Oscar-nominated director and filmmaker John Singleton died this past Monday after having suffered a massive stroke on April 17, 2019. Gosh, darn it!!! Another loss of an influential black man. There are conversations surrounding the topic of ” high blood pressure -HBD or Hypertension- in African Americans [particulartly our black men – our brothas].
While scrolling through my Instagram , I came across a nbcnews.com article titled, “John Singleton’s family urges black men to get their blood pressure checked.” I didn’t realize John had been silently dealing with HBD. I know a little about HBD since I have a couple family members who deal with it. Well, after reading the article, maybe I do know more people, but maybe they, too, are dealing with it silently.
I realize that people have different reasons why they don’t go to the doctor, but the fact that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is quoted as saying, “African American men are at [the] greatest risk of having a stroke at a younger age.” Brothas, your families need you, your children need you, OUR community needs you to live a long, healthy and prosperous life. Men, we NEED you!!! So, please don’t put off going to the doctor for checkups and please take your prescribed medicines. With that said, I am a HUGE supporter of holistic and alternative medicines, so go have a consultation and checkups by a naturopath provider. Whatever you do, please TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH!!
By the way, I feel inclined to mention that I am not placing any judgment on John because much of what has been reported about how he treated his HBD has been a bit of speculation combined with information shared by his family. I appreciate John’s family, in the midst of their grief, spreading awareness about the condition, also known as the “silent killer.”
I encourage EVERYONE, regardless of race, socio-economic background, or gender, to take care of yourself to the best of your ability; I am talking to myself as well. According to CDC, “High blood pressure affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States.”
Rest in peace John Singleton.
To learn more on the deadly impact of high blood pressure in African American men, please take a look at the CDC publication PDF (A Closer Look at African American Men and High Blood Pressure Control .
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