This is the first Student Writers' Corner column. Recently, BC Columnist Larry Pinkney introduced us to Ashley Bates of Florida A&M who sent him a sample of her writing. If you are a student writer or know one or teach one, please Contact Us and submit something you think is a good fit for BC. We hope to run this column frequently.

In today’s society, black men are negatively stereotyped. It is a shame how the media purposely portrays black men. It is a shame how some black people believe every negative thing the media says about black men.

Some people suck up that negative crap about black men as if it were ice cream. I just do not see the negative behavior that a lot of people say black men possess.

I do understand that there are some weirdoes in the world, but over all, if people sat back and observed black men, they would see that most are kind, friendly, smart, and nonviolent.

What I am recognizing is that the more African one looks, the more stereotyped one becomes. Black men with locks or braids as a hairstyle are badly stereotyped, and Lord, do not let them have gold teeth in their mouths. People get very scared when they see these black men coming. People start locking doors and cutting off lights as if a monster were lurking around.

I have never believed the trash that the media and some people say about black men. The reason why I do not believe it is because I am surrounded by a lot of kindhearted black men.

It is normally my black male friends (Lord knows, I have a lot of them) who uplift me and encourage me to be strong when I feel like giving up.

It is normally my black male friends who listen to me when I need someone to talk to, or a shoulder to lean on.

It is my black male friends who look out for me, and call to make sure that I am safe when I'm walking home at night.

It is my black male friends who get up and attend church with me.

It is my black male friends who pay for my food when we hang out just because they think that is what a real friend and gentleman does.

It is normally my black male friends who patiently help me understand my schoolwork.

Last but not least, it is always my black male friends who give me the most encouragement to be my best and to keep my head up.

So I just do not understand why people have negative attitudes about black men, especially when many of the same people have black sons, brothers, cousins, and uncles.

I do not understand why some black women believe that strong black women intimidate most black men. There are some who are intimidated, but the black men who are real and are not out to get into your panties are not intimidated by strong black women. If anything they are attracted to strong black women. Why would they not be? Most black women do not have a choice but to be strong in this anti-black society in which we live, so all a black woman's strength does is remind them of women in their family.

The bad stereotypes of black men that people cannot seem to shed need to be thrown out the window because those sterotypes are lies. Most black men are harmless and are tired of people marginalizing them. Get rid of the stereotypes and start paying attention to your surroundings. You will soon see that what the media portrays is not necessarily true.

Ashley Bates is a Broadcast Journalism student Florida A&M. Click here to contact Ms. Bates.

Your comments are always welcome.