The Men's Issue

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MAGAZINE

MEN’S ISSUE

EDITOR IN CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

COPY DESK EDITORS

Mia Uzzell

Dejania Oliver

Joanne Jean Cirsten Jones

Aiyana Ishmael

FASHION DIRECTOR

COMMUNCATIONS DIRECTOR

Nadia Wilson

Tanasia Reed

PHOTOGRAPHER

FASHION ASSISTANTS

Kenton Elliott

Tiara Williams Ly’Kimbria Jackson

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Briana Yewell

PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATES Zakiah Miller-Mcfadden Lauryn McDaniels Ahriyan Adams

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES Jaylan Rawlings India Johnson

ADVISOR

Professor Francine Huff

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Gabrielle Hall, Kailyn Rhone, Dejania Oliver, A-Chai’a Jackson, Sandler Fleurima, Akilah Winters, Joanne Jean, Cirsten Jones, Vincent Jones Jr, Quintavia McKay, Kyla Hubbard

MODELS

Leo Whilby, Jivan Nkansah, Donovan Staples

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Copyright 2020 by Florida A&M University. All rights reserved. This issue of Journey magazine was produced by the student organization Journey with essential support from the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. Journey is funded through the student activity and services fees, as allocated by the Student Senate of Florida A&M University. For more information on Journey or the Magazine Program, contact the Division of Journalism at 850-599-3379, 510 Orr Drive, Room 3078, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

The End I grew up in Connecticut which many of you reading this probably forgot existed. I don’t blame you honestly. It is a small state with virtually nothing to do, but it will forever be home to me. In Hartford where I grew up, everybody knew each other. We all bonded over our boredom so there would always be parties and festivals in the city just to have something to do. Out of all the kids in the city, there was one boy who was probably the most popular person of them all. Everyone who met him immediately was drawn to his goofy personality. He was a rapper and he wanted to make it big someday.

That dream was cut short by his death caused by the Hartford Police Department.

I remember when the news came out about his death. Everyone was posting about it and sharing their absolute hatred for the officers responsible. The police department tried to do what every other department does in these cases and tried to paint him as this aggressive kid who was dangerous. As if that is a valid reason for ending someone’s life. But of course, this started a chain reaction and caused so many people to chime in with their unwanted opinions about how he should’ve just “cooperated.” Not like it would have changed the outcome anyway.

For months, his death was the main topic of every conversation. Everyone wanted justice for him and his family for his murder.

People made shirts with his face on them and shared their favorite memories of him on social media.

But, as with most cases like this, he began to disappear until he became just another murdered Black boy. His family will forever be affected by what they lost. To this day, his family along with activists in the state continue to fight for him, Zoe Dowdell, so he can finally rest peacefully.

In 2019, the officers were acquitted and their actions were ruled as justified.

Too often do we see Black men become just another statistic. Their pain and hardships are continuously displayed for the world to see, and yet more often than not the world does not do anything to take that pain away. While the stories in this magazine may not seem helpful in this case, I believe it is a start.

I want you all to take in these stories and see through the lens of the modern-day Black man. Feel their sorrow, happiness and triumphs. Laugh, cry and scream if you need to. I did, too. The stories on these pages are powerful, and they contain the memories of men who have been abused for too long. To my Black men out there, we see and hear you. I promise to always share your stories, as I hope all of you reading this do too.

Being editor-in-chief of Journey Magazine is my greatest accomplishment thus far. I have learned so much this year, and I have met many amazing people along the way. Thank you to my staff for working so hard and continuously exceeding my expectations. A special thanks to Professor Francine Huff for not only being an advisor but for being a mentor and helping me better my future. And thank you to all the readers. You keep Journey alive when you read our stories and interact with us. This magazine would not be where it is without you.

While this is the end of my road as EIC, it is not the end for my absolute love for Journey Magazine.

I know it is only up from here for this beautiful organization.

Thank you for a wonderful year Journey Mag. And thank you for the wonderful memories.

