5 Tips on How To Be Melanated & Successful

We live in a country where presenting as black has negative connotations within itself. There are
different guidelines associated with identifying as African Descendants compared to other cultures
present in society. The offspring of those affected by America’s sordid history do have a plethora of
opportunities that our ancestors were not rewarded. However, there are still stereotypes, hostile
propaganda, and those who exasperate the spirit of division WITHIN predominantly melanated
communities. When trying to attain success in a society that is less than 100 years out of segregation in
correlation with the disrespect of an entire people. How do we go about it while maintaining our
dignity? How do we assimilate, extract the nutrients, and ensure the legacy and generational wealth for
our bloodlines? What are some viable steps that we can take to reach overall success? Let’s explore
proven methods to ascertaining goals and the mindsets it takes to encompass the ability to execute
them.
Tip #1, Accountability
“Now, then, in order to understand white supremacy, we must dismiss the fallacious notion that white
people can give anybody their freedom.” -Stokley Carmichael (Political Activist, Leader of The Black
Panther Movement.”
Is it true that the history of black people in America is coated in disrespect, degradation, and
dehumanization? Yes. Is it true that there is a target on the backs of young black men and price tags
on the rear ends of young black women? Absolutely. Do you have to succumb to the notions that
what has been taught to you about you? Is all there is? You can claim to be just as uneducated and
misinformed as you have been taught to be, or you can assert yourself. Only you can give yourself
the freedom to accomplish. To be able to get off the plantation. You first acknowledge that you are
still very much on one. No evil person is holding you back. No “man” should have the power or
dominion over your capability. Being free from the history of your ancestors’ oppressors does not
mean that you ignore it. Allow it to mean that you will not fall victim to it. The slave mentality tells
you that the system set in place is an invisible noose around your neck, metaphorical chains on your
feet. What can you do differently with the opportunities and dexterity offered to you? White men
no longer hold the pen to tell the story unless we are so unaccountable that we do not remove it
from his hand. Being responsible for self-imagery, be accountable for who may be watching and
who we represent. Do not allow history to dictate your future. Be aware of obstacles set
particularly in your path, but be conscious enough for today to not use them as a crutch for your
lack of initiative. You are in control of your momentum. Own it.
Tip #2, Self Education
"In order to see where we are going, we not only must remember where we have been,
but we must understand where we have been." -Ella Baker (Social Justice Activist, Civil
Rights Activist.”
Having the inability to trace your culture and history can leave anyone feeling detached. Often
people have traditions that reach back centuries, heirlooms, family names, and or crests—
historical accomplishments from their mother civilizations that they can have pride in.
According to the Pew Research center, 46.8 million people identify as black in the USA. Did you

know that Seminole, Cherokee, and Shiawassee Tribes were also robbed of their freedom during
the African Holocaust? While remaining free, they have been lost in stories and negated from
historical text. There have always been free indigenous people on both continents of the
Americas with just as many rightful descendants as the enslaved. The ignorance of education
about the land we are on, who it belongs to, and how we may be connected to them are critical
facets to building confidence that most cultures do not have to seek. Self-education encompasses
not only learning about what is around you but putting salient effort into where YOU come from.
Being interested in how YOUR people got here, or were already here. Genealogical research,
along with learning the laws of your state, being aware of the politicians and municipalities in
your district who make policies and have the jurisdictions to enforce them, being educated about
your civil rights, human rights, and knowing your privileges as an American citizen are survival
tactics that have seen some of the best black prisoners of war on the opposite side of a cell, my
all-time favorite being Moma Angela Davis. Once you embark on a journey of knowing, the
confusion lessens, and the path to where you are going becomes more apparent as you unfold
how you got where you currently reside. There is no teacher like the willingness to be informed,
to be open to knowledge, and to seek what has been kept from you fiercely, but
nonetheless…exists.
Tip #3 Discipline
"I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change...I'm changing the things I cannot accept." ~
Angela Davis (Political Prisoner, First Black Woman To Represent Herself Against the Supreme
Court of The United States of America, and Win. Pioneer and Leader of The Black Panther
Political Party”
Coming from places that have minimal resources and it is easy to succumb to not-so-savory
activities can cause a myriad of lackluster capability to do things like save money, grasp
sustainability, and involve oneself in goal-oriented settings when you spend most of your life
surviving. When the time comes to live, there may be an inability to do so in moderation. Setting
goals and ensuring you accomplish them before you enjoy personal gratification is a great
training tool for success. You want to party with your friends, because you need to blow off
some steam, but wouldn’t you rather party to celebrate an accomplishment. Still, pop a bottle!
However, it can be because you got that promotion or because you passed your nursing exam!
Pseudo enjoyment is fickle. Setting goals, boundaries, and standards for yourself will create a
frequency and energy recognizable by all those you encounter. Being successful means delaying
gratification; it means less time for what you want right now, to have it, and maintain it for
yourself and future generations to come. Meditate, set affirmations, listen to, and have successful
people around you. Create the space to train yourself for what you truly desire and put effort
behind it. The world can seem like it is against you, but if you can first change what you can
within yourself. You pave a way to transform those in your corner of the Universe.
Tip #4 Mental Health Awareness
“It is our duty to fight for our freedom.
It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other.
We have nothing to lose but our chains.” Assata Shakur (Currently FBI’s Most

