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Black Men Quotes

Browse 40 quotes about Black Men.

Black Men Quotes

“He was so near the sacred and fearful grail of black manhood that any man of color who faced the threat of life with courage, and intellect, and wit, was his hero.”

Courage Danger Intellect Wit African Americans Blacks Threats Black Men

Book:A Song Flung Up to Heaven

Source: A Song Flung Up to Heaven

“The attendant looked at Camilo, looked at Link, blandly, incuriously. Link thought, In New York all the black boys who go in for what they like to call Caddies also go in for white girls. So this is old hat to him. He figures that if I'm rich enough--numbers or women or rackets of one kind or another--to drive one of these crates, then almost any good-looking white girl is going to find me acceptable. Money transforms the black male. Makes him beautiful in the eyes of the white female. Black and comely. No. It was black but comely, take it for granted that blackness and comeliness were not only possible but went hand in hand.”

Relationships Wealth Money African Americans Blacks Whites Black Men White Women

Book:The Narrows

Source: The Narrows

“Well, of course," Camilo said, and grinned back at JohnRolandJoseph and his long line of bought and paid for ancestors, as friendly and unselfconscious as though all her life she had been looking for men, black men, big black men--plantation bucks (stud) look at his thighs, look at that back, look at his dingle-dangle--as though all her life she had been looking for colored men to whom she was not married, to whom she would never be married because she was already married to a nice young white man, as though all her life she had told uniformed monkeys who pulled elevators in rundown colored hotels, in Harlem, that she couldn't find, had lost, misplaced, a gentleman of color named Williams.”

Women Relationships African Americans Blacks Race Relations Whites Affairs Black Men White Women

Book:The Narrows

Source: The Narrows

“Dat's de reason de sister in black works harder than anybody else in the world. De white man tells de n****r to work and he takes and tells his wife.”

Work Black Women African Americans Blacks Whites Black Men

Book:Mules and Men

Source: Mules and Men

“She's scared, he thought. She's scared deaf, dumb, and blind. She thinks I'm going to rape her. I'm due to rape her, or try to, because I'm colored and it's written in the cards that colored men live for the sole purpose of raping white women, especially young beautiful white women who are on the loose.”

Fear African Americans Blacks Rape Stereotypes Sexual Assault Whites Black Men White Women

Book:The Narrows

Source: The Narrows

“Because of their lack of originality, women who say that they like their men like they like their coffee turn off even men who are black and strong.”

Relationships Dating Coffee Originality Turn Off Original Online Dating Black Men Black Man Black And Strong

Author:Mokokoma Mokhonoana

“And she got the feeling that Boots Smith's relationship to this swiftly moving car was no ordinary one. He wasn't just a black man driving a car at a pell-mell pace. He had lost all sense of time and space as the car plunged forward into the cold, white night. The act of driving the car made him feel he was a powerful being who could conquer the world. Up over hills, fast down on the other side. It was like playing god and commanding everything within hearing to awaken and listen to him. The people sleeping in the white farmhouses were at the mercy of the sound of his engine roaring past in the night. It brought them half-awake—disturbed, uneasy. The cattle in the barns moved in protest, the chickens stirred on their roosts and before any of them could analyze the sound that had alarmed them, he was gone—on and on into the night. And she knew, too, that this was the reason white people turned scornfully to look at Negroes who swooped past them on the highways. 'Crazy niggers with autos' in the way they looked. Because they sensed that the black men had to roar past them, had for a brief moment to feel equal, feel superior; had to take reckless chances going around curves, passing on hills, so that they would be better able to face a world that took pains to make them feel that they didn't belong, that they were inferior. Because in that one moment of passing a white man in a car they could feel good and the good feeling would last long enough so that they could hold their heads up the next day and the day after that. And the white people in the cars hated it because—and her mind stumbled over the thought and then went on—because possibly they, too, needed to go on feeling superior. Because if they didn't, it upset the delicate balance of the world they moved in when they could see for themselves that a black man in a ratclap car could overtake and pass them on a hill. Because if there was nothing left for them but that business of feeling superior to black people, and that was taken away even for the split second of one car going ahead of another, it left them with nothing.”