Love,

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Dejania Oliver JOURNEY MAGAZINE • April 2021

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thedef·i·ni·tion of the man

Strength goes beyond the physique Strength is how the inner soul is connected with the body, mind and spirit Society has forced so many ideas upon our men Men, you are only human and human you must be

Strength is sharing your true identity and being your authentic self Strength is knowing who you are no matter who judges Men you are only human and human you must be Strength is choosing the idea of vulnerability and being open to sharing your emotions Strength is choosing transparency Men you are only human and human you must be

Strength is knowing you’re body is not confined to look like a specific type Strength is accepting your body and all its forms throughout your life Men you are only human and human you must be

Strength is not confined to one way of dressing Strength is knowing you can dress feminine and still hold all the masculinity in the world Men you are only human and human you must be Strength is knowing you do not need to conform to the society’s way of thinking Strength is finding yourself while avoiding the depths of toxic masculinity that society has to offer Men you truly are only human and human you must be

Akilah Winters

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Dear Dad,

What I needed from you was security to feel protected and prepared for a life that was not conducive to my adolescence as a child. I’ve never felt good enough as your son. Needless to say, a relationship with you for me? Was a forced connection that I could not make sense of as I became less interested in tolerating such efforts.

The built-up anger inside from all the years of witnessing you dishonor my mom boils within me until my discomfort with you overflows.

Some say that time heals all wounds, but I am not sure when I will ever heal from the void of your absence while incarcerated almost half of my life, only to return home with the same poor tendencies of a man, whose objective is not to be a positive role model for his children. Maybe I don’t deserve that kind of love from you.

Maybe if you cared enough you would have considered why your poor actions affected me in more ways than you could ever imagine. The nonexistent affection of a father’s love doesn’t allow me to accept love from hardly any male figure I encounter. Access denied is what I am fond of. I search for love and affection in all the wrong places, only to find myself disheartened and unsure of what love is. When it’s presented I reject it, and you know why? Because your love as a father rejected me.

You looked into my eyes, as I refrained from facing your guilt, and told me that you know how badly you’ve messed up for missing my life, that you would like to do better. And as much as I wanted to believe you, I am convinced that you did not even believe it yourself when those words slid off your tongue. You handed me $50 over the crack of the truck window, as your hands trembled with shame. I mean, It’s the least you could do and I appreciate the effort .... but, respectfully I wanted to tell you to take the money and go buy yourself a clue. You can’t buy happiness, and you damn sure can’t compensate money with the pain you’ve caused. I would hate for my unforgiving heart to bleed into my progression, but I have to unlock that door.

What I want you to know now is that I am a high school graduate with an official diploma and I am a firstgeneration college student having had the opportunity to attend two of the most prestigious HBCUs: Morehouse College and Florida A&M University. I want you to know that I aspire to pursue the entertainment industry as a model and multimedia professional. I want you to know that I make mistakes every day and that like any imperfect black man without his father, I am creating a narrative to break generational curses one day at a time.

I want you to know that my main focus in life is to achieve success with a college degree in Broadcast Journalism and a life-time membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., to one day establish a nonprofit for young boys without fathers to mentor them as I was mentored. I want you to know that I am going to take care of my mom because she deserves the world on a golden platter. I want you to know the day I was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. on March 8, 2020, was the day I discovered that it was your birthday. On that same exact day, and sadly I could not ever recall when your birthday was I want you to know that I genuinely don’t know who my dad is. All I know him for is the pain that he’s caused me throughout the years. And what affects a son’s mother will always affect her offspring. I will leave you with this, My heart is guarded , but I am a work in progress. I may be shattered but I am not broken by you. Maybe you should try and love yourself better so that you can love me, unconditionally.

Sincerely, 10

A-Chai’a Jackson

JOURNEY MAGAZINE • April 2021

Powerless Powerless in in The The Patriarchy: Patriarchy:

The Black Male Experience

By Kyla Hubbard The intersectionality between race and gender for Black men creates long standing social implications within their experience. Although race lies dominantly within the most basic elements of society, the patriarchal system also serves as a fundamental part for how Black men are perceived by others and themselves. “bell hooks” acknowledges within her book, We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity, that Black men are victims of an imperialist, white supremacist, capitalist patriarchy where they are taught that manhood is associated with the ability to conquer and overpower.

The Patriarchy refers to the social system where men hold primary power through cultural norms and customs that favor men and withhold opportunity from women.

This system works diligently for those who are perceived as cisgender hetereosexual males, which results in a lack of flexibility for men in what is deemed acceptable or masculine. For Black men, the patriarchy commonly characterizes them as aggressive, hood, dark skinned and criminal which further solidifies their inferiority through gender norms and racial discrimination.

This perception of Black men comes from the historical implications of racism. Things like redlining, the revolving prison door phenomenon and the racial wealth gap all serve the same purpose of creating this demeaning trope of the Black community, specifically Black men.

The patriarchal values of men dominating women affects the relationship between Black men and women too.

