Led by Guest Editor Carmelo Anthony, SLAM’s new magazine focuses on social justice and activism as seen through the lens of basketball. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to charities supporting issues impacting the Black community. Grab your copy here.
P.E.A.C.E. youngin’—
You may feel stuck. You may feel lost. You may be confused. I’m sure you have so many questions. The unknown is what keeps you up at night, but I want you to know your thoughts are POWERFUL. Believe me when I say this, you will get through this fog and uncertainty. Know you can do anything you set your mind to. Learn to trust your instinct. Get rid of that doubt. challenge your fears, overcome them and make them your strengths. Your circumstances do not define who you are as a young man, especially a black boy. It’s hard for me to tell you not to be afraid. I’m still afraid.
The struggle of life is, and always will be, a struggle against your own weakness. Will you become cowardly and think, “I can’t do this. I’m certain to fail”? Or will you challenge the difficulties that lie ahead with the courage of your convictions and tell yourself, “I AM STRONG! oh, and by the way, I’M BLACK AND I’M PROUD”? You’re probably questioning whether or not you can become stronger still. Your destiny in life will vary greatly depending on the spirit that you maintain and where you allow it to take you. Just like anything else in life, there will be good and there will be evil. The key is in how you work to overcome that evil, and harness that energy to turn it into power.
Remember these words: LOVE, HELL and RIGHT. If you love it, you will go through hell and with time and patience you will come out right!!!!!!
As long as you know that, you will be able to pick out the chicken from the chicken bones. (I know, that’s deep.)
Growing up, I always thought it was cliché when people told me, “Life is what you make it” or “Be all you can be.”
Now that I’m wiser, I understand how much those words influenced me. I want you to know you are the future. No, really—you are the future!
P.E.A.C.E.
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100 percent of proceeds from SLAM’s new issue will be donated to charities supporting issues impacting the Black community. Grab your copy here.
Photos by Atiba Jefferson.
