REAL MEN DO CRY BY: Donald Bunton, Jr.
M
en of a certain age were raised in an era where we were taught to conceal our emotions, because showing ANY type of vulnerability was a sign of weakness. We are also one of the many generations suffering from PTSD and like generations before us, we lack the tools to navigate all the emotions and traumas we carry in our heads. This typically leaves us angry, frustrated and in most cases emotionally unavailable. If we are lucky, we meet or are influenced by someone who teaches us that releasing these emotions is where our true strength lies. The lesson is “Real Men do Cry.” We cry when the ills of the world become overwhelming and we feel trapped or left without options or optimism. We cry when we hurt, whatever the cause and the release is usually so freeing that the tears seem to flow endlessly as the memories trickle from our eyes down our faces. A marriage or relationship ends and yes, a real man cries remembering what was and fearing what is to come. An athlete cries in midst of defeat when the reality that his efforts were not enough to claim victory. A father watches his child achieve their first
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milestone or walk across the stage during graduation as tears of joy and admiration fall silently from his chin. These are examples we as men all experience at some point in our lives and we need to know, it is ok to cry. Are we not sons, brothers, fathers, friends etc.? It is our obligation to break generational curses where we have learned to keep our emotions bottled up and never let the world see us sweat. As black men, we live in a world that is very different than the one experienced by our counterparts. A world with pitfalls and challenges that are specifically designed to cause us to fail. That reality alone is enough to bring us to our knees and ask GOD why?? Why have we been tasked with such a heavy burden to carry? Let me assure you, the world becomes a little easier to tolerate when you learn and understand your purpose and begin to live in that purpose. Even then the moments I spoke of previously will still become your reality. In those times we must try to stayed focused, stay blessed and always remember – our reality is
“Real Men Do Cry.”
