February 28, 2024 / 6 Minute Read
morehouse man material
The mission of Morehouse College is to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.
Morehouse College mission statment
So I recently saw Boyz in the Hood for the first time as a 23 year old black man.
I know, I know, just take my “black card.”
As you may know, at the end of the movie, the main character ends up attending the prestigious Morehouse College.
As a Morehouse Man myself, I felt like this film would provide the perfect backdrop to talk about the qualities and situations that lead to the creation of a Morehouse Man
Throughout this article we will be discussing what makes a man Morehouse Material.
daddy dearest
Anybody can make a baby, but it takes a man to raise his children.
Furious Styles: Boyz in the Hood
A Morehouse man needs his Father.
Notice how I capitalized the F? I understand that many black boys don’t have access to their earthly fathers, and that’s ok.
God will be your Father.
“I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people… and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:16
Throughout the film, the single most important catalyst to Tre’s development into a Morehouse Man is the guidance of his father, instilling in him intelligence, discipline, and patience. All traits required for a Morehouse Material Man.
I was lucky enough to have my dad in my life. While he was far, and I mean far, from perfect; I can say for certain that the periodic adventures with my dad played a crucial role in my development.
“Pivot don’t panic,” he says.
From cutting my hair, to scolding me for not washing the dishes; my dad was always there to provide love, discipline, and direction whenever I strayed from my preordained path.
And don’t even get me started on everything my heavenly Father has taught me.
A Morehouse man needs his Father.
hood friends
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Luke 5:32
A Morehouse Man is good in the hood.
I know this may sound strange. Why should a Morehouse man associate himself with anyone who isn’t chasing excellence. Why should he hang out with people who don’t have the same goals and aspirations?
Because we all fall short of God’s glory.
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
Mark 10:18
Jesus befriended sinners, and a Morehouse Man should display that same level of compassion.
Some of my best friends in college were drug dealers and ne’er do wells. I tried my best to never judge or shun them; I only tried to provide a good example.
Near the end of the film, Tre faces a crossroads. He can either join his friends in their dance with the devil, or become the man his father trained him to be.
If you hope to be a Morehouse Material Man, choose the former.
Like Tre, like Jesus and his disciples, a Morehouse Man should be a light to those who need it most.
A Morehouse man is good in the hood.
mommy dearest
Many women ask their sons to fill a void in their soul that their husband has left.
Wild at heart: Pg. 64
A Morehouse man has to let his mother go.
One thing I love about the film is how it so accurately portrays the ignominious reality of so many single mother households. In this environment, the black man is often subjected to only two options:
- To be over loved
- To be under loved
We see this dynamic play out between brothers Ricky and doughboy, and their mother Baker. Baker shows extreme favoritism towards Ricky, while neglecting and abusing doughboy. Not only does this lead to the creation of the insecure, emotionally fractured man-child known as Doughboy, but it also puts tremendous strain on the brothers’ relationship, creating an unnecessary sibling rivalry.
The sad part is, neither one of them were able to break free of their mother’s programming. They remained in their South Central Prison, subject to the whims of mommy dearest.
Fortunately, our protagonist Tre was able to overcome this toxic dynamic.
At the beginning of the film we see Tre leave his mom to go live with his dad with the intent to come back..
Only he didn’t come back.
We later see Tre’s mom begging for him to come back, pleading for the return of the little boy she once knew. But that boy is gone, replaced by a Morehouse Material Man.
Even our Lord Jesus had to learn to let his mother go:
Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? (John 2:4)
Jesus spoke to His mother with a term of respect, but He did not call her “mother.” Jesus wanted to emphasize that now, at the beginning of His public ministry, He now had a different relationship with Mary.
Jesus indicated that there was a new relationship between Him and Mary. “If she sought his help now, she must not seek it on the basis of their mother-and-son relationship.” (Bruce)
What He really said to Mary was, “We now have a different relationship. Let me consult My heavenly Father.”
Via: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-2/
I’m not saying a man should abandon his mother.
Even while dying on the cross Jesus still cared for and took responsibility for his mother, making sure that she would be taken care of by his beloved disciple John.
In John 19:26–27 we read, “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
The clear understanding of the passage is that Jesus commanded John to care for Mary after His death.
Via: https://www.gotquestions.org/woman-behold-your-son.html
Alas, there comes a time in a Morehouse Man’s life when he must learn to rely on God alone.
A Morehouse man must let his mother go.
morehouse men
“You can always tell a Morehouse Man — but you can’t tell him much.”
Anonymous
You know what’s funny?
I didn’t even want to go to Morehouse.
My mom basically forced me to apply, and it was my last choice.
Yet, they wanted me, offering me a full academic scholarship, and the opportunity to gain the elusive title of “Morehouse Man.”
Even though I’m still learning to let my mom go, I have to admit she’s made some pretty great calls throughout my life.
I don’t have to tell you what Morehouse is about, the results speak for themselves.
So if you’re hoping to join great company…
Watch Boyz in the Hood.
Bye Chance.
references
https://www.gotquestions.org/woman-behold-your-son.html
Via: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-2/
Eldredge, John. Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul. Thomas Nelson, 2021.
by chance 