Let me preface my FB lecture with a bit of gratitude. I applaud you sir for researching and bringing some form of a well informed argument to the table, but the question is the information valid. As I look down the 100 pts of The Black Male Privilege Checklist I find many of these points don’t demonstrate more “privileges” for so called black men. Just follow the numbers and lets go point by point.
1. I don’t have to choose my race over my sex in the political matters. -Tell me one time in the history of the United States where the black men’s agenda was getting black men rights at the exclusion of their women. Last time I checked we were trying to dodge the black codes, slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, and all types of oppression. Men and women both got beat down. Male or female, we were both oppressed. If the house is burning how can you begin to point out whose part of the house isn’t getting chard as bad? This is dumb in itself. Why not put out the fire and build back up together rather than arguing who had it worse. No one asked the women to choose their sex over the community. They did that on their own in the sixties. Look how well that worked out for the Black Community. The civil rights movement was for the community, not for men.
2. When I read African American History textbooks, I will learn mainly about black men.- Really??? The Anti-bellum South classes and various other classes I took while a history minor at Murray State University and the elective courses I took in Pan-African Studies at U of L proves that this author must not have went to a good school. I learned quite a bit about Ida B Wells, Mary McCloud Bethune, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and the names go on and on of all the great women who fought side by side with the men. Not to mention if a person wants to learn they can go to a library or do their own research. History Textbooks don’t tell the true history of the Black Community and who we were called before slavery. It doesn’t even say were we are from. Hints we are called African-Americans but what nation? We are called so-called blacks, but my skin tone matches my Blackfoot Indian Great Grandfather and Great Great Grandmother, Just saying.
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3. When I learn about the Civil Rights Movement & the Black Power Movements, most of the leaders that I will learn about will be black men.-That’s a lie too. Isn’t Elaine Brown was the first leader of the Black Panther Party. Secondly, during the civil rights movement they were practicing what we now call Terrorism on black people. They blew 4 little girls up at a church. They lynched hundreds of men and women, unleashed the dogs on us, and flung bricks at us. I wouldn’t want my mother or woman out in this kind of atmosphere in the forefront. Would you like your wife getting the brakes beat off of her, or would you be a man and fight for her and your daughter? Just asking.
4. I can rely on the fact that in the near 100-year history of national civil rights organizations such as the NAACP and the Urban League, virtually all of the executive directors have been male.- And the point is? Why does it matter that all the executive directors were male. I could have sworn that back in the early 1900’s white men ran everything and they looked at black people as 3/5 of person. The white men barely listened to us. Do you think they were going to listen to our women? Secondly, these organizations you speak of weren’t even started by African Americans. That’s one of Americas best kept secrets. Something to think about my friend.
5. I will be taken more seriously as a political leader than black women.-The question about this is taken seriously by whom? Are we speaking the white population, black men, the black community who? I am sure if there is a great black female leader out there she will be listened to. Case in point, a lot of brothers and sisters listened to Harriet Tubman and made it to freedom. Again another moot argument.
6. Despite the substantial role that black women played in the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement, currently there is no black female that is considered a "race leader". – And how is this black male privilege? What black woman has propped herself up as a race leader. For that matter what male is our race leader? After Malcom and Martin we have been starving for a leader. Jessie and Sharpton are not Race leaders.
7. I can live my life without ever having read black feminist authors, or knowing about black women's history, or black women's issues.-Is that a black male privilege? I didn’t know they had a class on black women’s history or black man’s history. I thought we had African American history in general. Not even going to waste my time on this waste of an argument. This is not black male privilege. They don’t teach black male history anywhere.
8. I can be a part of a black liberation organization like the Black Panther Party where an "out" rapist Eldridge Cleaver can assume leadership position.-and guess what we can be a part of the United States where the government can be filled with men and women with Anti-African-American views. Tea party? Conoservatives? What are is this guy talking about? Was the brother Eldridge Cleaver rapping women while he was a part of the Panther Party, and was he raping them when he was the leader? By the way there are several men who have been charged with rape, and were later exonerated of the charges because the woman later came out and said it was a lie. Case in point Brian Banks. That could be black female privilege right?
9. I will make more money than black women at equal levels of education and occupation. –Alright I think you might of got me…. Pause. How many black men are on equal levels of education as black women. Black women make more money then black men and that is noted. Not to mention because of children black women are able to get government assistance while brothers suffer. Just saying.
10. Most of the national "opinion framers" in Black America including talk show hosts and politicians are men.-How is this black male privilege? The opinion framers? Have you not looked at twitter, facebook, or youtube? Ebony Magazine, and various other outlets. This idea is preposterous. We don’t have privlige to frame any opinions. Women out number us… that’s why every black man is a good for nothing… “shut yo mouth” in the eyes of the younger generation.
11. I have the ability to define black women's beauty by European standards in terms of skin tone, hair, and body size. In comparison, black women rarely define me by European standards of beauty in terms of skin tone, hair, or body size.- This is a very laughable argument. We don’t judge our women on European standards. They judge themselves on that standard. I love women that rock natural, and don’t put a lot of make up on, but they still think it’s the standard of beauty. Brothers aren’t pushing this. Black women hate on each other and talk about “good hair” Black men don’t care. Just keep it together. By the way body size, okay you got me. Black men should want to marry and love the most obese women on earth and not want them to get in shape for their health. Really? Who do you usually see at the gym, Every other race of women but our beautiful sisters. There are a few that be there, but the majority be staying at home trying to keep their hair together. Still no privilege.
