I Am A Black Man

First written June 27, 2014

As an aspiring member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., my prophytes would often stress the importance of the statement:

“I am a black man.”

It seemed to be an obvious enough statement. I mean I am no biologist, but my eyes confirmed for me long ago that my melanin had intended for me to be black. As time passed though, I saw the significance of that statement — not just knowing what I see in the mirror, but understanding and internalizing it. The significance of saying it and representing it.