Idris Elba: Black Men Not Considered “Sexy” By America

[LA]

There are stereotypes against Whites, Asians and Hispanics. Blacks are 1/8th of the US population, yet we make up just shy of 50% of the US Prison population. Our unemployment rate is double that of whites and Asians. Some of this is our own doing and some of it is cast upon us. So yes, I'll concede that most black people are hard working tax payers, but the word 'most' qualifies as soon as the percentile is over 50. This does not discount that is still a large number of blacks, young and old who aspire to the very sterotypes that are holding us back. You see black people with the cars on 42" rims, pants at the knees, inability to form a complete sentence, and crotch grabbing. While YOU and I may know that we don't identify with this, the people who are responsible for accepting us into their corporate environments already have a predisposition defined by these large numbers of hooligans, our prison and our education statistics. So while YOU and I may not fall into the stereotype, our reputation as black men has already been defined and scripted by mainstream society. Cultures are not defined by the uniqueness of a few individuals, it's defined by the masses. This is where I say we still live in a system that slavery created. Our 'culture' was taken away hundreds of years ago, our language, religion and image have all been aggressively stripped over the years and it has been replaced with what you see on TV. We are frequently seen as atheletes and entertainers but rarely as doctors or involved in politricks.

"If philosophy and intelligence are invoked to proclaim the equality of men, they have also been employed to justify the extermination of men." - Frantz Fannon.

Well spoken, successful brothas are not seen as the rule, we're the exception to the rule... and that is the problem.

Frankly, I don't care that much. I believe fully in the 'be the change that you want to see in the world' mantra. I am not crusading for anyone to be what I feel they should be. If black men want to go to jail for stupid shit, let them. If black fathers want to abandon their families in record numbers, let them. If someone wants to judge me based on an MTV video, let them.... it speaks more about their character than it does mine.

Well said, Sir!

 

[Mikey]

There are stereotypes against Whites, Asians and Hispanics. Blacks are 1/8th of the US population, yet we make up just shy of 50% of the US Prison population. Our unemployment rate is double that of whites and Asians. Some of this is our own doing and some of it is cast upon us. So yes, I'll concede that most black people are hard working tax payers, but the word 'most' qualifies as soon as the percentile is over 50. This does not discount that is still a large number of blacks, young and old who aspire to the very sterotypes that are holding us back. You see black people with the cars on 42" rims, pants at the knees, inability to form a complete sentence, and crotch grabbing. While YOU and I may know that we don't identify with this, the people who are responsible for accepting us into their corporate environments already have a predisposition defined by these large numbers of hooligans, our prison and our education statistics. So while YOU and I may not fall into the stereotype, our reputation as black men has already been defined and scripted by mainstream society. Cultures are not defined by the uniqueness of a few individuals, it's defined by the masses. This is where I say we still live in a system that slavery created. Our 'culture' was taken away hundreds of years ago, our language, religion and image have all been aggressively stripped over the years and it has been replaced with what you see on TV. We are frequently seen as atheletes and entertainers but rarely as doctors or involved in politricks.

"If philosophy and intelligence are invoked to proclaim the equality of men, they have also been employed to justify the extermination of men." - Frantz Fannon.

Well spoken, successful brothas are not seen as the rule, we're the exception to the rule... and that is the problem.

Frankly, I don't care that much. I believe fully in the 'be the change that you want to see in the world' mantra. I am not crusading for anyone to be what I feel they should be. If black men want to go to jail for stupid shit, let them. If black fathers want to abandon their families in record numbers, let them. If someone wants to judge me based on an MTV video, let them.... it speaks more about their character than it does mine.

Awesome post, Jaisee. I would add that black nationalism is also holding us back. We're the only two ethnic groups that have it. White nationalism and Black nationalism both exist. There isn't a "nationalism" for other ethnic groups.

 

[The Dark King]

There are stereotypes against Whites, Asians and Hispanics. Blacks are 1/8th of the US population, yet we make up just shy of 50% of the US Prison population. Our unemployment rate is double that of whites and Asians. Some of this is our own doing and some of it is cast upon us. So yes, I'll concede that most black people are hard working tax payers, but the word 'most' qualifies as soon as the percentile is over 50. This does not discount that is still a large number of blacks, young and old who aspire to the very sterotypes that are holding us back. You see black people with the cars on 42" rims, pants at the knees, inability to form a complete sentence, and crotch grabbing. While YOU and I may know that we don't identify with this, the people who are responsible for accepting us into their corporate environments already have a predisposition defined by these large numbers of hooligans, our prison and our education statistics. So while YOU and I may not fall into the stereotype, our reputation as black men has already been defined and scripted by mainstream society. Cultures are not defined by the uniqueness of a few individuals, it's defined by the masses. This is where I say we still live in a system that slavery created. Our 'culture' was taken away hundreds of years ago, our language, religion and image have all been aggressively stripped over the years and it has been replaced with what you see on TV. We are frequently seen as atheletes and entertainers but rarely as doctors or involved in politricks.

