The ‘Curse’ of ‘Melanin’
Dear Melanin,
We’ve had a long history together. We entered the world in unison some 28 years ago, where you were faint and barely visible. I soon realized that we were members of a family where your cousins were also present in varying amounts. As we grew older together, you made your visibility as a friend more pronounced.
While I was too young in the beginning to understand the implications of our long-term friendship, I always knew that we both stood for something in life: Understanding. I know that your presence means no harm to my life. In fact, you are probably my best friend in the Summer, because you protect me from the Sun. You’re always there to shield me against the harmful UV rays radiating through space and our atmosphere.
Unfortunately, Melanin, you don’t shield me from ignorance. Why not? If you can protect me from the harshest element of life, why not people? You always seem to attract these outlandish assumptions to our friendship. You often even give me a bad name, and as much as I wish you didn’t, there never seems to be anything I can do about it.
Why do you attract people who think badly of us? Why do you attract women who’ve dated nothing but gang bangers and thugs? Why do you attract women who speak poor English? Or those with babies? Why does your presence always seem to come with so many liabilities? Again, I know you mean no harm, but why?
Why do you keep certain people that I want to meet at bay, Melanin? Sure, I keep my distance at times from people, too, but only because I know those people aren’t good for us. You see, I’ve always wanted the best for us. Always. But, for whatever reason, many people always seem to have an issue with our friendship. Why?
Is it fair, Melanin, that I should suffer in life because of my friendship with you? Why can’t people take the time to learn about us and who we are? Why do they assume our friendship is something bad and harmful? We’ve never done any harm to anyone. We’ve always done our very best. We’ve always been very accommodating and welcoming.
Still, Melanin, you sometimes give us a bad name and for no apparent reason at all. You’ve always been my most protective friend. I wish everyone else could see the same.
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Can You Choose Freedom, Success and Happiness? Yes!
There are many of people today living soulless lives: They cannot realize true freedom, success and happiness in life. They have been told all their lives that they’d amount to nothing, have little success or ever be truly happy with themselves and life in general. They’ve been deprogrammed by family, strangers and friends alike to remain uninspired and unable to harness any real passion for life and their existence.
My heart truly goes out to these individuals, for life ultimately becomes a chore rather than a mission. They cannot see beyond the confines of the boundaries they’ve established for themselves. They are unable to dream, imagine and grasp life in ways which empowers them with new and unknown capabilities.
How can any human being deny another the ability to prosper in life? To taste freedom and happiness? What are THEY afraid of? What do THEY fear?
If you are one these individuals, I’d like to ask that you take a moment and dream. Seclude yourself. Revisit your childhood. Imagine the days of when you saw yourself as a super hero, an amazing public figure or famed CEO. You can do it. Don’t deny yourself the possibilities that only you can realize and nurture.
Good luck.
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Watch LIVE video of SXSW panels, parties and more. Watch now!
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Podcast: Startup Story Radio Interview about Race and ‘Social Constructs’
I am a huge opponent of a “race-based” society. Further, I do not believe in the idea of race in the grand scheme of humanity. To be frank, it’s all nonsense — It’s one more concept to maintain the illusion of division and differences among human beings.
Startup Story Radio hosts Rob McNealy and Dave Taylor invited me to the studios of 760 AM on March 1 to discuss my views on race and social constructs.
Show description via Startup Story:
Rob McNealy and Dave Taylor interview Ronald Lewis about breaking “social constructs.” Ron grew up with all the disadvantages of living in inner city Detroit, and has become a social media legend.
Click here to listen to the interview or use the embedded player below.
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Seeking: A Mentor Versed in ‘Social Constructs’, Race Relations
I am seeking a mentor who’s versed in ’social constructs’ — Specifically, one who opposes the self-confinement of categories and the idea (and irrelevance) of race in general. I realize I am not quite prepared to tell the world: “Race doesn’t truly matter, and here’s why,” because I’ve yet to design the proper vehicle to deliver the message in a way that most people will understand. When I take the national stage to carry forth this message, I want to feel confident in the delivery of my vision for a “race-free society.”
Perhaps this mentor is an anthropologist or sociologist — I’m not sure. However, I could use some guidance to help craft and deliver a hodgepodge of knowledge and understanding in ways which make sense to others. Truly, it’s a matter of better articulating the thoughts, ideas and observations I’ve cultivated over the years of challenging the concept of race and other social conventions to everyday people.
I believe there’s an opportunity to impact mass proportions with my knowledge and understanding — I simply require some help to prepare myself for the road ahead.
Please contact me if this is you.
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