Yes Virginia, there is Black Male Privilege

A few days ago, my talk at the 143rd Morehouse Founder’s Day Symposium went up on the web. The talk was entitled, “Shadowboxing the Self: Confronting Black Male Privilege.” I was very excited to give the talk because I knew that it would ruffle some feathers, but I viewed it as a labor of love.  My goal is to speak truth that inspires thoughts and actions. While not everyone will agree with me, this is not a surprise, I do think the conversations that Black Male Privilege (BMP) has generated thus far are good. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive and many are asking for clarification. I’ve decided to respond to three thematic questions I’ve received, most often from incredulous Black men. I highly recommend that you watch the video of the talk below. This is an emergent area of research for me, though I’ve been living Black male privilege (BMP) for some time now. There are a number of great talks from the Founder’s Day symposium with was a 4 hour plus affair (My talk was only 35 minutes). Please do check them out.

Response:

1) What is Black Male Privilege? Is that like irregardless?*

I got this question a bunch. I think its because, on its face, the placement of the words Black male and privilege close together appears contradictory. Indeed, I want you to think about the juxtaposition and open up to the possibility of its existence. While most of us are used to the crisis narrative of Black men in America, we continue to overlook the ways that male privilege is experienced and leveraged by Black men in our everyday lives. While most folks who asked this question didn’t watch the video (all you have to do is click play). I’ll write out the working definition I gave during the talk, “a system of built in and often overlooked systematic advantages that center the experience and concerns of Black men while minimizing the power that Black males hold.”**

The hidden and overlooked nature is what is crucial for understanding privilege. It is the careful analysis of the social fabric of our world that will make privilege visible, even to Black men. I am not suggesting BMP explains all gender and race inequality -that would make it a perfect explanation- I am saying BMP has a significant contribution to gender and race inequality- thus BMP is a partial explanation. I am most concerned with the Black community, so I have discussed BMP as it relates to Black men and Black women. I’m not making an argument about BMP relative to White Male Privilege. If you want to do that, do so at your own risk ;) .  BMP is akin to White privilege in that it is often invisible to those who benefit from it the most! It is the accumulation of these unearned advantages that matter but are often dismissed as inconsequential. These advantages are often thought to be insignificant, unless of course you are on the receiving end of the oppression.

2) Why are you trying to tear down Black men?

I have no desire to tear Black men down, quite the contrary, my goal is to build US up. However, I am all about tearing down undeserved privilege. I delivered this talk first at Morehouse because it is the premier space for educating Black men and the site where I first realized some of the ways I was falling prey to Black male privilege. Years later, I met brother Jewel Woods who had been doing some amazing activist work with Black men around men’s issues which included work on domestic violence. His dedication to building stronger brothers by confronting issues of privilege that emerged as compensation for oppression was renewing. My goal is to extend Jewel Woods’ work and add contextual nuance around BMP. I have two central gripes with BMP: 1) it oppresses others – particularly Black women- and 2) it robs Black men of their power. That’s the part many brothers beefing with me keep missing. If we continue to rely on our privilege for a sense of worth, purpose, and manhood we’re going to recreate the same broken community we have now.

3) What has BMP gotten me [insert incredulous screwface]?

Again, if you listen to the talk, I point out a number of material benefits that are not commonly, easily, or often documented: sexual consumption that a blind-eye is turned to, the silencing of black sexual assault, greater pay and promotion, to name a few. Still many have asked me via facebook/twitter/email, “so what has BMP gotten me?” this is often attached to saying “I got thrown in jail” or “I’m unemployed.” The answer is right there, Black Male Privilege has created the ability to sidestep your own power to oppress by saying you’re oppressed. Sadly, it has been a tradition to revisit the harm we feel as Black men on Black women. The most traditional example is, abuse at the workplace for the Black man has meant abuse for the Black woman at home. But you don’t have to go that extreme to understand that privilege for one begets oppression for another. See, BMP breathes and breeds on the idea that no one could possibly do harm if they’re being harmed, nothing could be further from the truth. Black Feminists/Womanists have been pressing Black men on this false belief and exposing its consequences, but  men, by and large, have ignored them. I am clear that my engaging this as a Black man (sadly) adds legitimacy to the concept, but if this is the case I hope that we as Black men can begin the work of dismantling BMP. There are many ways we can begin, some of which are referenced in the video like male study circles on campuses. In everyday life we can begin by holding our brothers accountable on the ways we manipulate opportunity for the advancement of Black men, and the oppression of Black women. That could be calling out male-centered networks, calling out exploiting the Black dating pool, there are many areas. It is easy to turn our back on BMP and many will. Ignoring it says nothing about merit or value, but it does say something about our future. As Deming said, “It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.” I am ecstatic to hear many people talking and grappling with this concept and these issues. This is about community. This is about accountability, not blame.  Accountability can transform a community, lack of accountability can destroy one.

