2 minute read
An Ode to Black Men
from WARTIME FALL 2020
I am more aptly brought to the thought of men being in their bags about Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B’s W.A.P, when it’s the norm to rap explicitly about non-consensual sexual acts with women (see Rocko’s U.O.E.N.O. featuring Rick Ross and Future). We must examine the intersection of prejudice towards women: where we are primarily seen as sexual beings, yet not valued for our humanity. The prejudice Black women specifically endure due to misogynoir, the specific combination of anti-Black and misogynistic treatment of Black women, where both race and gender play harmful roles in bias. Misogynoir was coined by Dr. Moya Bailey, a Queer Black Feminist, and Trudy of Gradient Lair, who deems herself a womanist.
More than anything I find myself wanting to be vigilant in shining the light upon Black Men and if I am being fully honest, begging Black Men to extend humanity towards Black Women. A humanity which entails calling on your boys to do better when you know they are doing some fuck shit. Calling on yourself to do better, which maybe looks like seeking professional help to dismantle internalized white supremacy and toxic masculinity.
We live in a world where we are constantly exposed to the death of our own. It’s not ok. And it’s ok that you’re not ok. Honestly, how could you be? I implore Black Men to believe Black Women on the first try. Why should we need to prove to you that we are telling the truth when we confess harm, violence, and mistreatment? Just like we believe you deserve to exist and not fall victim to police brutality, we, as Black Women, need you to believe in us. To love us.
By Sinikiwe Dhliwayo
BLACK MEN BUILD 2020
STREET VIOLENCE
HOMELAND SECURITY
By now you’ve probably heard about Operation Legend, the Trump Administration’s current effort to get “tough on crime” and restore “law and order” in some of America’s most crime-ridden cities. Historically, politicians have used “law and order” as a means of gaining the trust and support of their constituents and financial backers but what does that really mean to Black and brown men, women, and children, who often suffer disproportionately from both violent crime and over-policing? It means that our communities will be surveilled, abused, and attacked by local AND federal agents just to give white folks the impression that Trump has us, scary ghetto dwellers, under control.
The Operation carries the name of LeGend Taliferro, a four-old boy who was shot and killed in Kansas City, MO June 29, 2020. I guess naming it after a black victim of violence is supposed to give us the impression that the Feds are on the side of the people. Do you think they’re finally making up for COINTELPRO? -Unlikely fam. According to the Department Of Justice, Operation Legend is a “sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime” (www.justice.gov). So far, St. Louis, Chicago, Cleveland, Memphis, Detroit, Kansas City, Albuquerque, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia have all had agents from the FBI, the DEA, and the Department of Homeland Security making their presence known, flanked by the local cops.
