Flores. Bull in a China Shop

This is me  I am coming back from the edge Close your eyes it gets better with time I promise Shaun you will look back and remember these moments. Shaun don't make promises you can not keep Your deepest fear is not that you are inadequate its that you are powerful Shaun Flores beyond measure. The war is internal I promise you. but I am a black boy with the mean mug look, and I handle it all to stand tall like I do I see you but do you see me? Stand tall Sit tall

Before I start this I write to the young men who are struggling to find themselves in this chaotic world where we have to become our own men. In a world where we are littered with core tenants of toxic masculinity. The journey is long arduous and heartbreaking.  I will begin it, I see Mim in my neighbourhood barbers Clean Cuts in Tooting/ Earlsfield. I did not know he was a BBC presenter and indeed I was shocked. I now know Mim as a radio broadcaster, spoken word artist and actor.  In this episode, I was moved to my heart. Seeing a young man go on a journey to find his dad was moving.  Its an emotional journey is one that is rare these days but masculinity is changing and its evolving. My story is different from Mim's. He showed vulnerabilities and he comes from a very similar neck of the woods as me. South West London. In some ethnic communities do not have a Dad let alone a father figure is rare. No one can replace our fathers no matter ho...

I write this article in deep disappointment I spent 39 minutes on the phone to Dr Martin Glynn, an expert on his field with critical race theory and criminal justice. He saw my elevator pitch on LinkedIn and he reminded me why I must keep going. He usually does not give his time to people, but he saw I did something different and reached out to me. Imagine today I graduated today and I hope to do my PhD in the absence of paternal roles in the black community, the effect it has on black children. To know I have to continue to reach out to countless academics to have a shot is maddening and reminds of the doors locked in academia unless you get your masters and PhD. I aim to become a lecturer that brings the unique lived experience as a young black millennial male. By going through the necessary processes to become a relatable face that my community can aspire towards. Society is not being reflected in the education system.  We need an inclusive and representative edu...