to hear "Make America Great Again" and have to explain why America has never really been that great but it's decent enough.

This world has degraded you centuries ago and I pray you never have to experience any of it. As much as I wish and pray, I know the world you have been placed in and I want you to be aware that society will be against you sometimes and when that happens, keep pushing forward.

There are people who feel threatened when they see the shade of your skin, they might fear you. Watch out for those people and stay safe.

You three are my beautiful nephews who are different shades of melanin and I want you to cherish your skin. Cherish the fact that you are alive and that you will survive. Promise yourselves that you will not let society gorilla glue a mask onto who you truly are.

I beg that you embrace yourself to the fullest and accept who you are because society will try to force you into a generalized box and try to tell you that anything feminine is considered weak.

I apologize for some of the habits or things I've possibly said to add to the ignorance of making boys see certain behaviors and objects feminine. I don't care what your parents say if it hinders you from feeling free and at peace with who you are, ignore their words.

Some of the things they say will actually be helpful and some will be because of how they were raised and their mindset. So I'm not giving you a free pass to disrespect and ignore everything they say, but take their parenting and dissect it to the point of knowing what to follow and what to just say, "hey, that's not right" or just to speak up about what you actually feel.

Emotions are not weak. They do not make you less of a "man". Don't let society try to masculinize you to the point at which you forget who you are. Your clothes, actions, words, choices, sexuality, etc. does not define you. Express yourself and love yourself.

Love the skin you are in and you will survive.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38802
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23225
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949589
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

127300
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments