The regal power of culture

The regal power of culture

BY ERIC TROY

Understanding one’s culture is the foundation of how one thinks and views their impact on society. The good word says, “As a man thinketh i his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

So my question to you is: If you truly understood your culture, would you think, speak and live differently?

Culture is defined as the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; and the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations.

As a black man born in America, with my cultural roots in Africa, I strive to live my life as a king — and to treat my wife as my queen. The best way for my daughter to know how to be a queen is to see how her father respects and loves her mother.

You see, a king is defined as a male sovereign or monarch; a man who holds by life tenure, and usually by hereditary right, the chief authority over a country and people. So to those young males who are destined to be kings, you must start thinking about, living with, speaking to and treating women as queens.

What are the characteristics of a king?

• He knows that he is a king.
• He prays to God or his creator for wisdom.
• He provides for and protects his queen.
• He listens first before acting.
• He is accountable for all of his decisions and actions.
• He is a master of managing his wealth.
• He has great vision.
• He seeks out other kings to collaborate and support.
• He knows that he must make his community/country better for others.
• He must teach others about the above characteristics in order for future kings to know how to lead. This will be his legacy.

So, my question to you is: How will you incorporate the above characteristics into your daily grind and identify an accountability partner to assist you in staying focused on becoming a king? These characteristics will separate you from others who are sayers rather than doers. Your actions will always speak louder than your words.

In today’s society, it is crucial that we listen to, teach and empower the next generation to know that they are kings.

The world is seeing the impact of culture and identity through the phenomenon of the movie “Black Panther,” which has changed the culture of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and exposed the world to what kingship is all about. “Black Panther” is the first Marvel movie to land a Time Magazine cover. Are you the next T’Challa?

Eric Troy M.A. is the President & CEO of Eficionado, a Gahanna, Ohio-based brand transformation strategic partnership agency. He has over three decades of experience in education, advertising, marketing, media relations and sports development in both North America and South Africa — working with Fortune 500 corporations, and advising MLB, NFL, and NBA athletes in the area of brand and image marketing. Eric is considered an expert on black male leadership and community engagement, and has been featured on NPR and ESPN Classics. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and reach him by email at ejtglboal1@gmail.com.