I am Panama Jackson.
I am many things to many people and I am nothing to a lot of people. To many of you I’m black letters on a white background, and to others I’m a confidante and party animal extraordinaire who brings the party when he shows up and takes it with him when he leaves.
I am a son and a father. I’m a boyfriend and a partner (no Siegfried). I cry in the dark and I put my hands where your eyes can see.
I am a Black man.
And yet sometimes I don’t even know what that means. I know what comes with being a man. I’ve been that all my life. And while I’ve been Black all my life it means different things in different places to different people. To some being a Black man means being a monster and a boogie man that will take your Girl Scout and her cookies and leaver her looking like a wilted dandelion. To others I’m an object of study, an odd fascination and curiosity upon which studies and fear campaigns have been built.
My goal is to be a positive light in a community where some of the worst get all the shine. As a Black man in today’s day and age I walk a fine line between street corner hustler and corporate boardroom participant and leader. I live amongst men with nothing and no reason to continue other than to spite death. But I work among men whose sole purpose in life is to grow powerful enough that only God could command more respect.
I am on the lookout because at work I am the same person I avoid in the streets.
I am fear and pain but I’m love and compassion. My community means the world to me even if at times it refers to me as an outsider using its resources for my own personal gain. Ironic considering that my own personal gain is esteem at the hands of another’s lack thereof.
I am a brother and a mentor. I am an uncle and nephew. I’m a role model and a cautionary tale. I’m somebody’s strength and an infrequent picture of weakness. I’m a southerner with northern tendencies, raised conservatively with liberal leanings, and a bringer of the ruckus while usually hoping the problem resolves itself.
I’m strong when necessary yet unappreciative of rodents in my space. I’m a dreamer and a realist. I struggle with raising a child in a world I want while praying for change in the world in which I reside. I’m afraid of the police but rebellious in the face of unregulated authority.
I am a Black man with insecurities but unafraid of life. I appreciate The Doors as much as I appreciate Jay-Z. Ahmad Jamal introduced me to the piano and Eazy-E introduced me to the keys. I’ve got soul and I’ve got rhythm. I dance when I hear music even if no music is playing.
I’m like Che Guevara with bling on, I’m complex. But I’m transparent.
I’m too sexxy for my shirt, so sexxy it hurts. And I’m shy.
I shine on stage while fading into the background.
I’m Timbalands in the summer time and Chuck Taylor’s in the winter. I’m Kenneth Cole and Banana Republic. I’m tall socks and dog tags.
I’m fashion and an oddball. I’m the coolest geek ever. I’m the coolest cat you’ve never met.
He is I, and I am him. Slim with the tilted brim.
I’m the star of the story.
I am a lot and nothing. I’m something and a nobody. I believe I can fly even though I’ve never left the ground.
I go up on the downstroke but I’m down by law.
I’m Panama Jackson and I’m a Black man.
We talked yesterday about what a grown a** Black man needs to succeed in life, but we never defined a Black man.
How do you define a Black man?
Talk to me.
-VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka TANGLE JIG P aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL, HE A 3
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{ 192 comments… read them below or add one }
Cool ass post, bruh.
@Monk, thanks homey. i do what i can on some tuesdays.
@Panama Jackson,
Nice piece bruh..I’m sure a lot of brothers could relate to this joint.
@Monk,
Co mothuh! fuhckin! sign
Excellent, well thought out, complete post. Bravo!
As a wife, daughter and mother of a son I think of Black men and their place in the world almost constantly. My Black man is loving though sometimes less than lovable. Unintentionally intimidating and consciously protective, of himself, and his family. Able to leap tall building, kill bugs and eat whatever is left but can become completely undone by a baby’s crying.
I imagine it must be a challenge to be you… and rock Banana Republic, skater shoes & a wicked hat. But only yall can
And I love you
@EbonyI, the good thing is that despite its challenges, its great. we get to set trends and be the subject of a CNN special every 6 months.
@EbonyI, “Excellent, well thought out, complete post. Bravo!”
Co-sign! Really well done Panama.
My partial definition of a black man is: the epitome of masculinity, my father, my brother, my protector, my partner, my love, a king, a counterpart, balance, simply and with complexity-Superman.
@legitimate_soul, I think Superman works quite nicely.
Though I prefer Green Lantern myself.
