“And I’ll never let my son have an Ego/He’ll be nice to everyone/where ever we go/I mean/I might even make him be Republican…”
from New Day from” Watch the Throne” Album
The missing ingredients from a male colored child is love, patience, understanding and the freedom to feed the Ego.
I moved down south to allow my son to be socially free to learn and appreciate “the gathering place” of community. All is not perfect but if I can expose him to a sense of community, hospitality, love, good food and southern respect I’m satisfied with that character building I couldn’t get in the city.
I moved to Fort Worth, TX to allow my son to evolve at a slower pace. Yet having to be reminded that the “black mans burden” is given at birth, and Ego is not a birthright.
Confidence and Ego are considered threats even when a young man of color is nice. From the classroom to the basketball court, I teach my son to carry his Ego in his back pocket, Dignity on his chest, Grace on his arms and Self-worth on his back.
But behind close doors he is able to Rant, Vent & Voice his Rage! Because at the end of the day the Mantra is:
“Who can you change? Nobody, the only One You Can Change is You!”
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