TOXIC MASCULINITY AND BLACK MALE VULNERABILITY SERIES: PART 2

"Don't show emotions", "don't cry", "don't act soft", "don't walk like that", "don't dress like that", "don't talk like that", "you're the man of the house", and "you have to be strong". These are some of the things that Black men get told. Why is that? Many Black men are raised by Black mothers, or influenced by outside people such as members of the neighborhood they live in, people in their schools, family members, friends, people they watch on TV, and more.

Have these individuals played a role in shaping the way Black men are perceived today? Of course, the nurturing had to have started somewhere. The question is why? Why are they nurtured in that way? This is something that affects them currently in society, whether it's with their personality, in their relationships, with them being parents themselves, and even their sexuality. This is what contributes to them being naturally guarded, not able to express themselves, not being able to be vulnerable,  hiding their sexuality,  not wanting to show emotions, or not having a healthy relationship with others. This also has a significant impact on their mental health, which is one of the things in today's society that is ignored.  

To be male in this society is difficult, as males are viewed and heard in a certain light. To be a black male in this society is to confront and battle all the stereotypes that were portrayed about not only your gender but your race from different points of history. 

So what happens when Black men try to leave this toxic stereotype of generational trauma? What happens when they try to prove those labels wrong? What happens when they go against everything that society thinks of them and prove themselves to be different? To not be the stigma that is portrayed? To be someone successful? Smart? Wealthy? Loving? Queer? Amazing Father? A role model to their neighborhood?...And much more. 

 Well, that society either supports them, especially when they are in certain lights or scenery, or tears them down. Our society can be our biggest supporter, but also our biggest enemy, and I am sure you're aware of how that can happen.

A lot of Black men get pushed into sports from a very young age, even when they have no interest in it. There are many reasons behind the pressure for black young boys to be involved in sports; it could be pressure from family, pressure because of their height, the shape of their body or speed, pressure from the school, pressure from their neighborhood, and even pressure from themselves. Black men are pressured to fit a specific vision that others expect from them, rather than what they want for themselves.

In 2019, statistics noted that only 28% of Black men ages 25- 29 had a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 30% of Black women. When it comes to white men, it is over 40% and nearly half of white women. 4% of Black men have a master's degree, 9% of Black women, 8% of White men, and 13% of White women. What is the reason that Black men don't feel the need to continue their education in hopes of receiving these degrees? Black boys are statistically more at risk of remaining stuck in poverty, not only because of the stereotype they are forced into but because of their neighborhoods, the influence, and the mental generational trauma. It is not easy for them to break out of this toxicity and be able to express vulnerability in their community. 

Black men tend to have early deaths compared to any other race. Why is that? Black youth are extremely vulnerable. and statistically won't live past adolescence because of the lifestyle that they are forced into. In the criminal justice world, black men face a much higher chance of being incarcerated, make up the largest share of prisoners, and are more likely to commit crimes. So, how can young black male youths break this stereotype amongst them? How can they not fall into the statistics, and how can they just be themselves and be free from the generational trauma? I will go into a discussion about this in Part 3. 

 Sincerely,

Kassandra Vivu

Author, Content Writer, Creator

edited by

OG TRXDE

WORKS CITED

Reeves, R. V., Nzau, S., & Smith, E. (2020, November 19). The challenges facing Black men – and the case for action. Brookings Institution.