@Panama Jackson,
Well, I didn’t want you to be susceptible to yellow
I lurk around verysmartbrothas.com all the time and never post but…
Panama, I believe you have asked the most simple question that has been bound with fear and many black people or the world for that matter wants to know.
This was definitely thought provoking and peaceful all at the same time! How do you define a black man? Not what makes him successful or what validates him. When a man of any race understand who they are and master that then therefore we can give a list of adjectives the man possess. We use society to categorize men and what they are supposed to be and never take time to understand who they are. You know I could go into a whole post about it but I will not.
Define a black man or any man by what God says!
Just a thought…
@LuckyRed, You know I could go into a whole post about it but I will not.
perhaps you should go on ahead and do it, pimpin.
and welcome and thanks and all that good sh*t
@Panama Jackson, Well sir I shall do that! I will email it to you when it’s done. Oooh I’m excited lol!
Look at you edifying the Black man. Hahaha.
<3 you p!
@Liz, i gots to edify. if i don’t…who will? Plies?
@Panama Jackson,
Please, God, no. Not Plies!
I have been reading VSB since the summer and have been dying of laughter daily at the thought provoking and in depth discussions. I LOVE this place
P you’re waaay more than a 3 writing like that brotha! Great post!
As a sister to two amazing black men… I have found that black men are a ‘complicated melody’… and I love yall for it
@Beremore, aww thanks for de-lurking and for your kind words (on behalf of P)
@Beremore, P you’re waaay more than a 3 writing like that brotha! Great post!
that works wonders for my self-esteem. i been trying to get at least 4-status for a while now.
welcome.
@Beremore,
I have found that black men are a ‘complicated melody’
That is beautiful.
@Sula
Yeah, I’ve officially stolen that and put it in my “first date” tool kit.
@An Island,
I am dead at “first date” tool kit.
At least, now, if a VSS encounters a VSB who describes himself as a “complicated melody”, 47% chances are he is up on his verysmartbrothas.com lexicon… It’s already a good look.
@Sula,
LOVES it!!!!
@Beremore, hmmm a “complicated melody”. I love my black men sooo much!
Wow!
I don’t think it’s my place to define what is a Black man, being a Black woman. But, I will say there is nothing more attractive than seeing a Black man who is secure in himself as a Black man.
@MoreAndAgain, maybe not define…but whats your perception of a Black man? i probably should have worded it that way. perhaps it would have been a less daunting task.
I can only offer examples:
1. My dad and his best friend James…
They played tea party with me when both were between jobs, took me on my first date and set the bar for EVERY man I’ve laid eyes on since.
2. My big brother…
As the prototypical “scary child”…I was prone to nightmares. Every shadow was a monster and every random shape was “almost the death of me”. My big brother slept in my doorway EVERY time I had a nightmare…from birth til I turned 17 and he left home. Protection.
3. My granpa…
As a baby, I couldn’t digest milk in ANY form. I lost a tremendous amount of weight for a new born baby til my granpa told my mom and dad, “Leave me dat baby” and proceeded to feed me eggs (at 6 weeks old) through a straw. Sustenance and longevity.
4. My ex~husband…
*A hush falls over the crowd*
Yeah, my exhusband is the hardest working man I know for our Suns. Despite a PRONOUNCED fear of heights, he took a job where his sole function was, you guessed it, scaling telephone poles hanging by a rusty belt…so that our Suns will want for nothing…Fallible yet steadfast.
5. My best friend/SO…
He’s the most annoying, slave driving, hard of hearing being on earth…especially when I’m not living up to my full potential…Inspirational.
Black Men…I wouldn’t (want to) be a Black Woman without them…
@Tenchi,
I’m officially jealous. =/
Oh well. *Oldest-child-as-sarogate-mom-in-a-matriarchal-family shrug*
@Tenchi,
Girl, you was a hard baby to have, lol! I love men who take care of things and make a way.
@Tenchi, 4. My ex~husband…
*A hush falls over the crowd*
Yeah, my exhusband is the hardest working man I know for our Suns. Despite a PRONOUNCED fear of heights, he took a job where his sole function was, you guessed it, scaling telephone poles hanging by a rusty belt…so that our Suns will want for nothing…Fallible yet steadfast.
takes a strong woman to talk highly of an ex-husband.
@Panama Jackson,
I concur!
Kudos.
@Tenchi,
Sounds like a shortfilm to me. If not it should be.
beautiful beautiful post.
“I believe I can fly even though I’ve never left the ground.”
