How Does African Americans Change Their Identity

Words: 2258
Pages: 10

Black men are experiencing an identity crisis. Unfortunately, in a world where there has been enormous progress, society has not changed their views on certain demographics and their contributions to the country or community. Black and white demographics are in a constant cycle of hate and love, especially in the United States.

Throughout its history, white Americans had treated black Americans with prejudice and discrimination for so long, it changed the global identity and self-identity of black men forever. With the ever-growing lack of proper parenting in the black community and constant discrimination from their own people, it is safe to assume that black American men experiencing discrimination that stems from ideals of masculinity, change their identity. "Stuck Rubber Baby" by Howard Cruse is a graphic novel set in the American South during the 1960s. The story follows the life of Toland Polk, a young white man who grapples with his own identity and sexuality against the social unrest and racism of the South. Throughout the story, we see Toland befriend various African American characters to the disdain of his family. Under the Jim Crow rule, African Americans could not enroll in colleges or seek an education, as we see with the character Sammy Toland’s roommate. Sammy is a civil rights activist, not by choice, but by the reaction to his surroundings.
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Juan's words serve as anthesis to the messages of inferiority and marginalization that black men encounter in society. I knew you weren't soft. Kevin, Chiron's childhood friend and love interest, reassures Chiron of his masculinity after seeing Chiron cry. This highlights the pressure for black men to conform to hyper-masculine ideals in shaping their self-identity. This instance highlights the importance of a father figure within the home who can guide and nurture their minds in a safe