“Married Black Men’s Opinions as to Why Black Women Are Disproportionately Single: A Qualitative Study,” conducted in 2010, found that 79% of Black male respondents believed that Black women were disproportionately single due to their failure to subscribe to standard patriarchal gender roles.The Black male patriarchy strives to give Black men ownership and control over Black women’s bodies.

The Black male patriarchy also prioritizes the needs and struggles of Black men over Black women. It uses the oppression that Black males face to ignore the violence and harmful perceptions of Black women.

By not participating in these patriarchal values, it results in better structural interactions. It gives a sense of hope that they’ll experience society differently than others around them.

This is a difficult situation to navigate as this choice is an attempt to protect oneself from oppression and discrimination. It’s truly a survival tactic for Black men to participate in the patriarchal structure.

“We as Black people are given the message that education and a certain class status will protect us from racism, but that’s not how racism works,” Buggs said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re doing what the structures want, they weren’t designed with you in mind.” Benefiting from gender and sexuality doesn’t negate the role that race and class plays within the Black experience.

Shantel Gabriel Buggs, an assistant professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Florida State University, believes that there is a pattern where those who are marginalized try to take back power by presenting what is structurally right. This means that they may take Although Black men have the opportunity to gain power advantage of gender norms, the patriarchy or the class system to gain some traction within the structural systems from the patriarchal society we live in, nothing will truly separate them from how powerless it is to be Black in of society.

America.

Black men have the ability to participate in the patriarchal structure which is an interesting attempt to gain some ounce of power in an extremely oppressive society.

A Black man’s experience will probably be better if he is perceived as less frightening or hood. This may mean that he “talks white,” has lighter skin and/or identifies as a cisgender straight male.

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How Society views Black Men &

F󻀃󻀃󻀃󻀃󻀃󻀃󻀃󻀃󻀃󻀃

By Sandler Fleurima

In today’s society, people often dissect the presence of femininity in men, especially Black men. Many Black men are judged for displaying feminine traits or simply living in their truths, and other Black men are praised for displaying feminine traits in a different way.

The world accepts femininity from different types of men.

For the up-and-coming male model, Hans Gaston, embracing his individuality through modeling has allowed him to find love within himself, especially at a young age.

“I decided to model at an early age because I wanted to embrace myself choosing to be different,” Gaston said. “ I felt like I had something to share with the world. Modeling has helped me gain my confidence.” For Gaston, being a model has not been a struggle for him. He always felt as if society supported his career. He shares how the support from society makes him feel as if he is going down the right path.

“I think that society embraces the idea of me being a model,” Gaston said. “They also help play a role in building my confidence by seeing something that I may not see within myself. ” Although embracing femininity unrelated to sexual orientation has been celebrated for years, homophobia is something that still exists in our community and has played a huge role in many young men's lives.

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Erick Cadet, owner of E&E Haus of Heels, believes by embracing his femininity he is embracing his individuality.

“From my experiences growing up, I believe that I am viewed as a ‘weak man’ by society because of my femininity,” Cadet said. “ I always feel like I will not be able to defend myself in certain circumstances because of the way I decide to carry myself. People make me feel as if they have power over me and it caused me to feel unhappy with myself.”

Cadet mentions how becoming an entrepreneur while experiencing judgment and negative backlash from people pushed him to overlook any hate formed against him.

He expressed how it took him many years to finally embrace who he was.

“Becoming a business owner enhanced my mindset to only focus on the positive things happening around me and to ignore the hate because it will always be there,” Cadet said. “ It took me 21 years to embrace my femininity and everything as a whole about myself.”

After being raised in a hypermasculine household, Recobe Scott, a junior theater performing arts student at Florida A&M University, expressed how coming to college changed his viewpoint on men and femininity.

He credits FAMU as the bridge he needed to cross over and view men and femininity in a different light.

“Growing up in a hypermasculine home made me view men and femininity in a negative light,” Scott said. “I was always taught that men should partake in only male activities.

Coming to FAMU and seeing the way men and femininity are embraced throughout campus opened my eyes. It’s quite an experience to be around men who are different from me and to finally hear their side.”

Scott accepts that we are living in a time where change is inevitable. Men are starting to emerge in women-dominant industries and by doing that, they are giving many young individuals hope to be whatever their heart desires.

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by Cirsten Jones

ISEXUALITY

BLACK

Sexual fluidity — bisexuality — in black men does not equate to homosexuality.

Society has created a social construct misconstruing gender roles. Men are allowed to be mentally, emotionally and sexually attracted towards both genders, for love is genderless.