Men Driving Drivers Superiority African Americans Blacks Race Relations Inferiority Black Men

Book:The Street

Source: The Street

“have you ever heard a black woman weep over her skinmurdered child. it is the splitting of atoms. it is billions of voices screaming their children’s names through her death wail. –– trayvon martin ii”

Loss Family Black People Black Lives Matter Blackness Black Men Trayvon Martin Black Boys

Book:Salt

Source: Salt

“This is why I paint," he says. "To get black men into museums.”

Art Artist Museums Black Men

Author:Jennifer Clement

“Black women who define ourselves and our goals beyond the sphere of a sexual relationship can bring to any endeavor the realized focus of completed and therefore empowered individuals. Black women and Black men who recognize that the development of their particular strengths and interests does not diminish the other do not need to diffuse their energies fighting for control over each other. We can focus our attentions against the real economic, political, and social forces at the heart of this society which are ripping us and our children and our worlds apart.”

Society Feminism Gender Blacks Black Men

Book:Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches

Source: Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches

“As a Black man and therapist, I know that the ways we heal may look different from the ways mainstream wellness talks about health. Black men experience the same challenges as anyone else, but with the added pressures of racism, increased stigma, and oppression. The path to healing is different and needs to take into account our lived brealities and the complexity of contemporary Black masculinity.”

Psychology Mental Health Wellness African American Authors Black Men

Book:Self-Care for Black Men: 100 Ways to Heal and Liberate

Source: Self-Care for Black Men: 100 Ways to Heal and Liberate

“Self-care is not a perfect journey. Different factors and barriers, including mental ones, get in the way of self-care. Even when armed with the right tools and education, you may still struggle to put some of the suggestions in this book into practice. Give yourself grace, but also hold yourself accountable. Looking after yourself can be difficult, but if you try new things, you will gain a lot. Your health will improve. Your relationships will get better. Your mental health will become more stable and secure.”

Psychology Mental Health Self Care Quotes Black Men

Book:Self-Care for Black Men: 100 Ways to Heal and Liberate

Source: Self-Care for Black Men: 100 Ways to Heal and Liberate

“Practicing mindfulness can seem abstract at first. It certainly was to me. But what I’ve learned is that when we use the senses we have available, we create a shortcut to present-centered living. Because the body naturally rests in the here-and-now, it proves itself a useful tool in mindfulness.”

Psychology Mental Health Wellness Mindfulness Quotes Stress Management Black Authors Black Men Mindfulness Meditation

Book:Meditations for Black Men: Ten Guided Meditations for the Body, Mind, and Spirit

Source: Meditations for Black Men: Ten Guided Meditations for the Body, Mind, and Spirit

“One of the main uses of most criminal justice systems is to minimize the number of people who are not white, by imprisoning innocent males who are neither white nor gay.”

Racism White Supremacy Black Lives Matter Criminal Justice Criminal Justice System Black Men Guilty Until Proven Innocent Innocent Until Proven Guilty Presumption Of Guilt Criminal Justice Systems

Author:Mokokoma Mokhonoana

“Emmanuel started learning the basics of his Blackness before he knew how to do long division: smiling when angry, whispering when he wanted to yell.”

African Americans Blacks Blackness Black Men

Book:Friday Black

Source: Friday Black

“That morning, like every morning, the first decision he made regarded his Blackness. His skin was a deep, constant brown. In public, when people could actually see him, it was impossible to get his Blackness down to anywhere near a 1.5. If he wore a tie, wing-tipped shoes, smiled constantly, used his indoor voice, and kept his hands strapped and calm at his sides, he could get his Blackness as low as 4.0.”

African Americans Blacks Blackness Black Men

Book:Friday Black

Source: Friday Black

“To be sure, I had, and have, spent the better part of my post-college life growing up in the public eye, with my shameful warts, big and ugly, looming there for the world to see; and it has been a mighty battle trying to be a man, a Black man, a human being, a responsible and consistent human being, as I have interfaced with my past and with my personal demons, with friends and lovers, with enemies and haters. As Tupac Shakur once famously said to me, “There is no placed called careful.” On the one hand, Tupac was right: There is not much room for error in America if you are a Black male in a society ostensibly bent on profiling your every move, eager to capitalize on your falling into this or that trap, particularly keen to swoop down on your self-inflicted mishaps. But by the same token, Tupac was wrong: There can be a place called careful, once one becomes aware of the world one lives in, its potential, its limitations, and if one is willing to struggle to create a new model, some new and alternative space outside and away from the larger universe, where one can be free enough to comprehend that even if the world seems aligned against you, you do not have to give the world the rope to hang you with.”