^^love.it.
i think the Black Man is a complex conglomerate of beautiful contradictions, as you’ve stated so eloquently. undefinable and omnipotent, yet sometimes stuffed and confined to a box so small there is no room for growth. even by each other sometimes.
i simply view them as Kings of the Earth. actually wrote an ode to the Black Man a while ago.
hope all is well.
@Muze, undefinable and omnipotent, yet sometimes stuffed and confined to a box so small there is no room for growth. even by each other sometimes.
thats a pretty good way to look at us. good damn job. you succintly said what i wrote with almost 600 words. (if not more than that…i stopped counting at 1)
@Panama Jackson,
and i do thank thee.
PANAMA! The most muh-fuggin’!!!
Out of all the years you’ve been writing, you have truly outdone yourself with this one. I see you, Adamsville! *hugs*
PS I’m gonna use this post w/ some of my male students.
@SoJoVerdad, please do use it with your students.
Out of all the years you’ve been writing, you have truly outdone yourself with this one. I see you, Adamsville! *hugs*
and thanks.
Adamsvillain. Checking in.
wonderful post….
@caramel eclair, thank you.
STUPENDOUS @Panama- You have already achieved this goal
*My goal is to be a positive light in a community where some of the worst get all the shine
and so you are…at least for me, while most of the time you kill me on the daily with your HIGHlarious posts, this one gets MASSIVE KUDOS for all things other than HILARITY ….one word….MOVING
@bajanflchick, *My goal is to be a positive light in a community where some of the worst get all the shine
if i can just keep this up for another 50 years…i’ll be in there.
thanks.
My favorite line: “I’m tall socks and dog tags.” Cuz you really are!! LOL.
@Liz, well you know ain’t too many people freshazimiz.
tall socks with the colored stripes = panama’s summer time go to fashion statement.
“they say i’m something like the 70s” ~ kendrick lamar “i do this”
Wow. Awesome post.
@pgh muse,
Word. Damn this was heavy…and beautiful at the same time.
I’ll return when I have smthg profound to add.
@Me fail english?,
ED!! What it do?
@Me fail english?, i feel the same way. panama did the damn thang.
p-i’m letting this marinate, i’ll be back when i have a coherent answer. dope piece though, so many lines stuck out:)
ps) mefail!!!!!! waddup:)
@pgh muse, thank you kindly ma’am.
Panama! 1st off> your post has me in that “Deep Thoughts” by Jack Handey mood. THANK YOU for sharing that w/ us.
As a sister of a young Black/Latino, and daughter of a strong Black man>
I see the Black man as a soul that has to walk through fire during several stages of his life, and in some situations every day, yet he knows how to maintain a position as the ‘rock’ of his unit.
I think of the complex mix of hot tempers w/ a killer sense of humor. Men who can lift mountains, if need be, for their women; yet will cry (albeit out of sight from others) if they hear a loved one has been hurt in any way.
I think of protective men, angry (often w/ good reason) men, stubborn men. Why? They are trying to capture/achieve and protect ideals that are theirs and refuse to let anyone get in their way. A wonderful puzzle…
@GeekChicness, A wonderful puzzle…
as long as it’s all jigsaw…i’m all in.
@GeekChicness, LOL, i loooove Deep Thoughts!
Beautiful beautiful post man!!! Loves it!
@V Renee, it loves you too!
This was beautiful, Panama. Thanks so much for sharing. I agree with @Beremore, at their best and worst black men (since they’re our topic of discussion) are complicated memories. Although I love and respect all of God’s children, this post made me hope again,that someday I’ll cross with a Black man of this variety.
@KayBeezy, Although I love and respect all of God’s children, this post made me hope again,that someday I’ll cross with a Black man of this variety.
match.com. it’s where they all hang.
*Side Note*
What you know about My man Ahmad Jamal? My father used to put Poinciana on REPEAT in the car when we would go on trips. Now I can whistle the ENTIRE album!
@Brotha Tech, Ahmad Jamal is actually the first artist i ever sampled to make a beat. and to this day, it’s one of my favorite beats. jazzy, mellow mood, tribe called quest style. and not of the pete rock variety. more laid back than “the world is yours”
he’s hands down my favorite jazz pianist.
snap snap and sh*t
I think definition of a black man is low key oxymoronic. It is indefinite because they come far and wide. The black man is my Grandpa who graduated from Howard in law, but will bust a cap in somebody arse if they mess w/ his fam. Or my cousin locked up in prison. The black man encompasses struggle and triumph. Intelligence and unadulturated ignorance. If you were to look up ‘black man’ in the dictionary it would say …see God’s gift to the world…
@Tahirah, Intelligence and unadulterated ignorance.
that was the first name of very smart brothas but we didn’t think enough ninjas could spell unadulterated so we changed it.
