The Resilient Mind

Recently, President Barack Obama made a direct appeal to Black men, urging us to vote for Kamala Harris, using his speech to highlight the contrast between her policies and those of others. But as I listened to his words, I couldn’t help but feel that something crucial was missing from the conversation. While his intention may have been to uplift, it came across as though he was chastising Black men for having their own opinions, for wanting something different for our communities—something more than the same government intervention we’ve seen for years.

In his speech, Obama touched on some critical points that he believes are vital for our neighborhoods and communities:

• Affordable housing, healthcare, education, and ensuring that families, particularly women, are supported.
• He highlighted Kamala Harris’s journey and her commitment to putting forward “concrete proposals” to address these issues.
• He suggested that some men might be hesitant to support Harris due to discomfort with the idea of a woman in power, emphasizing the strength and resilience of women in the Black community.

But there’s more to the story.

While I respect President Obama, I have to push back on some of his points. It’s not about rejecting the leadership of a woman—many of us understand and deeply appreciate the women in our lives who have supported us through struggles. However, there is a broader issue at play here. Black men don’t want more handouts, and we certainly don’t want to be replaced by government programs that make us obsolete in our own families.

Here’s what we want:

• Less government interference in our lives. Too many Black men are jailed for petty reasons, separating them from their families and communities.
• Opportunities, not handouts. Instead of pumping money into banks, we need grant opportunities for small businesses to build wealth and leave legacies for our families.
• Reform the child support system. Why does the government take money meant for our children? Black men shouldn’t be in debt for life, struggling to support their kids while also trying to survive financially.
• Respect our voices. We’re not here to follow the crowd. Black men are trendsetters who think for themselves, and we want leadership that aligns with our values—not more of the same policies that push us aside.

This isn’t about rejecting women or rejecting help—it’s about creating lasting change that empowers Black men to be present in their families and communities.

What we need are real, sustainable opportunities to succeed. We don’t just want money to buy diapers; we want industries that create jobs and build a future. We want criminal justice reform that stops locking us up for minor offenses. And we want policies that support family structures, not break them down.

President Obama’s speech reminds us that the political landscape is complex, but we, as Black men, deserve more than just being told what to do. We deserve to be listened to.

• 
  Montbello vs. Northfield: A Tough Football Reality
  by Kenneth R. Hopkins
  Football Saturday didn’t go according to plan. After chasing the game across Denver, I finally watched Northfield hand Montbello a tough 49–0 loss. But football—and life—isn’t only about winning. Sometimes you get knocked down. The real test of resilience is learning, adjusting, getting back up, and coming back stronger.
• 
  Not Every Hard Fight Ends in Victory
  by Kenneth R. Hopkins
  Resilience doesn’t always end in victory. When the Riverdale Ravens faced the Colorado Lions, both teams were tested until the final whistle. The Ravens fought back from adversity, while the Lions refused to surrender their lead, proving that true resilience isn’t measured by the scoreboard—it’s revealed in the fight.
• 
  Game Recap: 13U Riverdale Ravens vs. 13U Colorado Lions
  by Kenneth R. Hopkins
  Resilience doesn’t always end with victory. When the Colorado Lions and Riverdale Ravens met in Denver, both teams discovered that lesson firsthand. The Lions fought to protect their lead while the Ravens refused to quit, turning a youth football game into a powerful reminder that resilience is revealed through adversity.
• 
  Full Circle at IHOP
  by Kenneth R. Hopkins
  The author reflects on a challenging period when IHOP served as their workspace, and a kind waitress regularly offered free food. After gaining stability, they encountered the waitress again in need, prompting them to pay her kindness forward. The experience underscores themes of gratitude, growth, and the cyclical nature of helping others.
• How Work Ethic Led Me to Purpose
  by Kenneth R. Hopkins
  The Road Wasn’t Straight By Kenneth Hopkins | The Resilient Mind People ask me all the time how I ended up working at The Road Called STRATE. Some assume I had a plan. Others think I knew someone who opened a door for me. The truth is much simpler. I just kept working. Not because… Read more: How Work Ethic Led Me to Purpose