I look forward to hearing more from you.

Footnotes (yeah I put footnotes on a blog post!)

*Get it? Irregardless isn’t really a word. Regardless = without regard. Irregardless would = without without regard … there’s an internal conflict that makes it illogical, get it? Never mind, it’s a nerd joke. You’re probably not even laughing right now… unless you’re a nerd.

**It’s a working definition because there are a lot of things to be worked out and I don’t want to define it in a too limited way. More study will refine and potentially expand or narrow the definition.

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  • karynlanghornefolan

    Brilliantly written. Thank you for opening up this discussion so thoughtfully.

    I write about black women and relationships, and have spent quite of bit of time “re-framing” and explaining how black male privilege effects black women on issues of dating and marriage. The double standards that appear when it comes to interracial dating, the arguments that keep black women from choosing outside the race (“I'd be selling out the brothers”) — in spite of the high rates at which black men choose partners outside of the race without experiencing the same pressures are particular interests of mine. Add to that the silence about sexual oppression and violence black women suffer in their own communities (and when it's portrayed, even fictionally, as in the film “Precious” the response that these images are compounding the negative images of black men) show there is great work to be done.

    But as you so accurately point out, those who benefit are often unaware of their privileges… and when aware unwilling to give them up. This is evident with the continuing struggle for racial equality between whites and blacks in America and, if that history is any indicator, I don't doubt black men and women have a long road ahead.

    Karyn Langhorne Folan
    Don't Bring Home A White Boy (And Other Notions That Keep Black Women from Dating Out)

  • karynlanghornefolan

    Brilliantly written. Thank you for opening up this discussion so thoughtfully.

    I write about black women and relationships, and have spent quite of bit of time “re-framing” and explaining how black male privilege effects black women on issues of dating and marriage. The double standards that appear when it comes to interracial dating, the arguments that keep black women from choosing outside the race (“I’d be selling out the brothers”) — in spite of the high rates at which black men choose partners outside of the race without experiencing the same pressures are particular interests of mine. Add to that the silence about sexual oppression and violence black women suffer in their own communities (and when it’s portrayed, even fictionally, as in the film “Precious” the response that these images are compounding the negative images of black men) show there is great work to be done.

    But as you so accurately point out, those who benefit are often unaware of their privileges… and when aware unwilling to give them up. This is evident with the continuing struggle for racial equality between whites and blacks in America and, if that history is any indicator, I don’t doubt black men and women have a long road ahead.

    Karyn Langhorne Folan
    Don’t Bring Home A White Boy (And Other Notions That Keep Black Women from Dating Out)

    • dumilewis

      Karyn- Thanks for the comment. The creation of a the dating double standard framed within a racial unity framework is a great example of BMP. There is a lot to be thought about and worked on in defining community, particularly when looking at communities based on inclusion, not exclusion.

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  • gmc262

    I don't buy the black male privilege concept but domestic violence within the black community needs to be urgently addressed as a stand alone issue. And within the category of domestic violence, I include violence among those not formally married e.g. Chris Brown and Rhianna.

  • dumilewis

    Karyn- Thanks for the comment. The creation of a the dating double standard framed within a racial unity framework is a great example of BMP. There is a lot to be thought about and worked on in defining community, particularly when looking at communities based on inclusion, not exclusion.

  • dumilewis

    GMC- Thanks for the comment. I definitely think domestic violence needs to be dealt with in the Black community among married and non-married couples. While we disagree, I do think that the narratives and actions tied to domestic violence in the black community are often linked to racial and gender reasoning which provides and escape from accountability for many of our brothers. While I'm not DV expert, I defer to folks like Jewel Woods on that, I spend copious amounts of time working with young brothers who are concerned with uplifting themselves but still remain mired in dangerous ways of viewing Black women as different, less worthy, and expendable (in the worst cases). There are a range of violences we have to be diligent about and work against.

  • gmc262

    I don’t buy the black male privilege concept but domestic violence within the black community needs to be urgently addressed as a stand alone issue. And within the category of domestic violence, I include violence among those not formally married e.g. Chris Brown and Rhianna.

    • dumilewis

      GMC- Thanks for the comment. I definitely think domestic violence needs to be dealt with in the Black community among married and non-married couples. While we disagree, I do think that the narratives and actions tied to domestic violence in the black community are often linked to racial and gender reasoning which provides and escape from accountability for many of our brothers. While I’m not DV expert, I defer to folks like Jewel Woods on that, I spend copious amounts of time working with young brothers who are concerned with uplifting themselves but still remain mired in dangerous ways of viewing Black women as different, less worthy, and expendable (in the worst cases). There are a range of violences we have to be diligent about and work against.

  • melimela

    Thank you for sharing this. I was anxious in awaiting…!

