09/09/2025
“If I don’t work 10 times harder and live on a pedestal, I’ll be ‘found out.’”
“When I walk into a store, the security and associates keep a watchful eye on me.”
“I have to make it to every single event and activity for my child, or I’ll be seen as the absent, Black father.”
“If I use a louder tone or show anger, I’m automatically seen as the ‘angry Black woman/man.’”
“As a Black man, you must be strong and not show emotions. If you do, it’s a sign of weakness.”
As a Black man, these are just some of the thoughts and feelings I have had during my years on this earth. And I feel confident in saying that other Black individuals have felt just like me. In a country where the narrative of the Black experience is written to illustrate Black people as “bad” or “lesser than,” it can feel so overwhelming and exhausting. On top of that, finding resources and professionals who look like us can feel like an insurmountable task. Today, I hope that insurmountable task feels a little less daunting because you traveled one step closer to healing by reading this. Together, we can rewrite the narratives that have been told of you as a Black person, challenge the beliefs that you have formed of yourself, and create a therapeutic space that you help to form, not one that did not consider the unique experiences of Black people. Reach out to start your healing journey today - Lewis@thelotuscenterwh.com | (267) 209-0314 ✊🏾
