Author Dyson challenges black men to ask themselves tough questions

It is a word, followed by questions that should be deeply embedded in the minds of every black man. More so, every man of color, whether he is African-American, Asian or Latino.That word, identity. Those questions, who am I? … why am I?The Multicultural Male Summit was held last month at Wake Forest University. The purpose of the summit was to bring men of various cultures together.More than 200 students from various colleges and universities around North Carolina were invited to attend the day of events. Workshops included Developing the Leader Within, Personal Identity and Global Identity of male students of color, and Masculinity and Culture Theory: Brother 2 Brother as an intervention strategy.But what capped off the day of activities was an enlightening, funny and informative speech by noted author Eric Michael Dyson, a professor of religious and Afro-American studies at the University of Pennsylvania.Dyson, through a mixture of words and jokes and even song, outlined what is needed for men of color to find their identities. “Identity is at the heart of who we are as a nation,” said Dyson.It’s a quest that is at the root of what has plagued men of color and the nation as a whole. “The question of identity is a predicate of America itself,” said Dyson. “Slavery in America was predicated on identity.” He said the world of the past has now changed dramatically, and that men of different races have played an integral part in the identity of the nation. What once stood as a culture that wondered how the world looked at them now has the tables turned. He said what is needed by men of color is an “inversion of the paradigm.”Another effect of this culture on men of color is that, while some things have changed, many live lifestyles that glorify wealth. He urged the audience to take a look at these material things that society wants and find out on whose backs the products were taken.In this Dyson referred to the bling, bling culture and how the pursuit of those diamonds came from the lives of minors who lived and died for this gem. Ultimately it is their sacrifice that is exploited by the dominant culture. He said with all the stereotypes about people of color out there, we should be in the process of developing archetypes. “Archetypes are the people we are going to be,” said Dyson. “I’m going to say three more things and then I’m going to sit down,” said Dyson. “Who am I? Because God made me. We have to believe that there is something bigger for us. And as men we are obligated to a higher power.””Why I am, so that others can be.” “Why am I.””To preserve the possibilities. We must create a possibility to survive long enough.”