Why Society’s version of a Real Black Man is More Harmful than Helpful

Photo by Yasin Yusuf on Unsplash

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, iHeartMedia New York and media host, Charlamagne Tha God hosted the Mental Wealth Expo, a free and open event last week at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, New York City.

Sharing the panel with Charlamagne was Jay Barnett, lifestyle coach and speaker, author and speaker Jason Wilson and Ryan Mundy, NFL veteran and founder of Alcheme Health, a health company working to become the universal healthcare provider for the Black community. The topics tackled were society’s views of a real black man, what that mean and how ultimately choosing what society gives you can end in detrimental results.

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

Kicking the conversation off Jason Wilson who explained how society’s version of a real man is limited. In the black community, a lot of what we consider culture is based on masculinity. We look to our men to always be protectors, providers and power, causing attributes like being a nurturer, patient and compassionate to be pushed to the backburner. As a result when a man has a weak moment, he will usually resort to some form of self-medicating or violence because he can’t process the feelings of…