Strength and vulnerability wrapped in steel with an Achilles heel.
@Smiley Face, nice…
@Smiley Face, nice description.
@Smiley Face,
*thumbs up* Cheekie likes this.
“I am on the lookout because at work I am the same person I avoid in the streets.”
..this line right here, says SO much!
@Smiley Face,
It sure does!
Great post P.
@Smiley Face,
Yeah that’s definitely the line that got my attention and caused me to stop reading to ponder.
@Caballeroso, P.E.,
I know, right?! It makes sense but makes you wonder what it means at the same time!
P…you did the d@mn thing with this post.
@Smiley Face,
I agree. That line right there was ill because like it or not, there is so much truth to it.
@Smiley Face,
Yeah, he went deep with that line.
Wait for it…
#pause
@Smiley Face, i stole that from myself. it was a line from the first record i ever recorded, entitled “the lookout” which was about the dichotomy of being a very smart brotha trying to live in two worlds at the same time.
@Panama Jackson,
you just make sure you get your royalties from yourself okay? lol
STRONG!!!! This word to me really epitomizes in my mind a black man. Society has put you through the paces…and you still rise from the ashes like a phoenix everytime. I am so proud of my black men. Stay Strong.
@QueenT, i rock wifebeaters in 32 degree weather to show folks how scrong i am.
@Panama Jackson, SEE! lol
Wow, that was beautiful, Panama!! Seriously awesome! When are you putting out a book of short stories, poems, and limiricks?
@N.I.A. lovesthekids,
ya know?!
@N.I.A. lovesthekids, right after the VSB bbq.
@Panama Jackson,
Which means never. LOL
I will give the definition of what a black man is not to me. We are not as simple as our communities, women (SOMETIMES, sisters….but often enough that it stings, erodes communication, and misinforms), and the world tries to make us out to be in and attempt to grasp, control, understand, and at times manipulate the endless possibilities that are born out of our mere existence. This post sums it up brilliantly.
Thanks for this post. Very much needed today.
@Dave, thanks for the re:definition.
*wipes a tear & raises a fist*
@kingpinenut,
woo woo woo *rubs back*
@kingpinenut, i am malcolm x.
Bravo!
@HamptonUSista, thanks.
Just delurking to say this is an awesome post!!! Yall are on fire in the new year!!!
@MsMeesh, itslike NBA Jams in this piece lately.
@Panama Jackson,
I see and I looove it!!!!!!!
Great Post P! Very well stated slim…
@Tx10inch, preciate it hombre.
Oh, Panama. Well written and quite moving.
On a shallow note: This kinda reminds me of a McDonalds “365 Black” commercial.
@Ivyette, last time i ever write anything with any depth. LOL.
panama = mcdonalds.
yay for the dollar menu
i’m absolutely speechless…i’ll come back later when i figure out how to comment on this post
@nikki87, ok.
Thanks for speaking for a sometimes voiceless community, P…well done, very smart brotha.
@AkShone, i do what i can homey. thanks.
as a community, we should talk more.
“i am on the lookout because at work I am the same person I avoid in the streets.” – This may have been the deepest line in the whole jawn. It truly captures the struggles of the black man trying to do the right thing.
I think this post really captures how the black man in the modern society is forced to exemplify the duality of man (the black woman is also a shining example of this too but to a slightly lesser degree). How he must almost have different personalities where he cannot be himself. I wrote my personal statement for law school about this facet of society.
@Plain Ole Peyso, duality is probably the best word to describe the modern Black man.
one man living in two worlds.
@Plain Ole Peyso, “the black woman is also a shining example of this too but to a slightly lesser degree”
I’m sure you didn’t mean this the way it reads, but for the record… let’s not compare apples and oranges. Plus, what do you know about being a black woman anyway?
@Yeah…SO?!, LOL
I define a black man as being of a Royal hertitage,
Kings, altho many act like paupers.
Precious as in rare, but
“you take your love,
and throw it all around,
like its nothing special,
just a sound”
Brillantly blessed but far too few are walking in that……
@OrangeStar616, “you take your love,
and throw it all around,
like its nothing special,
just a sound”
me likey
@Panama Jackson, quote taken from “Don’t Look Back” by Telepopmusik….
