BLACK MEN OFTEN HAVE TO PUT IN MORE EFFORT IN VARIOUS ASEPCTS OF LIFE

Did the title get your attention? Good. As it should. What I said was not meant to be phrased or said differently; the way it was said was for you to stop and think about it. I want to discuss why I chose this title, and I want you to read everything. By the end of it, I want to know, do you agree? Do you disagree? Or can you agree with at least some of it? This is not meant to attack anyone or make anyone feel as if they are beneath anyone. But men who fall into the minority category often have to go above and beyond in everything they do to reach the surface level of being seen as great and achieving something great. This idea has persisted throughout history, ingrained in society's mindset that men from various minority groups do not deserve recognition, awards, or acknowledgment for their intelligence and greatness. We have observed it in sports, education, the Oscars, Grammys, medicine, science, and other fields. It is common knowledge, has persisted for many years, and remains unjustified. I want to emphasize that this issue affects not only Black men and minority men but also women. However, for my article, I will focus on Black men.

I mentioned earlier that this issue has been present throughout history and continues to affect us today. People have discussed it openly in groups and have protested against it. However, the change is either not occurring or is happening very slowly. Black actors are a group that have experienced this as well, when it comes to the roles they play and the time they devote to them. Lines after lines, facial expression, mannerism, feelings, and the eagerness of being able to embody the role that they are acting. When a film or series stars an Oscar-nominated actor, everyone often feels the award rightfully belongs to them. This is especially true when the film is amazing, the actor's emotions are phenomenal, and the overall production hits all the right marks. Yet, despite these qualities, the actor and the film may not win the award, while a less deserving film takes home the honor. Why does this happen?

This intriguing issue has surfaced repeatedly in the film industry, affecting many remarkable movies such as "The Color Purple," "Hotel Rwanda," "Selma," "Get Out," and "Black Panther," which have had a profound cultural impact. It's also disheartening to see other significant works, like "The Farewell" and "Minari," overlooked for nominations, despite their unique perspectives and storytelling.

 

One film that really surprised me was "Sinners," featuring the immensely talented Michael B. Jordan. Receiving an impressive 16 nominations, it clearly captured the attention of many! However, some analysts mentioned that its strong competition as a horror film released earlier in the year could have influenced its odds at major awards (ABC News). The film was an engaging experience from start to finish, and clearly, many people shared that sentiment. I know a lot of people were upset when the film did not win an Oscar.

 

This also happens to many in sports. "While visible in high-profile sports like football and basketball, they are often overrepresented in these fields but underrepresented in others, and face lower graduation rates than their white peers at predominantly white institutions (PWIs)," this was mentioned by (UGA Today and the USC Race and Equity Center), especially in sports that do not have a lot of Black men such as Hockey, skating, Rugby, swimming, cross fit and more. Black men in sports encounter significant challenges related to a lack of recognition for their intellectual, leadership, and professional contributions. Often, they are reduced to merely their "natural" athletic abilities and experience systemic exploitation, particularly in NCAA football and basketball. Despite their high representation in revenue-generating sports, they are underrepresented in leadership roles, coaching, and administration.

A report from the University of Southern California highlights that over 80% of coaches and athletic directors are white (The Guardian). Another issue is that Black men sometimes get stereotype in sports, where they are often defined by their strength and speed, rather than their leadership, strategic thinking, or game intelligence. A common issue known in different fields of minority. Black men have used that to their advantage, but when it is time to receive credit and recognition, there's crickets and silence from those who should be awarding them. In the science field, Black men and other minorities face a similar issue. Research shows that Black men in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) often encounter unique systemic challenges. They must navigate hostile environments, confront negative stereotypes, and demonstrate their competence more intensely than their peers. Although Black men represent 11% of the total U.S. workforce, they make up only 9% of the STEM workforce and less than 2% of STEM doctoral students. This indicates a significant and long-standing lack of representation, which further leads to a deficiency of peers and mentors in these fields (The Badger Hearld) and the pressure that they feel to receive credit for their rightful work, is something that has been noted in history from Black inventions. Black men have made significant contributions in the medical and scientific fields. Here is a list of some well-known figures in these areas along with their years of influence:

 

-Dr. Percy Julian (1899–1975)

-Dr. Charles Drew (1904–1950) 

-George Washington Carver (1860s–1943) 

-Lewis Howard Latimer (1848–1928)

-Edward Bouchet (1852–1918)

-Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856–1931)

-Benjamin Banneker (1731–1806)

 

These individuals encountered significant challenges in their respective professions while also striving for recognition, credit, and acknowledgment of their contributions to science and medicine. In conclusion, it is important to note that when it comes to education, lifestyle, profession, and other areas, Black men often have to exert more effort in various aspects of life which is why I stated this as my title!

Sincerely,

Kassandra Vivu

Author, Content Writer, Creator

 

Edited by OG TRXDE

Works Cited

Griffin Jr., Reagan. "As March Madness Rolls On, So Will the Myths of Black Athletic Superiority." Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

"Little-known Black History Figures." CNN, Feb. 2021, https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/02/us/little-known-black-history-figures/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

Stacey, Beth. "Black Males in Engineering: An Innovative Form of Education." The Badger Herald, 4 Nov. 2024, https://badgerherald.com/news/science-news/2024/11/04/black-males-in-engineering-an-innovative-form-of-education/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.