Wow. What a memoir. One I’m grateful to have sat and listened to. The experience of the Black man in America is one that is simultaneously joyful and a heart wrenching. Tyler captures both elements of these realities well and does so with humor and gusto and authenticity. 


“Proximity breathes empathy.” I resonate so deeply with that and I think this truth sits at the crux of so much division. Because we don’t expose ourselves or allow our hearts and minds to know the souls of those who are vastly different from us we loose out on so much life and love. I think for whiteness the privilege of power is not worth the privilege of care and true joy and friendship that is found sharing culture and heritage with another individual. The richness that empathy provides can’t be bought… and it cost so much to decline empathies offer. We’ve seen it throughout history. It has cost so much, and it’s been paid in blood. 

I think Tyler is a powerful speaker with so much to say and does it in an entertaining and valued way. I love to see a Black man thrive. Also Tyler loves his people and I love that.