As an African-American male born with a couple of strikes
As an African-American male born with a couple of strikes against you because of your skin color, I think it's very, very important to have some positive role models around, especially male influences.
When Omari Hardwick declared, “As an African-American male born with a couple of strikes against you because of your skin color, I think it’s very, very important to have some positive role models around, especially male influences,” he spoke not merely of his own journey, but of an ancient truth clothed in modern struggle: that no soul rises entirely alone. His words are the voice of one who has seen both burden and blessing, one who knows that the chains placed upon a man by society can be broken only when the presence of guiding figures lights the way forward.
The ancients themselves echoed this wisdom. Consider the youth of Telemachus, son of Odysseus. Though destined to rule Ithaca, he was adrift, weakened by doubt and the absence of his father. It was only through the guidance of wise Mentor (Athena in disguise) that Telemachus learned courage, responsibility, and leadership. Without that guiding hand, he would have remained a shadow of himself. This story tells us what Hardwick declares: a young man, especially one who begins life with burdens beyond his choosing, must have role models to call him upward.
The weight of Hardwick’s words is sharpened by the long and painful history of those marked by their skin color. In lands where oppression has long cast its shadow, the young often grow beneath the gaze of a world that doubts them before they can even speak. Yet from this soil of struggle have risen mighty oaks: Frederick Douglass, who was born enslaved yet became a voice that shook empires; Martin Luther King Jr., who bore hatred yet transformed it into a vision of justice; and countless unnamed fathers, brothers, and mentors who, through quiet acts of strength, modeled dignity to the next generation. These men proved that positive influences can turn even the heaviest strikes into the fuel for greatness.
But let us not think this lesson belongs only to one time or one people. The principle is universal: when society sets a person at a disadvantage, role models become the ladder by which he may climb. In Rome, gladiators who survived the cruelty of the arena often inspired slaves to dream of freedom. In ancient China, sages who endured exile became guides for rulers who learned humility. Everywhere, throughout history, those who bore unfair burdens needed not merely courage, but examples — living proof that survival and greatness were possible.
The heart of Hardwick’s teaching is this: no matter the burden, the presence of a positive influence changes destiny. Words of guidance can lift a boy from despair to determination. A father’s embrace, a brother’s discipline, or a mentor’s encouragement can shatter the lie that one is condemned by circumstance. This is not to say that hardship disappears, but that hardship is made bearable, even transformable, when a guiding light burns nearby.
The lesson is clear for us who live today. If you are young and burdened, seek positive role models. Look for those whose lives embody the strength you wish to carry. If you are older, be that model. Understand that your example, whether in greatness or in ordinary faithfulness, is a torch for those who walk behind you. A single word of encouragement may be the stone upon which another builds his future.
In practice, this means creating spaces of mentorship and guidance. It means fathers and uncles investing in sons and nephews, teachers nurturing the spirit as well as the mind, and communities holding up examples of dignity, perseverance, and compassion. It means that each of us must ask: Who am I guiding? Who am I uplifting? For if we fail, the next generation may stumble beneath the same strikes, but if we succeed, they will rise stronger than we.
Therefore, let us remember Omari Hardwick’s wisdom: though some are born into a world that weighs them down for no fault of their own, with positive role models and strong influences, they can rise beyond expectation. Let each of us, in our own sphere, carry this responsibility — to lift others, to guide, and to embody the very hope we wish the young to inherit. For in this lies not only survival, but greatness.
VNvinh nguyen
Reading this, I feel the weight of societal pressures on African-American males and the critical need for role models. How much does having positive male influences mitigate negative stereotypes or challenges encountered in school, work, or public spaces? Are there ways to strengthen the visibility of such role models through media, community engagement, or education? I’d like a discussion on how mentorship intersects with systemic change to empower young men of color holistically.
GDGold D.dragon
This perspective underscores the psychological and social importance of mentorship. But it raises questions: how can society ensure access to consistent, positive male influences, especially in communities where systemic barriers exist? Could initiatives like mentorship programs, community centers, or role model outreach programs make a measurable difference? I’d like insights into successful examples where positive male influence has demonstrably impacted the outcomes and well-being of young African-American males.
QKPham Quoc Khanh
I find this statement thought-provoking because it touches on both race and gender in shaping life opportunities. Are there unique challenges African-American males face in finding trustworthy, supportive role models? How does the absence of such figures affect long-term confidence and ambition? I’d like to hear perspectives on strategies for cultivating mentorship networks, both formal and informal, that can positively influence young men growing up in environments with limited access to guidance.
GNLinh Giang Nguyen
Reading this, I feel a mix of empathy and curiosity. How do role models help counteract the systemic challenges faced by African-American males? Can exposure to positive male influences change the trajectory of someone’s personal and professional development? I’d like a perspective on whether mentorship alone is enough to overcome societal barriers, or if it needs to be combined with broader initiatives like education, community programs, and policy changes to create lasting impact.
RRRach Re
This quote makes me reflect on the importance of representation and mentorship in shaping identity and opportunity. How much impact can positive male role models have on the self-esteem, ambition, and decision-making of African-American boys? Are there societal structures that either support or hinder access to these role models? I’d like to explore practical ways communities can provide guidance and mentorship to ensure young men of color have visible, positive influences in their lives.