Damn, just damn.
Hurry and patent this cause I’m about to post this to every brother I know who needs it. I’m about to head to this interview. I’m nervous as hell but after reading this……Thanks, it really puts things in perceptive.
*Raise Fist* Solid bruh
@Mr. Gundam,
Good luck on the interview!
@Mr. Gundam,
Good Luck!
@Mr. Gundam,
Go with confidence…there’s nothing like a confident brotha. Good Luck!
@Mr. Gundam,
Much luck, man!
@Mr. Gundam, to repeat what everybody else is saying, good luck on the interview.
and thanks homey.
I loved this post. that is all.
@Reecie, thank you. that is all.
Fly post. ‘purciate it.
@Somebody’s Daughter, tanks mon.
I feel like I’d have to know you to get deep with you on this one so I’ll pass.
@lulu, oh, NOW you trynna play me like a wet food stamp???
you know me!!!! lol
@Panama Jackson,
mess!
This sh*t right here…… Was definitely on point; they try to tell us who we are and should be, but have no idea of range we have. They take the simplest minds (Flavor Flav, etc.) and hold them up as an example of who we are because they don’t want the world to see how just how complex we are. You captured that in this post.
Great post P… you not depressed are you?
@Yeah…SO?!, not in the slightest.
i’m so good.
@Panama Jackson, ok good… nonetheless this post was really dope.
I loved this post! It spoke to me. Hell, I dayum near expected a bunch of kids to stand up and yell, “I. AM. MALCOLM X!” It was that dope.
Though, it was hard to choose just one, this line was my favorite:
“I dance when I hear music even if no music is playing.”
Overall, I think the entire essence of a Black man can’t truly be described. What I mean is that while I loved your post and think it did encapsulate what a Black man is, I would believe that Champ could write a just as perfect post that summarizes a Black man and it will be completely different from yours
and will probably include 50-lem deez. Or any other VSB that comments here. Ultimately, I think the true beauty of being a Black man is that while different, there is just that special, unseen, unwritten something, that you all have in common.@Cheekie, we all just got that “that thing” huh?
@Panama Jackson,
Yes.
“To some being a Black man means being a monster and a boogie man that will take your Girl Scout and her cookies and leaver her looking like a wilted dandelion. To others I’m an object of study, an odd fascination and curiosity upon which studies and fear campaigns have been built.”
I love this point. My nerdy older sisters who watch way too much SyFy Channel (I feel like a tool just typing “SyFy”) compared Godzilla to a black man. The Japanese were/are scared to death of him until there is a bigger scarier monster looming on the horizon. When that happens there on some “we love you” b.s.
I define my black manhood the same way that Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart defined indecency, “I can’t define what it is but I know it when I see it.”
Black manhood is a big umbrella to stand under.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E., Black manhood is a big umbrella to stand under.
yeah, i totally agree. i think that was the main point i was making. i’m all kinds of stuff. a million small pieces beyond strict definition.
but i’m a writer so i try.
@Panama Jackson, You did a good job off it too.
The most powerful man in the world counts himself in our number and yet we are forced into two groups. Only in America.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
” (I feel like a tool just typing “SyFy”)”
Why in the heyll did they change the spelling? I haven’t cable in more than a few years, but what are they trying to be hip now with the spelling? It will always be plain ol Sci-Fi channel.
LOL
@miss t-lee, Not sure when they changed the spelling, but my sister tipped me off to it via text while she was watching Alligator vs. Gila Monster.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
I just googled it, and it came about in July of ’09. They should go back to the drawing board…lol
@miss t-lee, Their lame name is deserving. If you’ve ever seen any of their original movies you would understand. I’d rather watch a Madea play than watch their movies.
@ Wuyoung Agent of M.E,
I haven’t watched anything of theirs in quite some time.
“I’d rather watch a Madea play than watch their movies.”
This is how I feel about Lifetime movies.
@miss t-lee,
“This is how I feel about Lifetime movies.”
You are me with this line. I cannot hop aboard the Lifetime train. Also, I hate how their titles is always the actual plot of the movie. No real creative thought process goes into the titles. Like, I wouldn’t put it past them to make a movie entitled, “The Girl Who Became Pregnant And Gave Birth In The Closet While R. Kelly Sung The Process”. For real.