Love Growth Power Haters Knowledge Of Self Black Men Black Man Tupac Shakur

Book:Who's Gonna Take the Weight: Manhood, Race, and Power in America

Source: Who's Gonna Take the Weight: Manhood, Race, and Power in America

“Dear Young Black Males, Encourage yourself, believe in yourself, and love yourself. Never doubt who you are. Always believe in yourself, even if nobody else does. Strive to be self-motivated!”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, Make sure that you take your education seriously. You may not understand it right now, but your education is important. If you’re struggling in high school, don’t fail silently. Speak up and ask for the help that you need. If you’re interested in going to college afterwards, start researching the colleges that you’re interested in attending. If college isn’t for you, consider trade schools or programs for high school students such as ROP (Regional Occupation Program). Depending on what state you live in, it may be called something different. Some colleges offer certificate programs if you’re not interested in earning an actual degree. Go to your neighborhood community center and ask questions. Ask your school counselors for leads. The library is also a great place to get helpful information. Just ask the librarian, he/she will be happy to assist you. It’s important to educate yourself, because if not, you’ll most likely be stuck working a dead-end job. Ask questions as much as you need to. Don’t assume anything. Get the facts that you need in order to succeed.”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, I dare you to be different. I dare you to think for yourself and not be easily influenced by others. I dare you to be a leader and not a follower. I dare you to disassociate yourself from things and people that you know don’t mean you any good or have your best interest at heart. I dare you to change your bad attitude. I dare you to tame that temper of yours. I dare you to talk about what’s bothering you instead of displaying disrupted behavior. I dare you to go to school, learn all that you can, and apply yourself. I dare you to look outside of your circumstances and see yourself as a successful person. I dare you to ask questions, ask for help when you need it, and not be afraid to work hard for what you want. I dare you to live your life without excuses and find a positive way to get to where you’d like to be in life. I dare you! Don’t take the easy way out. Challenge yourself and achieve greatness! You can do it!”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, Show respect for our young sistas. They are young Queens, and you’re young Kings. Black is beautiful, period. If you’re one of those young men who put light-skinned women on a pedestal, but look down on dark-skinned young ladies, stop it! Black women come in all shades, and all black families have all shades within their families. It’s one thing to have a preference, and that’s okay, but don’t belittle the other. Respect, appreciate, and protect our sistas. In closing: We already have to deal with race related crap from other ethnic groups, so why add to it amongst our own? We need to build each other up and be united as one, no matter what our skin tone is. Don’t physically or mentally abuse your young Queen. Respect her just like you’d like your mother, grandmother, or sister to be respected by another male. There’s nothing attractive or cool about mistreating a woman. Nothing at all!”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, You’ve got so much raw talent that’s within you. Utilize it and make your money! Don’t allow your gifts to go to waste. You don’t have to just sit back and watch other celebrities come up, get focused and get yours, too! Grind and make your dreams a reality. Put in the hard work. Be dedicated to yourself. Create an online presence and put yourself out there where people from all over the world can witness your talents. There are so many platforms online that will help propel you to where you want to be. Get busy! You know that you’ve got something special! Why not allow the world to see it? Don’t be afraid of success! Stop talking about it and be about it. Don’t doubt yourself! Just go for it! GO HARD.”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Inspire, celebrate, and empower our Black males. Support them in becoming confident, intelligent, strong, capable, and powerful Black men, teens, and boys. There’s GREAT power in Black male positivity!”

