Confessions of a Social Potcake

"Confessions of a Social Potcake" aims to analyse exactly how much of the black male identity is influenced by hegemonic forces of masculinity, intellectualism, religion, paternity & fatherhood. These analyses will take the form of pictures, image files, video, various writing styles and personal recollection of events. Ultimately, "Confessions of a Social Potcake" is an intellectual examination of the black male identity, riddled with social media references, dipped in sarcasms, sprinkled with comedy and seasoned with all the misfortune and serendipity that comes along with being black, male, 21 and... a college student. Do enjoy at your leisure. Viewer discretion is advised... or not :)

[amyjdewinehouse]

[socialpotcake]

I remember this night like yesterday❤️

[makeaalexandriasuffer]

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Said the Whale, “Goodnight Moon”

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Yuna, “Bad Idea”

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Beyoncé, “Mine”

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Coldplay, “Speed of Sound”

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Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”

[socialpotcake]

Please forgive my absence readers. I have been battling an excruciating migraine for 5days now. Let's hope today is the last day cuz I really miss blogging. #Bai :3

[socialpotcake]

Does age mean maturity or is this an example of generational difference?

[socialpotcake]

Intellectualism Question #1

Does age really dictate one's maturity and/or intellectual level?

[socialpotcake]

So for my segment on intellectualism, I think I'm gonna discuss the works of a few black male writers and artists. I may even share some of my personal pieces of writing :)

[socialpotcake]

[socialpotcake]

Analyzing Black Masculinity Pt 3: Media Potrayal

Earlier, I addressed the media's role in shaping some positive and negative stereotypes on black masculinity, particulary through music. Don't get me wrong, music is a very powerful method of reaching people and getting a message across and more than anything else, music entertains and unifies those who listen to it. However, I must outline some of the negative notions that some artists have promoted through their music.

For instance, Buju Banton's song " Boom Bye Bye" (posted earlier), which talks about killing homosexuals. As I have reported earlier, homosexuality is indeed illegal in Jamaica for men and is punishable by imprisonment for up to a decade. Although I have a problem with this legislation, the focus is currently on Banton who would prefer to murder another individual because of his sexual preference. Further, it is Banton's assertion that a homosexual man is less of a man than his heterosexual counterparts.

Also, I had discussed the roles that women play in shaping the masculine identity of black males. Given that 1 in 3 homes are ran without a father present, I would say that women are highly influential in molding who men become in the future. However, could it be that the very women who are molding our sons into great men are also contributing to the survival of negative stereotypes? Songs like TLC's "No Scrubs" that bash men and highlight their shortcomings and lack of financial stability hold tremendous potential to drive those men that feel embarrassed or ostracized to resort to negative means to impress the women that initially shunned them. Do you agree or is it really a matter of self-motivation and positive aspirations on the part of men?

***Remember to post your replies to the 'what's biting you?' section of the blog to the right of this page (at the top)***

[socialpotcake]

Analyzing Black Masculinity Pt 2: History & Stereotypes

Masculinity is an issue that all men face. Whether they are defending their masculinity or defining it, masculinity determines how men are perceived and received by their families  peers and even strangers. But what exactly is it that makes a man, a man? Anatomically, a man is identifiable by the presence of a penis and testes. With the addition of clothing, we rely on characteristics such as a deepened voice, hairy face, broad shoulders and sturdy frame to categorize one as being a male. As previously stated, masculinity is a facet of the male identity that men of all races and ethnic backgrounds face in their respective societies. However, the struggle to be true with oneself while giving off a masculine air is particularly real for the black male. For black men, the media, social stereotypes and even history have made it increasingly difficult to be a black man who doesn't quite fit into the categories of thug, aspiring rapper, basketball enthusiast, aggressive jock, promiscuous womanizer, 'deadbeat daddy', church boy or gun-toting drug dealer. On the other hand, white men are often afforded the right to dress and act a little more flamboyantly, to speak a little more clearly and be a little more emotional than the average man, all while retaining his presumed heterosexual masculine identity (in most cases). What is it about black men that makes us cling to a hardened, almost unrefined image of masculinity? Is it what we really want or have we been conditioned to think that way? 

Stereotypes surrounding black men and masculinity may have originated on slave plantations as a means of helping the slave-master to distinguish which of the male slaves could be trusted, which could be easily overpowered and which would be too aggressive or rebellious and would ultimately have to be shot or lynched. History tells of two main stereotypes that are very different but still applicable to the modern black male. The first is "Mandingo", a tall and muscular field slave who is very strong and aggressive but easily soothed by kindness (if anyone dares to get that close). Mandingo was often feared by the slave-master due to his appearance and as a result he would bear the blame for many a rapes and incidences of rebellion and theft. The second plantation stereotype was "Quashee", a jolly, happy-go-lucky field slave who got along exceptionally well with the master through his role as an informant; a traitor in some instances. Quashee was often a thin man who couldn't take the physical punishment and labour that Mandingo could. Therefore he developed a rapport with the slave master that often cleared him of trouble. Now, in terms of today's modern black man, Mandingo could be compared to a thug or street hustler and Quashee could very well be a church boy or even a "yuppie" (Young Urban Professional). Thugs, gangsters and drug dealers essentially "rule" the streets of the ghettos, projects and other lower income communities just as Mandingo would  have dominated the slave community. Guilty or not, Mandingo, just like thugs would have been the first suspects in any social mishap or legal infraction and finally, Mandingo (and thugs) rule their domains through fear. Quashee, on the other hand, fits in perfectly with the modern day yuppie. Quashee was ambitious, law-abiding, very sociable and more than anything, he was fearful. He would be today's black yuppie who would not only call the police when shots are fired but also calls names. The yuppie pays taxes and seeks legal means of employment (for fear of punishment/imprisonment) and may even look down on the thugs around him. Could it be that these plantation stereotypes have transcended time, slowly evolving within our society and adapting to modern culture to serve as social survival tactics for black men throughout the years? I think so.

[socialpotcake]

Analyzing Black Masculinity Pt 1: What makes a man, a man?

When we think of a man, what factors do we consider? Is a man more brawn than brains and even less emotion? Do we expect men to be loud and unaware of trends in fashion but make up for this with an innate ability to fix nearly anything? Are men forgiven for promiscuity and infidelity because "boys will be boys" and this is a 'man's world'? Do we continually breathe life into chauvinistic, archaic stereotypes of the masculine identity because we as a people are afraid to abandon tradition and embrace an ever-changing world?

[socialpotcake]

Staceyann Chin is a fellow Caribbean writer/poet, one of my favorite poets and an inspiration to many. In 2011 she agreed to hold a symposium and spoken word night at my college (C.O.B) However, it was never approved by administration. Maybe I'll try again..

Def Poetry: Staceyann Chin- "If Only Out Of Vanity" (Official Video) (by PoeticalTvLive)

[midgetnation-deactivated2015110]

[socialpotcake]

So I went to KFC yesterday and saw that their prices went up YET AGAIN... 6.49 for a two piece!