Roles of the Black Man

There seems to be several identities available for black men to fit into. If you are in one type or another you are fine, but if you are a free thinker or someone who seems to be a bit ‘off’ by society standards, that relegates you to being pigeonholed as not a ‘true black man’.

These are the roles I’ve noticed over 43 years of living. Please understand I am not making this up. This is information freely available to anyone who looks. Is it an end-all be-all? Heck no. But it is what people get to see each night on TV. And regardless of what kind of world you would like to live in - never for one moment - think that you as a black man or woman aren’t being judged by the images portrayed on movies, TV and other forms of media.

The academic nerd – think Steve Urkel. An extremely intelligent individual usually with bad people skills and no sense of style. This person can figure out your taxes before you can say H&R Block, but he would never be invited to a party. I have looked this one up and there isn’t currently anyone alive (famous or noteworthy). It seems as though all of our best inventors and scientists shot their wad before 1972.
Ref: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmscientists1.html

The intellectual (know it all) – think Dr. Michael Dyson or Tavis Smiley. These men are extremely intelligent and well spoken. They move in social circles that usually do not include large numbers of other black men or women. Even if they were educated in traditional black colleges, they are somewhat shunned for the level of knowledge they possess and only seem to be able to connect with others of their same level ‘breeding’. People in this category are Dr Cornell West, Dr Bill Cosby, General Colin Powell and the others mentioned above.

Mandingo the Thug – the current crop of sports or music stars. Pants sagging down past their ass. Large, expensive designer clothes. Lots of diamonds and gold and ‘bling’. Weed or some other type of drug is usually part of their moniker. Or their counterparts/protégé’s the guys on the corner slinging dope or claiming to be pimps. Entire neighborhoods here in ATL are run by men like this. This also accounts for probably 80% of the black men in prison. People in this category are Suge Knight, DMX, Yin Yang Twins, Ice Cube, 50 Cent, The Game, Snoop Dogg.

The urban mogul – usually young and well monied. In business for the dollar and no other reason. Big houses, big cars. Owners of businesses like record companies, event planning agencies, night clubs, and even restaurants. People in this category are P. Diddy, Jay Z, and Russell Simmons.

The list isn’t all inclusive. I’m sure that another writer or social historian would probably be able to come up with something much more cynical and on point. My intent is to get people talking. Maybe even yelling. Whatever it takes.

I have a friend/mentor who is convinced that black men have been marginalized in film since the beginning of time. For a while I argued the point with him because I am a big fan of films. But the more I watched, the more what he said sank in. And I also noticed that the marginaliztion wasn’t just confined to movies. It happens everywhere. Steve Urkel was far and away one of the funniest characters on TV. But he was also completely not a threat to anyone. While the strong male characters on the show, Eddie and Carl, took a back seat. Even Eddies best friend, the completely clueless Waldo, was non-threatening. It wasn’t until Theo Huxtable came along that there was a hint of a black man who could be entertaining and strong at the same time. That led to Will Smiths character (played more for laughs than actual myth busting) and the character of Uncle Phil. A black judge no less who owned a huge house and had a butler. (Husband, father, provider, layer down of the law – almost too perfect)

So anyway, before I start rambling on and get truly pissed, I’ll bring this to a close.

Am I less of a black man because I love to read and write and watch old 50’s SciFi movies? (apparently yet another blight against black America in film – did you EVER see anyone black the Saturday morning monster movies?)

Am I less of a black man because I listen to all forms of music, including rock, classical, ambient, hymns and even a tiny bit of country?

I don’t think so, but sadly there are those who do.