Understanding the Need to Exist Here

Abstract

There are unwritten rules for Black males in the American society in regards to expected behaviors that are contradictory to how other males in the majority of American society are expected to interact with others. These unwritten rules are a carry over from the days of slavery, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights movement. Today, many are quick to point to the state of black progress in many areas of business, government, and education but the vast majority of black males are still not accepted in many of these privileged areas. The existence of a black male is perceived to be still too black and too strong for white America and threatens what white males perceive as benefits entitled to them. Even in today’s American society, black males must remember not to live as if color does not exist and should remember that white society expects them to be appreciative for whatever concessions are granted to them even though their work must equal or surpass the work of their white male counterparts. Black males who demand to be treated as equal can be alienated not just by white society but by black Americans who see them as acting white in order to operate and survive in society. Today’s American society has been pressed by possible economic sanctions to conceal its overt racism in place of a systematic process of racism to limit opportunities for black males to succeed. Every opportunity at each level in this space should not be wasted.