Homosexuality and bisexuality, especially in black men, have become so interconnected that it has become troubling to decipher the two. According to Human Rights Campaign, more than 40 percent of people of color in the LGBTQ+ community indentify as bisexual. Yet, black men face much harder disparities within this statistic leaning toward racism and homophobia.

The controversy bisexuality stems from naysayers’ belief that being attracted to both genders is implausible. Society has deemed it a “phase,” further isolating those who actually identify as bisexual. Tallahassee resident, Ronnie Fields, expresses his vexation with our hypersexual society that continues to manipulate Black men.

“Love “Love can’t can’t be be determined determined by by logic logic or or logarithm.

Until we as a society accept logarithm. Until we as a society accept that that love cannot be a controlled variable in love cannot be a controlled variable in this this equation equation called called life life then, then, I’m I’m uncertain uncertain what what it’ll it’ll take take for for anyone anyone to to freely freely identify identify as as bisexual,” bisexual,” Fields Fields said. said.

Bisexuality in men is a complex concept that most biophobic individuals choose not to understand, whereas bisexuality in women is a much more condensed conversation and overly sexualized.

In society's eyes, a woman is not manipulated by others for their personal sexual orientations, but rather seen as sexual beings, as they are allowed to have a preference for both men and women. We deny sexually fluid men, yet we encourage women to be exactly that.

Ironically, women are applauded loudly for their desired sexual orientation, while men are pushed backstage and forced to hide.

Essence Irvin, founder and CEO of @blackqueernation, switches the perspective on the hypocrisy of women in the media.

“Women are sexy. It sells to straight men the fantasy of being with two women and having a threesome. Gay isn’t deemed sexy in society, it’s “dirty” because society and social norms are based off of cis-het men,” Irvin said. Jay Kennerso, a homes sale consultant who identifies as transgender, has his own personal thoughts on unethical societal normalities.

“I“Idon’t don’tthink thinkbisexuality bisexualityisisaacombination combinationof of gay gayand andstraight straightbut butrather ratheraathird thirdbox boxinin itself. itself.ItItshould shouldbe beunderstood understoodthat thatbisexual bisexual men mendon’t don’tend endininthe thegay gayor orstraight straightbox. box.They They are arealready alreadyininaabox. box.The Thebisexual bisexualbox,” box,” Kennerso said.

Kennerso said.

“Some women don’t actually believe men can be attracted to multiple genders. Others think bisexual men crave attention from men and women simultaneously and could not possibly be in a monogamous relationship with one or the other.”

Black men, who are already pinned as a minority, shouldn’t be penalized based on their sexual encounters as public eyes judge who they engage, or lay with. Through the media, the ideology of black masculinity is to be emotionally unavailable, inherently athletic and strong minded. A black man's sexuality should not be censored due to misguided guidelines. Bisexual black men are valid.

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The Reality of Police Brutality and Black Men

By Quintavia McKay

The harsh reality of Black men and police brutality is that it is not always physical, but a mental fight as well in our community. With the long history of separating homes, inflicting harm, or even death, police brutality is not the start of the plight against African American men, but we can all hope for it to be the last.

Since the journey of the Middle Passage, slavery and being used as test subjects for medical experiments, Black men have experienced trauma like no other and police brutality is a trickle down result.

“Their purpose was to catch slaves and they’re still doing that,” said Bradon Bolware, a graduate of Florida A&M University, referencing the origins of policing in our society.

Bolware, like many others, had preconceived notions toward police officers from what is displayed on social media and in history. The pardoning of officers in civilian shootings and witnessing death in the custody of law enforcement does not present an assuring message to those, specifically communities of color, who look to officers for safety.

According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), police brutality is the leading cause of death for young men in America and one in every 1,000 African American men can be expected to be killed by law enforcement and are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than a white man.

Bolware was pulled over and detained for illegal substances (edibles) that were not his property by the Atlanta Police Department. After spending a night in jail, Bolware now has a felony possession charge.

“They threw me on the ground. They threw me in the back of the car with the police dog and exerted harm to get me into the car,” said Bolware as he recounted his own encounter with the Atlanta Police Department.

As police brutality has evolved from the social institutions of slave patrols and night watches, modern policing standards have been called into question for their use of force that continues the aggressive tactics of the past.

Bolware’s encounter with the police was one of many as African American adults are five times more likely than their white counterparts to be stopped by law enforcement due to race and ethnicity.

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“It (police brutality) has a great factor because a lot of times police officers don't assess the situation,” said Zardeen Curinten, a senior probation officer for the Department of Corrections.

The use of force policy states law enforcement are to use the appropriate amount of force to de-escalate, arrest and protect themselves and those around them, but should be used as a last resort during any situation.

