My parents sent me to college to become a credit to my race. It was never said in those exact words, but the idea was planted early on that my life would be one where I would defy all of the stereotypes associated with being a black man.
This sentiment is common among many black people. We live our lives trying to defy stereotypes; go to college so as not be an uneducated black person; make ourselves small so as not to be threatening. This will not save us from death or incarceration due to white supremacy.
