Tag: black-women

“To Be a Black Man in America: The Weight We Carry, The Truth We Live”

September 30, 2025

By Charles Zackary King
Founder/CEO of America in Black and White and AMIBW The Magazine

Introduction

To be a Black man in America is to live with a dual reality: one shaped by brilliance, resilience, and legacy, and another shaped by suspicion, exclusion, and systemic violence. It’s not just difficult. It’s deliberate. And yet, we continue to rise.

This post is not a cry for pity. It’s a declaration of truth.

The Burden of Being Seen

  • Criminalized Before We Speak:
    From childhood, we’re labeled “aggressive,” “disruptive,” or “dangerous.” Our tone is policed. Our presence is questioned. Our humanity is often denied.
  • Economic Gatekeeping:
    We are told to “work twice as hard,” but the doors still close. Black men face higher unemployment, lower wages, and fewer opportunities, regardless of education or experience.
  • Policing and Surveillance:
    We are over-policed, over-incarcerated, and under-protected. The justice system was not built to serve us, it was built to control us.
  • Emotional Suppression:
    Vulnerability is seen as weakness. We are expected to be silent, stoic, and strong, even when we’re breaking.

This is the example of being Black. Being Black is what happens when you are always stopped for no reason and then being asked “why are you up set”? “You must be guilty of something”, when you are just coming from work or going home from visiting family. The thing that makes this even worse is that you have other Black People including family that don’t believe you because the brain washing of the media has made them think you are guilty. There is nothing worse than having your Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Wife/Girlfriend thinking you are guilty and refusing to support you because they can not give you the benefit of the doubt. None of these people can see the stress they are causing you but they want you to protect them and do what they need from you. Our own people can not see the harm they cause you. This adds to all kinds of pain and trauma and they still don’t see that.

When we talk about the Economic Gatekeeping we are talking about ever since the 70s when the PayScale represented the White Man, the White Woman, the Black Woman and then the Black Man. This causes your woman to look down on you and the others to think they can use you for pennies on the dollar and get the milk for free. Being put in this position is a major problem for your household but your wife/girlfriend does not see it that way. When you do what is necessary to please her, she complains but when you are not bringing in enough money she complains. Communication is bad and needs to improve because the wrong people have influenced your way of thinking and your love. What is still not seen is this man is struggling and is feeling trapped. This is the thing that has led to Single Parent Households.

The justice system has a precursor that states if you are a Black Man you must be guilty, and we can plant evidence against you and not worry about it. No one cares for you, and people will back the Blue when it comes to you. The bad part about this is some of the officers look just like you. Again, something that is adding to more stress than you can handle and it causes anxiety and mental health disorders. The question that is always there, “will they be here for me when I need them”? Please think about this.

As a Black Man we have pride and refuse to let anyone see us vulnerable. We cannot be weak, and we refuse to let others know we are hurting. The problem with this is Black Men have been carrying this jug of water for more than 100 years. We are not appreciated but are looked upon to protect and serve, we are not respected but expected to solve the most complex problems, and we are the real professionals with so much knowledge but never get the acknowledgement we deserve.  All along we are the real strong leaders, thinkers and can do men on the earth that make a real difference.

The Truth They Don’t Teach

  • Black men are more likely to die prematurely due to systemic neglect in healthcare, housing, and mental health.
  • We are less likely to receive fair trials, adequate representation, or restorative justice.
  • Our stories are often told by others, flattened, filtered, and stripped of nuance.

Our health always come into play because we have to be involved in the things that happen to our communities, our families and our people in general. Our leadership is needed to work with the others in our communities instead of against them. In todays time it is all about leadership and we have lots of it. We will continue to provide this until the day we die.

We know we will never get a fair shake which is the thing that makes community and family so important to us. It is clear and evident what the justice system has in store for us but what do we do? This is why we have to make sure we build our communities and keep our families together because when there is no male figure in the household outsiders find ways to take advantage of our people.

This is being told from my eyes because it is important that we do what is necessary to work and build together. Outside ramble is just that but we got to continue to show that we are the real leaders of our people. We have to communicate better but met with the same demeanor from those in our community. No on or nothing is perfect and I know we can grow like everything was intended to be for us all.

This is not accidental. It’s structural.

