I was asked to speak on the topic of being a Black Man vs being a Real Nigga by another Black Man. Let me say first that I am honored that anyone would come to me to ask my opinion on a topic like this.
I’m not here to speak on behalf of the entire race. I’m here to give you my personal perspective on Real Men and Real Niggas. So walk with me as I attempt to tackle an age old topic with a new feeling.
I read something recently that said unemployment amongst black teens is higher than ever. In fact the percentage I seen was 36% in 2013 and now ALREADY 41.6% in 2014. I don’t want to focus on these numbers. Numbers don’t reflect area, competition or even the types of jobs. Numbers may not lie but, they can always be manipulated so let’s just skip the numbers. Let’s talk for real.
Let’s run a laundry list of what we see “Real Niggas” doing
Not working
On House Arrest
Sagging at ignorant and disrespectful levels
Having no motivation to educate themselves in or out of school
Smoking or posting weed and liquor on Social Media
Lacking proper BASIC Grammar and English skills
Can’t seem to get a positive or negative statement out without cussing EVER
Always just hanging or chilling out
In and out of jail
Violence is the number 1 resolution for conflict
Downplaying success, individuality and progession
No clear sense of responsibility or compassion for anyone else
I’m sure some of you didn’t want to see that because it applies to you. That’s not my issue. If you’re offended, do better for yourself.
More than ever I feel Black youth are chasing fame by any means. Some of the biggest and most prominent Black people over the last 10 years include Superhead, Reality TV Stars, Lil Wayne and Q The Creator of World Star Hip-Hop. All you have to do is GOOGLE these people and see why this is not good news. True more prominent and positive figures aren’t highlighted. I’d love to see more people Black youth strive to be Tamron Hall, Oprah, Wendy Williams, T.J Holmes, Spike Lee or even Don Lemon, but that is not what youth gravitate to nor is it what is being promoted. One list has WAY MORE money, prestige and respect than the other overall however, the imagery is what is winning no matter how despicable the images can be.
Something else I want to throw out there. Why do we only inspire our Black youth to only be like other successful Black people? You know a lot of Black people that want to have Bill Gates money but, how many Black parents are actually encouraging their children to be Bill Gates, Mark Cuban, Phil Knight even a Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Barbra Walters etc. Why does it seem that the color of the successful matter so much within us? Are we pigeonholing ourselves because we only strive to be demographically successful? I’m asking to be educated. Let me know your thoughts on this.
Somewhere over the last 15-20 years the path to unity, growth, positivity, prosperity and success have been lost amongst the masses. I honestly can’t pinpoint when but it happened. Somehow “Getting Mine” and “By Any Means” became the blueprint for destruction for specifically Black youth. Not saying it NEVER happens among other races but its PROMINENT within us.
Whether it’s N-Word Regulations or having more respect for a prison release date with a nice ride and a chain over a Bachelor’s Degree and a job interview, it seems as though we are our own cycle of self destruction.
A nigga will tell you “I got to eat” while a man bossing up will make sure the whole team and family is straight
A nigga will make you believe minor arguments are worth violence and death while a man knows that some stuff is so stupid that its not worth your time and energy.
A nigga thinks the only real power in the world is fear while a man knows that when you achieve power it’s important to spread love.
A nigga is too worried about why someone else is successful and they aren’t while a man is inspired by the success of others and it becomes a catalyst of motivation.
There are so many product of my environment sob stories. I’ll even say they are all very real. What’s important for ALL OF US [SELF INCLUDED] is to reach out a hand, take that friend, family member or just flat out lost soul out of their environment. Not to stunt on them or treat them like charity cases but, to show them this world is bigger than where they are from and it’s so much more to offer. You can be as great as you believe you can be. The biggest question is “What Do YOU Believe?”
To make it and not want to help your own or SOMEBODY in general is a nigga move. If you believe in God, you know one man will never conquer the world because it’s not up for grabs. Understand that Generations of wealth and prosperity are not due to one man only looking out for themselves and stepping on as many people as possible to the grave.
If you have came a long way only to denounce your race and existence..you a real nigga too. No matter what shade you are and how you walk, talk and dress, you have no right to put yourself above ANYBODY inside or outside your race. That’s something a real nigga would do.
Let’s end the battle within ourselves. I’m not sure why some of us seem to be naturally jealous, spiteful, envious and vicious to each other. Maybe it truly is the conditions and the long term mental effects of slavery. I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that I want to be apart of something POWERFUL. I want sincere unity and brotherhood amongst my friends, family and peers. The level of success I want to achieve won’t be predicated on me being a Real Nigga, cause ignorance doesn’t breed true success.
If you have only focused on how many times I used the word Nigga…you’ve definitely missed the point.
Negrocide 