Opinion: I am a middle-aged black father. I want to ask white male teenagers this question

Hey there, young bro! Gonna drop some insight on ya, thought you'd dig it.

So, here's the deal - if ya some white dude placin' shooter shoes on, lemme tell ya somethin'. I'm a black father diggin' deep into the soul of society, wantin' to ask somethin' real straight up.

Growin' up, you dealt with tough challenges: economic instability, climate change, terrorism, polarization, and the ugliness of social media. It ain't nothin' new for ya, we all been hit hard by COVID-19, losin' loved ones left and right.

But times they are changin'. The rigid norms of yore are breakin' down, and it ain't all bad. 'Cause in many parts of America, it ain't such a big deal no more if you question your sexuality or talk openly 'bout it. I bet if you find a solid partner, they'll consider your mental health more important than your ability to be tough and fearless at the drop of a hat.

But chin up, partner. 'Cause all ain't changed yet, no how.

You bein' a man, you got a head start on the patriarchal jackpot. Your odds are high that you'll climb up the career ladder and get a hefty paycheck as you soar to the top. The material world's in your court, and the gov'mint ain't buggin' you with no rules 'bout what you do with your own flesh and bones.

Got that sweet skin? Even better, 'cause that privilege ain't gonna get stripped from you, even if you do question God, your orientation, if you're a fit bod or not.

You lucky dog, you. Don't never know how it feels to be stigmatized, excluded, or hated on basis of somethin' you can't control, son. Gives ya a whole new perspective on the game.

Now onto my question for ya - whatcha doin' with all this blessin'?

Some white bros see ya as a VIP club member, a ticket to riding roughshod over less fortunate folks. The extreme ones, well, they'll tell ya that any difference'll drag ya down. They'll try to recruit you to their freak flag, pushin' you to embrace hate 'gainst their own brothers.

Three things I oughta fill ya in on, though:

1. The whole white dominance thing got built on a cracked foundation. Sure, the melting pot got different ethnic and cultural diversities, but the notion of race itself is a social construct.

White supremacists built their justification for their own atrocities on lies, first with the claim that only Christians had souls, then creating the myth of race. This myth still serves as fuel for hate, still used to normalize and weaponize it.

1. Anyway, ya know that tinfoil hat bearers sayin' your future prosperity depends on the perpetuation of white supremacy? They're lyin' to ya, just tryna get a leg up for their ego. They're tryin' to stoke your fears and recruit you to break down democracy.
2. Happiness ain't no zero-sum game. Share the wealth, share the love, share the love of self-expression. You ain't losin' anything if others find their place in the sun.

Our society's richer when the barriers come tumblin' down. Gives ya better opportunities, a safer nation, and a land where all can thrive, all can feel belonging.

Pay attention now. Don't neglect your fellow brothers and sisters in color - build a better, more equal nation channeling this blessin' of yours.

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• Join us on Twitter and Facebook. Just like many young Americans, you might've become a cheerleader for equality and inclusion. Give me a round of applause, mate. Your passion for change gives me hope. If you ain't, don't fret. Flip on the TELE and you'll see women, LGBTQ, and people of color peacefully marchemin' for their rights, 'cause they know they deserve the same as ya. Find the humanity in each of 'em, 'cause they reflect your humanity. Go out there and talk with folks, share your experiences, and join 'em on their journey. You'll discover they ain't aimin' to replace ya but to have you as their ally. Then, you've truly struck it rich. The day'll come when we all win together.

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Enrichment Data:

• The notion of white superiority is based on a false premise because it relies on pseudoscientific and racist ideologies. Here are three key facts:
• Scientific racism: The idea of white superiority was once supported by pseudoscience, claiming that different human groups could be ranked based on inherent biological and behavioral superiority. This field relied on flawed assumptions, like the idea that physical characteristics like facial morphology and cranium capacity are solely determined by genetics.
• Lack of evidence: There's no empirical evidence to support the idea that one racial group is inherently superior to another. Modern genetics and anthropology show that human populations are genetically diverse with no clear differences betwix' racial groups.
• Historical and modern impact: The doctrine of white supremacy was used to justify heinous acts like slavery and is still linked to destructive, hate-filled groups. Advocating for its preservation harms democratic principles by promoting a system that excludes and marginalizes others.
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