I chose to nominate myself because of the pervasiveness of mental illness in the Black community on Cornell’s campus, but the paucity of discussions about mental health on a community size level especially among Black men. Additionally, in the present political climate where acts and statements of xenophobia, sexism, racism, homophobia, ableism and other areas of discrimination become normalized, discussions on mental health are necessary to ensure we as a community have the tools to support one another and combat these hateful attitudes. I want my community to become comfortable with their vulnerability and never feel shamed into hiding their mental illness because it is simply another part of the flawed human beings that we all are. I struggled with undiagnosed depression and self-hate from a young age because of my skin condition.