Quotes Quote African American Stephanie Lahart Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Empowerment Black Quotes African American Men Black Boys Black Male Positivity Black Teens Celebrate Black Males Inspire Black Males

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, Don’t be afraid to shine! Dimming your light just to appeal to others is an insult to self. Be who YOU are. If you’re smart, don’t play dumb just to fit in. If you have a special talent, don’t be afraid to show it off. If you’re considered a nerd, OWN it! Intelligence is what many people wish they had. Stand tall with your head held high. Self-confidence is an attractive quality to have. People may talk about you, tease you, or even try to discourage you, but don’t you EVER quit or doubt yourself. Be brave! Be authentic! Be comfortable in your own skin! Your life has purpose and YOU matter.”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, It’s okay to be different. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Have courage! Follow your dreams, no matter how BIG your dreams may seem. Attitude is everything! Make sure that you keep a positive one, in spite of any obstacles that may come your way. Don’t be so quick to give up, and please remember that self-discipline is your friend. Be strong, persevere, and most importantly, BELIEVE in yourself. Don’t listen to anybody’s negativity. Move forward knowing that you CAN and you WILL. Be unstoppable!”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, Please listen to me closely. You have to start making smart choices in your life because, if you don’t, the judge won’t have any problems locking you up and throwing away the key. FYI: They’re charging minors as adults in some cases nowadays. Trust me, they don’t care about your life. They will wash you up in a heartbeat, simply because you’re a black male. Following the crowd will get you caught up. Trying to play the hard role will get you caught up. Trying to show out for others just to make a name for yourself will get you caught up. Stealing, robbing, selling drugs, etc…it will all catch up with you sooner or later. The statics for black males in prison is alarming. Give yourself a chance! Find another way! No matter what upbringing you’ve had, it’s up to you to make a change. You can’t live your life making excuses for why you do what you do. Prove them all wrong! Prove to yourself that you’re better than the life that was dealt to you. Rise up my brothas! You’re much better than that.”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, Are you growing up without your father? How does that make you feel? Angry, sad, confused, resentful, etc? Do you feel a void in your life? Do you feel like your life would’ve been better if your father had been in your life? If you get a young lady pregnant, do what’s right. Even if you choose NOT to be with her anymore, you have a responsibility to your child. Even if it was a one-night stand and/or booty call, hey, you took that risk. If you don’t want kids, strap up every time. I don’t care if she tells you she’s on the pill. Strap up! If not, don’t get mad or make excuses when she tells you that she’s having your baby. If you refuse to do your part, she may even get you for child support. If you have a job, that means your check will be garnished. So think twice before you take off your clothes. Is it worth it? Think it through.”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Black Fatherhood is an incomparable gift to Black men that truly comprehend what it means to be called dad, daddy, father, or pops. What a privilege it is to raise a child with patience, understanding, communication, support, encouragement, friendship, guidance, and unconditional love. It is an absolute honor!”

Quotes Quote African American Stephanie Lahart Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Man Black Fatherhood Black Fathers Black Dads Black Fatherhood 365 Black Fathers Matter

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, Could you imagine standing in front of a judge and hearing the words, “I now sentence you to 10 years, 20 years, 15 to LIFE, 25 to LIFE, LIFE without the possibility of parole, and/or DEATH?” Could you imagine being locked up with grown, yoked up men? Could you imagine being raped over and over again? Could you imagine other inmates taking what your family or loved ones sent you? Could you imagine being degraded as a person, and there’s nothing you can do about it? Could you imagine being made to do things that nobody should have to EVER endure? I don’t care how hard you think you are, jail and prison is NOT for young black males. And to be honest, many grown men get turned out in jail and prison too. Please think! Think about the consequences of the choices you make. It’s just NOT worth it! If you think that you’re untouchable, think again. This isn’t a game. Value your life! I’ve given you some real and raw food-for-thought to think about. Now it’s all up to YOU.”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males, If you’re going to be sexual active, please strap up. Wear a condom. STD rates amongst African-American males and females are ridiculously higher than any other ethnic group. Did you know that African-Americans are the most affected by HIV? Yes, it’s true! You’ve got to educate yourself. There’s no reason for you to be uneducated about safe sex. You can Google information from reliable sources, go on YouTube, or visit your doctor to get helpful information. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be afraid of what STD(s) you can get. And for the record: If you contract HIV, you’ll have to live with it for the rest of your life. Many people think that they’re immune when it comes to catching something, but nobody’s exempt. Believe that! Protect yourself or risk being infected. Just because somebody looks good, doesn’t mean that they’re safe or cool to fool around with. Don’t be fooled!”

