9 Stereotypes Of Black Men That Aren’t Always True

Written by jmack on hellobeautiful.com

Black stereotypes. They plague both the men and women of our community. We’ve already covered 9 Stereotypes Of Black Women That Aren’t Always True, but now, men, it’s your turn to prove (some of) these rumors wrong.

 

 

1. All Black Men Are Well-Endowed
This one is bound to start some discussion. Upon googling ‘Black men big penis true?’, you’ll find a range of references to an unemployed white man from Brooklyn named John Falcon, who’s apparently the owner of the world’s largest.

Research however will tell you that there is in fact no truth to the debate about differences in size across the races. It is certainly not a guarantee that the next black man you meet will outdo John Falcon in the size department but in terms of a continued discussion about this myth, we’ll leave it with you.

2. They Don’t Like To Work
While Black men suffer from some of the highest rates of unemployment in America, psychologists will confirm that this is in no way related to choice. Men in general are hardwired to want to provide for their families and so will pursue any means possible to achieve that goal. ‘Not wanting to work’ is a negative stereotype of black men that is certainly not true in the grand majority of cases of unemployment.

3. Black Men Are Extremely Sexually Virile
Can we keep this one as it is? What do you think?

4. Black Men Are Great Athletes
Any major sporting event features an array of muscular, testosterone-filled black men. But, ‘Look at them! Now look at your man! And back to them! Now look at your man!’

5. Players
Popular urban culture and Hollywood have perpetuated the myth of the black man as a player. This is in fact not true of black men in particular. All human beings must actively resist polygamy in their lives because of the pressures of evolution, which tell us to procreate with as many people as possible, and society, which dictates that we remain faithful to our chosen partner.

6. Black Men Like White Women
Now this one depends largely on who you ask. Interracial marriage is on the rise in America and the perception that black men like white women may stem from the fact that it is becoming more socially acceptable and therefore more common. In the end, a man and a woman will be together for reasons of personal compatibility, not race.

7. Black Men Don’t Take Care Of Their Children
A good black man will be a wonderful father to his children no matter what the circumstances. The trick is to avoid those who might take the easy way out of hard circumstances – of these there are plenty and they’re all shapes, sizes and colors.

8. He’s Been In Jail
This stereotype is like a bad joke gone worse. Urban and pop cultures have played on this perception to the point that those who unfamiliar with black people maintain some crazy ideas about our world.

9. Good At Dancing
The only reason people become known for dancing well is that one good mover can overshadow the 5 others who just escaped through the fire exit to avoid being pulled onto the dance floor.

We want to hear from you. What do you think about the validity of some of these stereotypes?