Marvin Church: A Different Kind of Black Guy

A POLITIC Guest Feature from a Master Groomer

"You know, you’re a different kind of black guy."

I have been told this too many times by my white co-workers and businessmen.

You may ask the question, "why does race seem to always be the underlying motive for everything."

I'm not sure if this curiosity or just plain ignorance but either way, it needs no reply.

You can hang on to all the above, however, racist motivations aren’t multiple choice. You see ignorance and hatred will reveal the truth as efficiently as that old truth serum called alcohol.

Use any example today about the ignorance of racism.

Although racist's seemingly are unaware of voicing their opinion that they can’t even rationalize with the person they are offending.

For every white racist person take note, I was always taught to think before you talk. This means when you go to social media and express yourself to the public with racial malice towards black people know that we hear you loud and clear, Drew Brees.

We as blacks can process your whole intention to speak from your ass then apologize the next day to save face. Let that be one of your black teammates speaking racist toward whiteness; he would probably be fired with a frozen bank account.

As a black man, I’ve always known that I had to condition not only my mind but my spirit, so I wouldn’t lose the balance of myself and my well-being when racism presents itself.

Life Imitates Art, Art Imitates Life

I remember as a kid watching sitcoms like, "Good Times" and "The Jeffersons". I grew up on those shows and sometimes I still watch reruns today.

"Good Times" was based in an apartment of a public housing project of a poor black neighborhood in inner-city Chicago.

Not just any project: Cabrini Green.

However, "Good Times" would let you know during the opening that even though we have things outside our window unfolding like 'temporary layoffs', we still had good times.

"The Jefferson's" was based in a high rise apartment on the upper east side of New York City. The show let you know that they’re 'moving on up to the upper east side' and after all this hard work that they finally got a piece of the pie.

This was a form of saying they made it in white society.

There were many different struggles that both shows told. On "Good Times" rent and food on the table were celebrated. The Jeffersons hired a black maid who became part of the family. Florence the maid was proud to work for a black family. The Jeffersons proved that a black man having money would still have to endure racism from the upper echelon.

Lead character George Jefferson was in the room now, meaning he could see and hear things most blacks wouldn’t be "allowed to".

He stayed true to his blackness and equality that Martin Luther King tried to instill in all of us.

One time George Jefferson did CPR on a white supremacist man and saved his life. When the white supremacist's son told his dad that he was saved by a black man George Jefferson, he said, “you should of let me die”.

Lessons Learned

The biggest thing I’ve learned from these shows was that I had to condition my mind to deal with this unfavored society. I found later in life that some geographic location can be detrimental to better education, employment and even your name for black people could determine your destiny.

I’ve learned now whatever environment that you may make it out of, to achieve wealth and status, you may still not be accepted in American society.

You are still seen as a black nigger and nothing that you can say and do will change some white people’s minds.

There's a pang of deep guilt displayed by white people when blacks speak up for blacks?

No matter the platform.

When the billionaire branded NBA basketball star and future (HOF) LeBron James, spoke out on racial injustice. He was told by Fox News host, Laura Ingraham to just, shut up and dribble.

"Mr. James, you got all this money, can’t you go away and be quiet with your riches?"

Not!

She just couldn’t accept his political views but he too had to deal with racial slurs graffitied on his California home.

Mr. James spoke up, taking Laura to the hoop by bringing more awareness to racism and the injustice placed on black people.

Laura Ingraham only proved to black people and the world that she’s the ultimate racist bigot. See in America, they don’t mind us taking a knee for the falling soldiers of our military, it’s American.

To believe a black man has taken a knee for falling black people to police brutality and racial injustice just wasn’t fully considered American.

Are we not American? Are we blacks not overkilled already? Let the news tell it, “them black people probably deserved it”.

Colin Kaepernick decided to use his NFL platform to show a peaceful protest.

Some people would say he lost it all but he didn’t lose himself nor his blackness. He revealed the ugly truth of America.

"I thought this was America people?" -JAY Z

This is America and it didn’t matter that he was a professional athlete. Kaepernick wasn’t going to get any support from white NFL owners nor the red-blooded American public.

Colin Kaepernick had officially been blackballed.

To add more confirmation to our well known white supremacist president Trump had to intervene in a news conference saying, “kneelers shouldn’t be in our country”, “get the son of a bitch off the field.”

White America can surely see what’s going on with police brutality and black people but having little concern cause it doesn’t affect their lifestyle.

Today after the protest started when an unarmed man by the name of George Floyd was killed by 4 police officers on camera in broad daylight was the tipping point.

