Fact: Black Males are perceived as “less than” in
the United States of America. It is this
perception that needs to change before Black Males are given the same
considerations that all other Americans
receive in this society.
Perception is defined as an “active process of gathering sensory information and assigning meaning to it”. We take what we see and assign meaning to it. It is something we all do for all people we meet in an attempt to understand who they might be. Our perceptions are based on our experiences and knowledge bases commonly called perceptual schema. What happens when someone engages a Black Male they may not know, they begin searching their knowledge bases trying to get an understanding of who this person might be. What should be clearly understood is that whatever interpretation a person comes up with may be 100%, absolutely WRONG, and thus, our behavior towards Black Males may be based totally on misperceptions.
This
is a problem with American society as a whole.
Beginning in the days of servitude, society -at- large, demonized Black
Males. They were whipped and beaten for
“talking back”. They were chased and
captured by Slave Patrols then hung as “examples.” They were beaten and thrown in rivers for
daring to engage a woman. These
examples, and thousands more are all based on a perception that if your skin is
Black, and you are male, then you aren’t entitled to be treated with basic human dignity.
If you are a Black Male you can fight in the War for your country, but you still have to get on the back of the bus when you get back home. You can develop and nourish vibrant and prosperous communities in Oklahoma only to have them destroyed by the evils of racism. You can get pulled over by law enforcement for a minor traffic violation and end up dead. This is the reality of the Black Male experience in America.
Some will suggest that Black males are doing well for themselves. Yes, Black Males are continuing to be educated, and become positive role models in our communities. They are scientists, engineers, professors, judges, surgeons, entrepreneurs, managers, directors, and CEOs. There are also hundreds of Black Male millionaires who have gained wealth and fortune through entertainment and athletics. This is all well and good, and is something we all should respect. However, for too many is this American society, for all of the accomplishments, these Black Males are seen as less than. It seems ridiculous, but it’s true. How else can you explain the overall discrimination and prejudice Black Males are subjected to?
So
how do we fix the problem? You have to
change your personal perceptions of Black Males. Consider this example: Two males, wearing white lab coats and
stethoscopes, are walking down the hall of a hospital. You assume that they are both doctors. One is Black, the other one is not. What are your immediate thoughts about each
male? Based on nothing more than the
color of the Black Males skin, what do you think? Do you assume the Black doctor is less
qualified? Are you less trusting of the
Black doctor? Do you consider that the
Black male may not even be a doctor? It
is this misplaced, yet simplistic thinking that creates so much stress and
strain in this society and keeps us from engaging openly with each other.
If we are going to be a civilized society where all people, regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity are afforded the same rights and liberties, then the only way that happens is if there is an intentional and deliberate choice to change perceptions of Black Males. Be open and honest with yourself. What are your biases; yours fears; your prejudices? If you want justice and fairness for Black Males, you will have to change how you see Black Males. Realize that every Black Male you engage is not a threat, but more than likely, someone who has goals and aspirations just like you. As long as this U.S. American society perceives Black Males as “less than”, nothing will change. Nothing will get better.
In the words of the En Vogue song, Free Your Mind, “Before you can read me, you got to learn how to see me.”
S.
A. Miller
2/7/2023
2/7/2023
Soul
Perspectives is written by S. A. Miller, a movie producer, director, author,
and educator who has been writing commentary on Social, Economic, Educational,
and Political topics for over forty years.
Email:
SoulPerspectives20@gmail.com
