Tag Archive for 'black men'

Black Men’s Appreciation Day

Published
by
SBM
on September 17, 2008
in Men
. 133 Comments

Hear ye … Hear ye

The Wonderful, Smart, Sexy, and Lovely Ladies of SBM.net have decreed that today, the 17th day of our Lord in the month of September be declared “Black Men’s Appreciation Day”.  A day that is to be dedicated to letting the black men in your life get one day where we know that our efforts aren’t in vain and to scknowledge the good Black Men out here doing good.

While I am a supporter of this day and it did come into existence here on my blog … I want it to be known that I had no direct role in its formation or creation and is an undertaking by several female commenters.

To Teacia, Ms. Devereaux, and The Comeback Girl and the others responsible … Thank You.

The following letter was drafted as the official decree and has been submitted to several major media outlets … lets make this major!

It’s a time for change, a time for appreciation, a time for admiration and respect, and what better way to embrace this time than to appreciate the hands we stand on…our black men.

We need our black men. They are the hands we stand on. The next time you see a black man — city, suburb, or country, — SMILE and say hello. The next time a brother opens the door for you, SMILE and say thank you. If you are close enough, SMILE and ask “how are you doing today?” If a black man is living in your home and he gets up everyday and goes to face a world that doesn’t really want him there, when he comes home, let him know that you appreciate him.

This message has inspired the ladies of www.SingleBlackMale.net to start a movement of love and change.

Black Men Appreciation Day is about saying thank you, smiling, giving a gift, positive affirmation, hugs, kisses, or even saying “I admire you” or “I’m proud of you” or whatever you can think of to show appreciation to the black men you encounter.

On September 17, 2008 we will stand up and stand together in admiration and appreciation of our black men. They are not only our hands but also our foundation, and without this foundation our house will surely crumble. Remember, it only takes one person to start a movement…one person to initiate a change. Imagine the difference a multitude will make. Our black men deserve this, we deserve this. What good is a house without a strong foundation? Let’s strengthen our foundation. Together we will make a difference.

Spread the word, spread the love…September 17th is now officially Black Men Appreciation Day!

Thursday Feature: Hands That Stand …

Published
by
SBM
on August 21, 2008
in Guest Post
. 190 Comments

This post comes from a resident commenter Ms. Deveraux at her blog The Journey of Ms. Deveraux and kicks off me featuring a different writer/blogger/ person who has something to say.  Enjoy.

ADMIRE: to regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval

One thing about living in Chicago that I wouldn’t normally experience in Texas is the personal interactions of strangers on a daily basis. I began to notice the amount of blue collar workers around the city. Oddly enough many of them are black men; of course I love black men who will work, I love your hustle, I am your cheerleader. Plus most of them are very handsome! If I had money I would treat all the hard working blue and white collar black men to a day of pampering and just showing appreciation for all their hard work and struggles. Everyday I see one sweeping the subway stairs, moping the lobby of an office building, riding on the back of the garbage truck, directing traffic, driving the bus, working behind the security desk, lugging cases of drinks in the convenient store. I always look at most of these men and wonder how often they are told they are appreciated and you are doing a good job.

Then you have the white collar black men, who I see walking in the financial district or in the downtown office building dressed in their suits, armed with their briefcase, and ready to do their best in a corporate game that doesn’t really want them around. I believe black men have it the hardest and I am not sure we say I am proud of you or I appreciate you often enough. There are times when if you just say hello or how you doing that could brighten their day especially some of the mean looking black women (sorry but its no secret ya’ll look mean) something to make them smile it can add a boost to there already hard day.

The other day I saw a black man that was maybe in his 50’s crying on the bus. I couldn’t imagine what would bring this grown man to tears on a bus full of strangers. He wasn’t crying hard or loud but you could see the tears flowing from his eyes. My heart hurt for him and all I could do was write him a note saying I didn’t know what burdened him, but that I would pray for him and he should trust the Lord with his issues. It’s hard out here in this world but I think for black men they have it the hardest.

We need our black men they are the hands we stand on. I just think it would be nice if we weren’t so busy being mad that they weren’t dating someone who looked like us and paid more attention to uplifting and appreciating them, then maybe we could start a change one person at a time. The next time you see a black man whether or not you have as many close interaction as I do here in the city, SMILE and say hello. The next time one opens the door for you SMILE and say thank you. If you are close enough, SMILE and say how are you doing today? If you have one living in your home and he gets up everyday and go face a world that doesn’t want him there, when comes home let him know you appreciate him.

I could go on and on, but you all know what I am talking about lets learn to appreciate our hardworking black men.

When you think about a black man what comes to your mind?

When is the last time you told a black man you ADMIRE him?

Please respond to these questions, I am asking for a reason.