As Curinten has seen many times within the office, trauma for the African American community can be disguised in alcoholism, drug abuse, neglect and d esensitization as well. However, the everyday burden of living with a target on your back is one that is detrimental to those who experience and witness it first hand.

Even against many social and economic biases, the simple truth is that police brutality creates trauma that can convert to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Whether it is experienced first hand or told through news and social media platforms, the reality of it is true.

Recent events with George Floyd emphasizes the vast disconnect between law enforcement and the African American community. It leaves Black citizens to question whether those in place to protect are all enemies and show no remorse for their actions, eliminating the element of trust.

Dr. Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez of Columbia Psychiatry recognizes that the trauma from police brutality is one that is complicated and far-reaching in impact because of its constant repetition and absence of consequences for those who are labeled to protect and serve.

“The difficulty is that since we don’t know how each individual police officer feels or thinks it is hard to separate one police officer from the other, so it is very easy to overgeneralize our distrust of police and the justice system,” Jimenez said in an interview with Columbia Psychiatry.

Though the names and classifications have shifted, the roles and injustice in society sadly remain the same in America. The battle of police brutality and African American men cannot placate without understanding from law enforcement, the recognition of social injustices and equity in diversion tactics regardless of race.

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The Fetishization of Black Men

Slavery introduced many stereotypes about Black people that we still see and hear today.

When slaves were being sold, Black men were described as being strong and “manly,” fit enough to do hard labor but docile enough to do what their slave owners say. For a while, this description followed Black men who were forced to become exactly that. However, there was a turning point in history where the description became more violent.

Simone Drake, an African Studies professor at Ohio State University, believes that the more freedom Black people got, the more sinister the stereotypes became.

“The contradiction is that when white slave owners left their homes to fight in the Civil War, they had no second thoughts about leaving the safety of their wives and children in the hands of slaves; indeed, Black men were left to protect the white man’s family and property,” Drake said. “However, freedom and enfranchisement (voting) changed the image of the simple-minded and docile Black man into an aggressive, hyper-sexual brute who was an imminent danger to white privilege and entitlement.”

Today, these stereotypes have influenced how Black men are perceived romantically and sexually. There is a common notion that Black men are rougher and sexually charged, creating the idea that they are more desirable partners only based on those descriptors. In 2017, “Black” was the most popular category on PornHub’s site for gay men and people frequently searched for Black men in relation to their genitalia. People are purposefully playing into the hypersexuality image forced upon Black men by not only believing it but by actively seeking it.

D es

ir

Omir Clarke is a 21-year-old from Hartford, Conn., who says he is aware of the fetish people have with Black men and has been exposed to it for a long time.

“I have seen a lot of examples in real life and on social media, it is kind of disheartening,” Clarke said. “People say it’s a preference and not a fetish. But when you ask them why they date Black guys, they don’t have a reason. It’s just a weird thought process to have.”

There are signs when someone is only attracted to you based on stereotypes. People will try to connect with you based on the generalizations they know and will have no interest in learning anything else about you.

If someone tells you “I’ve never been with a Black man before” or “I usually don’t date Black men,” that is a major red flag that they are more interested in what you are and not who you are.

Francisco Docanto, a junior at Bridgewater State University, thinks having these kinds of discussions with people you meet is helpful to determine whether they have good intentions or not.

“Some Black men don’t mind playing into the stereotypes created for us but I think it is really demeaning,” Docanto said. “My girlfriend is white and we had a discussion about dating preferences and race never came up.

I think people who say they only like Black men should re-evaluate why they do.”

Black men are not a trophy or something to own. They are real people with feelings and emotions. Fetishizing anyone based on stereotypes that are far-fetched is wrong, and if you find yourself thinking that Black men are only good enough if they embody those generalizations, you need to examine your existing prejudice against them.

LUS T

Gene

l a y a r t r Po

Since the adoption of racist ideologies, Black men have been assigned stereotypes we see perpetuated by contemporary media. They have been given a hypersexual and aggressive role that then causes others to expect that behavior from them. It is demeaning, and yet it seems that the world does not care to admit that.

s n o i t a z i l ra

By Dejania Oliver

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Six Stereotypes Humans naturally find biases and comparisons to place upon others, especially depending on social class or generational background. The narrative behind these classifications result in the use of stereotypes. Oxford Languages defines a stereotype as a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. As it relates to African American males, stereotypes have been placed upon them as a byproduct of systematic racism, oppression and nearly 400 years of slavery. Many stereotypes, specifically during the period of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, were used to not only justify the basis and cruelties of slavery but to increase their value as a commodity. These harsh stereotypes have been proven to be inconsistent with the output and contributions that Black men have made throughout history.