The Legacy We Build Anyway

Despite it all, we lead. We mentor. We create. We heal. We build platforms like America in Black and White and AMIBW The Magazine to tell our stories on our terms.

We are not just survivors, we are architects of truth.

Personal Reflection

As a Black man, I’ve felt the sting of betrayal, the weight of expectation, and the silence of being misunderstood. I’ve been told to “tone it down,” “wait my turn,” and “be grateful.” But I’ve also seen the power of truth-telling, the healing in storytelling, and the strength in community.

I write this not just for myself, but for every Black man who’s been told he’s too loud, too angry, too ambitious, too Black.

Do what is necessary by your wife/Husband and Family and make sure you are documenting and telling your story. Don’t ever give up just keep pushing because as a Black Man you are really viewed as the KING you really are.

Call to Action

  • Listen to Black men. Not just when we’re in pain—but when we’re building.
  • Support Black-led platforms. Subscribe, share, and invest.
  • Challenge stereotypes. In your workplace, your media, your conversations.
  • Honor our humanity. Not just our struggle—but our joy, our creativity, our legacy.

Citations

Addressing Key Issues in the Black Community

January 7, 2025

The Black community, like any other, faces a unique set of challenges and dynamics. Among these are the tensions between Black men and Black women, the lack of support for Black businesses, and the broader issue of supporting other ethnicities over their own. Understanding these issues and working towards unity is crucial for the community’s growth and prosperity.

The Feud Between Black Men and Black Women

One of the most pressing issues is the perceived feud between Black men and Black women. This tension often manifests in negative stereotypes, mutual distrust, and a lack of support for one another. Several factors contribute to this discord:

  1. Historical Trauma: The legacy of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism has left deep scars. These historical traumas have disrupted family structures and created a cycle of mistrust and resentment.
  2. Media Representation: Negative portrayals of Black men and women in the media perpetuate harmful stereotypes. These portrayals can influence how individuals perceive and interact with each other.
  3. Economic Pressures: Economic disparities and job insecurity can strain relationships. When individuals are struggling to make ends meet, it can lead to frustration and conflict within the community.

To address these issues, it’s essential to foster open and honest communication, promote positive representations, and support economic empowerment initiatives that benefit both Black men and women.

Lack of Support for Black Businesses

Another significant issue is the lack of support for Black-owned businesses. Despite the growing number of Black entrepreneurs, many Black businesses struggle to thrive due to limited patronage from their own community. Several reasons contribute to this phenomenon:

  1. Awareness: Many people are simply unaware of the Black-owned businesses in their area. Increasing visibility through social media, community events, and directories can help.
  2. Trust: There may be a lack of trust in the quality or reliability of Black-owned businesses. Building a reputation for excellence and reliability is crucial.
  3. Economic Barriers: Black-owned businesses often face challenges in accessing capital and resources. Supporting initiatives that provide financial assistance and mentorship can make a significant difference.

Encouraging the community to prioritize supporting Black-owned businesses can lead to economic growth and self-sufficiency.

Supporting Other Ethnicities Over Their Own

It’s not uncommon to see members of the Black community supporting businesses and initiatives from other ethnicities more than their own. This can be attributed to several factors:

  1. Perceived Quality: There may be a perception that businesses from other ethnicities offer better quality or value. Addressing this requires Black-owned businesses to consistently deliver high-quality products and services.
  2. Cultural Influence: The influence of other cultures through media and marketing can sway consumer preferences. Promoting and celebrating Black culture can help shift this dynamic.
  3. Accessibility: Sometimes, businesses from other ethnicities are more accessible or convenient. Ensuring that Black-owned businesses are easily accessible and well-marketed is essential.

Moving Forward Together

To overcome these challenges and foster unity within the Black community, several steps can be taken:

  1. Promote Positive Representation: Highlighting positive stories and role models within the community can help combat negative stereotypes and build mutual respect.
  2. Support Economic Empowerment: Investing in Black-owned businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship can create economic opportunities and reduce disparities.
  3. Foster Open Dialogue: Creating spaces for open and honest conversations about the issues facing the community can lead to greater understanding and collaboration.
  4. Celebrate Black Culture: Embracing and celebrating Black culture through events, media, and education can strengthen community bonds and pride.

By addressing these issues and working together, the Black community can build a stronger, more united future. It’s a collective effort that requires commitment, empathy, and a shared vision for progress.