Racio-Misogyny in the Black Community - Part 1

Written by Angelo Pinto

It is a response piece I wrote a week ago to this blog that was sent to me. The blog is from a woman writing about racio-mysogyn. A new way of looking at Black womens particular issues that are and preventing ourselves from understanding from traditional feminism. I often engage in the conversations about Black people. It is my sincere desire that within the context of these conversations Black people as a collective are empowered to address our unique dilemmas. Our dedication to the larger collective must be encapsulated in an innovative approach to our present condition. Dedication alone is not sufficient, as knowledge alone will also not suffice.


Before diving into the deep and fierce current of Black relationships I will first say that there are countless Black relationships that have survived the various systems of oppression we historically have endured. In our efforts to correct our present circumstance we must always identify our strength. It is from that point where we can locate a foundation by which to move forward. Additionally, we must be very aware that when looking for our success it is often that it will not be found or displayed in main stream culture but within the context of our intimate family that traditionally never receive recognition. Beginning a critique from the point of weakness often will create a sprit of confusion, disillusion, and contempt of each other. It is with the knowledge of our successful ancestors and elders in creating successful Black Family and Community that we have a baseline to improve upon. I am forever indebted.

Black Men/Women and a Collective Confusion
My mothers struggle is my struggle, my sister’s struggle is my struggle, my wife’s struggle is my struggle. This is in fact the reality for Black men today acknowledged or not. There is a segment of our community that has been engaged in behavior that is often counter productive with respect to one another. It would be uncritical of the dominate culture to ignore the reality that some Black men and women have adopted behavior that is imposing the practice of racism and sexism on one another. Many practices have been identified as the source of this confusion, however the truth remains that these are merely byproducts of the root of this behavior which is firmly entrenched in slavery, the history of white supremacy, and western practices about gender and imperialism.

The destructive views that Black men and women have in regard to one another can be found in the mass media and popular cultures portrayals of who we are. One only has to take a brief look at the history of Black men and women and Hollywood and many of the ways we treat each other can be found their. From Mammy to Jezebel or from the Big Black Buck to Rastus the derogatory images about who we are have a clear point of origin that we must identify and dismantle. Additionally, we must be swift and thorough in this dismantling. Which mean Tyler Perry must be held accountable as Lil Wayne should. Tyra Banks should be held accountable as Beyonce should. However, this accountability must be accurate. These four individuals progress in their respective arenas should be recognized. The critique of which should not be rooted in “western values” of “morality” and so called “decency”. (i.e. wearing a suit while you buy sell and capture slaves who are deemed “inhumane” and “uncivilized” because they are not clothed and do not move within the parameters of western etiquette and religious modesty.) Simply put before we discuss Lil Wayne’s use of improper English prose we should recognize that “slang” is a perfectly viable language. Before we say Tyler Perry is cooning, we should recognize that he has the ability to provide a venue where you might see Mammy but you see countless other positive Black images. Critically we can say to Lil Wayne we will not accept your lyrics that may be derogatory or say to Tyler Perry lets phase most if not all of these derogatory images. Truthfully, as we do this it is of optimal importance that we target the systems that perpetuate these images. It may be useful to address individuals in some context however when addressing what has caused Black male and female imagery to be derogatory and hence erode black relationships we must take a systematic approach.