Quotes African American Black People Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Males Black Men Black Youth Black Man Black Male Empowerment Black Teen Boys Dear Young Black Males Dear Young Man Of Color

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“Dear Young Black Males… I encourage you to upgrade your thinking! Read books, articles, quotes, and other materials that will enhance your thinking and mindset. Embrace literature that will help propel you to greatness! Read information that will educate, empower, inspire, and motivate you. If you don’t understand the definition of a word, look it up in a dictionary. Broaden your vocabulary by utilizing the thesaurus, too. Knowledge is power, so make sure that you fill your mind with things that make you more and more powerful every day!”

Stephanie Lahart Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Men Black Youth At Risk Youth Black Teen Boys Black Male Empowerment Quotes African American Men Inspirational Black Male Quotes Positive Black Male Quotes

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“While protesting in the street, I am fighting for the rights of my community. While navigating my community, I am fighting to be loved. What more do Black women have to sacrifice to be loved by Black men? To be seen as worthy of fighting for. We have given everything. What have you given in return, Beloved? I cannot fight for you, and fight against you. I cannot honor your spirit, while you diminish mine.”

Black Women Black Men Black Women Empowerment Black Love Bethanee Epifani Black Author Bepifani Black Women Authors Black Relationships Protect Black Women

Author:Bethanee Epifani J. Bryant

“I learned a lot about systems of oppression and how they can be blind to one another by talking to black men. I was once talking about gender and a man said to me, "Why does it have to be you as a woman? Why not you as a human being?" This type of question is a way of silencing a person's specific experiences. Of course I am a human being, but there are particular things that happen to me in the world because I am a woman. This same man, by the way, would often talk about his experience as a black man. (To which I should probably have responded, "Why not your experiences as a man or as a human being? Why a black man?")”

World Talking Blind Gender Oppression Woman Question Experiences Human Being Systems Silencing Black Men

Book:We Should All Be Feminists

Source: We Should All Be Feminists

“The velvet darkness of his face”

Romance Beauty Black Men Black Skin Black Beauty

Book:Sweetness in the Belly

Source: Sweetness in the Belly

“The women work because the white folks give them jobs—washing dishes and clothes and floors and windows. The women work because for years now the white folks haven’t liked to give black men jobs that paid enough for them to support their families. And finally it gets to be too late for some of them. Even wars don’t change it. The men get out of the habit of working and the houses are old and gloomy and the walls press in. And the men go off, move on, slip away, find new women. Find younger women.”

Race Racism Black Women African Americans Blacks Working Whites Institutional Racism Black Men

Book:The Street

Source: The Street

“The literature on African-American men’s health has often been informed by a “health behavior framework” as opposed to a “social determinants of health framework.”

African Americans Black Men Racial Equity Health Equity

Book:Social Determinants of Health Among African-American Men

Source: Social Determinants of Health Among African-American Men

“Who is an Exquisite Black King? He’s a Black man… Confident, unapologetic, and fearless!”

Stephanie Lahart Stephanie Lahart Quotes Black Men Black Men Quotes Black Kings Black King Quotes Exquisite Black King Empowered Black Male

Author:Stephanie Lahart

“It is shown all throughout history how black women are constantly out here on the front lines, yet we are treated as disposable. We are at the planning tables. We are creating real solutions. We are confronting the police. We are challenging the status quo. We have your backs during protest and outside of protest. But, if y'all don't have us... then who does?”

Status Quo Black Women Black Lives Matter Black Girl Magic Black Men Women Leaders Womanist Black Women Leader Quotes Protect Black Women

Author:Jamie A. Triplin

“She supposed the young colored men of Link's generation couldn't have manners like Mr. Powther's, though she didn't know why. Wars and atom bombs and the fact that there was so much hate in the world might have something to do with it. There were times when she had thought that rudeness was a characteristic of Link's; that other young men had a natural courtesy he would never have. Then she would see or hear something in The Narrows that suggested all these young men were alike--something had brutalized them. But what?”

War Hate Weapons Manners African Americans Blacks Courtesy Black Men

Book:The Narrows

Source: The Narrows

“We live in, arguably, the most developed, powerful country in the world, yet we are still unable to find a way to keep corrupt cops from killing black men. Why is that?”

Hate Technology Corruption Police Brutality Carlos Wallace Black Men Black Man

Author:Carlos Wallace