Why Is Success Defined By The Color Of Your Skin

What You Say I Am

I wanted to take a moment to address something that I constantly hear said to me or about me and that is the theory that in order to be "black" you must act a certain way, talk a certain way and walk a certain or else you are not considered black. I've been hearing these remarks since 6th grade when I discovered things that interested me that were different from my friends, such as: anime and Japanese/Korean Pop music. Upon entering high school the reasons why I wasn't black differed slightly. I was now not black because of: the way I dress, speaking properly, reading books outside of assignments, taking advance level classes and deciding to run cross country(which in America is a predominantly white sport though dominated by African runners!)  The thing that always irritated me the most was the majority of the remarks about my level of blackness were said to me by people of my own race and color. My struggle was that I was too "black" to be white but too "white" to be black.

Robert Griffin III: A Cornball Brother

One of the reasons I was sparked to write this was because, Robert Parker, a contributor to ESPN spoke about NFL star Robert Griffin III(RG3)'s level of blackness. His statement was that RG3 wasn't a "true brother" but rather a cornball brother because of a number of factors including but not limited to: his style, personality and his white fiancee.

Why Is Success Defined By The Color Of Your Skin?

One must wonder when does the line stop? When will the black community move away from who gets a black card and who doesn't. Why is success defined by the color of your skin? The fact that this was even brought up on a worldwide channel such as ESPN just shows that this level of idiocracy is still alive a prominent and keeping us as a race of people from growing together and showing support for one another. Instead we hail and praise people such as 17 year old rapper Chief Keef, who recently signed a multimillion contract and already has multiple run-ins with the law. Apparently this is the definition of being black!

Am i discrediting his work ethic or ability for him to get that contract, I am not. But it is saddening that this is what I have to do to be considered black. 

I Can Only Be Myself

The great thing about this, is that I am okay and comfortable with who I am. Just like Robert Griffin III famous producer Pharrell Williams and Donald Glover, a black comedian and actor on the Community, I know myself.  I am a nerd, a brother, a friend, a grandson, a entrepreneur, a leader, and hopefully a role model to others who can relate.  This isn't a black thing or a white thing, or a yellow thing, or whatever color or race you are. This is a self image thing! Lets stop trying to place each other into a predefined box and let them be who they are.

If your like myself and have experienced being defined due to being different, lets talk and help show people that "I am different and don't try to change me." Shoot me an email, I'd love to hear your story.

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