@miss t-lee, Why do women watch Lifetime movies? I call them “feel bad” movies. “The Girl Who Became Pregnant and Gave Birth in The Closet While R. Kelly Sung The Process” is coming on Superbowl Sunday. It’s starring Tatyana Ali.
@ Wuyoung Agent of M.E/Cheekie
I abhor Lifetime. The whole dayum network, and their other channel devoted to all their crappy movies.
I can’t tell ya’ll why ladies like these movies, I just know that I don’t.
They stay on some “Not Without My Daughter!” starring Meredith Baxter-Birney type isht and the movies are all the same.
1. children switched at birth
2. woman w/ an abusive man triumphs
3. mother of wayward teen
4. double life type ish like, my teenage daughter is a call-girl, or my husband has a secret family
I just can’t.
@miss t-lee, My theory is that Lifetime is ran by a cabal of hateful old ladies similar to Taraji Henson’s mom in “Not Easily Broken”. They probably sit around, smoke Virginia Slim’s, and plan to ruin the lives of women who are happy. But I have an overactive imagination.
@miss t-lee, lifetime sucks big time but that movie they just aired The Pregnancy Pact? maaaan, listen. I crazy mess. I can’t say I enjoyed it but its definitely a conversation piece.
@miss t-lee,
Yes that new spelling GRATES. It’s like the obsessive texting daughter of the CEO (who tYP3S LyKE DIS) decided it shall be spelled that way.
@Cheekie,
Now…it all makes sense!!! I think that’s what happened.
*in my Cher from Clueless voice*
Like…totally!
*in faux NY accent*
“…son….SON!!! SON!!!…”
*walks outta post with excitement*
*walks back in post*
“…SOOOONNNN!!!…this ish right HERE!!!…”
*all types of arm gestures cuz words ain’t coming yet*
“this ish right HERE!!!….SOONNNnnn…”
*walks back outta post*
great post. reminds me of POSDENOUS (DelaSoul) “I am I be” joint.
@BmoreCreative, thanks homey. i appreciate the excitement.
that’s that Black man stuff right there.
@BmoreCreative,
LMAO!!! OK!! Took me a good minute to even TRY to come up with the words, lol
@Smiley Face,
LOL. I know! That comment right there was of Black Man-ness.
Great post P. I think a black man, or any man really, is a person who fights and scraps and battles when faced with adversity (strong), supports and defends and cares when others need him (loving), and doubts or cries or worries when he’s alone and has time to ponder the effectiveness of his actions/decisions (reflective). But you said all that, so I guess I’m simply saying, “Yeah, what you said.”
But I think this duality or irony or whatever is what makes it hard for some men (read: me) to bond with many guys. A good number of dudes keep the strong front up all the time, which I can understand but can’t connect with. Especially when I see that they’re going through exactly what I’m going through. I take it as being dishonest, immature, or scared. We all have flaws/concerns. I don’t wanna meet someone and have him cry on my shoulder, but if you talkin like your life is a rap video when your company is unstable, you got a second child on the way, and a parent is ill, I gotta go and talk to some real people.
@An Island, i think Black man pride is something that needs an entire post all its own. but its part of that duality and having to meander thru two worlds. you can’t be flappable. you must be unflappable and pretty soon the act becomes the man.
lucky for me i got homeboys where all that shit is unnecessary.
@Panama Jackson
Yeah, that’s why it’s always good to have that core. But as me and my friends have branched out to DC, Cali, NYC, Chicago etc., it’s tough to find replacements (for lack of a better term) for the guys that you grew up with or spent a ton of time with in college, and vibe with as a result.
@Panama Jackson, I agree on the Black Man Pride post, that’d be a good one…
“When you wear a mask long enough, you forget who you were underneath it”
V for Vendetta
@OrangeStar616,
I just love that you quoted “V for Vendetta”
*slow hand claps and a standing ovation*
Sweet post!
I would define the black man as both the constant thorn in my side and the reason I’m in the hair salon every weekend.
@I can’t think of a clever name, lol. i like that.
@I can’t think of a clever name, yep agreed
This is second time commenting and I gotta say that was powerful. Pretty much summed up with being a Black man is in my book……..that’s all I can say.