Wanted Female Assailant, Leader of The Black Panther Party, Nation Builder,
Activist, Godmother and Aunt of the late Tupac Amaru Shakur.”
Native Americans and African Descendant Americans hold generations of
abuse and torment in their DNA. Much like the oppressive nature of those who
inflicted the pain. The legacies of these tragedies are us; from sexual abuse to
physical discipline borderline resembling the tactics of slave masters. Absent
fathers and mothers who were inexplicably wasting away from the burden of
learning how to provide for a family before they knew how to take care of
themselves. Trauma is a staple in our communities. Human emotions are
banned and viewed as weak, and what could be transmuted into positive
outlets turns into toxicity and poisons progress. Having the courage to face
mental instabilities according to not only our personal circumstances but our
historical experiences as well can bring the individual peace needed not to be
distracted by mental anguish. The subconscious holds on to what is not healed.
Anger, depression, and sadness are accompanied by thoughts and emotions of
confusion and inadequacy. Without proper identification, many people suffer
and never reach their genius or full potential out of a refusal to accept their
emotional and mental incapacities. What triggers you? What makes you
uncomfortable? Are you aware of the injustices brought upon you In your
youth? Did you lose friends and family due to violence? Have you or someone
close to you been incarcerated? Do you feel out of place around people and
become anxious? These analyzing questions plague the minds of many
melanated beings who have been taught shame in acknowledging faults and
flaws.
However, how can you grow from places that you don't know exists? How can
you navigate to happiness if you haven't identified why or what makes you
unhappy? We are all suffering from some form of PTSD In melanated
communities, from witnessing the murder of twelve-year-old Tamir Rice, the
slaughter and still no conviction for the murder of Breonna Taylor, or never
being able to forget the knee on George Floyd's neck. Back to seeing Rodney
King beat in the street, and Emit Tils bloated body unable to fit In his casket.
We can Google “Lynchings” and see burned bodies of men resembling our
grandfathers. We were born into mental illness and desensitized to the
transgressions orchestrated against us. Fortifying your whole self, mind, body,
and spirit is a sure-fire way to stay focused on what is positive and have the
discretion to know the difference.
Tip #5, Respect & Compassion
“Then I go to my brother
And I say, brother, help me, please

But he winds up, knockin' me
Back down on my knees” Sam Cooke (Lyrics from American Classic “A Change Is Gone Come.”
It isn’t easy to gain unification and move to a place where our children can trust their community.
Please do not mistake that a black person being black constitutes that they are of good character.
Every soldier in the fight for, in my personal opinion, our birthrights. They have been either given
over to oppressive forces by those who look like them or made available by a weak link in the chain.
Do not be naïve in your choice of organizations or people. With that being said, those that deserve
kindness and compassion are suffering the same injustices that you are. More melanated people are
living next door to the wayward than are that themselves. Once you reach a level of awareness, aim
to educate or remove yourself. Directing hate, judgment, or superiority will not increase your worth or
value, and most certainly not the collective. Pouring more salt into a wound will only halt the healing
process. Every one of us is not a revolutionary; however, you also don’t have to be an enemy of your
own. There is a deep level of frustration as this generation is the first to have an opportunity to avert
as many crises as possible. The generational curse breakers have a responsibility to allow
unification. Does it truly matter if you raise your children right if, as soon as they get into the world,
they can interact with those who were not? Respecting the struggle, acknowledging it, and accepting
that we all will not maneuver, heal, or respond to situations the same has the power to put you in the
right places around the appropriate people because they will reciprocate. Cultures and heritage are
respected not only by the people involved but when presented to others, show a stance of pride that
should carry on the vocal cords of all those who want to be successful and manifest it for continued
progression for those who come after us.
Hopefully, these steps and light education on why and how they may affect you ignite a spark that
invokes something life-changing. Remember, you are the master of your destiny, and you are in
control.