    I am a veteran lobbyist working in govt/politics – on the Hill, at City Hall – at the highest levels, as well as grassroots. If you don't believe BMP exists, come to my world. While I know it's not the only arena to get a good microcosm view of this issue, it is very pervasive there and, given the power and policy involved, the affects are insidious. The Old Boys Network is equal opportunity – race wise, only.

  • Guest

    Thank you for sharing this. I was anxious in awaiting…!

    I am a veteran lobbyist working in govt/politics – on the Hill, at City Hall – at the highest levels, as well as grassroots. If you don’t believe BMP exists, come to my world. While I know it’s not the only arena to get a good microcosm view of this issue, it is very pervasive there and, given the power and policy involved, the affects are insidious. The Old Boys Network is equal opportunity – race wise, only.

    • dumilewis

      Thanks for the comment. There is certainly an old boy’s club that is race-related and a think it’s be fruitful to interrogate how those circles emerge, whom they exclude and why they’re thought to be necessary for advancement.

  • http://www.donovanramsey.blogspot.com/ Donovan

    Unfortunately, you were at the very end of the symposium and I wasn't able to catch your presentation but after watching the video (thank you for posting,) I'm not sure If the idea holds water.

    If the idea if BMP is exist in the tradition of other work on privilege then, as I understand it, BMP should be benefits exclusive to Black men. Many items on Woods' list mostly relate to male privilege and have benefit that much larger group. An example of this is item 36 on the list which states, “Many of my favorite movies include images of strength that do not include members of the opposite sex and often are based on violence.” I have a hard time seeing 1) how this is a privilege 2) how it is exclusive to Black men 3) whether or not this claim is based in data.

  • http://www.donovanramsey.blogspot.com/ Donovan

    Unfortunately, you were at the very end of the symposium and I wasn’t able to catch your presentation but after watching the video (thank you for posting,) I’m not sure If the idea holds water.

    If the idea if BMP is exist in the tradition of other work on privilege then, as I understand it, BMP should be benefits exclusive to Black men. Many items on Woods’ list mostly relate to male privilege and have benefit that much larger group. An example of this is item 36 on the list which states, “Many of my favorite movies include images of strength that do not include members of the opposite sex and often are based on violence.” I have a hard time seeing 1) how this is a privilege 2) how it is exclusive to Black men 3) whether or not this claim is based in data.

    • dumilewis

      Thanks for the comment. Well I’m not saying Woods’ list is perfect, in fact we’re supposed to conference soon about revisions to the list. The most important thing you must realize is that BMP is not mutually exclusive from patriarchy and male privilege. Instead, Black male privilege is about a set of privileges that are tied to a racial and gender positioning. I could defend Woods decisions on the list, but that’s not my point, in fact my point is to extend and construct greater theoretical and empirical ground for exploration of the ways that being a Black Man may influence the lives of other, particularly Black women and how that relates to community uplift.

      • http://twitter.com/iDXR Donovan X. Ramsey

        I’m happy that you were able to read through that comment! I promise that it looked a lot more like English on my phone.

        I think that the conclusion that Black men are in unique position given our place in the American social landscape is valid. I would agree that our there our opportunities in that position but to use language like “BMP,” with all of the connotations that come along with some of the traditional ideas of privilege, could be unnecessarily misdirecting.

        Even within a consideration of the effect that Black men have on Black women, one cannot help but attribute most of that to gender difference instead of our unique intersection of gender and race, especially given what that intersection has meant for Black men. I look forward to seeing the concept develop and will continue to read.

        • dumilewis

          Lol, it read just fine bro. Definitely stay tuned for more.

        • http://abaakawad.com Aabaakawad™

          Quoting Donovan: “Even within a consideration of the effect that Black men have on Black women, one cannot help but attribute most of that to gender difference instead of our unique intersection of gender and race, especially given what that intersection has meant for Black men. I look forward to seeing the concept develop and will continue to read.”

          Donovan, what you can not attribute to gender difference separate from race is the immense power advantage BM have over BW when it comes to romantic relationships. It is much greater than the advantage WM have over WW. I think — L’Heureux may disagree — this is primarily due to the skewed gender ratio in Black adults. Many Black men use this leverage to avoid commitment, pursue multiple women, acquire women of greater status than themselves, emotionally blackmail their lady, and sometimes even abuse their women. (I believe WM would eventually do this too, if the White gender ratio became just as skewed, but there is no way to test this.) Further masking this unusual privilege is the natural assumption that BM can not be privileged given their circumstances, or to feel they are entitled to special consideration as compensation for their generally oppressed status.

          Wishing you progress…
          — Aaby

        • http://www.longbench.wordpress.com Verna Kitson

          Donovan –
          “one cannot help but attribute most of that to gender difference instead of our unique intersection of gender and race”.

          How does “gender difference” operate/emerge/exist outside of gender’s co-construction by race and class? I don’t understand that.

