What happened to the real Black Renaissance Men of the world? The supposed products of illustrious HBCUs such as Howard University and Morehouse College. What happened to the black men who referred to his female black counterparts as "sisters", are well informed about the history of his nation and have traditional views on relationships and sex? What happened to those men? Where are they hiding?
Being a sophomore at the #1 HBCU, Howard University, coined as "the real HU," I struggle with finding "REAL" black men. I understand that many of us are young and still growing in ourselves and men can easily argue that there is a lack of real black women but something's got to give! I feel as though I know a lot of people at Howard who can be rappers...and that's not ok. Rarely do I hear discussion about political views, religion, socioeconomic issues or just overall setbacks in our society. I do, however hear countless arguments about who's a better rapper, what football team is better, the discussion of lightskin vs. darkskin and other amateur topics. Brothers, I don't want to rush your growth but I do encourage your maturity. Educate yourself outside of your 16 credits. Figure out why exactly you are a student at Howard University or whatever school you attend. Talk about that. Talk about your dreams, aspirations and how you're going to get there. Those vibrations will keep our generation united, motivated and together. Have my black sisters fall in love with your DIGNITY not your DI..... Speak to people. Engage in conversation. Relay your knowledge to the streets. Open the door for ladies. Let them go on the shuttle first. Offer up your seat. Help her pick up her books. Compliment on her outfit. Say hello and good morning! If you like her, take her out somewhere...not straight to your dorm room. Go to the park, go see the monuments, walk around U Street. Don't make excuses, just do it and be efficient. Be verbose! It's time for a change...like a real one.
This is very good. Now address the females
ReplyDeleteThe problem that I see is that real black men are constantly put down by other black men and women because they want more for themselves. They hold the door for a lady and she doesn't say thank you, they do a favor for a wan and are labeled as "soft", they read a book and people question them, as if it's irregular. Im tired of people assuming and expecting all black men to fit
ReplyDeleteinto the same mold.
I love modern rap culture but I honestly think it is to blame. Most young men aren't strong enough to be a "real black man" as you defined it when other young black men (those who are infuenced by the media, rap culture, etc.) are in opposition to that type of individual.
ReplyDeleteIt takes time for black men to grow mentally but now days its more the games that both side are playing that keeps us from true love or real relationships ... Jbigz
ReplyDeleteReal men, black or white, are hard to find period. Correction real people,male or female, are hard to find. Chivalry has died and people are infatuated with superficial things. I also agree with Aaron. The issue isn't solely the fault of the black man, there are many contributing factors that enable him to act as so. In today's society for every 1 girl who falls in love with his dignity there is probably 10 who would love his DI...but the point is in society where easy/less difficult/fast is the most preferred option, it's hard to expect the black male, or people in general to be righteous. The Black Renaissance man has disappeared because society has changed dramatically, unfortunately for the worse. Blame can be placed on exterior factors, but also on the individual. Although we are all products of our environment...it's hard to pin point where too make the change.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I feel that black love has been de-valued, thus leading to the black man being constantly scrutinized by his female counterparts. A personal story: The other day a girl mentioned someone that I found attractive who happened to be a dark skinned, black female. I stated that I found her attractive and the girl that I was having a conversation with was astounded. Things like this are so detrimental to black relationships. For example, how many cases are there that go down just like this, but instead of even speaking on it, it is just assumed that all black men like one certain type of female and block out all other types. That means that every time that assumption is made that's one less interaction between a black male and a black female, one less chance of relationship, and one less chance for black love to flourish. I feel like a lot of the problems we encounter as black americans stem from assumptions that can be avoided if we just open our minds and think a little broader.
ReplyDeleteP.S. When I speak about the cases of black females assuming black men like only one certain type of woman, I am not saying ALL black women make that assumption...only the narrow minded ones.
Like i have always said chivalry is dead. not solely because men of nowadays do not know how to be a gentle man but because i feel women allow them to behave like that. All of a sudden it's considered an achievement if a man (especially a black one) attends school, has a job, and does not have any children. women of today compromise their standards. These are attributes that a man are SUPPOSED to embody.
ReplyDeleteyes the majority of black men lack the zeal to acquire knowledge outside the typical realm of sports and other forms of entertainment but i believe thats due to society. As a society where do our priorities lie? entertainers (especially athletes and musicians) receive a substantial amount of money as well as attention we treat them almost as royalty whereas, our police, firefighters, teachers etc suffer budget cuts and go almost unnoticed.
What is a "REAL BLACK MAN" ? Furthermore , why must we distinctly look at him as such? Until he is considered a "MAN" in general than I believe we are hampering him and down playing all that he is and belittling him from being all that he can be. (sorry for digressing as I get back on track). State of mind , general principles and morals that one is raised and brought up on become what one might seek and be attracted to later in life. So what you view and perceive as a "BLACK MALE" one may not and for a few females Howard University might be full of "BLACK MALES". I believe that the "BLACK MALE" in question is a state of mind and preference. Almost like "taste-buds for a relationship" and what might be good for you someone else might not like at all.
ReplyDeleteOne point I will make , that I strongly believe in happens to be upbringing and how someone was raised by a parent or particular environment. Ergo , if one is raised on the belief of "going after someone with money" and material items their definition of what they want is just that.
It all lies in perception and preference.
Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. is one person who I believe many would consider a “REAL BLACK MALE”. His education as well as intelligence is one that I don’t think has to be debated due to his outstanding achievements at graduating from illustrious universities at such a rapid past and such a young age. But I have also seen photographs of him with his colleagues where they are in a pool hall playing games of Billiards as well as smoking cigarettes. Now though I was not there and can’t speak for sure I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that they weren’t engaging in conversations of the aforementioned , political views , socioeconomics or religion.
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ReplyDeleteWhich brings to mind the saying “judging a book by its cover”. With an prestigious university such as Howard where students had to have grade point averages as well as pass the proper scholastic test to be granted admission I’m sure a good percentage of the males there are not dense. (Not saying that everyone in college is smart). But I say that to raise the point of I guarantee when Dr. King was in college , females said the same thing about him or viewed him in a particular way. Now his openness to engaging in those conversations are another story , but when you walk by and listen in on or engage on conversations that ‘s main focus on which rapper or which football team is better doesn’t mean that you can’t embark on other conversations , it just might be you don’t choose to at the given moment.
If females aren’t asking for more and are settling for what is in front of them and aren’t going to push males to be better. Just like in styles of parenting it can go the same way for females and their standards and they have to question whether they are going to be authoritarian , authoritative and permissive in the sense of the type of male they want. You brought up the point of taking a female straight to a dorm room instead of to the park. But what about the female who is willing to go to the room without second guessing. If she is making it easy for a guy then he feels as if he doesn’t have to work and go the extra mile and that his perception can be it is always that easy. There will always be multiple variables that you can always argue for either side. But I do believe if there were all strong “BLACK MALES” females would never be 100 percent happy and then there would be another point someone would argue. We are creatures of habit and we need something to nag about.
From reading the article the picture that seemed to be taken around the late 1930's - 1950 era (the make of the Chevrolet is how I came to my conclusion) my personal opinion that I came to upon reading this article is that from decades past men the "BLACK MALE" was better than what he is now and that he is becoming a dying breed or endangered species. (My conclusion from the ambiance of the picture attached though it wasn't mentioned in the article). So I raise the point of who is to blame for the “BLACK MALE” being like he is now. Certain morals and chivalry are DEAD and our PARENTS killed them. Who else was there to teach us and for us to learn from and teachings for us to study.