@NYLegalDude, thanks for commenting the 2nd time homey. preciate the love.
all men — and women — are ultimately defined by their actions.
but BLACK men, well…
they get discarded at first glance, but have value beyond measure. they repeatedly get cut down, yet they endure the pressure. they have many facets, some which reveal their flaws. they capture the light, but distort it beyond recognition. they attract the hearts of many, but are hardened from the lustful stares. they come from the depths, but add panache and flair.
to be ignant wit it…”shawty, we the sh*t!”
complex like the magazine.
He who defines himself
can’t know who he really is.
He who has power over others
can’t empower himself.
He who clings to his work
will create nothing that endures.
It is beyond is and is not.
How do I know this is true?
I look inside myself and see.
If you want to become whole,
let yourself be partial.
If you want to become straight,
let yourself be crooked.
If you want to become full,
let yourself be empty.
If you want to be reborn,
let yourself die.
If you want to be given everything,
give everything up.
Because he doesn’t display himself,
people can see his light.
Because he has nothing to prove,
people can trust his words.
Because he doesn’t know who he is,
people recognize themselves in him.
Because he has no goal in mind,
everything he does succeeds.
What is a good man but a bad man’s teacher?
What is a bad man but a good man’s job?
If you don’t understand this, you will get lost,
however intelligent you are.
It is the great secret.
When you have names and forms,
know that they are provisional.
When you have institutions,
know where their functions should end.
Knowing when to stop,
you can avoid any danger.
The more you know,
the less you understand.
Those who know don’t talk.
Those who talk don’t know.
Close your mouth,
block off your senses,
blunt your sharpness,
untie your knots,
soften your glare,
settle your dust.
This is the primal identity.
The ancient Masters
didn’t try to educate the people,
but kindly taught them to not-know.
When they think that they know the answers,
people are difficult to guide.
When they know that they don’t know,
people can find their own way.
My teachings are easy to understand
and easy to put into practice.
Yet your intellect will never grasp them,
and if you try to practice them, you’ll fail.
My teachings are older than the world.
How can you grasp their meaning?
If you want to know me,
look inside your heart.
Black men are a myriad of things, each more wonderfully complex than the other.
I have a black man’s blood coursing through my veins. My grandmother loved a black man and fathered his children, and he is my blueprint. My mother loves a black man who in turn became my guiding light, my father. I love a black man who brings me joy and peace of mind. I hope to one day raise wondeful black men.
Every step of my life I have had black men to rely on, hang out with, joke with, fight with, be irritated at and gain wisdom from. Black men are an intricate part of my universe. Only they will accurately know how to define themselves, but from my vantage point they are my shield, my blanket, my light and my sword.
p.s: This post made me misty eyed, good job P! My dad is visiting in a couple of weeks and I haven’t seen the old man for 5 years now. I miss him so hard sometimes it hurts. So I am grateful for the opportunity to publicly aknowledge how much I lurrve him…
What Defines a Black Man? – Unwavering CONFIDENCE
I actually had something to say about this that has completely slipped my mind after reading all these dzam comments.
Good post yo.
I’ve been reading VSB posts for the past few month. I’ve never been as compelled to leave a comment, as i have today. I must say beautiful post!!!
It made me proud of all the intelligent black men who got their ‘ish together
Keep it up!!
This post right here? Exactly why I love black men.
Great job, Panama.(Anyone who can write something like this has got to be a 4!)
wow. just wow.
what is a black man?
I think of a black man as coal (wait for the rest don’t jump me yet)
it fuels the fires of industrialisation.
keeps us warm in the cold.
keeps us fed.
it is a medium through which some of the greatest pieces of art and literature have been (and will be) committed to paper.
it is the source of one of if not the most prized gem on earth
yeah to me black men are like coal, necessary to our survival and growth. a vital part of our history and culture. rough and tough on the outside, but within lies brilliance.
no one word better encapsulates how i’d desire for someone to look at me as an american black man than “human”. not a king or a coon. not a God or a goon. neither superman nor a sucker. just a man with flaws and fears and feelings just like everybody else, a regular ole human being stuck between the convergence of the thug and the talented tenth. not a cipher or a thesis but a beautifully incomplete puzzle with a million different pieces.
anyway, good job p.
@The Champ, I like this
@The Champ,
Ooh, ate their brain cell edition toast this morning! Loves it.
@Cheekie,
And there were nary a “deez” in there! Brilliant!
@The Champ,
*applause*
@The Champ, D*mn!!! D*MN!!! D*MN!!!! JAMES!!!! You boys are on point today. I won’t even bother throwing my 2 cents in when it has been stated so well already.
