"You will run into people in these streets who don't give a damn about you."
That is a statement generations of young men heard from fathers, grandfathers, uncles, coaches and male teachers.
It was often the opening statement of "The Talk." One of those critical life lessons that needed to be verbalize and reinforced in as young males asserted their independence.
It was often followed by reminders that one of a male's greatest obligations to his family was coming home. Because if he cannot come home he cannot provide for his children or his mother and he cannot defend his sisters.
"The Talk" remains every bit as critical today. It is the time to cover all those situations where potentially deadly force could mean the difference between survival and tragedy.
Raising our young men to confront all situations directly does not necessarily prepare them for any challenge they might face.
A people conditioned to flourish in a society of oppression only accomplished that by knowing how to assess, think, plan and react thoughtfully to the challenges they encountered in their lives.
In my nearly 60 years, I have known many men who have survived conflicts with those who did not give a damn about them. I have also seen many families crushed under the grief of deadly violence.
"The Talk" is a memorable conversation many of us had with very wise older men. They may not have had a lot of schooling, and some might have even been illiterate, but they knew their obligations and they understood the threats.
If we want our young men to one day be old men, some things can not remain unsaid.
Sons, nephews, their friends, and the young men in the lives of our daughters and granddaughters who may not know, or may not hear, it from those who'd mourn their loss the most, need to hear it somewhere.
"You will run into people in these streets who don't give a damn about you." Start the conversation there and then let them know why that matters.
Word, it's what it is!
That is a statement generations of young men heard from fathers, grandfathers, uncles, coaches and male teachers.
It was often the opening statement of "The Talk." One of those critical life lessons that needed to be verbalize and reinforced in as young males asserted their independence.
It was often followed by reminders that one of a male's greatest obligations to his family was coming home. Because if he cannot come home he cannot provide for his children or his mother and he cannot defend his sisters.
"The Talk" remains every bit as critical today. It is the time to cover all those situations where potentially deadly force could mean the difference between survival and tragedy.
Raising our young men to confront all situations directly does not necessarily prepare them for any challenge they might face.
A people conditioned to flourish in a society of oppression only accomplished that by knowing how to assess, think, plan and react thoughtfully to the challenges they encountered in their lives.
In my nearly 60 years, I have known many men who have survived conflicts with those who did not give a damn about them. I have also seen many families crushed under the grief of deadly violence.
"The Talk" is a memorable conversation many of us had with very wise older men. They may not have had a lot of schooling, and some might have even been illiterate, but they knew their obligations and they understood the threats.
If we want our young men to one day be old men, some things can not remain unsaid.
Sons, nephews, their friends, and the young men in the lives of our daughters and granddaughters who may not know, or may not hear, it from those who'd mourn their loss the most, need to hear it somewhere.
"You will run into people in these streets who don't give a damn about you." Start the conversation there and then let them know why that matters.
Word, it's what it is!
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