The artwork, titled "Little Man," was crafted as a response to an inadvertent exchange overheard between my young cousin and an elder relative, in which the notion of "being a man" was imparted upon him. This encounter sparked a deep realization of the prevalent phenomenon wherein young black men are compelled to mature prematurely, thereby forsaking the inherent joys of childhood. In my exploration of this theme, I employed the strategic placement of a halo around the subject, complemented by the incorporation of lively and youthful brushstrokes rendered with oil pastels. Through these artistic choices, "Little Man" successfully communicates a poignant and universally relatable narrative. By elucidating the need for safeguarding and comprehension, the artwork tells an all to familiar story: Society’s tendency to prematurely enforce masculine ideals upon young black men, ultimately leading to their dehumanization as black men.