Doing Fake Masculinity, Being Real Men: Present and Future Constructions of Self among Black College Men

Abstract

Through a qualitative analysis of twenty‐nine black college men at a large research university, this project explores how black masculinity is physically, behaviorally, and materially constructed from idealized images resulting in a contextually adaptive sense of self. The findings suggest that black masculinity, specifically the thug image, is symbolically affirmed or denied through a particular type of raced, gendered, classed, and sexualized discourse within black public social spaces. Moreover, these data show that maintaining this construction of black masculinity promotes bodily self‐doubt or insecurity and inauthentic intra‐ and interracial interactions. In contrast, black manhood is thought to involve more genuine interactions, regardless of the social location. Unlike doing masculinity, the idealized notion of being men allows young black men to project a future construction of self that seemingly resolves their feelings of inauthenticity or bodily insecurity.

Leaving the street alone: Contesting street manhood as a gender project

“…Hunter and Davis (1992) illustrate how black-identified definitions of manhood emphasize selfbetterment, resourcefulness, and responsibility more than competition, aggressiveness, and power. The college men in Ford (2011) similarly believed that with education and maturation they would find authenticity and meaning in 'black manhood' centered in family and spiritual connection. These definitions focus on collective emancipation of the racially oppressed rather than improving individuals' life chances.…”

“…Little research examines how they do so and to what consequence for gender inequality. In Ford (2011), black college men who did not act 'thug' risked being ostracized as gays, sell-outs, or pretty boys. Others find black boys act street to establish racial authenticity (Clay 2003, Tyson et al 2005, Carter 2006.…”

Black Authenticity: Defining the Ideals and Expectations in the Construction of “Real” Blackness

“…Middle‐class images distance from, and yet perpetuate, the same working‐class images representing what middle‐class individuals should not be, making them “safe” for consumption (e.g. Artz ; Collins ; Ford :40; Hughey, ; Tucker ). For instance, television shows, movies, and magazine advertisements – directed at White audiences – perpetuate common controlling images of the matriarch, Sapphire, and Jezebel.…”

“…Advertisements also “adhere to White standards of beauty,” or lighter skin, thinner lips, and straighter hair (e.g. Emerson ; Hazell and Clarke , 6), as light skin is associated with beauty, a higher class standing, and assimilation (Collins ; Ford ; Hall ; Hunter , ; Ross ; Wolf ). This is still reflected in Black cultural spaces, including Black beauty pageants or homecoming queens at historically Black universities (Hunter ).…”

“…These classed dualities extend through transitions into higher education, as Black students face challenges in what it means to be “Black enough.” Students often uphold controlling images in their constructions of self and others, based on accessibility and acceptance of these images (Ford ). Black college men are constrained in their presentation of Black masculinity by the “stereotypical and situational constructions of pretty boys, sellouts, gay or bisexual men, and thugs” (Ford , 51).…”