Most Black men growing up in America have been culturally conditioned to be strong at all cost. Since I can remember, my friends and I have been told that "boys/men don't cry", "never display weakness" or "cry and see what happens". Punk'n out or going soft was not an option because the streets would eat us alive. Asking a man's advice outside of our "circle", which often lacked a male presence, was rarely encouraged. Therefore, mom or maybe an older brother was the only opt