12. I do not have to worry about the daily hassles of having my hair conforming to any standard image of beauty the way black women do.-This is not black male privilege again. Black men are just done with conforming to American Society. And to be honest look at people like Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, and Justin Beiber to name a few. Acting black makes them cool in the eyes of society. That’s not our fault people want to rock that “Black Male” Culture.
13. I do not have to worry about the daily hassles of being terrorized by the fear of gaining weight. In fact, in many instances bigger is better for my sex.- What?? With the way our community is so overweight this one is a joke. Come on Dog!!! This is not black male privilege. In most cases, black men aren’t as obese as black women statistically speaking. I love my sisters, but they do need to tilt, tuck, and tighten a lotta bit in some cases.
14. My looks will not be the central standard by which my worth is valued by members of the opposite sex.-Dammit, you got me… Sike. No looks may not be central but looks are a very important part of the female equation and the most important part is the materials you have obtained and the money you have made. No, ifs, ands, or buts about it. No privilege here sir.
15. I can purchase pornography that typically shows men defile women by the common practice of the "money shot.- this isn’t black male privilege. Who runs the porn industry. Black Males don’t so we can take this off the page. Laughable argument.
16. I can believe that causing pain during sex is connected with a woman's pleasure without ever asking her.-Say what? Who is coming up with this. This is not black male privilege this is ignorance. I usually care about the woman I am sleeping with so guess what I make sure it is as pleasing as can be and I make sure that it is not painful. Just saying this has nothing to do with the entire group of men, just a few knuckle draggers. But I guess its okay to judge all of us by these cats.
17. I have the privilege of not wanting to be a virgin, but preferring that my wife or significant other be a virgin.-Really? This is not a black male privilege? Black Female virgins over 12 are dayum near extinct. Come on dog!!! I haven’t met too many black men worrying about this. Our main concern is how many kids she got.
18. When it comes to sex if I say "No", chances are that it will not be mistaken for “Yes".-not true again. The hardest part about this subject is women have to take an honest look at themselves and their sisters. There are quite a few of them who play the all nice and subtle girl game when actually she’s someone who plays musical beds. They will play Holy when actually they are a hoe. Been there, seen that, this point is a joke.
19. If I am raped, no one will assume that "I should have known better" or suggest that my being raped had something to do with how I was dressed.- this isn’t black male privilege. This has nothing to do with black men. Black women have locked quite a few men up for rape and no one asked why she dressed that way or why she was in a certain person’s hotel room at 330 in the morning even though she was a pageant girl. Ask MIKE TYSON.
20. I can use sexist language like bonin’, laying the pipe, hittin-it, and banging that convey images of sexual acts based on dominance and performance. – Are you effin kidding me. This is not a privilege. Again this is some dumb knuckle draggers. With all these black male privileges maybe I can finally find a place where I don’t have to worry about the George Zimmermans of the world. Dayum.
21. I can live in a world where polygamy is still an option for men in the United States as well as around the world.-This is black male privilege? What brothers in the neighborhood have you seen with multiple wives? We can barely afford health insurance let alone multiple wives and children. This is laughable again. Please tell me who has multiple wives?
22. In general, I prefer being involved with younger women socially and sexually.-How is this black male privilege. Older women can kick it with younger men now. Look at Keisha Nicoles Mother Frankie, Lebron James Mother, and various other women.. They are scooping up younger men. This is some bs. In America the Cougar Movement is heavy. This is not a privilege of just black males.
23. In general, the more sexual partners that I have the more stature I receive among my peers.- This isn’t black male privilege. This has something to do with the women. We are controlling the thoughts of her peers, and we aren’t controlling the thoughts of her mothers and grandmothers. By the way, as a woman getting men to have sex is much easier then men. Doesn’t really require work. If a woman is offering there will be a man willing to check it out. Come on man.
24. I have easy access to pornography that involves virtually any category of sex where men degrade women, often young women.-Really? The pornography again? By the way pornos like Ghetto Gaggers show black women getting pissed on and spit on by White men. We don’t have anything to do with this. Not a privilege. They can go rent the dayum flicks too.
25. I have the privilege of being a part of a sex where "purity balls" apply to girls but not to boys.-Purity Balls? How is that black male privilege? Some of these arguments are just ridiculous. Really. Where are they pushing these purity balls, and what women are being shamed because they can’t go. Womp Womp Womp!!!!!
26. When I consume pornography, I can gain pleasure from images and sounds of men causing women pain.- This is scary and crazy at the same time. How is this black male privilege.
I thought about refuting all 100 pts but this checklist is a joke. Even this brother couldn’t make a good argument on Black Male Privilege. These privileges aren’t privileges they are choices. Black Men are not getting hired at a higher rate, we are not getting benefits black women do not get, we are not getting special treatment in the court system when it comes to women. It’s not like we get to put 6 or 7 Baby’s daddies on child support only to find out none of them are the father and then do it another 15 to find out I don’t know who the father is.. Oh my bad that’s a female privilege. Its not like we can’t divorce our wives, take half of their assets, take the kids, take the house, and only give you two weekends a month to see the kids. Oh that’s a female privilege again. Lastly its not like we don’t get to procreate lots and lots of kids we can’t take care of personally and expect the government to do it. Oh wow it’s the women again. All these black male privileges have worn me out. WHEW!!!