  • dumilewis

    Thanks for the comment. There is certainly an old boy's club that is race-related and a think it's be fruitful to interrogate how those circles emerge, whom they exclude and why they're thought to be necessary for advancement.

  • dumilewis

    Thanks for the comment. Well I'm not saying Woods' list is perfect, in fact we're supposed to conference soon about revisions to the list. The most important thing you must realize is that BMP is not mutually exclusive from patriarchy and male privilege. Instead, Black male privilege is about a set of privileges that are tied to a racial and gender positioning. I could defend Woods decisions on the list, but that's not my point, in fact my point is to extend and construct greater theoretical and empirical ground for exploration of the ways that being a Black Man may influence the lives of other, particularly Black women and how that relates to community uplift.

  • http://twitter.com/iDXR Donovan X. Ramsey

    I'm happy that you were able to read through that comment! I promise that it looked a lot more like English on my phone.

    I think that the conclusion that Black men are in unique position given our place in the American social landscape is valid. I would agree that our there our opportunities in that position but to use language like “BMP,” with all of the connotations that come along with some of the traditional ideas of privilege, could be unnecessarily misdirecting.

    Even within a consideration of the effect that Black men have on Black women, one cannot help but attribute most of that to gender difference instead of our unique intersection of gender and race, especially given what that intersection has meant for Black men. I look forward to seeing the concept develop and will continue to read.

  • dumilewis

    Lol, it read just fine bro. Definitely stay tuned for more.

  • LK

    A friend, with whom I have great respect for, took three minutes out of an extremely busy day to offer the following reply after I requested his take on BMP. His response follows:

    Interesting concept. I did not watch the video, but the idea is pretty straight-forward. I think it bears some discussion, particularly at a place like Morehouse. The failure to respond well to challenges we Black men face is a real issue. The notion of BMP is a somewhat summary way of describing the rationalization of bad behavior that is common to man, but in the case of Black men, has an always accessible source. Racism against us. It is real, but does not dismiss us from our responsibility.

    Our approach is somewhat indirect and focuses on what Black godly men ought to be about. The temptation to settle for the kind of life BMP implies is always there and has to be aggressivly combated in the powre of the Holy Spiirt. Apart from that power (the gospel) it is hard to see us acting significantly better as a group. Which is why the enemy [of our souls] constantly works to undermine that message by getting Christians (esp. leaders) to compromise in all the variety of ways that we see around us (and battle within us).
    End –

    When Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 That is exactly what He means, no compromises or exceptions. It is a gift that ONLY the 'Lover of your soul” can give…no one else.

  • LK

    A friend, with whom I have great respect for, took three minutes out of an extremely busy day to offer the following reply after I requested his take on BMP. His response follows:

    Interesting concept. I did not watch the video, but the idea is pretty straight-forward. I think it bears some discussion, particularly at a place like Morehouse. The failure to respond well to challenges we Black men face is a real issue. The notion of BMP is a somewhat summary way of describing the rationalization of bad behavior that is common to man, but in the case of Black men, has an always accessible source. Racism against us. It is real, but does not dismiss us from our responsibility.

    Our approach is somewhat indirect and focuses on what Black godly men ought to be about. The temptation to settle for the kind of life BMP implies is always there and has to be aggressivly combated in the powre of the Holy Spiirt. Apart from that power (the gospel) it is hard to see us acting significantly better as a group. Which is why the enemy [of our souls] constantly works to undermine that message by getting Christians (esp. leaders) to compromise in all the variety of ways that we see around us (and battle within us).
    End –

    When Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 That is exactly what He means, no compromises or exceptions. It is a gift that ONLY the ‘Lover of your soul” can give…no one else.

  • http://baplivingforbapsandebw.ning.com/ Ananda Leeke

    I really enjoyed your talk at Morehouse and on NPR today.

  • http://baplivingforbapsandebw.ning.com/ Ananda Leeke

    I really enjoyed your talk at Morehouse and on NPR today.

  • dantresomi

    Lewis, thank you for your work. I will check the vid later on tonight. I did listen to you on NPR and I have had some serious discussions with some heads out here in Ohio. very interesting.

    I will admit, it took me about a two years to really come to grips with BMP. I learned from many feminists and anti racists that privilege is invisible to those who possess that. It's one of the reasons many of us say “how can I be privileged if I am _______ ?”

    its the invisibility barrier that we have to break through.

    the scary part is that privilege permeates much of our lives on so many levels. that's what makes the invisibility barrier so difficult to break through.

  • dumilewis

    Thanks for listening and thinking deeply about it. I believe that's where the real work begins. If you are in Ohio, you have to check out Jewel Woods and the Renaissance Male Project. Jewel is the brother I mention in the NPR piece and the talk who wrote the Black Male Privilege Checklist and Don't Blame It on Rio. You've begun breaking barriers, now let's get to building!

