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They Love Us Broke and Grateful 👎🏾

They Love Us Broke and Grateful 👎🏾

Black success often triggers fear & scrutiny, demanding humility white peers aren't asked for. Let's reject this bias & celebrate Black wins loudly.

Dale Harris
April 29, 2025

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"Can we all get along?" — Rodney King, as the LA riots began on this day in 1992.

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Good morning, BFA Fam! If you’ve been online lately, you already know the internet has found a new favorite debate: 100 men vs. 1 gorilla. It’s the kind of ridiculous, chaotic energy that only social media can produce…. half science, half pure ego, all entertainment. Somehow, a hypothetical brawl between an army of dudes and one very angry primate has turned into a full-blown philosophical battle about strength, strategy, and delusion. Welcome to the timeline.

MAIN STORY

🔥 Why Black Excellence Faces Scrutiny Instead of Celebration

A confident Black individual (gender neutral, stylish attire) standing spotlighted on a grand stage, but instead of applause, they are surrounded by numerous floating, oversized magnifying glasses pointed directly at them. The atmosphere is slightly tense, dramatic lighting, cinematic style. 16:9 aspect ratio, no text.

⚡ THE SPARK

Ryan Coogler drops a masterpiece, and instead of applause, people start counting his coins. Pastor Jamal Bryant steps up to say it plainly: nobody scrutinizes white pastors like they do Black ones. And Shedeur Sanders? Humiliated at the NFL Draft for daring to be young, rich, and unbothered. The message is loud: Black success is allowed until it gets too loud, too confident, too free. Then they come for it. Every time.

🧠 THE LAYER BELOW

It’s deeper than just isolated incidents. Let's connect the dots:

When Black people achieve major success, it often triggers public policing and questioning, not just public celebration.
White public figures are often afforded "quiet luxury," allowed to enjoy their success without intense scrutiny. Black figures are constantly told to "stay humble" or risk backlash.
Confidence and assertiveness from Black leaders, athletes, or artists are frequently reframed as arrogance or being "difficult."
Visible prosperity in Black spaces – whether it's churches investing in communities, athletes securing major deals, or entertainers building empires – seems to automatically invite suspicion and audits, both literal and figurative.
A lot of the media obsession with "how" Black stars spend their money or display their success feels less like curiosity and more like thinly veiled envy, racism, and an attempt to control the narrative.
This isn't new. Think back to Eddie Murphy decades ago, talking about how quickly people turn when Black stars get too successful. It's a historical pattern.
Ultimately, it’s not just about the money or the fame – it’s about who society deems is "allowed" to thrive visibly and unapologetically.

🎯 THE REAL QUESTION

Why is Black success only acceptable when it’s quiet, humble, and apologetic?

🔮 WHAT’S NEXT

There’s no blueprint to "earn" freedom from judgment, and there never was. Black excellence doesn’t have to shrink, soften, or apologize to be valid. It’s time to stop asking permission. The problem isn’t Black wealth, Black talent, or Black confidence, it’s a system that feels entitled to control how success looks when it’s not in the “right” hands.

The next chapter isn’t about dimming our wins or softening our excellence to make anyone comfortable. It’s about owning the moment, loudly and without apology. Because real freedom doesn’t just mean succeeding, it means succeeding without explanation.

Black greatness doesn’t need permission to shine.

CAST YOUR VOTE

Do you think Black success is more heavily scrutinized than white success?

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THE FLIP SIDE

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Tyler Perry’s She The People

Get ready for some laughs with Tyler Perry's latest Netflix comedy series! Starring Terri J. Vaughn as Antoinette Dunkerson, a politician who finds herself in a whirlwind of chaos both in office and at home after winning her election. The first season of this 16-episode series will be released in two parts: Part 1 drops on May 22, and Part 2 follows on August 14. Co-created by Perry and Niya Palmer, this show combines political satire with heartwarming family humor, continuing Perry's streak of hits on Netflix.

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