Uncle Tom Uncle Tom is the main character in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. In the story, the character loses his life in order to protect the lives of other enslaved people rather than escaping from bondage himself. Over time, the term has been synonymous with passivity and an approach to life that portrays Black men as docile in an attempt to force them to accept their unjust circumstances and conform to white ideals.

The Black Father To justify the complex lives of the Black man, the majority use the absentee father to make sense out of the mass incarceration, school performance and other challenges that Black men face rather it be in their homes or in society.. It is imperative to mention that media outlets use the data from reputable agencies to try to spin a negative outlook on an entire group of people in efforts to explain the negative actions of some. The efforts to try to tear down Black men have been used for generations to no avail as the Black father continues to make strides for change not only in the Black community, but in society as a whole.

Watermelon Prior to the Jim Crow era, Black people would sell watermelon seeds and watermelons as a form of self sufficiency that would help the average Black man provide for themselves and their families. Being that Black people were finding ways to succeed off of their own merit, southern whites depicted the watermelon as food for the poor. From this stereotype, pictures and postcards of Black children eating watermelon in the streets was a popular form of mockery in the media. Watermelons do not require any utensils and it was said that Black people were savage since they used their hands to eat.

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s Plaguing the

BlackMan

by Vincent Jones Jr

Mandingo

The Mandingo is a sexually charged stereotype developed by white slave owners to depict an animalistic perception of Black men based on the size of their penis. The stereotype promotes that Black people are subservient to sexual instinct and because of that they are labeled as predators who thrive in beastality.

Sambo Originally a 20th century term, the Sambo refers to Black men who are generally happy, lazy, irresponsible and lackadaisical.

In the original text, the term refers to an Indian man but these facts have been lost in translation throughout history.. The term has been used as a racial slur to depict a Black man who lacks drive and is complacent.

Drug Dealers and Drug Addicts One of the more recognizable uses of stereotypes in the Black community is the notion that Black men are the sole proprietors of drug violence. The perception of inner cities dominated by African Americans has created the idea that these areas are so devoid of hope, decency and education that most Black men will either sell drugs or use them. The limiting belief that Black men only can only provide through means of illegal activity has tortured the reputation of the Black man in ways that have bound their growth in society.

There are many stereotypes that are unjustly pinned on the Black man. In order to see the true inner workings of the Black man, it is imperative that one knows that Black men are people no matter their pigmentation.

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Men Have Insecurities

Too?

by Joanne Jean

I t is human nature always to envy what you

don’t have. The curly-haired desires a straight crown, tall women yearn to be shorter and short men aspire to be taller.

It goes both ways; however, we often perceive that insecurities only exist for women as a society.

Society forces this normalization of self-deprecation through systems of oppression.

Are you envious solely because you haven’t entirely accepted yourself, or are you envious because society tells you to hate yourself? It could be both, or one could perpetuate the other.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder where individuals are obsessed with a specific or particular part of their body that may have a defect or an imagined flaw.

This chronic disorder can develop in the early stages of one’s life and can become long–term; if left untreated, it can have adverse effects on an individual’s overall functioning.

Western societies’ beauty standards have infiltrated men’s and women’s body images, catalyzing body dysmorphic ideations in our youth. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, muscle dysmorphia leads to the abuse of anabolic steroids, and studies indicate that 6-7% of high school boys have used these drugs.

“Body Image Perceptions: Do Gender Differences Exist?” a study done by Bain, Brennan and Lalonde proved that men tend to be quieter about their body negativity, seeking treatment less frequently or holding off on treatment longer than women due to shame.

Men hold in their feelings and avoid expressing themselves. Because of this, the media finds it easier to make fun of men for the physical attributes they work the most for.

“

I think body positivity in men is a lot different than body positivity in women.

”

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“Men rarely speak out about it for fear of being ridiculed or being thought of as being less manly than others for expressing their feelings about their self-image,” said Tyler Covington, a Florida State University (FSU) musical theatre scholar.

Being over six feet, having large muscular arms and an eight pack are just some common physical fixations.

Body positivity isn’t solely about one’s weight.

It also presents itself in accepting complexion or socially unconventional features that make existing in one’s body tumultuous.