"If philosophy and intelligence are invoked to proclaim the equality of men, they have also been employed to justify the extermination of men." - Frantz Fannon.

Well spoken, successful brothas are not seen as the rule, we're the exception to the rule... and that is the problem.

Frankly, I don't care that much. I believe fully in the 'be the change that you want to see in the world' mantra. I am not crusading for anyone to be what I feel they should be. If black men want to go to jail for stupid shit, let them. If black fathers want to abandon their families in record numbers, let them. If someone wants to judge me based on an MTV video, let them.... it speaks more about their character than it does mine.

Jaisee I agree with you on a lot of what your saying and I hold it true for myself as well. I define me.
"The only thing we truly own is our perception"- Me

While I agree with your stats I also see the falsehood of a lot of it. Approximately 5% of the entire black population is in or has been to jail. Why the fuck do they get to be the poster children for ALL black people. That's my major gripe and the fact that people black and non black accept that as black culture. Sure there are dummies who do the shit you described just as there are Asians who sup up cars and graffiti the shit out of it or white people who LOVE mudding(you're from Florida you know what I'm talking about lol) but they aren't defined by the juvenile and criminal acts of the few, I can't and will not accept this as black culture. You and everyone else on this board are way too intelligent for that. I expect a hell of a lot more from you guys.

Btw as far as crime statistics are concerned I truly believe a lot more white people would be incarcerated if it weren't for the fact that when they arrested or stopped there's a lot overlooking of crimes because the people in charge often identify with the people they capture. That's another thing I've noticed living in the suburbs. I had a friend not too long ago pulled over by a cop for drunk driving on the Henry Hudson. Caught drunk as fuck at the toll booth. They allowed her to call me to pick her up and have a friend move her off the highway. The cop told me straight up she reminded him of his daughter and started making excuses for her "she's a tiny girl probably had two glasses of wine when she should have had two". In fact he had another squad car follow us so he could find a parking spot for her off the bridge while I drove her home. That would never happen for us.
Some of it is our own doing but not most of it. I recognize the subtle shit human beings do especially when it involves their "own". There's a reason why crack carries a much bigger sentence then coke.
All I'm asking from you everyone else is please don't be so dismissive. Its like everyone wants to ignore because we've talked about it before or its old hat yet everyone has no problem participating in the political threads or weight threads till they reach 100 pages.

 

[The Dark King]

I think we ought to be very careful about something here.

Idris wasn't born and raised in America, neither am I. I grew up here but nonetheless come from a different family background and influence where there isn't that direct connection to the pugnacious bigotry in America on a firsthand basis.

Take for example a black person growing up in the heart of the South, generations of family living there and their perspective may be different on the issue of race as opposed to mine because they have heard direct experiences from relatives or even experienced it themselves.

When Idris speaks he may not be fully aware or conscious of the why's of the subject matter he is talking about in that he doesn't come from a background in America historically that would likely make him very aware of what is often at play.

Like I said America has a revolting obsession with racial stereotypes.

Dude I have a caribbean background just like you but it doesn't limit me from seeing whats right in front of me. And the why is irrelevant in this case, its evident and rarely spoken about because blacks are just suppose to be happy with whatever they get and just shut up.
All the man said was black men aren't portrayed as sex symbols. He's fucking right. Why are we still using 50 something Denzel and 40 something Wesley Snipes or 40 something LL or 40 something Will Smith as examples of "sexy" black men. There aren't a shit load of young good looking bm on the come up. Where are the young verile Twilightesque bm? Come on open your eyes fam

 

[GQ Brotha]

Dude I have a caribbean background just like you but it doesn't limit me from seeing whats right in front of me. And the why is irrelevant in this case, its evident and rarely spoken about because blacks are just suppose to be happy with whatever they get and just shut up.
All the man said was black men aren't portrayed as sex symbols. He's fucking right. Why are we still using 50 something Denzel and 40 something Wesley Snipes or 40 something LL or 40 something Will Smith as examples of "sexy" black men. There aren't a shit load of young good looking bm on the come up. Where are the young verile Twilightesque bm? Come on open your eyes fam

I don't think we can say the WHY is irrelevant, it is very much relevant because within the terms of race it begins to explain the nature of American society and what lies at the core of the perceptions.

You and I originate from the Caribbean we wouldn't have to have a discourse in Jamaica or Guyana about black men and their representations in the media.

That is however a very strong subject in America because of all the loaded stereotypes that jaisee mentioned in his posts about what it is to be a black man in the U.S.

You are immediately type cast, whether we acknowledge that or not.

Those stereotypes do play a profound role in the eyes of many "white bread" Americans in their mentality.

While you and I may not live up to those negative stereotypes, there are many brothas that live up to those negative stereotypes and become just another statistic in the system of this nation's policies.

These concepts and ideas of black men go back centuries in this nation, cemented long before you or I came about, they are deeply embedded in the mentality of America's history.

I can't control what people think of me as a black man, I can only control my own actions in response to the ignorance of others.