  • dantresomi

    Lewis, thank you for your work. I will check the vid later on tonight. I did listen to you on NPR and I have had some serious discussions with some heads out here in Ohio. very interesting.

    I will admit, it took me about a two years to really come to grips with BMP. I learned from many feminists and anti racists that privilege is invisible to those who possess that. It’s one of the reasons many of us say “how can I be privileged if I am _______ ?”

    its the invisibility barrier that we have to break through.

    the scary part is that privilege permeates much of our lives on so many levels. that’s what makes the invisibility barrier so difficult to break through.

    • dumilewis

      Thanks for listening and thinking deeply about it. I believe that’s where the real work begins. If you are in Ohio, you have to check out Jewel Woods and the Renaissance Male Project. Jewel is the brother I mention in the NPR piece and the talk who wrote the Black Male Privilege Checklist and Don’t Blame It on Rio. You’ve begun breaking barriers, now let’s get to building!

  • http://www.soyluv.wordpress.com/ soyluv

    wow. thank-you for this. i've been learning a lot about the scholarship of black male privilege recently and pleasantly excited about all of it because i feel like black men can affect more lasting & true transformative change in this arena than we women can, even while bleating about the same or similar issues–and i've always felt this way but didn't know that it was actually being done by some black men. kudos! our communities need it!

  • http://www.soyluv.wordpress.com/ soyluv

    wow. thank-you for this. i’ve been learning a lot about the scholarship of black male privilege recently and pleasantly excited about all of it because i feel like black men can affect more lasting & true transformative change in this arena than we women can, even while bleating about the same or similar issues–and i’ve always felt this way but didn’t know that it was actually being done by some black men. kudos! our communities need it!

  • http://abaakawad.com Aabaakawad™

    Quoting Donovan: “Even within a consideration of the effect that Black men have on Black women, one cannot help but attribute most of that to gender difference instead of our unique intersection of gender and race, especially given what that intersection has meant for Black men. I look forward to seeing the concept develop and will continue to read.”

    Donovan, what you can not attribute to gender difference separate from race is the immense power advantage BM have over BW when it comes to romantic relationships. It is much greater than the advantage WM have over WW. I think — L'Heureux may disagree — this is primarily due to the skewed gender ratio in Black adults. Many Black men use this leverage to avoid commitment, pursue multiple women, acquire women of greater status than themselves, emotionally blackmail their lady, and sometimes even abuse their women. (I believe WM would eventually do this too, if the White gender ratio became just as skewed, but there is no way to test this.) Further masking this unusual privilege is the natural assumption that BM can not be privileged given their circumstances, or to feel they are entitled to special consideration as compensation for their generally oppressed status.

    Wishing you progress…
    — Aaby

  • Fanta

    strong work.

  • Fanta

    strong work.

  • Fanta

    strong work.

  • http://www.longbench.wordpress.com Verna Kitson

    well done! if they won’t even bother to listen to black women who’ve been saying this forever, they will at least let a “brother” speak and reason with him to get to the truth of how oppression works in the lives of black women and men.

  • vernakitson

    well done! if they won't even bother to listen to black women who've been saying this forever, they will at least let a “brother” speak and reason with him to get to the truth of how oppression works in the lives of black women and men.

  • vernakitson

    Donovan –
    “one cannot help but attribute most of that to gender difference instead of our unique intersection of gender and race”.

    How does “gender difference” operate/emerge/exist outside of gender's co-construction by race and class? I don't understand that.

  • Joan Morgan

    Thank you.

  • Joan Morgan

    Thank you.

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  • kellyhogaboom

    I came over here from Racialicious. I just want to thank you on such an amazing talk. I am so glad I watched it (and read the article). I hope it is re-tweeted and viewed much. As Fanta said: “strong work”.

  • kellyhogaboom

    I came over here from Racialicious. I just want to thank you on such an amazing talk. I am so glad I watched it (and read the article). I hope it is re-tweeted and viewed much. As Fanta said: “strong work”.

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  • $1842758

    I was searching for a quote from “Feminism in Our Time” for a comment on a radfem blog – Michele Wallace, “Ever since then it has it has really baffled me to hear black men say that black women have no time for feminism because being black comes first. For them… being black no longer came first at all. It turned out that what they really meant all along was that the black man came before the black woman.”

    That is black sexism and black male privilege as described by our black sister.

    And she is right. Male privilege is male privilege. You exert male privilege when you crack jokes about your own sexist, misogynistic behavior in a room full of men, and everyone laughs. Do you think white men would behave any differently, better or worse? Your male privilege doesn’t care if you’re black. Any more than your ableism cares if you’re black.

    Male privilege is the ability of a Ph.D. to get up on a stage and describe participating in the sexual degradation of women, and everybody laughs. Male privilege is the ability to be approached by a man “selling pussy” (parts of women’s bodies) – and say “no, I don’t want to engage in commercialized rape.” Do you think the women whose body parts are being sold enjoy the same luxury? Do you think it’s because of their race? Or because they are women?

