Black In America: Home Sweet Home

I am black and I live in America.

Whenever I sit and really think about that statement, which is hardly ever, I realize two things - this shining truth has placed me within a steel paradox; I'm both fortunate and unfortunate. And unless someone knows something that I don't, I figured it would make perfect sense to accept and embrace this undeniable fact, especially seeing as how it's going to be this way until my final breath leaves. So, I may as well take off my shoes, stretch my legs, and make myself at home. If I have any say whatsoever in this matter, it's going to be a long one.

Although this great country bears an unfortunate and ongoing history of institutionalized racism, which I imagine is largely responsible due to 400 years of slavery and just an overall pure evilness, currently, I cannot think of another place where I prefer to live besides America. Maybe Russia, seeing as how I've been called a black Russian once or twice, but definitely not Africa. I do not care to live in the Motherland. Who would I talk to? Where would I go? I don't know anyone who lives there.

I enjoy living here. Of course I do. I mean, where else can a black man reside and be endlessly judged, blatantly stereotyped, always discriminated against, mentally condemned, wrongfully accused, hated and sometimes even have a noose placed around his neck and tied to some tall and strong tree - all based on skin color alone. Where else but in the Sweet Land of Liberty can African-Americans find themselves entangled within a confusing web of frustration and injustice so intelligently woven, where the captured fly becomes upset with the captured bug which causes them both to lash out against one another. In the meanwhile, "Charlotte" quietly builds more webs.

I digress.

Fortunately, there is a flip side to each and every coin. And the other side of that rusty nickel, the positive side, undoubtedly states how only in America can black men have the tremendous opportunity to soar the educated skies and freely become whatever his heart desires. He may experience some level of discomfort and turbulence along his respective plight but as long as he chooses to remain patient and steady and focused ... eventually, he will land like a bird. In the event of a crash landing, it will signal the fact that some very bad and f*cked up decisions were made along the way.

So contrary to popular belief, the black man now has freedom in America, unless he breaks a felony law. If so, those civil liberties will quickly be taken away. Still, I am certain there are more African men who sit and dream about Coming To America ... rather than black men in America who ponder living in Africa. A sentiment which thoroughly speaks of The Motherland being a great place to visit, but upon given the choice, hardly anyone holds the desire to live there.

As a black man in America I never fail to recognize how black people have yet to overcome the psychological effects of those 400 years, as we bear witness daily. But I stand completely proud of the fact that our people have overcome free labor and possess human rights sadly unknown to our enslaved ancestors. Again, America fortunately and unfortunately is our home, the gift and the curse.

Deal with it.