Excellent post, Panama. Unfortunately I have yet to find my own definition of ‘black man’ but I agree with your words. Beautifully written.
(“I’m tall socks and dog tags” Good look’n out for the home team
ms. angelou, is that you?
A Black man is strength in the face of constant adversity.
strength personified
Beautiful.
Good post Panama, made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and reminded me why I love black men so much. Also reminded me why I’m probably gonna have to find me one of the 8 and a half good brothers that’s left (that was sarcasm…sorta) for my own because I don’t get that warm fuzzy feeling when I think about men of any other race.
and i’mma let the dog tags and tall socks thing pass…lawd that reminds me of my DC bamma ex-boyfriend…. I do not and cannot get DC locals and their fashion quirks.
@klysha, bamas tho?!? and use of our word LOL
We come in all manner of fashion, careful with the generalizations. depending on where you are from you may not get alot of things, doesn’t make it bamafied tho LLS
@OrangeStar616,
I did embrace the word bamma when I moved to the area 7 years ago, it’s so useful! (But I always use 2 m’s to distinguish it from bama as in Alabama which is where I’m from) But I couldn’t for the life of me understand some of the fashion statements DC dudes tried to make. Especially my ex….I was actually calling him a bamma. He rocked every DC specific trend at some point while we were dating. From Nike Boots, to dog tags, to longs socks to Shooters to those Air Bacon sneakers. I was at a loss half the time.
I’ll be honest I thought this was going to turn into a comedic post…but it didn’t..and I loved it! Panama you normally give me laughs but this time you just gave me nice thoughts. I thank you! I needed this today as my Tuesday is feeling more like an unsuccessful Monday.
I don’t yet have a specific definition for the Black Man but I can tell you this, when I get a good one in my presence I enjoy every minute of him because to be honest we need to continue making the Black man feel needed so that he can pass on his life story to the next generation so they know what their guidelines should be.
Panama I applaud you. Got me in my *looking for a good chocolate man* mood…
Excellent post, man. Brothas need to hear stuff like this to let us know that we as individual black men aren’t alone in our experiences of being black men. Words like this makes me wonder why we hate on each other so much when if we leaned on each other and looked out for each other, we would be an unstoppable force. Kudos on the words, P.
*note to self*
neva eva again click the box that says “notify me of future comments” on a VSB post when my email comes straight to my phoneberry.
wow.
lol
Panama.. I loved this..
I wish I can add to the above comments by saying what the defination of a Black Man means to me..but without a living example, I can’t.
But I am jealous of some of these women, with their prime example of a Black Man and how the bar was set to high, that most men pale in comparison to them. I’m not as lucky.
Even where my father, stepfather,and uncles, fail..I still love my black men. I think they are beautiful, I think they are strong. And I love their ability to rise after any set back. I think it would be an honor to have a son raised by a black man, so when he sees a woman he is interested in, he know the proper way to approach her.
Thanks for the welcomes
I’ll be sure to lurk a lil less and join the fun
I have been reading you, Panama Jackson, for a minute and am happy to see an introspective post like this one for a nice change of pace.
I can’t define black man. But I can define the type of man that commands my respect. I can recognize a good black man when I see one.
Definition of woman.
My most fave blog of all time.
I like this a lot. I also like the title of the post because I don’t think black has a definition. It’s everything and nothing. Yin and Yang. It’s so much and can’t be placed in a box.
Very good post.
This was wonderful. I had to stop and call the Black men I love and tell them so. Again.
Can we get a bassline for this post and put that in a playlist?
You are the most glorious of God’s creations, perfectly imperfect and beautiful in every way. You are the original. You are the other half of me. My Father, My Brother, My Son, My Friend, My Lover, My Teacher, My Protector, My Everything.
That was beautiful. Poetic. Like, it needs to be published in a book.
It’s inspired me to write about who, and WHAT I am. When people ask me, “Who are you? What do you do?” The word “writer” just doesn’t seem to suffice.
Great exploration and introspection.
I got teary eyed reading this because I started thinking about my father, brother and grandpa….inspiring black men in their own right.
As I always say, I really love Black Men!
I love the Black Man…I am so inspired by that love I’m working on a book of poetry dedicated to the Black Man….if you are interested…check out my blog..thx
hope that’s cool Brothas…don’t ban me…
You’re a lucky woman…
this was just poetic… the entire time I was snapping my fingers and nodding my head.
Great job
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