    That said, I approve of the introduction (yes, introduction) of the concept of male privilege among black men. It’s a nice start, but I can’t tell if you skipped forty years of women’s literature on purpose or because no one can hear women over the sound of how awesome the patriarchy is. Women, especially women of color, need this from you DESPERATELY. More people are male than black. Sexism is the primary form of oppression. Is racism in any way less virulent, less harmful, less important? Hardly. But you and all your androcentric colleagues are no less sexist for it, and sexism places you in a position of power over everyone who is not male. If white people must defer and listen to people of color about racial oppression – when were you planning on consulting women about sexism? Most especially our sisters of color? Women, especially women of color, are actively excluded from leadership. Can white people have an honest dialogue about progression in race relation exclusive of black people? Likewise men cannot have an honest dialogue about sex oppression exclusive of non-males. Talk about centering on the male experience to the exclusion of everyone else – by the way, this is far from unique to black men. Or do you think any men, of any race, willingly entertain the experience of women?

    Nice to meet you, by the way. Again, my praise just for getting up in front of men and suggesting something might be wrong.

    -Miss Andrist

    • dumilewis

      Thanks for the comment. Throughout the talk I mention my debt to Women’s Studies and have done so in multiple locations where I have talked about BMP. As I’ve said BMP is a type of MP and like all privileges it is one that we must, as men, actively fight against. I am thoroughly influenced by the work of Patiricia Hill Collins who utilizes the matrix of domination which demonstrates that gender, race, class, sexuality operate in tandem, so singling out the “most” oppressive dimension may be shortsighted. Indeed, we need to be clear on how they’re operating with the goal of reducing their powers. Hence the title of the talk was, “Shadowboxing the Self: Confronting Black Male Privilege” and the audience it was delivered to, students at Morehouse. It was awareness of the context that made me know what would “fly” what would “shock” and it was all in the goal of full disclosure for collective value, in essence “turning the barrels within.” I have and do collaborate with women-centric organizations as well as women scholars, because truly fighting back against oppression is a connected effort, not something that can be done in isolation. It’s both individual and systematic and that is what I hope people take from the talk I gave and work that I do.This is all in the spirit of honest, accountable dialogue, with the goal of social change.

      • coptic777

        You just agreed with a WHITE WOMAN that being black first is “black sexism”. If sexism vanished tomm. black womem would still be treated as black period. Your done and just showed you are NOT with the black agenda. Your dissmissed go be a minority or something you just showed your card & it aint black.

  • MissAndrist

    I was searching for a quote from “Feminism in Our Time” for a comment on a radfem blog – Michele Wallace, “Ever since then it has it has really baffled me to hear black men say that black women have no time for feminism because being black comes first. For them… being black no longer came first at all. It turned out that what they really meant all along was that the black man came before the black woman.”

    That is black sexism and black male privilege as described by our black sister.

    And she is right. Male privilege is male privilege. You exert male privilege when you crack jokes about your own sexist, misogynistic behavior in a room full of men, and everyone laughs. Do you think white men would behave any differently, better or worse? Your male privilege doesn't care if you're black. Any more than your ableism cares if you're black.

    Male privilege is the ability of a Ph.D. to get up on a stage and describe participating in the sexual degradation of women, and everybody laughs. Male privilege is the ability to be approached by a man “selling pussy” (parts of women's bodies) – and say “no, I don't want to engage in commercialized rape.” Do you think the women whose body parts are being sold enjoy the same luxury? Do you think it's because of their race? Or because they are women?

    That said, I approve of the introduction (yes, introduction) of the concept of male privilege among black men. It's a nice start, but I can't tell if you skipped forty years of women's literature on purpose or because no one can hear women over the sound of how awesome the patriarchy is. Women, especially women of color, need this from you DESPERATELY. More people are male than black. Sexism is the primary form of oppression. Is racism in any way less virulent, less harmful, less important? Hardly. But you and all your androcentric colleagues are no less sexist for it, and sexism places you in a position of power over everyone who is not male. If white people must defer and listen to people of color about racial oppression – when were you planning on consulting women about sexism? Most especially our sisters of color? Women, especially women of color, are actively excluded from leadership. Can white people have an honest dialogue about progression in race relation exclusive of black people? Likewise men cannot have an honest dialogue about sex oppression exclusive of non-males. Talk about centering on the male experience to the exclusion of everyone else – by the way, this is far from unique to black men. Or do you think any men, of any race, willingly entertain the experience of women?

    Nice to meet you, by the way. Again, my praise just for getting up in front of men and suggesting something might be wrong.