Protesting riots not only in Minnesota where Floyd was killed but all over the world where held. Even in the midst of all this which was a mostly peaceful protest there still were white groups breaking windows and setting fire to buildings so that black protestors would be seen brutally harming police and the national guard force.

President Trump still ignited more fuel to the situation by saying, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts”, a phrase spoken in 1967 during an outbreak of violence during the Christmas Season by Miami Chief of Police Walter Headley.

The phase again used in a campaign in 1968 by segregationist presidential candidate George Wallace. White Americans in 2020 still preaching the same racist and bigoted gospel of sons of plantation owners.

Nevertheless, the protest continues because of BLACK LIVES MATTER! Every business entity that wants to exist rather it’s good business or they truly believe in the BLM are trying to be on the right side of history. Even the NFL and Trump are now in favor to see Kaepernick return to playing the game he loves.

Don’t be fooled by the inch and foot measurement to equality.

Injustice is internal wickedness embedded in a constitution. This is where we as black people need to start, then re-enforce a new constitution and lawmaking process to equality. Will we follow these restructured flaws of government, maybe. The corruption in this country runs deeper than scared white sheet wearers. It’s about power and controlling the narrative.

What Would Jesus Do?

Well if you’ve applied the 6th commandment thou shall not kill.

This refers to murder, which this country was forcibly stolen by Columbus from early natives who were black or so-called Indians the same way.

The manipulation was rapid through slavery and still today. Don’t forget we had some good old twisted house slaves like Stephen in the movie Django Unchained working against our freedom.

They too today with all the mistrust shall find an awakening. The ugly truth placed on any black person in America is that you're guilty until then proven innocent.

But still, I heard these words faintly in remembrance, “ you’re a different kind of black guy”.

What?

“You’re a different kind of black guy.”

Does that mean, I’m the one that’s accepted by white's highest society?

Do they not see me as a black man? Am I more than my color in their eyes? To think to myself that I’m special isn’t the answer.

To know that I’m somebody that matters and yes I’m black is why I’m different. I don’t need any white person to confirm any so-called status for me.

Is it because I don’t speak and act ghetto? You’ve been watching too many movies.

I do know how to make adjustments and play the game of the status quo without losing my blackness. It’s called being professional.

However, it is a really funny thing when your name doesn’t fit with their description of you.

In Closing

White America can create the hate, then you mirror their hate back to them, they can’t handle it. If they could see themselves on the other side of the color wheel, it would be mind-blowing.

A true racist bigot would blow his head off before accepting being treated like black people.

Oh, how do you white people bake and burn your bodies every sunny summer to look like the people you despise.

If you check your DNA most would kill themselves to find out that they too may have some blackness in them.

Ironic isn't it?

America and the whole world the reality check is in seasonal press. You can’t run and hide from the truth.

You see the change happening everywhere.

On your social media feeds to even your "fake news" networks. No more will the world's ugly truth be unfiltered.

The coffee you love to obsess over is still black even with all the cream.

The late ’80s and early '90s Hall of Fame rap group, Public Enemy's lead rapper Chuck D spoke of, “The Fear Of A Black Planet” and it’s still irrelevant today.

“You’re a different kind of black guy.”

Yeah, I know and I get it.

I understand that your trying to find the best way to give me a compliment right?

Stop it!

It’s racist and I can’t breathe.

ABOUT MARVIN CHURCH

Marvin Church is hailed as one of the industries most talented and passionate professionals. He is a prominent Image Consultant specializing in Male Grooming for film, television, and discerning gentlemen. He is a visionary and consummate craftsman who lives by his creed of, “grooming is a lifestyle” and “personal image is everything.”

Also known as “Marv the Barb,” he has been honing his craft for over the past 20 years, coast to coast while based in the heart of Washington DC. DC’s top lawyers, politicians and power players as well as Hollywood’s leading celebrities, comedians and athletes, have sought him out. His uncompromising style and talent have led him to work numerous media events, film and television presentations such as the Espy’s Awards and the BET Honors.

Marvin’s work has been featured in the pages of Washingtonian, Ebony, and Jet Magazine on CNN, MSNBC, BET, FOX, and various advertisement campaigns as a celebrated barber for The Art of Shaving. In 2004, he won Oster’s Golden Clippers Award. Marvin’s passion and dedication in giving back to the hair industry has inspired him to become an Educator and Image Consultant. Marvin is a member of International Barbers Association, National Cosmetologist Association, United Nations and Chamber of Commerce, working as President of The Gentlemen’s Grooming Society.