“Body positivity has recently been a place for ‘fat activism,’ appreciating and accepting all bodies no matter how they look. That includes fat bodies, skinny bodies, fit bodies, non-fit bodies, abled and disabled bodies and white and black bodies. It’s understanding that some bodies are more valued than others and what we can do to break that,” said Tehquin Forbes, a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at FSU. The media also plays a hand in the stigmatizing of what an appealing man is supposed to be.

“I don’t see a lot of body positivity posts with men on social media in general and typically, that’s been a hallmark with the body positivity movement in general. But, the way men accept and complement each other should look universal,” said Theodore Walker, South Fla. visual artist.

It’s all about existing in your true form and receiving acceptance from your family, friends and community as opposed to these phobic-filled social interactions.

“I think the beauty standard in America truly varies from person to person and is more of an individual taste, but I think it’s ubiquitous for people to generally find fit, muscular, and typically white men attractive. Whiteness goes a very long way in American male beauty standards. I was raised to be proud of and to love my Blackness, but I did grow up in a mostly white community, so sometimes, it was hard to find myself attractive as I got passed over for white men that I didn’t think were as attractive as me,” said Covington.

These ideologies and perceptions are rooted in our society and have become a natural layer of our day-to-day lives; nonetheless, facilitating these conversations is necessary to dismantle this system.

“There is an inherent power in all of this and there is a power in body positivity and body politics and I believe body positivity is trying to equal that for all bodies,” said Forbes.

BDD is very saturated in the LGBTQIA+ community as trans men battle with their body image before, during and after their transition period and how gay men exist and how they choose to exude their masculinity and femininity.

“The scripts and expectations straight men pull on to define what it is to be a man differ from the expectations that queer men pull on. We all grow up learning that men must be strong and athletic to get the girl and I don’t believe that queer men use this exact script, but I do believe that there is a lot of bleed over,” said Forbes.

“In the sense that I’m gay, but the way I avoid getting picked on and proving that I’m still a man is by being strong and fit, so it’s the same end goal but different reasons.”

Your body image should be a haven for you. It should be the last place in the spectrum of who you are that is tweezed and plucked by society’s unrealistic expectations. In a broader sense, one cannot eradicate this issue until they address themselves. Create your meaning for what being a man is and find a balance between accepting your natural body and staying healthy.

JOURNEY MAGAZINE • April 2021

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Seen

Trans Men Deserve to be and

by Gabrielle Hall

Heard

Over the past five years, LGBT+ narratives have exploded from Orange is the New Black to Pose on FX. Trans women such as Laverne Cox, Indya Moore and MJ Rodriguez are influential figures of the community. But, the spotlight on trans issues has mostly been focused on transgender women, and transgender men have been largely left out of the narrative.

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Transitioning looks different for each transgender male. Some may or may not receive surgery; it all depends on their personal preference Most transgender men take testosterone which has effects on the physical appearance. As simple as that may sound, the hormone takes a tremendous toll on your mental health as well.

As trans people continue to fight for acceptance in society, transmasculine people want to be advocated for and viewed as the men they are. For some, it begins with accepting themselves and then receiving acceptance from their family and friends.

“You go through so many highs and lows, depressive moods that last for days until your next shot,” Martin said.

“Your anxiety skyrockets thinking about having to give yourself a shot every day for the rest of your life.”

Unfortunately, not all transmasculine people have the support of their peers so when society sees them as their true self naysayers’ dismissal of their identity can be demoralizing. Brandon Martin is a 22-year-old transgender male. He began transitioning around three years ago.

Martin says the transitioning stage is hard for others

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) works to change policy for trans people.

The organization talks to legislatures on government regulations and advises congressional staff to ensure policies are equal for transgender people. In the past years, the discussion of gender on state identifications has risen to the forefront of the community’s fight for equal policies.

“Transitioning is something hard to understand for somebody who hasn’t been in my shoes,” Martin said. “They’ll never understand exactly all the changes you’re experiencing and how much your emotional and mental state is affected.”

“When you are forced to be in a closet, and you can't transition, it really holds you back in the rest of your life because you can't be authentic with people,” Heng-Lehtinen said. “But, when you're able to transition, you can finally be honest with people and that really allows you to open up to your authentic self.”

JOURNEY MAGAZINE • April 2021

It is important for the IDs to properly reflect who they are. Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Indiana, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C. each allow ID-holders to select X, a gender-neutral marker, while other states aren’t as inclusive as of late.

However, the story went viral with protesters taking to the streets demanding justice for him. As for the acknowledgment of trans masculinity, they just want their stories shared just like any other transgender person. They want to know they exist, and their struggles are valid with the rest of the trans community.

Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy director of NCTE, says having the proper ID to reflect your pronouns is essential to avoid deliberate hate crimes against transgender people.“If you have the right ID, you feel safer going about your everyday life because there’s less of a risk of violence or being taken to jail for something that’s out of your hands,” Heng-Lehtinen said.

The ban on gender neutral bathrooms has made it hard for transgender males to participate in the normal activities of life. According to a study by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), transgender males are more likely to encounter transphobic violence in restrooms. Gender neutral bathrooms are important to limit the harassment and assault of trans people.

“I need to use the men's restroom, I can't go in the women's restroom, that’s not reasonable for me or a woman,” Heng-Lehtinen said. “If I’m not allowed to go to the men's restroom by law, then I can’t go to the restroom.”

Violence against transmasculine people is rarely discussed or highlighted in the media. Transgender men experience far more violence against them than people assume. There is very little data specifically on transgender men and violence against them.

Transgender males are also victims of police violence. On May 27, 2020, Tony McDade, a transgender male from Tallahassee, was shot and killed by an officer. The Tallahassee Police Department was responding to an incident that happened earlier between McDade and another individual.

JOURNEY MAGAZINE • April 2021

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Redefining

Black Boy Joy

by Kailyn Rhone

Thug

: a menacing noun that shouldn't be limited to a single group, yet its connotation is affixed to one community when it's heard or spoken: Black men. This noun is society's perfect description of how Black masculinity should be viewed; someone who is muscular, dangerous and lacks emotion.

Joy

: a noun with no limitations or boundaries to who experiences it but something that one distinct community often struggles with possessing — again, Black men. Alongside the words "Black boy," the noun automatically changes its meaning. The meaning is no longer about being happy; it's about embracing who you are abundantly when the world is seemingly against this emotion.

"We live in a society where love and vulnerability, especially between Black men is mocked or shunned," states Black Boy Joy, a film dedicated to unpacking the nuanced perspectives of Black emotion.

"At a young age, boys are taught toxic behaviors and to put up walls, because any display of emotions and preferences not deemed as ‘hard’ are coded as ‘soft’, ‘bad’, or ‘not valid. Black Boy Joy presents an alternate, nuanced, and realistic perspective.’”

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JOURNEY MAGAZINE • April 2021

Black boy joy is a celebration of being who you are in fullness and not being limited to a box of Black manhood. However, it's a celebration too often stripped away from young Black boys because they are limited to a category of endless discriminatory stereotypes ingrained in society for centuries. Yet, the 21st century is slowly yet impactfully redefining the definition of a Black man by showcasing Black boy joy globally.

Jelani R. James, Nur Ambaw and Azazus are three out of the millions of young Black boys and men across the nation who are currently representing what it means to have Black boy joy.

James, a senior Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University student from Chattanooga, Tenn., is reconstructing the monolithic myth of Black men.

He chooses to not subject himself to society's rules about Black masculinity and is comfortable in his own fragility.

"Every day that I'm alive I am changing what it means to be a Black man. As is every other black man that is, has or will ever live," said the 23-year-old.

"Black boy joy is the freedom to live without hesitation. It's unique because it's not shown often or accepted by society. I'm sure that some of the things that bring me joy bring you joy, or anyone else for that matter. Joy is joy. Black boy joy is just joy that happens to be emitting from a black boy."

Black boy joy is more than finding inner happiness and peace, but also accepting their differences. James played sports like bowling, which doesn't align with the ideal sports for Black men, but he did it because it brought him joy. James’ secure foundation and confidence was instilled in him by his upbringing, similar to 17-year-old Ambaw, whose Muslim household played a significant role in his identity.

"I wouldn't say being any specific color or race brings me joy. I just want to be accepted as me regardless," said the Alabama native.

"Be confident in the skin you're in because you don't get another super suit. Being you is your superpower.

Embrace your gift and go make a difference in your own world that others around you may not be doing.

You may inspire someone else just like you."

"I think my religion played a big role in my identity and I use it as my moral compass for almost any situation," said the senior University Preparatory Academy student.

"Black boy joy isn't a phrase I hear too much in California, but what it means to me is the moment us Black boys express our happiness openly. Going against the stereotype of Black men not showing their emotions and being a man."

Ambaw hopes to one day become a role model that Black boys and men can look up to by going against his stereotype and he's taking it one step at a time by taking on school leadership positions and watching anime. Just like 27-year-old music artist Azazus who also loves watching anime and utilizes his music to change the stigma of Black men.

JOURNEY MAGAZINE • April 2021

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Educate Empower Elevate