In the world today everyone seems to have an opinion about everyone else. Personal space has shrunk with the advent of social media. Many regular media outlets have succumbed to sensationalism, or even yellow journalism, in order to keep pace with social media platforms. How does this information blitz benefit the average US citizen? More importantly what are they seeing when they look at their personal situation?
A few years back I was talking to a personal trainer. I was listening to him talk about body mass index (BMI). I laughed while saying I was good. The trainer shot me a look that made me look at myself. I realized that I was okay but, truly could use some toning up. I understood that what I thought I was seeing was an illusion. I understood that the parameters for my height and weight that I had set were incorrect. I immediately started training with that trainer to make my illusion of self become reality. I looked at myself without the rose-colored glasses.
I told the previous truth to let the world know that a self check is something that needs to be done constantly. Is your mind putting up false illusions to soothe your ego? Are you lying to yourself about who you are and what you are doing? These questions lead to some hard, and sometimes bitter answers. That is why many people on the planet choose to delve into other people’s business and ignore their own. The previous statement is why social media is so popular.
What are African American males seeing when they look into the mirror when they are wearing sagging pants? Do they see a played-out style of dress that somehow has lasted over 30 years? Do fathers look at their sons and think, “My boy’s sagging just like I am, and his grandfather did. I’m proud.” What does a fifty year old African American man tell himself when he steps out to meet friends in a club or bar wearing work out clothes? Does he think, “I am feeling like I am going to high school basketball practice.” What is an African American male thinking when he takes his love interest out on the town and she is dressed nicely and he is wearing Jordan shoes and a t-shirt? Does he think, “This makes me feel young, like when I used to go places with my Mama?” What are the previous males seeing in the mirror?
Many African American females are seeing an illusion also. What are African American females thinking when they wear fake hair? What can be going through an African American female’s mind when she puts on a blonde wig that hangs past her shoulders? Is this woman thinking, “I am a proud African American female who wants to look like Marlyn Monroe.” What are African American females thinking when they pile various forms of colored weave/wigs on top of their real hair? Are these African American females thinking, “I am patriotic so I will represent the USA by wearing red hair.” What are the previous females thinking? More importantly, what are they seeing when they look in the mirror?
US society has put up buffers to ease citizen identity. There are many buffers, from sports to politics, to keep citizens’ minds off their real situation. The US would be great again if everyone took one fourth of the time spent being nosy in other people’s business and applied it to looking in the mirror. Look at yourself without the rose-colored glasses. Self analysis can lead to some wonderful results on all levels of existence.
What are people seeing when they look at their circumstances? In all honesty, do you care? Let’s go a step further. Do you really want to know?
Frank James IV © 2024
beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or HT Group, LLC, its staff or management. “Being Frank” is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.
