Black Manhood
Yesterday, I attended a book club meeting with a few of my friends. The book that we were discussed dealt with the incarceration system and its affects on Black Men. A blind man can see that there is a disproportional amount of Black men in the US prison system than white men and that this problem has manifested since the times of reconstruction. Nevertheless, recent decades have shown that the trend in Black male incarceration have not simply continued but have also become more acceptable by members of our own race. Some young black boys view it almost as a Rites of Passage because it has become “cool” to go to jail, or get shot. Their definition of manhood is encompassed by the physical and mental strength that is exemplified when a man goes to jail time that he is incarcerated results in time that he is away from the family and removed from the leadership roles in the community. he is emasculated because in prison, he has to submit to the rules that have been set forth, he has little influence or connection to his community and he can barely provide for his family. When he gets out of jail, he struggles to find a job and is so removed from the leadership roles that he simply doesn’t fulfill them in the ways that are needed. He embraces the experiences and passes it off as something that is okay.
On the flip, black manhood is also characterized by gender roles - the notion that a man should act as the primary provider, head of household and a constant force of discipline and understanding; his ability to leave an impression on both his family and community. In roots, Kunta Kente, had to go thru an entire physical and mental training and his father was always seen as the vessel of guidance and stability. Manhood was less dependednt on ones ability to get away with a crime or go to jail for a crime, but it was reflected upon the values of family and physical & mental strength.
In some cases, people commit crimes because they are left with little options, but the young brothers who knowingly and carelessly do things that will get land them in jail need serious guidance. The acceptance of prison as a step toward manhood deeply conflicts with the gender roles, the history and needs of our people. It also focus women to fulfill the gender roles of both men and women, which in turn, sets a new example for young black children. In working to solve the many problems that we face as Blacks in America, we have to work to re-evaluate the values within our community and re-develop the ways of our past.
