Alex Iwobi, a Nigerian footballer, has advised men to not be afraid of being vulnerable.
Goldennewsng reports that the Everton star stated that the majority of young Black men are experiencing a great deal of trauma and are afraid to speak about it for fear of being perceived as weak.
During an exhibition in London to raise awareness of mental health, Iwobi commented on how his move from Arsenal to Everton and subsequent World Cup failure have affected him. He urged men to always open up and express even their most vulnerable sides.
He added,
“Don’t be afraid to show your weaknesses.
“I think it’s something in men, especially Black men, because society tells them not to do that and says that if they do, they are weak. There is nothing wrong with being vulnerable.
“It is only going through life that you learn that young Black men have experienced so much trauma that if you only spoke about it, you would be able to navigate it.
“It is perfectly acceptable to inform others that “I’m not all right in the world.” Simply put, I’m not in the right place.
“Playing football is a big one because you aren’t dealing with the problem at hand; it is still there, and you get away from it, but it is still with you,” says one.