"So well spoken!"

"Barack Obama is exploding the very facile and simple notions we have of what it means to be a black man in this society." - Historian, Jelani Cobb

Filmmaker and activist, Byron Hurt has once again, challenged us with some food for thought. The short film shown above, Barack and Curtis: Manhood, Power and Respect is his latest documentary. It takes a close look at America's morbidly limited view of black men and black masculinity, highlighting the two extremes represented by future president (God willing) Barack Obama and Curtis "50-cent" Jackson, as well society's inability to recognize the wide spectrum of black men that exist between those extremes.

Purse Clutch • 9x12 Acrylic on Canvas

I was introduced to Hurt's work in February 2007, when his documentary Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes premiered on PBS' series, Independent Lens. In it, Hurt takes an honest and critical look at gender roles in hip-hop in the same manner which you would approach an unhealthy family member who you love, but must correct on their destructive behavior. While many criticisms of hip-hop's faults miss the mark, due to the critic's bias and lack of knowledge on the culture, Hurt's critique comes from the perspective of a hip-hop head, and is informed, thought provoking, and constructive.

So it was no surprise to me that Barack and Curtis was engaging as well. It is made up of a collection of eloquent and heartfelt interviews with historians, activists and artists. Radio host and playwright, Esther Armah speaks about how she's seen gangster rap shape society's perception of black manhood, to the point where middle class black men lost their place in manhood in the eyes of women. She attributes this to the overflow of gangster images of black men in the media. This image too often influences young black men who lack male role models, until life imitates art in harmful ways.

Writer and educator, Matt Birkhold offers one of the most profound observations in this film, when he points out the manner in which "black, gangster masculinity" does the work of white-supremacist, patriarchal capitalism. Fueled by the pursuit of money, the gangster mold which 50-cent represents, requires black men to be willing to harm or sacrifice other black man and control black female minds and bodies. Birkhold compares this persona to the mentality of the white men who created the trans-Atlantic slave trade. In light of the violence, dysfunction, and broken homes which follow the thugged-out lifestyle, this premise is difficult to argue against.

This film resonated with me because these ideas are things that I've tackled in my own art and writing. I've heard people ask why black folk think about race and racism so much? I usually reply, "Because we don't have the luxury not to." I could try to not think about race, but would be reminded of it the next time I'm being profiled, or when some lady clutches her purse extra tight while I'm just minding my own business (see the painting above). Or I might be reminded of my race in the form of a compliment, like the dreaded "He's so well spoken!"

A few years ago, my brother and I were looking for a 25th anniversary present for my parents. We went into Macy's and asked a saleslady for help. I explained that it was our parents 25th anniversary and we were looking for a gift that was appropriate for that particular milestone. I don't remember the exact words that I used to say this, but apparently they blew her mind, because her response was, "Where are you two from? You're SO well spoken! My God!" This was one of those rare racist moments that you don't get emotional about. It was one of those "Wow, did you really just say that?" moments. And for anyone that thinks I am reading too much into this, I wish that was the case, but I was there and this lady's voice, expression and utter shock were completely condescending. It's one thing to compliment an individual on a trait, but she was totally blown away by the idea of two tall black men who could string together an articulate sentence. She followed up this compliment with the phrase "My God!" This event was so unprecedented for her that she had to call the Lord's name!

This event was interesting because in it you saw a living breathing example of "the very facile and simple notions that we have of what it means to be a black man in this society" that Jelani Cobb spoke of. This woman's limited perception of black men clearly didn't allow for intellect or dignity. I don't think that she's a bad person. In her own way she actually meant well, but make no mistake, what she said was racist. The idea that it should be a surprise that someone could be black and well spoken reflects just how little she thought of black people to begin with. This is the type of mentality that is shaped by a media and pop culture flooded with negative stereotypes of murderous, greedy, barely literate black men.

This election year I've been extremely disheartened by the level of unadulterated hatred and ignorance that has been directed at Barack Obama. However you feel about his politics, the man is a dignified, hard working, highly intelligent, highly accomplished and highly educated brother. Yet when all that is said and done he is just some dangerous, untrustworthy, unsavory character to a huge chunk of America. I learned as a child that if you're black you have to work twice as hard to get half the recognition and this election year has brought that point home very clearly. Don't believe me? Watch this video:



or read this article about a GOP Women's group putting out a newsletter containing an image of Barack Obama's face on a food stamp, surrounded by many offensive stereotypical images.

In Barack and Curtis, Ras Baraka speaks about the fallacy of the stereotypes directed at black males. He notes that there is probably a lot more to 50-cent than what he is allowed to show on TV and CD. Ras speaks of knowing black men for real, not just the images on TV. He says, "I know these men to cry, to love their families, to want to be successful, to be afraid, to have every human emotion possible... and to be weak and vulnerable, and at the same time to be dangerous and strong."

That's what I'm talking about. That's all I want. To be recognized as a full human being, not a cardboard cutout, pre-packaged image. I'm well spoken. I'm proud to be black. I'm a father and a husband. I'm many things.

Peace.