24 Things That All Little Black Boys Need To Know

​By Niya Martinez,  Krischa Esquivel and Pia Mattix Davis

​Yesterday this beautiful article (click the button below) from 2016 came across my timeline, and as I read it, I knew that little black boys needed to hear this exact message, or something tailored for their place in today's society.  I and my team of exceptional Positive Parenting passionate moderators produced this list of what little black boys need to hear every day on their journey to manhood in a country, or a world, that is often wary or resentful of their presence.

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1) It's okay to be afraid. It's not okay to let fear rule your decisions. 
2) Smile big, smile wide, and smile often. 
3) It is okay to Hug another man
4) Don't worry if people stare at you, worry if you ever feel invisible. 
5) Don't build walls, build bridges. Make an effort to connect with people from all walks of life. 
6) Give people the benefit if the doubt until they prove they don't deserve it. 
7) There's no such thing as black music. You can like hip hop, jazz, classical, Apala, Latin, funk, blues, country, punk rock, and gospel. 
8) Your culture is beautiful so is everyone else's. Learn yours and theirs and celebrate it!! ​​

9) Ask for help when you need it. 
10) Failing does not make you a failure. 
11) Cooking is a skill needed to live independently, cleaning is as well. Helping around the house is how you build teamwork 
12) You are not a victim, you are a victor.
13) No means no. When someone says no, don’t attempt to manipulate them to change their mind.
14) Your body belongs to you. 
15) Stereotypes do not define you. You define you. 
16) Respect is earned but it's best when it's freely given to all who share their wisdom with you from the custodian to the CEO.

17) Apologies are what make a man approachable, appreciated and remembered.​
18) There are many ways to be strong but suppressing your feelings and masking your emotions is not one of them. It is okay to cry; your feelings are valid. 
19) Media never tells the full story. Research the stories of your heroes (and villains) for yourself. 
20) Your skin is not a curse, a bad omen, or a burden. Your skin is beautiful, it's a blessing, and it carries inside if it many stories of inherited strength and perseverance. 
21) It is okay to give and to receive love. Being hard and tough are needed when you have to protect others. But don't be so hard and tough that you over-protect yourself from ever being known deeply.
22) Your best is enough.
23) You are precious and valuable as you are. 
24) Tenderness is evidence of manliness.