10.13.2008

Black Masculinity: Barack & Curtis

I peeped this clip from an upcoming documentary the other day. Very interesting. Check it out and tell me your thoughts.

8 comments:

clnmike said...

That was a great vid, I got to see the rest of that. I think this is a very real and relevant argument, how do you fit a Barack Obama into the images of black men that we are taught and now sell, for profit. Is 50 wrong for exploiting an image that is already there for his own gain?

Unknown said...

I have to watch the whole thing to really form an opinion.

But, I do think that Barack is a wonderful image for black men and my young son to copy. I mean I want my son to be strong, business savvy, and gain much in life but do it with his intelligence and let no one get in his way.

So, I guess my son should learn from both and grow into his own.
But, not with anger and not stereotypes from anybody (both races) defining him.

Am I making sense?

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

i dont see masculinity as being or having anything to do with race

Marvalus said...

I think this is a real and valid argument...I would like to see the rest of it before I venture any further...

But I will say this: I have fought (and will continue to do so) against my son taking on the images portrayed by rappers on television and other mediums, because I think it does give off a false sense of manhood...that being uber aggressive and taking on questionable characteristics makes you a man by default.

Tera said...

I think Barack is an excellent example of what I want my sons to admire. I bet it shocked the crap out of America to actually see that all black men aren't tatted up, blazing it up, f-ing up, and getting locked up.

There are a lot of brothas on TV and in videos who I would venture to say have to do a lot of "growing up" before I would call them a real man...ranging in ages from 18 on up!

I think the list of ingredients (that comprise a MAN) is far more extensive that what meets the eye and a few anecdotes.

shine said...

Wow, this is a VERY powerful piece. I've got to share this. It's time that we all sat down and had a real conversation concerning black masculinity--as well as black femininity. We have to challenge and interrogate the norms.

msladyDeborah said...

This is a powerful piece. I love it when you have to think about what is being said during a documentary.

I am a birth mother of the hip hop nation and Gen X.

One of the major concerns that I had during the years that my sons were growing up was the changing definitions and imagery of what a black man should be. I take issue to certain aspects of that imagery and what I don't like~hasn't changed over the years.

But this is a good piece of video work. I enjoyed watching it.

Anonymous said...

That's gonna be a good documentary. Black masculinity is being redefined in our country. I noticed that the clip stated that 50 cent turned his gangsta image into an empire with clothing lines, shoe deals and other branding.

Even the roughest, toughest, hardcore gangster knows that the image in the rap video they portray can only take them so far.

I'm looking forward to seeing this full documentary.