March Madness - Good Men Project

Dear Student Leader,

March is here, and madness is imminent. From understanding the war to acknowledging the gender pay gap, the battle for your sanity is real. How would you react?

Confusion is an option. You can avoid the odds and manage the NCAA Tournament bracket instead. But you are a leader and not afraid to take responsibility.

Leaders reflect and apply previously learned lessons to current situations. Acquiring mental health skills to overcome challenges is not easy. You will need mindful courage and intentional cooperation to manage March Madness.

Speaking of marches, I’m sure you’re familiar with the March on Washington. It was here that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Well, Martin dreamed of a life of equality that we have yet to realize.

While at the gym on Monday, I read the caption of an infomercial that shared women are paid less than men in the same field. D Economic Policy Institute confirmed that, regardless of experience, education and other qualifications, the gender pay gap remains. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s consider how we can use our platforms to educate and advocate for equality in the workplace.

We cannot rely on Trump or members of his administration; They are occupied with epic fury abroad. It is important to replace passive screen time with active learning.

Invest more of your time and financial resources in books. Prioritize learning.

In its preface 1619 project (2021), Nikole Hannah-Jones shares how she learned about black history in an elective course as a high school sophomore. His teacher, Mr. Ray Dial, taught him about the “ancient Mali, Songhai, Nubian, and Ghanaian empires” (xvii).

Outside of class, Nicole Hanna-Jones found additional books about black history. He read the classic text Before the Mayflower Leron Bennett, Jr., and sees his ancestors in American history. His school experience is not unique.

Think about your formal and informal history classes.

It wasn’t until my senior year in high school, when I joined the Chicago poetry scene, that I became more deeply involved with black history. At open mic events, I heard poets discuss events, people, and organizations that extend beyond the familiar narratives of slavery, Martin, Rosa, and the NAACP. Through poetry, I developed a more discerning ear for conscious hip-hop that uplifted community and critiqued commercial clowns.

Like author Hannah-Jones, I studied the stories of African people before 1619 and their arrival in Jamestown, Virginia. Discovering new learning led me to major in Black Studies in undergrad, which eventually led me to Africa. I traveled to Ethiopia and Benin on a pan-African mission to touch the roots of humanity on African soil.

My first trip lasted a month. After building relationships in the community, I returned and stayed for two more three-month tours.

Are you familiar with the concept of Ubuntu? It is an African/Zulu philosophy that emphasizes collective humanity. The concept is summed up in the statement, “I am because we are.”

It’s the idea of Ubuntu that has inspired multiple trips to Africa. I wanted to connect across the diaspora and reconnect with the birthplace of humanity.

Ubuntu informs my leadership strategy today.

This month, let’s invest in self-care as well as use our history and cultural ties to build stronger communities. If self-care means watching a game, exercising, journaling, or engaging in protest, then we must prioritize activities that refill our leadership cups.

Read more about events and policies affecting women and share what you learn. We cannot close the gender pay gap without awareness and commitment to this process.

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This post was Formerly Dr. Vernon C. Published on the Lindsey, PhD blog.

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