Black Excellence and the Burden of Perfection
The phrase “Black Excellence” gets thrown around a lot these days. It’s a way to shine a light on the accomplishments of Black people in a world that, let’s be real, isn’t exactly set up for us to win. The idea behind it is positive, sure, but there’s more to unpack here—like, what does it really mean, and how does it affect the Black community?
At its heart, Black Excellence is about celebrating Black achievements and inspiring pride. It’s about unity, about showing the world—and ourselves—what we’re capable of. Some say it’s “our ancestors’ wildest dreams” or the fuel that keeps us going when everything feels stacked against us. And that hits, right? It’s not just about individual wins; it’s about the whole community moving forward together. But when you start thinking of it as more than just a phrase, as a mindset, it’s about keeping the momentum going, pushing forward, even when the odds aren’t in your favor.
Here’s where it gets tricky, though. Sometimes, people focus on Black Excellence as if it’s just about one big achievement—like you’ve gotta cure cancer or win an Oscar to qualify. But that’s not fair, and it’s not realistic. It ignores the everyday grind, the struggle, the sheer willpower it takes just to exist in a world that doesn’t always see our humanity. Reducing Black Excellence to only the headline-worthy stuff? That’s missing the point.
And then there’s this thing where some people celebrate the culture but ignore the pain that comes with it. Like, yeah, you love our music, our art, our vibe—but do you see our struggles? Or are you just here for the good parts? It’s frustrating to feel like people want the rhythm but not the blues, you know?
As a Black man in America, you start to feel numb to it all after a while. But then something happens—like George Floyd—and it hits different. It shakes you. I’ve had some rough days, not gonna lie, but I’m holding on to hope. I have to. Because what else is there?
It’s exhausting, though. No matter how you carry yourself, people are gonna put you in a box. If I treat women with respect, someone assumes I’m gay. If I speak proper English, I’m “acting white.” If I wear certain clothes, I’m a thug. And at the end of the day, to too many people, I’m just a slur they won’t say out loud. I have to work twice as hard, be twice as good, just to get half the credit. Meanwhile, someone else can skate by on mediocrity and still get celebrated. And don’t even get me started on respect—that’s a whole other level of hoops we have to jump through just to get the bare minimum.
It’s like we’re constantly forced to shape-shift just to exist in spaces that aren’t built for us. Want that job? Gotta change how you talk, how you dress, how you act. Want to be accepted in certain social circles? Adapt again. Even when you do all that, you’re still the “token,” like you’re only there because someone decided to let you in. It’s like nothing is really ours—not even our voice. Freedom of speech? Sure, on paper. But in real life, I have to watch everything I say, everything I post, because if I don’t, who knows what could happen? And even when I do speak up, does anyone actually listen? Or am I just screaming into the void?
And then there’s this whole “Jack of all trades, master of none” thing they love to throw at us, like being multi-talented is a bad thing. But they never finish the saying, do they?
The full thing is: “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one.” They don’t want us to know that part.
They want us to believe we can only be great at one thing, and even then, only if it's something they approve of—like sports because it’s their entertainment. But step into other fields? Nah, stay in your lane. Well, I’m not doing that. I refuse. I can be good at sports, business, art, whatever I want. I’m not sticking to one thing just because it makes other people comfortable. I want people to see me and think, “He did it all.” Because why not?
So yeah, “Black Excellence” is a powerful concept, but it’s not perfect. If we limit it to just one moment or one person’s achievement, it can feel shallow or even counterproductive. But if we see it as a mindset—something that’s ongoing, something that celebrates both the big wins and the small ones—it’s a way to lift each other up, to find pride and progress in a system that wasn’t built for us. It’s about pushing forward, together, even when the world tries to hold us back.
And yeah, maybe reading this made you uncomfortable. Good. Be uncomfortable. Let it make you think. Because now is not the time to sit back and stay comfortable.
