I was checking out clutchmagonline.com and came across an article by Dan Omi about being a Black male feminist. It was pretty interesting. But it made me start to wonder...
A man being a feminist is conceptually a good thing. But how does it work in practice?
I don't see feminism as a 'male' 'female' thing, rather I see it as a social gender perplexity. Women are undoubtedly treated as less than a man in almost every facet of society. The fight for equality extends beyond the conversation of race and rests quite nicely in the context of gender. For a man to be a feminist, he must reject the social framework that gives him social power over women. Is this something that is even possible? Can a man reduce himself to being a woman's equal (or raise a woman to being his equal) while maintaining his role as a male?
I do not think that all men consciously choose to be anti-feminism. Some men--actually, I would venture to say that a majority of men-- fall into that their position of being anti-feminism simply because they were born with a penis.
How can a man truly be a feminist if he is male? Men can campaign for women's rights and equality but by being a man in this society, aren't they fighting against their own fight? As soon as they walk out of their front door, they are greeted with opportunity and respect not granted to deserving women. It's not that they are asking for the 'special treatment', its just that they just can't stop it because of the structure of society. So, by accepting the treatment that they receive, men are essentially solidifying the unequal and disparaging treatment of women. It may not always be their fault, but men, even those who label themselves feminists, are sometimes my worst enemy...
Either way, male feminist as a possibility or not, I found Omi's piece to be pretty enlightening. Check it out below. Leave a comment here and let me know what you think!
I never set out to be a Black male feminist. Like everyone else, I was groomed to see feminists as bra burning, anti-family, baby killing, lesbians who hated men. On top of that, I was and continue to be a Pan Africanist and the idea that feminists were proponents of white supremacy was hammered into my head. So there was no way I was going to become a feminist. Slowly but surely it happened. I went kicking and screaming but here I am.
Many have asked me what is the biggest problem I encounter in being a black male feminist. While I encounter many peers who question my sanity and my sexuality because of my views on feminism, sexism, and male privilege, the biggest obstacle in being a black male feminist is myself. Probably the biggest thing that most likely prevents the average brother from becoming a feminist, outside of religious and societal conditioning, is male privilege. Yes, the big phrase that every male, especially black males, are quick to defend. Don’t believe me? Throw that word in a dinner conversation and see what happens.
Check out the rest here!!
Mz.Jonezy
