Chapter 2: The Mental and Emotional Struggles of Black Male Educators

Mental health is the concept of understanding how our psychological system (mind) impacts the author behaviors. There is no greater indication of the mental health of a community than the inclusion and representation of a significant population within our spaces. When looking at the roles that the Black male educator (BME) must play within an educational system, the concept of a duality of self-identification plays out. On one hand, the Black male is encouraged to be strong and to resist the urge to show any emotions that society deems as showing weakness, like sadness. On the other hand, good mental health makes the case that all emotions are needed for sustainable mental wellness and to show emotion is inherently healthy. The authors cannot discuss the mental health of Black men without trying to understand the impact of the intergenerational trauma of slavery, racism, discrimination, violence, and oppression. In addition, the authors cannot discount the impact of under-representation of BMEs within educational institutions, more specifically in K-12 schools. When Black male children see themselves represented in a K-12 environment they are more likely to feel like they can work in those spaces. In addition, Black men also need to support each other in these spaces to provide mentoring, guidance, connections, and community. Finally, the authors need to break the stigma of mental health, so BMEs can feel safe in seeking and asking for help from another.