Fitting the stereotype doesn't disqualify you from greatness
Svens Telemaque | for CBC News | Posted: March 14, 2016 12:05 AM | Last Updated: March 14, 2016
Author Svens Telemaque teaches others you don't have to be imprisoned by your past
As part of our series Real Talk on Race, CBC Montreal asked 10 people to share their personal stories about race. These stories are in their own words. Share yours with us on Facebook, Twitter or email webquebec@cbc.ca.
"Awareness precedes change," and unfortunately, real talks on race can be an uncomfortable issue.
I wanted to address the all too common stereotype that labels young black males who have been graced with height as not being graced with brains as well.
It's too much of a common occurrence to have others believe your only contribution to society can be appropriated to athletics because you're tall and black.
Too much of common occurrence that others feel like, because you fit a supposed description, you are limited to the confines of ignorance.
But even if we do fit the description, we can always do and be better.
Watch Svens' P.O.V. in the video above.
- MORE REAL TALK P.O.V. Coltrane McDowell: Growing up as the white minority
- ROUNDUP: Meet the P.O.V. contributors in this series
After he was acquitted on a gun possession charge, Svens Telemaque put an end to a life of crime, abandoning Miami, Fl. and everything that was once common to him to become who he is today. The life of turmoil he left in the past fuelled his creative abilities and transformed him into an author, speaker, and spoken word artist, with a principle interest in using his experiences to serve others.