Here is an excerpt from my private Facebook group: Connected Minds...

Grand Rising to all. Let’s Connect on a deeper level here.  I’m choosing to do that on a daily basis in this group starting with this post in which I share a deeper part of myself…

Living with a Dichotomy

A 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center found that, comparatively, white households are more conservative than others. But my household was — is — Black. This is why I live with a dichotomy that tears at my heart, my conscience, and my soul.

The Pew Research Center's 2021 report on American Households found that white households are more likely to be conservative than non-white households. This finding is not surprising given the current political climate in the United States. What is surprising, however, is that I am a part of this statistic.

It's not that I don't care about the issues that matter to my community. I do. I care deeply about racial inequality, police brutality, and the many other injustices faced by Black people in America today. But I also care about personal responsibility, fiscal conservatism, and limited government intervention. These are values that are important to me and they don't align perfectly with either party.

This dichotomy often feels like a tug-of-war between two parts of my identity. On one hand, I am a proud Black man who wants to see his community thrive. On the other hand, I am a pragmatic thinker who believes in personal accountability and limited government involvement. Both sides are equally important to me but it can be difficult to reconcile them sometimes.

I understand that not everyone will agree with me on this issue. That's okay. We all have different opinions and we're entitled to them. What matters most to me is that I am true to myself and honest about where I stand on the issues. Living with this dichotomy isn't always easy but it's something that I'm learning to accept about myself.

I am a product of the home in which I was raised. My mama is a God-fearing woman who taught me the importance of a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, and self-reliance. She also taught me to be proud of my heritage and to never forget where I came from. 

But here's the thing: I am also a Black man who cannot help but to see the world through the lens of race. And because of that, I find myself living in two worlds that are often at odds with each other. On one hand, I am expected to uphold the values of conservatism — values that emphasize individualism over collectivism and personal responsibility over government assistance. On the other hand, I am constantly reminded of the systemic racism that has oppressed my people for generations and continues to do so today. As a result, I often find myself torn between two worlds — one that wants me to succeed despite the odds and another that wants me to fight against those very same odds.

This is not to say that all Black people are liberal or all white people are conservative. But it is important to acknowledge that race does play a role in how we see the world and the values we hold dear. And for me, this dichotomy is something that I have to grapple with on a daily basis.

The Struggle Is Real

When Trayvon Martin was killed in 2012, I remember being absolutely outraged. Here was yet another young Black man who had lost his life at the hands of someone who saw him as nothing more than a threat because of the color of his skin. And yet, when George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges related to Trayvon's death, I found myself struggling with mixed emotions.

On one hand, I wanted justice for Trayvon and all the other Black men and women who had been killed unjustly throughout history. But on the other hand, I couldn't help but think about how such a verdict would impact my own life as a Black man. Would this just be another example of how the criminal justice system fails us? Or would it be proof that hard work and personal responsibility can overcome any obstacle? 

In the end, I decided that it was both. The acquittal may have been unjust, but it wasn't indicative of how far we as a people have come. We've made great strides over the years, but there's still so much work to be done. That's why I continue to fight for what's right — even when it means living with this dichotomy that often feels like it's tearing me apart. 

It's not easy being Black and conservative in America today. We are constantly bombarded with messages telling us that we have to choose one side or the other — that we can't possibly hold both sets of values close to our hearts. But I refuse to give up either side of who I am. Instead, I will continue to fight for what's right — even if it means living with this dichotomy for the rest of my life.

Like Connecting on this deeper level with me? Drop a comment and Let’s Connect even deeper at iHustleDaily.org/real 

“Just Go!” Don't Stop