Quantcast
Channel: The Good Men Project» black men’s friendships
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Why I Love Black Men – Chris’ Story

0
0

black men's friendships

Chris, a friend of GMP contributor Billy Johnson II, gives his take on why he loves his friends.

Chris responds to Billy Johnson II’s ”Why I Love Black Men“:

I joined a fraternity in order to stand among the campus leaders, but what I gained was friendships with two of the most unlikely characters.

Joe, do you remember fall ’98, on the dance floor unleashing our ammunition of Sigma style steps and strolls? Man, we didn’t eat, didn’t drink, and didn’t watch; the bottoms of our feet pounded the floor as our voices expressed the latest and boldest Sigma chants.

The end of the night came, lights on and the final moments of the Junior Mafia song “Players Anthem” wound down.
“Gotcha open off the words because this type of shit happens everyday,” I said.

The song shuts off, yet we continued to step to the exact beat, making up for the silence with the sounds of our feet.

Boom click.
Boom click.

We had the same passion for Phi Beta Sigma, we both loved to step and spend nights out representing for the organization.

For me it started with my family. My biological brother and I are 17 years apart, so most of my childhood I felt alone. In many ways when I met Joe, he was the elder brother I always wanted. Good thing we had so much respect for each other because, man, we argued like siblings.

You remember one time I HAD to confront you, Joe? Man, it wasn’t pretty, and we both lost our cool with each other and even took a break from hanging out for a little while. I felt like you did not understand that I had your back no matter what you did. Eventually we reconnected and now we can laugh about the conflict; the fact that we were able to come together after tension was an indication of the depth of our friendship and demonstrates true brotherhood.

Bill, when we met you borrowed the movie Cyborg from me and never returned it! Then you came telling me you lost my freakin movie! It was all good; call it my first gift to you and a way of convincing you to pledge Sigma. You already know that Joe WAS NOT feeling you at first, when we talked he was like “Where you even find this dude?” It was true, Bill, you were very quiet and nobody ever knew what you were thinking, but I saw something in you that would bring great value to the organization. I didn’t realize how much you would impact my life.

When we’re together, “quiet Bill” did not exist; we would spend hours talking and were frequently around each other. Since we graduated we don’t talk as much as we use to and have spent years before without seeing each other in person; yet one phone call and we’re once again talking for hours.

I’ve gained much more than brotherhood with our friendship. Lifelong friendships. No matter where they go or how long we don’t talk it will always be the “same ‘ol Sigmas.” We will continue to argue and disagree. We will continue to not answer the phone or text. We will continue to not follow through the first time until we force an intervention. And we will continue despite all that fight for, be there for and love each other as brothers. Or as the corny but true saying goes “My Brother from another Mother.” Our Brotherhood is the true showing that you don’t have to be born in the same family to bleed the same blood. We bleed blue, but our blood runs through each other’s veins.

 

Bill, Chris, and Joe have decided to write a book about their friendship, Black men, love and brotherhood. Find out more at 3forthefounders@gmail.com or on Facebook

Read Dr. Bill Johnson II’s article, “Why I Love Black Men” and Joe’s story, here.

Image courtesy of Bill Johnson II


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images