In countless homes across the country, African American parents are raising their children to be hardworking, strong, and ever persevering examples of “Black excellence”. As members of a minority community, there is no question that the problematic lens of society never fails to perceive the Black community as less than; less knowledgeable, less motivated, less deserving…and the list goes on. As a result, it is ingrained into the minds of our youth that the only way to get ahead in life is to work twice as hard as our non-Black counterparts. This process of showing up and contributing twice as much effort as the next person while navigating biased classroom curriculums, recurring microaggressions, economic disparities, and the systemic racism of society is not only expected but is praised as “Black excellence”. What happens when this expectation of ceaseless excellency cannot be maintained? Why isn’t survival in the midst of daily racial trauma enough? Superhuman capabilities should not be the minimum standard for excellence.

In many cases, these expectations are not only burdening, but negatively influence the mental health of the Black community. In fact, studies prove that racial minority groups experience higher levels of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Alongside the cultural stigmas associated with mental health, individuals of minority ethnic backgrounds and racial identities consistently receive subpar care and limited access to health coverage. Because of these inadequacies, July was designated “National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month” in 2008. As we continue to muster the strength to march through this month, take the time to discuss mental health with your loved ones to raise awareness of the obstacles preventing our community from receiving care in times of need. And the next time you post about #BlackExcellence, consider including “small” wins in the conversation.

• Turning in your course assignments on time… is a win
• Having a productive conversation with a therapist… is a win.
• Returning home to your family safe and sound at the end of the day… is a win.

To be Black excellence is to cope and carry on in a society that was built on the backs of our ancestors. It is about being able to navigate the necessary spaces that consistently exclude us and yet build spaces of our own where we can come together to live, laugh, and love.