Stand Up! A Message to the Black Man

Stand up A Message to the Black Man is a clarion call for all Black men, despite what is going on in our lives, to stand up and climb to a higher calling in our life and become the best men we can be. While racism and unjust policies may have slowed our progress, they have not shaken our spirit or resolve. We have a rich history of serving and leading our communities. We fought in the Civil War as the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, flew in World War II as the Tuskegee Airmen, stimulated economies as mayors, made outstanding contributions as sports figures, acquired billion-dollar companies, and became President of the United States. These accomplishments opened doors for us, but we must not lose sight that our work is not complete. It is time for us to lift our torches higher and march to higher grounds for ourselves and the community.

It is a must that we create our destiny as Black Men, because now is the time. Throughout history, we saw various cultures capitalize on systems and polices that helped to sustain them and their communities. That was so because they were in the ruling class, as they enslaved and lynched many of our forefathers. Moreover, Black Americans were discriminated against through Jim Crow laws and policies from having any form of economic progress, that is, both overt and systemic racism. While systemic racism exists, we as Black Americans must navigate through the maze of discrimination and fight for justice and equality. We must continue to push forward, and quitting is not an option. Our communities need our leadership, wisdom, intellectual capital, and inherent strength to mentor and cultivate our children. We must respect ourselves and trust one another to build strategic alliances. This is of the utmost importance because our ability to work together will help create an economic foundation and enterprises within the Black community. Developing and carrying out our plans is of utmost importance in order to facilitate a stronger humanity and voice in society. And it is time for us as Black men to Stand Up