I talk about my struggles with clinical depression and anxiety because I think it’s important that we (especially Black men) have open conversations about mental health in order to normalize therapy and erase the stigma of admitting you don’t feel strong all the time. Given that, I’m not equipped to handle a constant stream of photos, videos, and updates about the protests and cops beating innocent people. Sometimes I disconnect, and sometimes I inject some levity into my online spaces because other people need to breathe too.
This is a pause from “coverage” because I love music and I made this playlist a few years ago during protests kicked off by the murder of another unarmed Black man (and I don’t even know which one specifically…because there are so many). These are songs that uplift me, bring me peace, or make me proud to be Black and feel connected to my community. I only make playlists on Spotify (Black Positivity Playlist), but you can still scroll through the songs if you use another platform, and I pulled out some of my favorites below.
Sounds of Blackness “Optimistic”
Nina Simone “Ain’t Got No”
Luther Vandross “Shine”
Twista & Faith Evans “Hope”
Aretha Franklin “A Deeper Love”
Jill Scott “Golden”
Tony! Toni! Toné! “Feels Good”
Common & John Legend “Glory”
The Clark Sisters “You Brought The Sunshine”
Black Men United “U Will Know”
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