A Brothers’ Journey By: Brie Dean

Life as an African American man is a narrative often painted with broad strokes, yet a mixture of individual stories, each traced by different challenges and triumphs. The NAACP reports that Identity is a form of culture, resilience, and creativity that all ties back to an African man’s roots.

However, the path is rarely ever smooth. Systematic barriers persist today, Winston Serfe said ‘’Life as an African man in America is hard and very rough’’. Many African American men complain about racial profiling and how it affects their daily lives, such as education and jobs. Jayden Johnson a Hillgrove Black African American student said’’ There have been teachers who treated me differently due to my skin color ‘’ He also said. ‘’Some people would choose not to interact with me because I was too Black.’. Proving that even though there are advancements in laws and rules, some people in society remain unbothered and are persistent in their beliefs that not everyone is equal or welcomed. Winston Serfe also said that ‘’ I see racism in my job a lot as it is very high in the area I work’’ again proving that even though the laws or the government have advanced, some parts of history may remain the same.

Nile Herrera an African American student at Hillgrove said ’My dream for the future is to be rich and travel everywhere’’ and he expressed that self-love has always been easy for him. ‘’Self-love is like breathing air.’. Bringing some light or a different spin on being an African American man in America, showing that even though there are many hardships, there is a light at the end. Nile Herrera also said that ‘’No matter how many times you shuffle a pack of cards; there are the same 52 cards in the deck, showing how he copes with negativity. 

Being an African American man comes with a unique resilience and tapestry of culture, heritage and strength. Rooted in their history of overlooking adversity, they develop a sense of love for their community and brotherhood, creating strong bonds and mutual support. Winston Serfe claimed that the biggest thing many African American boys and men need to understand is unity’’ I believe unity brings us all together’’. African men have been the forefront of influential movements such as art, music literature and social justice, leaving and incredible mark on society and inspiring the future generation. Nile Herrera said ‘’ Idris Alba is my biggest role model because he successful rich and handsome which is what I strive to be’’ Proving that African American men have ways they shape the mind and inspire each other.

Finally, being an African American man in America  has its highs and lows but it is important to look on the brotherhood they have and how they overcame the triumphs because  once you understand the meaning of expressing love you can love for yourself and others despite their feelings towards you.