Emotional Vulnerability is a Strength
Be The 5: Jay-Z
Each month, we feature someone who has inspired us with their high level of Emotional Maturity, meaning they're “being the 5” and choosing not to take things personally, responding reactively or approaching the situation in a way that contributes to the problem.
Jay-Z, image courtesy of Wikipedia.
This month, we would like to highlight American rapper, songwriter, record executive, businessman, and record producer Jay-Z. Jay-Z is a household name who has attained significant success and media attention over the years for his notable talent within the entertainment industry and partnership with his beloved wife, Beyonce Knowles. In Jay-Z’s interview with Dean Banquet of the New York Times, he bares his soul discussing a wide range of touching topics such as vulnerability, authenticity, emotions, and infidelity.
The nearly 40-minute interview uncovered elements of the artist's personal growth journey and the enlightenment he had to reach to save not only himself- but his fragile marriage. Below are the most memorable takeaways from the Jay-Z and New York Times interview:
ON COMPASSION AND IDENTITY
Jay-Z opens the interview up by putting emphasis on the specific tools you would hope for your child to have. He mentions how traits like fairness, compassion, empathy, and having a loving heart are all attributes that can be adapted into any environment. By treating people as they are no matter who they are or where they sit in the world you open your heart up to true kindness and understanding. He notes how all these traits whether it be love, compassion, or affection can be expressed but can’t be physically put in your hand or bought, thus he exclaims the most beautiful things are things that are invisible. “That's where the important things lie”
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THERAPY
“Every emotion is connected and it comes from somewhere. And just being aware of it. Being aware of it in everyday life puts you at such a ... you’re at such an advantage. You know, you realize that if someone’s racist toward you, it ain’t about you. It’s about their upbringing and what happened to them, and how that led them to this point. You know, most bullies bully. It just happen. Oh, you got bullied as a kid so you trying to bully me. I understand.”
As the interview progresses and they discuss his album “4:44”, they compare it to a therapy session in which Jay-Z discusses the power of therapy and how he grew so much from the experience. Jay-Z emphasizes that through therapy he was able to learn that everything is connected in this universe - our thoughts, emotions, interactions, and experiences all play a role in our interconnectedness to one another. Whether someone is racist to you or bullies you, you are able to realize that” it was their upbringing and what happened to them that led them to this point”.
ON THE STRENGTH BEHIND BEING EMOTIONALLY VULNERABLE
He connects his therapy back to many young men who try and pick fights with everyone often putting on a “shell of a tough person” to conceal the pain they are going through. He continues noting how they are merely in survival mode and thus shut down all their emotions “So even with women, you gonna shut down emotionally, so you can't connect”. Once you shut down emotionally it leaves room for infidelity, cheating, and disloyalty to occur.
In his infamous track “Song Cry” he explains how crying is “the strongest thing a man can do” Being vulnerable and being able to show your feelings as a man is “real strength”. Often times society makes you feel like you have to be a guarded person but in the words of Jay-Z “That’s not real. It’s fake”.
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHENTICITY
Delving into authenticity and being the realest version of himself, Jay-Z mentions how he constantly strives to be identifying with the truth rather than being “the youngest, hottest, new, trendy thing”. He also took ownership of the pain he caused to the people he sold drugs to. He mentions how “knowing what I know now, you know, you can't sacrifice others for your life”. This level of true consciousness and accountability that Jay-Z shows exhibits his true growth. Lastly, he discusses the long and painful journey to healing the relationship with his wife Beyonce after his cheating scandal. He notes how most people walk away because “The hardest thing is seeing pain on someone’s face that you caused, and then have to deal with yourself” Most people don’t want to do this, to really look inside themselves and become vulnerable with their true selves, so they walk away.
Jay-Z demonstrates that the ability to be vulnerable, authentic, and honest with not only yourself but with others is the epitome of strength and true emotional maturity. Through his unfiltered thoughts and candid music, Jay-Z reminds us that a strong man isn’t defined by what he conceals but by rather his ability to be vulnerable and real.
Thank you, Jay-Z, for having the courage to be real, raw, and honest - representing true authenticity and vulnerability.
This article was originally published here.
