Sunday Special #004 | Daily Challenges: Facing Black Trauma
Confronting the struggle to improve cities while facing systemic barriers as a Black man
In today’s issue, you’ll learn…
📝 How I’m Struggling With Black Trauma in the Built Environment
🗓️ What’s Coming Wednesday
Black Trauma in the Built Environment
I understand this morning’s read may be heavy and you are welcome to skip or exit this email.
I won’t be longwinded as I don’t honestly have the words to say more than what I’m about to say.
It’s extremely hard to write about making our cities better as a Black man when so much time was taken to ensure I don’t succeed in them. From redlining to jaywalking, it’s still very difficult to feel a sense of belonging.
I watched the body camera footage of Sonya Massey's murder. I needed to see it for myself. It’s triggering to watch Black death, yet it feels necessary to bear witness to the reality we face.
As I pressed play, I paused it a few times as the door opened from my daughter’s bedroom and then the sound of babbling of my son in his sleep.
I fight for their accessibility and safety in the city but very rarely do I explicitly discuss their acceptance in this country.
Children, especially Black children, are invisible in the built environment. How can I promise my Black children that they too will one day be seen when even those who are supposed to protect us may one day see them as targets?
I am at a loss for words. Sonya Massey's children, 17 and 15, are now navigating the most difficult part of their adolescence while suddenly carrying the weight of their mother’s murder.
One of the first thoughts I had when I arrived in New York City in 2013, was how frequently injury or death occurs for those suffering from mental health. With the open train tracks, some of America’s worst drivers, and more, how do they survive in a city that rarely accounts for their needs?
Well, this wasn’t New York City. Sonya was in her own home. Acknowledging the mental health crisis is just the first step; without effective solutions, we remain stagnant. Awareness alone isn't enough—we need actionable plans and robust support systems now. This includes better training for police to handle mental health crises safely and effectively. Implementing comprehensive care, increasing funding, and fostering community support are crucial. It's time to move from recognition to real change, now.
What’s Coming Wednesday:
Paid Subscribers:
We will be discussing five things to check for when taking public transit with your children for the first few times.
Til, next time cut loose.
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I’m processing not just the general public’s indifference to this, but how the industry really doesn’t want to hear from us. And no, have not watched, my imagination is vivid enough.
Holler at Charles Brown if you haven’t already. If anything y’all might be able to vent together over this and how it’s all connected as Black men in urbanism raising children and speaking up! I’ll see him next week hopefully as I’m going with Les to a conference he is keynoting in Denver.
On a separate note, DM me on here or X. I want to talk commercial real estate in RVA!