i really really hate seeing black men as portrayed juxtapositions to innocence and kindness in memes, internet jokes and the like. and seeing them proclaimed as “wholesome,” when they are just like. Being “human” people that aren’t being masculine in the way they are thought to be being exceptional and surprising ! it snitches on you! every time!
you gotta ask yourself, why does this idea of opposition effect you? why does a black man handling a kitten illicit that response from you? why does a meme talking about kindness and love with black men in the bg holding up gang signs feel the way it feels? what are these jokes saying about your humor? humor is a tool to interact with larger society, it’s a tool you gotta make sure isn’t being sharpened as a weapon in your hand
@closet-keys thank you so much for reminding me of my favorite videos on this topic. good context that is mentioned in this clip is also that demi is a short man (5’4”-5”), dark skinned and has locs so i bet he gets this A LOT.
i especially appreciate his insight on how it makes him feels desexualizing and like a fucking puppy because two things are happening here.
the desexualization speaks to the default image of black men in the social consciousness. they are “bucks,” “studs,”‘mandigos,” and so on and so forth. the juxtaposition confirms the expectation of what a black man is and isn’t. black men are Meant to be sexual objects defined by aggression and desire so it’s surprising when they aren’t !
the feeling of a puppy, personally makes me think of the inverse of it being a dog or a cur. there is ownership here, there is an expectation of wildness and dehumanization. god it even has infantilization! it’s got it all. a dog is only good when it can be controlled, unthreatening, and malleable to training. that is how white women Especially see black men. and im going to also say that white queers, yall do this SO FUCKING MUCH, to black men it’s disgusting. whether it’s in fandom or in the news, it’s omnipresent and disgusting