    -Miss Andrist

  • dumilewis

    Thanks for the comment. Throughout the talk I mention my debt to Women's Studies and have done so in multiple locations where I have talked about BMP. As I've said BMP is a type of MP and like all privileges it is one that we must, as men, actively fight against. I am thoroughly influenced by the work of Patiricia Hill Collins who utilizes the matrix of domination which demonstrates that gender, race, class, sexuality operate in tandem, so singling out the “most” oppressive dimension may be shortsighted. Indeed, we need to be clear on how they're operating with the goal of reducing their powers. Hence the title of the talk was, “Shadowboxing the Self: Confronting Black Male Privilege” and the audience it was delivered to, students at Morehouse. It was awareness of the context that made me know what would “fly” what would “shock” and it was all in the goal of full disclosure for collective value, in essence “turning the barrels within.” I have and do collaborate with women-centric organizations as well as women scholars, because truly fighting back against oppression is a connected effort, not something that can be done in isolation. It's both individual and systematic and that is what I hope people take from the talk I gave and work that I do.This is all in the spirit of honest, accountable dialogue, with the goal of social change.

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  • The Dude

    I just watched your speech. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it appears that you haven’t stumbled upon a new sociological theory. Rather, you’ve discovered that male privilege transcends race. You just happen to offer a racialized explanation of male privilege when its practitioners are black. There is no black male privilege, just the watered down male privileges that are likely present in every community in America.

    Some of the phenomenon that you claim to be black male privilege isn’t black male privilege at all. For example, how is the media’s historical focus on black males a privilege for black males? They have no control over it, and as this year’s focus on black women has shown us, it isn’t very heavily entrenched. Now black women’s problems are on the forefront. Now the world knows that the median black woman has a net worth of $5, that the majority of them are or will be obese, and that almost half supposedly have herpes. Such a privilege! I hope they enjoy it. The spotlight is not nearly as warm as it seems.

    In general I think this idea of black male privilege is highly problematic because it segments something larger and recategorizes it. It’s the blame game. Black males don’t enjoy any special privilege – at least not a racial one. Black males enjoy male privilege. Race plays no part in it at all. Name one thing that black men can do because they’re black men rather than simply men. I can’t think of one.

    Black men enjoy the opportunity to chase that thing called masculinity, which compels them to lead their communities – a call that men black, white, yellow and red also heed.

    • dumilewis

      Thanks for the comment. I don’t think I insinuated, rather I hope that i did not insinuate, that I discovered a new sociological term. In fact, I referenced multiple authors that have already articulated similar phenomenon and I want to extend theory. Spotlights are meaningful because they calibrate people towards action. The “crisis of black men” has spawned large scaled social interventions, not all successful obviously but it allows folks to work hard on the issues. Alternatively, many problems facing black women and girls get overlooked or taken as non priorities. The very things you address about black women are flashpoints in the media but get very little sustained attention from main mainline funders. Instead the work on these issues must be carried on be a select vanguard of Black women activists. Black men are chasing masculinity, but often a masculinity that is too hollow to net rewards. More to come on this later, but thanks for the comment.

  • dumilewis

    Thanks for the comment. I don’t think I insinuated, rather I hope that i did not insinuate, that I discovered a new sociological term. In fact, I referenced multiple authors that have already articulated similar phenomenon and I want to extend theory. Spotlights are meaningful because they calibrate people towards action. The “crisis of black men” has spawned large scaled social interventions, not all successful obviously but it allows folks to work hard on the issues. Alternatively, many problems facing black women and girls get overlooked or taken as non priorities. The very things you address about black women are flashpoints in the media but get very little sustained attention from main mainline funders. Instead the work on these issues must be carried on be a select vanguard of Black women activists. Black men are chasing masculinity, but often a masculinity that is too hollow to net rewards. More to come on this later, but thanks for the comment.

  • Tommy

    I have to say that the talk seems to redefine priviledge. Priviledge is unearned perks that are given by a system. To say that a person, once degreed, has more perks is not priviledge. Priviledge is being able to attend the best education just because your parents live in the suburbs; being able to access skill-developping clubs such as the debate team, solid foreign language problems, science clubs, etc because your high school teachers teach in the suburbs where salaries are higher.

    Priviledge is being a white professional who goes to a place where sex tourism is prevelent and, when he turns it down, he doesn’t have to ask how many other white professionals are engaging in this behavior.

    Priviledge is being able to go to strip clubs as an undergrad and not only your classmates, but the culture as a whole, looks at it as something that is of no one else’s business. As a professional residence life staffer for five years, I was amazed at the truth that white students smoke marijuana, bring alcohol into the dorms MUCH MORE SO than black students, but are excused because they are . . . . well, students.

    To have to look at oneself as a BLACK man who is a college student, instead of college students going through the same developmental process as every other student, is in itself a lack of priviledge.

    But it was a very interesting talk, though.

