By Ayden Hodge
Dear Kani, First and foremost, you are my brother; if I could tell anyone what I'm going to tell you, I hope that you would listen and heed it most. Not because you need it, but because I wish someone reminded me. We’re taught as kids that we have to be strong because we are men. If that weren't enough Black men in America. I was once told that my skin would bear its blessings but also its fair share of burdens. I can attest to having seen both. I pray you never do but I know you’ll see it too. If there’s one thing you walk away hearing, I want it to be Keep your head up. I can’t ask you to do nothing about what you see but before you do lean on me and those around you. Between me and you, there will be those who think “How does it feel to be a problem?”; make no mistake they are referring to your skin and not you as a person. If they even tried anyone could see how hard you work for everything and anything. They are the truly ignorant ones. W.E.B. DuBois said it best: “in this American world, -a world which yields him no true self-consciousness” (from The Souls of Black Folk). My interpretation being, there will be people who deny you. They will deny you any awareness of yourself, but keep your head up. When you can, take the high road. Many will use you to prove their ignorant points. They’ll agitate you, antagonize and alienate all for a response. They’ll hide their hands then throw stones, I was blessed with that knowledge from my father but now I leave it to you. To these people James Baldwin once said “...neither I nor time nor history will ever forgive them, that they have destroyed and are destroying hundreds of thousands of lives and do not know it and do not want to know.” I hope this gives you some perspective to take the high road. Remember this I’ll always have your back. Finally work and don’t stop working. Grind, build and keep building; let nothing stand in your way as you achieve more than the people who would bet against you. Booker T. Washington said, “Cast down your bucket where you are.” I'm giving this phrase new meaning, tap into what you love. Use that to find the best path forward. Much love, Ayden
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