Black Males
Jaisha Andrews
Mrs. Considine
English 101, Section 506
7 August 2012
The Negative Effects of Being a Black Male in a “Post-Racial” Society The University of Tennessee has 28,000 students, in which 7.59% of that total is African Americans. Of that 7.59% of African Americans, only 998.8 of them are African American males. Once these black males graduate, they will begin to search for the desired career that they have academically and socially prepared for at the University of Tennessee. Every day, job openings become available to people who are whether, not happy with the job they currently have, or those who simply want to work in a field of their desire, but what do you do when you are one of those African American graduates whose identity is an automatic degrading factor to your acceptance of your desired job or career? The year of 2012 is one of the most racially controversial years due to the re-election of the first African American president and homicide cases such as Trayvon Martin’s that involve a multi-racial Hispanic American murderer. These current issues are not the only supporting evidence for black males’ stereotypes that play against their opportunities, but historical issues are the originating factors of these ongoing stereotypes that will help one understand its existence. Historical events such as the slavery of Africans embody the origin of black males’ stereotypes and limitations. Jamel K. Donnor is an Assistant Professor in Curriculum and Instruction with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies, Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. In “The Education of Black Males in a “Post-Racial” World,” Donnor is addressing the stereotypes against black males and how they affect their lives and opportunities. Donnor notes that “with the election of the first African American president, many individuals have enthusiastically declared that America entered a new era where
Mrs. Considine
English 101, Section 506
7 August 2012
The Negative Effects of Being a Black Male in a “Post-Racial” Society The University of Tennessee has 28,000 students, in which 7.59% of that total is African Americans. Of that 7.59% of African Americans, only 998.8 of them are African American males. Once these black males graduate, they will begin to search for the desired career that they have academically and socially prepared for at the University of Tennessee. Every day, job openings become available to people who are whether, not happy with the job they currently have, or those who simply want to work in a field of their desire, but what do you do when you are one of those African American graduates whose identity is an automatic degrading factor to your acceptance of your desired job or career? The year of 2012 is one of the most racially controversial years due to the re-election of the first African American president and homicide cases such as Trayvon Martin’s that involve a multi-racial Hispanic American murderer. These current issues are not the only supporting evidence for black males’ stereotypes that play against their opportunities, but historical issues are the originating factors of these ongoing stereotypes that will help one understand its existence. Historical events such as the slavery of Africans embody the origin of black males’ stereotypes and limitations. Jamel K. Donnor is an Assistant Professor in Curriculum and Instruction with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies, Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. In “The Education of Black Males in a “Post-Racial” World,” Donnor is addressing the stereotypes against black males and how they affect their lives and opportunities. Donnor notes that “with the election of the first African American president, many individuals have enthusiastically declared that America entered a new era where
Bibliography: “Doin’ Me: from Young, Black, Rich, and Famous.” The article talks about African Americans that support the music in our society and are influence from the hip hop culture. Boyd questions the influence of hip hop on athletes. He elaborates on how they dress and act like hip hop influenced men. For example, he used Rasheed Wallace, NBA player, and pointed out that he wears cornrolls and air force ones and he was the first to get fined for wearing his shorts too long in a basketball game. Boyd also talks about emotion and hip hop and being emotional on the basketball court. He stated that black basketball players have a disadvantage because if they get too emotional in the game then they would seem like a threat, but if they are not emotional enough the black basketball players will be perceived as not caring enough. Boyd also discussed how society as a whole are not able to talk about sports or music with bringing up African Americans because they play such a vital role in both of those professions. “The Education of Black Males in a “Post-Racial” World.” The Education of Black Males in a ‘Post-Racial’ World examines the discriminations and negative expectations that shape the educational and social lives of Black males. The authors elaborate on how Black males are less likely to go to school because of their autonomous mindset, and explore how, social sciences, media, popular culture, sport and school curriculum can define and restrain the lives of Black males. Donnor also elaborates on the complex needs of Black males in schools and in society, nearly classifying them as needy and unable to support themselves, dependent. Donnor discussed how opportunities and jobs are systematically organized to disadvantage Black males ultimately claiming that race still matters in 'post-racial ' America. “The New Minstrel Show: Black Vaudeville with Statistics.” Mumford discusses how today, it is very fortunate for one to be a black athlete. He elaborates on how black football and basketball players have greatly outnumbered white athletes. Mumford then scorns the fact that 18 to 25 year old surburban white males look up to and are“mesmerized by the idiomatic hip-hop jargon, the cock-of-the-walk swagger, the smooth-as-the-law-allows attire of their black heroes” (374).