In
preparation for an upcoming talk to some young men I thought about how the
paradigm for normalcy has been shifted for young boys of color. What I mean by that is I personally don’t
think there is anything abnormal about being educated, not incarcerated, having
a job (non-athletic or non-entertainer)
or better yet being socially responsible.
Yet somehow this narrative puts me and many of my peers in elite
status. Although, I do recognize that only
about 20% of African Americans hold college degrees and to go even deeper less
than 1% have a doctorate degree, but this message is not solely about academic
credentials. I also am keenly aware of
the urban myth regarding black men and prison.
Urban Myth
There are more black men in prison than in college…
If I were to
reflect just upon my social circle both now as an adult and when I was a kid I
would venture to say I know more dudes who became truck drivers, longshoremen, work
at the Post Office or are school teachers in some capacity than I do in jail, the
league (NFL or NBA) or in the studio
with Rick Ross, Kanye or Jay Z. However,
the launchpad to a quality life has been co-opted to the two aforementioned entry
points (sports or entertainment) and
anything short represent failure. What
this further suggests to me is the perceived economic windfall that comes from
such career pursuits trumps any focus on real world options that may allow many
of our boys to evolve into to functional young men much less feel good and
optimistic about being something other than a ball player or a hot rapper.
The all in
approach of sports leave many young men of color degreeless and broken
economically without a functional skill that’s applicable to the real world and
the repercussions of the music game I would offer are even worse. The requisite
narrative in order to be considered “hot” and even get a semblance of attention
requires you to profess to a lifestyle that goes counterproductive to the
greater good of any potential beneficiary of your success (see Bobby Shmurda).
What we have
to do is say to young boys of color your ability to drain a 3, fly through the
air and dunk, catch a pass or run like the wind are quite limiting relative to
the totality of your life and this is just a moment and skill set in time. Therefore, use that skill as the jump off to educate
yourself and develop options.
And to those
young boys of color who see their microphone proficiency as their gateway from
the mean streets of wherever they come from they have to be reminded that there
is no romanticism in the conditions that create oppression.
You know it's hard out here for a pimp
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent
Three Six Mafia
Their words
have become antiseptic to a harsh reality that allows the struggles of many to
go unnoticed or at the most taken for granted.
Furthermore, those very same words normalize the hurt and pain relative to
premature death and prison and ain't nothing normal about that. Matter of
fact your narrative has evolved through your lyrical experiences (both real and imaginary) created
an entire industrial complex that thrives upon your destruction.
There is
NOTHING wrong with being able to fix, analyze or develop things, nor is there
anything wrong with driving a truck or any of the other honorable professions that
allow you to be free physically and mentally of harm. Matter of fact I would say that’s more normal
than anything.
Shout out to
all the dudes working normal jobs…
That’s My
Truth and I am Sticking To It…
I AM
Dr. Irvin
PeDro Cohen
