What Is a Genuine Black Man? Finding one’s identity in America is difficult at best for many young African Americans. Why are black men who abandon their families and treat their children terribly considered “genuine black men,” while those who succeed, become educated, and are generally caring family men are often denounced and not considered “black”. Is it because the former representation of black men is what is often pushed onto us in society, so that when a black man, such as Brian Copeland, who doesn’t personify that stereotype is seen, it scares not only white people but black people as well. This cultural representation of African Americans, which we discussed extensively in class, was the most significant type of racism that faces Brian Copeland in his life.
What purpose does it serve Keith Boykin to use his platform on the BET website to criticize Don Lemon’s use of his much larger platform on CNN to speak to the black community? Boykin actually sounds as if he believes that he and Don Lemon have reached a point in their careers that limit their voices in the black community because of the success they enjoy. This is a ridiculous notion and a dangerous one. Hip Hop artist use their global reaching microphones to spread the misogyny and ignorance that plagues the black community without any thought to the damage they cause. It is not only appropriate for Don Lemon to correct behavior from his national stage – it is his obligation to do so.
Wendy Rendel Professor Isaiah Ayafor English 101.018 September 17, 2013 “The Search Past Silence” Not enough people believe that peer pressure, in addition to all of the social prejudice young black men face today, is a significant issue, but it in fact is it holds young black men back from educationally prospering. This problem is greatly overlooked to the point that it feeds into racial stereotyping, victimization, etc. It sometimes can become so overwhelming for some that they start accepting what is happening and begin to drag others along on their downward spiral. Black males have the potential to be anything that they want, but yet they are constantly settling for the bare minimum. Young African American men are being denied of reaching their full potential because they are ceaselessly getting attacked with verbal abuse from their peers, enemies, and people that do not want to see them prosper in any respect, as to them never amounting to anything in life, it later on does cause them to continuously fear what their “friends” might have to say about them trying to better themselves.
“Violence of some kind was recognized as necessary for breaking the conspiracy of silence and complacency about economic oppression, police violence, and other social ills of the black inner city.” (pg. 59). Tupac is one of many rappers who, though looked at as just a thug or a gangster, he rapped about a great number of issues that plagued and continue to plague the urban African American communities. Since rap is a form of art, and art has a deep connection to life used as a tool for structuring and shaping one’s ethics and lifestyle, it like other forms of art is simply a means of political engagement to raise consciousness and promote greater freedom (pg. 57).
Young black males, (especially those that live in impoverished neighborhoods) look up to these musicians as role models. Young boys hope to grow up, become a rapper, and make it out the “hood” to attain money and fame. Due to this infatuation with rappers young men follow what they “preach” and walk in their shoes. A majority of these musicians disrespect women in their music calling them anything from a female dog to a gardening tool. This has made referring to women in a disrespectful way a part of everyday speech.
Inequity in the American Justice System Unequal treatment in the Justice System due to race has become our legacy. Justice is NOT blind as it is rendered differently dependent upon skin color. This started with the Convict Leasing policies of the late 19th Century. Crime policies and laws enacted in the late 20th century perpetuated this discrimination. And now in the 21st century, African American males continue to be over-represented in American prisons having a negative affect on the social status of the Black community.
“My Secret Life as a Black Man” The black man has to be the most confused human being in this world, because he does not know how to define himself. If he makes an attempt to become an intellectual and be educated he is often told that he is “trying to be better” than the people around him, or he is not smart enough to compete with others trying to reach the same common goal. If this same individual does nothing with his life he is considered “trifling”. When he indulges in anything outside the “stereotypical black man” he is called a “sell out”. Or the very notion of his skin color makes him destined to have a negative impact on this world.
Also, his learning of the need to inscribe the numerous issues confronting society which helps his distinguishment that his steadying toward oneself is a reaction to a feeling of hopelessness. He connects it up to growing up encompassed by brutality, great neediness, pill misuse, bigotry, passing, police severity, and a detached confused and under-financed instructive framework. In recognizing Shakur from gangsta rapper Snoop Dogg, Eithne Quinn depicts him as “the emotionally expressive soul man of civil rights, troubled and angry, Tupac resonated with the departed soul brother of Black Power” (Powell,174). Validating the familiarity with the need to dissect the communal issues, Marcus Reeves depicts the lyrics "Trapped" and "Brenda's Got a Baby" on the introduction collection 2pacalypse instantly like “songs of protest lashing out against poverty, racism, and crooked cops” (157), furthermore terms the artist associated and candid despondency the “passionate disclosure of the inner-city blues” (159) His awareness of his gloom and his calming toward oneself conduct give a cement sample of his modern mindfulness. It likewise shows his understanding that he is not basically a fiend additionally meets the essential criteria of an individual with a double analysis.
“Black on Black Crime in the Hip Hop Industry” Black on black crime is the biggest issue that lives within the hip hop community. The problem these days is that people are so worried about what everybody thinks about then rather than just living life to the best of their ability. You got people hating on whose got more money, who’s selling crack on which corner, or who can pull more “bitches”. The music that is around for young children to see is outlandish. Nobody cares about what car’s you drive anymore, or about how much money you have.
Consequently, animosity builds up towards Black people. This is where the concept of “black on black” is introduced. Since crime is so glorified in hip-hop, many teens do not know how to swallow their pride and look the other way in fear of being labeled a