This is not sad boy hours. I don't believe in that. But I do know that men have feelings too. More specifically, thugz cry too. This topic spurred from recent conversations with my closest friends, also men of color, who expressed how they have dealt with mental health issues but haven't felt they could show it in the outside world. The sad part is that we all also have felt we couldn't show it in our private lives either. There are too many expectations of us to have it all together. To be strong, secure men. Strong, secure men know how and when to express their feelings healthily. This belief and need to be the tough guy whom nobody can see cry comes from a broken self-image. One that has been portrayed for us by forces outside of and within our community. In reality, most of us want to be more vulnerable, but wearing your heart on your sleeve in this world can get you taken advantage of or shamed by the people who are supposed to accept you how you are. Show emotion, and you’re soft or emotionally unstable. Hide your feelings, and you’re aggressive or emotionally unavailable. The way to combat that is to ignore the expectations and be okay with wearing your heart on your sleeve. That’s a lesson I wish I’d learned much earlier, but I am grateful to be learning it now. I can and will be better for myself and my people moving forward. I must. We must.

Links to connect with me:

Twitter: @m_hendricks27

Instagram: @marcus_hendricks

TikTok: @marcushendricks27

Intro & Outro Song:

Hennything Is Possible by Elijah

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