There are few things more beautiful than Black men standing in their purpose, especially when that purpose is the liberation of their people—men, women and children.
From seasoned leaders in our freedom struggle to new front line activists in the cause, a growing number of Black men are making noise—deafening noise—to demand justice for those who are mostly rendered voiceless. I couldn’t be more proud of those among you who carry on the traditions of the Black men before you who dreamed and demanded our full emancipation. 
 
Some of you work on our behalf in more quiet, everyday ways: walking an elderly woman across the street; reading stories to the kids; coaching the homie after a breakup and reminding him that love is still a worthy gift to give—and receive.
But brothers, I need you to know that there are other Black male traditions that persist which simply do not serve us—namely, the erasure of Black women as both victors and victims.
 
As your sister, I bear painful witness to what this nation (and the world) has done—and continues to do to you—daily. I know that you are among the chief architects of America through your backbreaking labor as enslaved men. I also know that far too many of you are still enslaved, in a sense, through often unfair and unwarranted detentions in U.S. prisons. You are still the last hired and first fired; you are not crazy for sometimes feeling defeated. It is not your imagination that there are systems in place to keep you less educated, less employed and less able to care for the ones you love—including Black women like me. I want you to know that I am aware that you are in danger. 
 
Read more in the October 2015 issue of EBONY Magazine.