  • Tommy

    I have to say that the talk seems to redefine priviledge. Priviledge is unearned perks that are given by a system. To say that a person, once degreed, has more perks is not priviledge. Priviledge is being able to attend the best education just because your parents live in the suburbs; being able to access skill-developping clubs such as the debate team, solid foreign language problems, science clubs, etc because your high school teachers teach in the suburbs where salaries are higher.

    Priviledge is being a white professional who goes to a place where sex tourism is prevelent and, when he turns it down, he doesn’t have to ask how many other white professionals are engaging in this behavior.

    Priviledge is being able to go to strip clubs as an undergrad and not only your classmates, but the culture as a whole, looks at it as something that is of no one else’s business. As a professional residence life staffer for five years, I was amazed at the truth that white students smoke marijuana, bring alcohol into the dorms MUCH MORE SO than black students, but are excused because they are . . . . well, students.

    To have to look at oneself as a BLACK man who is a college student, instead of college students going through the same developmental process as every other student, is in itself a lack of priviledge.

    But it was a very interesting talk, though.

  • Anonymous

    Very nice! I found this because I was reading about Privilege Denying Dude, the humorous internet meme that’s been making the rounds lately. Here’s an example.

    Then, while I was there, I saw that somebody had created a Privilege Denying Feminist meme as well, which is fantastic because there are indeed plenty of women who are feminists who are just embarrassingly ignorant and unconcerned about issues relating to race and economic inequality and a host of other things. And having a funny way to point this out is a good thing. Though it can be abused.

    So, it got me wondering: what about black male privilege? That’s how I found this speech and I’m so pleased I did; now I know about Jewel Woods and I’ll be sharing this video around liberally.

    Thank you so much for the work you do.

    I suppose it’s probably too soon for a “Privilege Denying Brother” funny internet meme. Oh well. Someday!

  • Valkyrie607

    Very nice! I found this because I was reading about Privilege Denying Dude, the humorous internet meme that’s been making the rounds lately. Here’s an example.

    Then, while I was there, I saw that somebody had created a Privilege Denying Feminist meme as well, which is fantastic because there are indeed plenty of women who are feminists who are just embarrassingly ignorant and unconcerned about issues relating to race and economic inequality and a host of other things. And having a funny way to point this out is a good thing. Though it can be abused.

    So, it got me wondering: what about black male privilege? That’s how I found this speech and I’m so pleased I did; now I know about Jewel Woods and I’ll be sharing this video around liberally.

    Thank you so much for the work you do.

    I suppose it’s probably too soon for a “Privilege Denying Brother” funny internet meme. Oh well. Someday!

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5GP2X4WQNN6HQXKYOBQWGU3RZY darren

    do you mean black heterosexual male privilege? your examples suggest that.

    • dumilewis

      Well most the examples are drawn from personal narrative and general theorizing in the talk. So among the personal narratives they do squarely fall under heterosexual male privilege. However the larger sociological points about gaze and concern around Black me incorporates same gender loving and other identities. There is more work being done on Black queer male privilege such as conversations opened by the “Sweet Tea Collective.” There is much more to be done and considered!

  • damitajo1

    do you mean black heterosexual male privilege? your examples suggest that.

    • dumilewis

      Well most the examples are drawn from personal narrative and general theorizing in the talk. So among the personal narratives they do squarely fall under heterosexual male privilege. However the larger sociological points about gaze and concern around Black me incorporates same gender loving and other identities. There is more work being done on Black queer male privilege such as conversations opened by the “Sweet Tea Collective.” There is much more to be done and considered!

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  • di is in los angeles

    I (with apologies to WEB DuBois) most often characterize this as “taking the wages” of Patriarchy. It does not apply to BMP only of course. Anyone, top to bottom, in this ghastly hierarchy supports it by taking the wages: accepting one’s place in this system in in exchange for the ‘privilege’ of discriminating against whatever group is ‘below’ one and ipso facto throwing away one’s legitimate power and any chance at humanity

  • Wepo1

    This is stupid! Black women and the author of this bs needs to learn what privilege is before making a war about it.

    This topic and the lies told by black women on the #BlackPowerIsForBlackMen are the same lies white men tell white women about black men.

    The problem with black feminist is too many d!kes under the banner. If black men had gay black men running the black power movements I’m positive a list of false complaints about bw would be told.

    • TX2Hi

      Get a life and a brain angry man. Black male privilege is real. It is caring more about black male victims (Travon Martin) than female ones. It is dismissing colorism or self hate in BM but making it known when its black woman showing her self-hate. Privilege is being able to attack black women and NEVER pay for it. D.L Hughley and dark Kevin Hart come to mind!

  • Privilege my azz

    The only privilege a black man has is the possibility of sex with a black woman when she wants to give it to a black man. We dont run shit in Amerikka. Y’all control the possibility of intercourse. Most black women dont respect a black man even when the brother is good to her. Soon as the brother tries to do something good black women will push him away. So miss me with the privilege. Having your way with the slaves is privilege. Freedom of speech is a privilege.