Evolution Of A Man

can i just say that it feels really good to be black right about now! this could possibly be because i just got back from the essence music fest, and had a good ole heaping of my people during the week; but i just sense that there is something very strong going around in the vain of black people- specifically black men- stepping up to the plate and showing the world what we’re made of. and doing so like never before.

someone recently paraphrased to me a chapter of the bible which said (in reference to black people) something to the effect of “you will experience 40 years of being misunderstood, disadvantaged, etc., and then we will begin to flourish” (for lack of a better phrase). now, whether this is true and actually in the bible or not, i do not know. what i do know is that we [read: black people], just celebrated the 40th anniversary of dr. martin luther king jr.’s death in april, 2008; and can possibly also celebrate a presidential seat in the white house in november, 2008- the same year! that “40 year” bible promise ain’t looking too shabby.

aside from all the religious and potential presidential talk, we’re seeing all over the country a “cry out” if you will for the advancement of our race. and many have pointed to black men to start the transition. although efforts now may seem too subtle or inadequate, we gotta start somewhere. as an example, both usher and jay. z have discussed how many songs on their album, if not the whole of them, are dedicated and in reference to that transition that we make from being a boy to becoming a man. and other media outlets are starting to jump on the train- take jamie foxx’s new mtv reality show, “from g’s to gents.” we’re being schooled all over the place!

there’s a lesson to be learned in all of this. and i believe that lesson is for black men to sit down and grow the fuck up!

what makes me so ecstatic about all of this is that for starters, i’m throwing my hat into the pool of people looking to take this growth challenge head on. i have a book coming out soon speaking to what it takes and what it’s like to transition into manhood, and i can’t wait to see what the response will be. i’ve been wanting to say this for a while, but have been scared to- it’s a pretty big feat to accomplish. but it’s what i want, so i have to declare it:

i want to be a media mogul!

there, i said it. and it felt good! i want to help give a better name to black men- specifically black gay men- with projects and accomplishments that wreak of intellectual property as opposed to ones based simply on beauty. in addition to myself, i know several other black men who are making rather large pushes to assert our talents as a community. take the makers of the newly launched, blaxonomy, for example. social networking will never be the same. watch and see what happens with that. and there are many others who are beginning to introduce to the world their potential for greatness as well. i almost feel like i’m in a posse, an albeit evolved one, of writers, musicians, programmers, etc. similar to the artists of harlem renaissance. it’s very exciting to be a part of something like that. i’ve never been more motivated to get things done.

my friends and i, as well as many other posse’s and individuals around the country are all trying to take ourselves and our talents to new, and more widely distributed and accepted levels. there’s a group of young black americans buzzing around who have a lot on their mind, and many great ideas of not only progressing the race, but the country as a whole. our time to be heard is upon us, and personally, it feels amazing to be at the forefront!

i think we’re doing pretty well so far. and again, it’s only the beginning!