Understanding a Black Man

Stereotypes generally group a category of people together under one flag that sums up what they are about. In the instance of black men, there are many contributing factors that make them who they are and determine their outcome. Many of the outcomes are similar and can be attributed to culture and perception. Understanding a black man means taking time to conceptualize his surroundings and upbringing as well as the roots from which he sprang.

Instructions

1. Process his upbringings. As with any other racial divide, black men in America come from different backgrounds. Many came from humble to poor beginnings and were raised by parents with unequal to inadequate educations. Change has come in the form of desegregation to many of these neighborhoods but has not yet been longstanding enough to have effected an entirely new generation of desegregated parents and children.

2. Note the differences in culture. Black culture in the United States is just beginning to emerge and be validated on a whole. Many of the ideals and deep cultural claims that other races can point to as attributes to their existence cannot be done in black culture. It has often been said that those who forget where they come from lose sight of where they are going. Slavery, although it ended many years ago, dealt a devastating blow to black men being able to hold fast to their culture and practices. This meant that after the psyche of the black mind changed from slavery, a new culture had to be formed from the ashes of what was left behind.

3. Refrain from stereotyping immediately. No one likes to be placed in an unsuitable category and this is the same for black men. Often, black men are framed as gangsters, thieves, no good, evil, violent and inarticulate. These stereotypes only perpetuate more of the same attributes to be shown to those who are ignorant to the distinct differences. Just as with any other person, taking the time to get to know a black man will allow you to see what type of person he is before judging or making false assumptions.

4. Converse with the individual. Just as no two people are alike, no two black men are just alike and it is necessary to find the distinctions by getting to know him separately. Having a conversation with a black man will afford you the chance to know him for who he is. Watching to see his reactions in times of turmoil or stress will also give you an idea of the content of his character even if he is not the one directly under pressure.

5. Recognize the immediate differences. Besides the darker skin, there are immediate differences in the general reaction of most black men. Being from a more expressive background, many black men do not back down from serious or offensive verbal or physical confrontation. This is often due to a lack of positive leadership and role models and the constant subconscious need to prove themselves while simultaneously trying to break the trend of being thought of as unequal or inadequate.

Tips & Warnings

• Separating black men from the pool of all men may hinder your ability to relate to them as people.

• Refrain from making assumptions that because someone is a black male, he should partake in all black events such as Kwaanza or that he only likes rap or hip hop music.