"Dear Black Men"

When I initially wrote "Dear Black Men," I had no idea who the audience would be. I decided to include it in the "Identity" section of my poetry collection Welcome to the Queendom as a dedication to the strongest Black man I know, my father. Over the years, I've learned the unique strength of manhood as I watched my dad uphold our family and use his spiritual armor to guide us all as a unit. Growing up, I don't recall my dad having to say much often, yet we felt and knew he loved us through the security he provided spiritually, financially and emotionally. Although, I can count on one hand the times I've seen my father cry, I've watched his eyes as he carried the daily weight of Blackness, manhood and fatherhood. As a mood ring, his hazel eyes shifted to shades of earth-tone greens through all the frustrations, sadness and sometimes weariness. I can only imagine what he truly holds inside and that is one of the major reasons why I wrote this poem...

"...Black men you must
know your place."

Black men, although mistreated and even feared, represent more than the attempted definitive description society has often used. Remember why we love you, Black men. Know that through the destructive attacks made towards your character, your true purpose will always shine through... a purpose connected to love, light and strength. It is my daily prayer that every Black man I know (and beyond) gains even more power as they source that energy to those around them without allowing the pessimism of this world to negate their position. 

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More from Jo Di

Next year, I will be doing a local tour with my friend and fellow author, Peter Parker. We are inviting guests to engage in discussions about key themes from our publications in relation to our personal journeys and involvement with community issues. We will also have merchandise available, give-aways, collaborative opportunities and MORE! For more information about Peter Parker's A DFRNT Story, visit adfrntworld.org

To order a copy of Welcome to the Queendom  click HERE!
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Follow @melodipoetjodi on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated! Official tour dates and locations will be announced very soon! 

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Be on the look out for details about Queendom merchandise!