This spoken word-style piece is a passionate, urgent, and nuanced message directed squarely at Black men: go to college. It’s not just encouragement—it’s a full-on rallying cry. Let’s break it down.
1. Urgency Rooted in Cultural Context
The speaker opens with a sleepless confession—“Literally cannot sleep”—which establishes urgency. What’s keeping him up? The conversation around Black men and college enrollment. He’s emotionally and intellectually invested, and the tone mirrors that. The subtext? This is a crisis—one with generational consequences.
2. The Power of Direct Address
The repeated phrase “If you are a Black man under the sound of my voice” is a lyrical invocation, like a preacher in a pulpit or a griot in a village square. It draws the listener in and creates intimacy and responsibility. It’s not just a message—it’s a mission.
3. Debunking Myths and Countering Narratives
A huge portion of this piece is spent dismantling commonly accepted myths:
- “You don’t need college to be successful” — True, but misleading.
- “College isn’t worth the debt” — Also true, but lacks full context.
- “I don’t know what I want to do” — College is where you figure it out.
Each rebuttal is rooted in lived experience. The speaker has been there—he went to college three times, advised Black male students, taught college courses. He’s not talking theory. He’s speaking from the front lines.
4. Exposure and Access
We hear stories of transformation: a student who finds his purpose in a nonprofit, another who dives into climate resilience research after sweating through a dorm room summer. These stories illuminate what college can do—it’s not just about degrees; it’s about exposure, self-discovery, and access to opportunity.
5. Systemic Sabotage and Hidden Agendas
Perhaps the most provocative part is the speaker’s deconstruction of bad advice:
- “The people telling you college isn’t worth it—did they go?”
- “Some of them don’t want competition—they’re kicking the ladder down.”
This flips the typical narrative. What sounds like sage advice might actually be self-serving. It encourages listeners to be critical of the sources they trust.
6. Economic Realities
Another key insight: College may not make you good at your craft, but it increases your value. It determines how much you can charge for what you do. Whether it’s tech, nonprofit work, or creative arts—credentials open doors and legitimize your hustle in the eyes of the world.
7. Emotional and Cultural Affirmation
There’s love here. This piece isn’t a lecture—it’s an embrace. It acknowledges the struggle, the confusion, the economic barriers, and the self-doubt. And through it all, it keeps repeating: “You can and you should.”
Final Message
This is a spiritual and social appeal—college isn’t the only path, but it is a viable, powerful one. And Black men deserve access to that power. If society is going to place barriers in your way, why not arm yourself with every advantage possible?
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