"It is hard for a black man to just be himself. We spend so much time in defense of something that is indefensible because there is nothing to defend"

The quote by Kevin Eubanks discuss several deep, interconnected styles associating with identity, societal expectations, and the ongoing struggles dealt with by black guys in navigating these intricacies. At its core, Eubanks attends to the profound trouble in achieving authenticity and self-acceptance in a social structure that enforces restrictive and typically negative stereotypes on black males.

He begins with the assertion that it is challenging for a black male to "just be himself". This shows the pressure on black males to perform or conform to social standards and expectations that typically do not line up with their individual realities. This pressure can originate from both external societal bias and internalized expectations, which might compel black men to adjust or alter their habits and attitude in numerous contexts, accidentally triggering a rift between their real selves and the personality they forecast.

Eubanks even more elaborates on the exhaustive nature of defending "something that is indefensible". This defense could describe the social stereotypes and prejudgments thrust upon black men that they feel pressured to contradict or get rid of. These stereotypes typically paint them in an unfavorable light or as monolithic, neglecting the vast diversity and uniqueness within the black male experience. The term "indefensible" might suggest that these made notions do not hold merit and the struggle to counter them often feels useless, as these stereotypes are both deeply deep-rooted and constructed without basis in the individual truths of lots of black guys.

The last part of the quote, "because there is absolutely nothing to protect", is perhaps the most poignant. It recommends that the societal pressures and stereotypes are unwarranted in reality-- a synthetic construct black guys need to navigate, regardless of it lacking any substantive structure in who they in fact are. This acknowledges the unfair concern put upon black males to neutralize perceptions that do not reflect their true identities.

Overall, Kevin Eubanks sheds light on the complex battle of balancing authentic self-expression with the unrelenting expectations to counter or comply with harmful social stories. His quote functions as both a critique of these social impositions and a call for greater understanding and acceptance of uniqueness.