André Hunter
Episode 6: Understanding Systemic Racism and Turning it Into a Passion for Serving Others
“I want every aspect of my life outside of my leisure time to be about being of service. That can mean being of service to my community, being of service to my family, my son, my mother, my sisters, and being of service to God. I want to get to a point where every aspect of my life, including my job, every hour of my day is spent putting effort into being of service.”
In today's episode, I have an open and honest conversation with André Hunter, who describes himself as a 39 year old mixed race, Black man who feels every aspect of his life should be an act of service to others. We discuss how he felt growing up as a light-skinned Black man and how he dealt with feelings of not belonging among White people and why he identified with his Black peers. He shares valuable insight on his love for Black women, teaching his son about success and confidence, and his passion for leading young Black males to help them understand their place in America despite systemic racism.
Understanding Systemic Racism
Hunter shares his feelings about being a mixed race Black man and a defining moment in 8th grade. His teacher shared a book with him about COINTELPRO, which was a CIA program to spy on and suppress anything they deemed went against the status quo. “That was the first moment I began to understand there is a system that is built a certain way and there is oppression, there is racism, and it is systemic and built into the culture we have in America.” says Hunter.
Over time he realized the deck was stacked against him. “This was a big moment for me. I realized a lot of my experience wasn’t because ‘this is my life’ but it’s because ‘this is my life’ and I am a Black man.” says Hunter.
Hunter now uses this understanding of systemic racism and helps others by giving advice and support to younger Black people and helping them to understand their place in American and how they can succeed despite racism
“My soul gets fed and I feel the best when I am helping other people and that is the thing I get the most satisfaction from.” says Hunter. “My place as a Black man is to take my experience as a Black man coming from low-income and talk to other Black males who are younger than me.”
Cultivating Confidence and Parenting for Success
“I do sometimes struggle with what I should be telling him and what I shouldn’t be telling him.” says Hunter when talking about teaching his 6 year old son about racism. “ A 6 year old child is not going to understand the way of the world. You have to be cognizant of that and pick and choose what you will tell him and how you will tell him.”
Hunter suggest a book called The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez, which inspired conversations about slavery and Black history in an age appropriate manner. “I focus on the fact that he is Black and he may not have the same experience of someone who looks different than him.”
“I try to fill him up as a person and give him the confidence any person should have regardless of their skin tone,” says Hunter.
Hunter shares about his childhood growing up in foster homes and group homes and how he feels this experience left him without adults to speak into his life and help build his confidence. “If I would have had that, I wouldn’t have had the challenges I have where confidence is concerned.” says Hunter.
Appreciating the Beauty of Black Women
Hunter shares that he loves and respects Black women and he feels they get the brunt of racism from society. “As Black men we experience the world and deal with systemic oppression but where Black women are concerned, they experience taking funding out of neighborhoods and ultimately affecting the male population in the neighborhood due to mass incarceration and the Black women are left to provide for the children, take care of them and work at the same time.” says Hunter. “Black women bear the brunt of the evil in the world even though they are the most beautiful.”
“I want to give Black women more respect than I give anybody because they deserve that.I want to treat them as if they are God’s greatest gift.”
“I want to create a space, for my significant other, where she can let her guard down.” says Hunter. “Because anytime a Black woman steps outside her door, the world attacks her. She needs a space where she doesn’t have to be on the defense.”
He has learned through life experience he has to be vulnerable in order to experience love and be in a relationship.
“To be in love requires a level of vulnerability.” says Hunter “Men don’t give women the chance to break their heart. Black men need to learn how to be vulnerable when it comes to love but they also need to learn how to accept that love.”
Hunter shares a book he believes in: What Happened to You: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey.
To Connect further with André Hunter
Follow him on Instagram: @psalm25seven
Books mentioned in the podcast:
What Happened to You: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey.
The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez
To connect further with me:
Visit my website www.estherboykin.com
Follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/estherbmft
Follow me on Twitter @estherbmft
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