Dear Black Men: An Open Letter

Dear Black Men, 

  You are loved. You are valued. You are talented. You are resilient. You are creators. You are protectors. You are inspiring. You are necessary. You are important. You are kind. You have meaning. You are tenacious. You are BEAUTIFUL. You are brilliant. You are needed. 

Your life matters. 

Living in America, these statements may not feel true, you may not always feel celebrated and you will be treated as though you are a threat. Living in a country that demonizes you from the day you are born to the day they either take your life or it ends naturally, it is difficult to comprehend that any of the above statements can be true. Being overly policed, threatened, framed, cornered, harassed, exploited, and criticized, doesn’t make you feel safe in a place you call home. 

Your life matters. 

You have been convicted of crimes before you knew there were any to commit. You’ve been told that while black, your life is in danger if you do the following:

Walk. Jog. Exercise. Hang out with friends. Get out of your car. Drive your car. Carry snacks in your hand. Wear a hoodie. Sit on your front porch. Sell cigarettes. Whistle. Bird watch. Teach. Go to school. Comply with the police. Are a law abiding citizen. Show identification. Reach for your wallet. Leave your bachelor party. Sleep in your own home. BREATHE. 

Your life MATTERS. 

You are brothers, uncles, fathers, sons, cousins, nephews, friends, confidants, mentors, teachers and you are the future. You are leaders with vision, you are entrepreneurs with passion, you are creatives with dreams, and you have stories that must be told.

Your life matters.        

I know you’re tired and angry. I hear your pain and I see you in mourning. Your life is worth more than what it is valued at and you deserve to be celebrated in every way. You need to be reminded and shown everyday how much value your life has and how loved you are. I am so sorry that this world has made you feel like you’re not enough, that you are disposable, that your purpose is none other than to be a menace to society.

While this world will work so tirelessly to tear you down, rip you at the seams and destroy your joy, I promise you I will never stop celebrating you. I promise you, I will protect you, encourage and love you, raise future black men to look up to you, and I will never stop fighting for you. 

Black men, I love you. 

Black men, you are my heart. 

Black men, I am so proud of you. 

Black men, you bring so much joy to this world. 

Black men, you are excellent. 

Black men, you are beautiful.

Black men, you deserve to live.

BLACK MEN, YOUR LIFE MATTERS. 

all my love always, 

Alexis Maria