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I’m still working everyday to deconstruct my hyper-masculinity. I was socialized in such a violent way as a child.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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I was taught to not show emotion. I was taught to always be tough.
When I say this shit almost killed me, I mean it.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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I also played two of the most hyper-masculine sports, rugby and football, which literally socializes you to love pain.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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I was taught to meet violence with violence. I thought if someone came for me – that I’d be “less of a man” if I didn’t retaliate.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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I remember my Father telling me to “choke” someone out if they called me a nigg**.
I was in 3rd grade.
Hyper-masculinity is wild.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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I was taught that if someone verbally assaulted me, that physical violence is the way to deal with it. That shit is toxic.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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I used to get into hella fights when I was 18/19. If another dude disrespected me, it was usually funk on sight. This was my cry for help.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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I say this to say, many of our Black boys, when they fight, is usually a cry for emotional help.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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When young Black boys fight, it’s usually because they can’t control their emotions. We need to teach our Black boys how to process.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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I got in fights because I had trouble processing emotions. I was suffering from PTSD/Depression. Fights were my cry for help.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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Once I began treatment for PTSD when I was 19, the fights stopped. I was lucky I was able to get help before I ended up dead or in jail.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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@MsBaileyGurl Black male therapist. Mindfulness group therapy. Positive Mentors.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 6, 2017
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This thread was hella hard to write tbh. But it’s important for me to be vulnerable around this. I hope it can help other Black men.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 5, 2017
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So many of our Black boys are abused and are crying for help. I was one of them. I see the light now. It’s now my duty to be an advocate.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 6, 2017
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Photo credit: Getty Images
This is interesting post.