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We as men, in particular black men, are constantly supported, nurtured, forgiven, apologized for, led, followed and coddled by black women, and they get very little in return.

We look at the African-American community, for a long time those of us who be considered strong - black men - for whatever reason, haven't done a good job of taking care of the weak. And we were doing things that render taking care of our youth and taking care of our women and our families impossible, when our lives are taken.

It is hard for a black man to just be himself. We spend so much time in defense of something that is indefensible because there is nothing to defend.

Black women are supposed to be 'strong,' but the burden of carrying our race and carrying our families adds the pressure.

I feel like a lot of black men 'put on' because of what they see and because of what people tell them they have to be.

I don't think being black has held me back at all. Being black makes you strong.

All black women aren't sassy, loud, difficult, or subservient. We are, in fact, very complex and very diverse, living very complex and diverse lives. That point cannot be made enough.

We're raised to believe that black men have to be one specific way.

Young black men in this country have to understand that they have a responsibility. They cannot be the enemy in their own neighborhoods and usurp the effort of good people that are trying to make things work.

There are so many stereotypes of how you have to be as a black man, growing up in the community as a man.