Note, I never argued against what he said, I have studied this country's history too long to be naive about the issue of race.

All I expect is when someone is around me they don't step out of their face on the race issue.

 

[andreboba]

SOrry but Idris sounds like another self-centered, conceited actor.

We live in a predominantly NON BLACK country, yet he still expects to get the same roles as Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

You can describe BM several different ways, but 'not sexy' or desirable sexually isn't one of them. In fact many would say it's our burden as BM and not always to our advantage to be regarded oftentimes as simply virile sex machines.
I'd love to see the stat among WW and find out which group of men they are most likely to marry, non white.
If BM aren't #1, I can't imagine we're worse than second.

The USA is still the greatest country in the world to be a BM, even more so for an actor.
SOmeone tip me to those leading man roles BM actors are being lavished with in the UK.


Idris knows he has scores of White female fans who aren't into him because of his 'elocution'!!lol.

Someone needs to get a clue.

Also, I thought 9% of AA have been incarcerated or are on probation???

 

[LA]

SOmeone tip me to those leading man roles BM actors are being lavished with in the UK.

Anyone in the UK care to speak up on this??

 

[andreboba]

BTW just read from Census Bureau statistics that BM are the most common marriage partner for WW after WM, and that 8.5% of BM have a WW.

WTF is Idris talking about???

 

[The Dark King]

BTW just read from Census Bureau statistics that BM are the most common marriage partner for WW after WM, and that 8.5% of BM have a WW.

WTF is Idris talking about???

The prison statistic is 5% I believe and I think his point yes he may get ww fans he's not a sex symbol. It's been said on this board plenty of times. When do bm get casted as a romantic lead. Even amongst the best selling bm actors I can't recall that many romantic or sexual scenes. Just saying

 

[karmacoma.]

Have we now become BW, crying about us not being represented on film?

Black men are considered PLENTY sexy, even in America.

Movies are the great equalizer for WM it's the place where they're the sexiest, wittiest, get all the ass, kill all the bad guys, and be a heavyweight champ.

You mean to tell me black sports and rap/music stars AREN'T considered sexy? All nationalities of women swoon over brothas in all fields. A lot of WW would crawl over a WM to get with a brotha, and not just fat ones, either. Even NASA engineer Degrasse Tyson is considered sexy by many, a super-smart BM with personality. Name me a sexy WM physicist, I'll wait.

Idris is entitled to his opinion but I think different.

 

[The Dark King]

Have we now become BW, crying about us not being represented on film?

Black men are considered PLENTY sexy, even in America.

Movies are the great equalizer for WM it's the place where they're the sexiest, wittiest, get all the ass, kill all the bad guys, and be a heavyweight champ.

You mean to tell me black sports and rap/music stars AREN'T considered sexy? All nationalities of women swoon over brothas in all fields. A lot of WW would crawl over a WM to get with a brotha, and not just fat ones, either. Even NASA engineer Degrasse Tyson is considered sexy by many, a super-smart BM with personality. Name me a sexy WM physicist, I'll wait.

Idris is entitled to his opinion but I think different.

Damn can't beat your logic kid lol

 

[pettyofficerj]

IN AMERICA.

Spot on YMRA, when you have been conditioned to think a certain way its hard to break that mindset. You know what they say about old habits.

How many white women for example when they are younger will not even acknowledge an interest in a black man even if they have said interest in the first place, but when they get older they will. How does one explain that.

What I took from it is that Idris was speaking about Hollywood and the roles of black actors in that arena and their general portrayal to the mainstream at large.

How many black actors do we know that hasn't had to play the goofy negro in Hollywood.

How many Denzel's, ie black Hollywood megastars do we know who are generally not involved in comedic roles of some sort.

Westley Snipes I guess, even though he did partake in To Wong Foo, a role you would never see Denzel in.

hate to break it to you, but MANY white actors have done goofy/strange roles. It's called versatility and is a staple for any good career. DeNiro, Depp (Edward Scissor Hands, just to name one of the many nutty roles for that guy). The more roles you can do, the better the chances of you reaching into multiple demographics.

p.s.- im surprised no WW jumped on you for the 'get old, go for bm' line

 

[Redeemed One Jr]

I can kind of go yes and no on this one. I think overall, black men in america are considered sexy, as there are plenty of stereotypes out there (bad or good) that allude to the fact that we are in some way sexualized by the general populace. There is the unfortunate reality that we are in the minority for what is considered a standard of beauty. If you take Lil' Wayne next to Will Smith, most women would probably go for Will Smith. Just as if you have Jason Alexander (George from Seinfeld) next to Brad Pitt, most would probably go for Brad Pitt. Now Will Smith next to Brad Pitt, most will probably go for Brad Pitt because most women, like most men, in this country have been cornfed the standard of beauty, on top of what may be one's personal preference.

I think we could truly say black men are sexy in America when we start seeing not necessarily black men, but black boys being fawned over at the same rate by fangirls who pine for Justin Beiber. When we get more of the younger crowd on magazines that don't just fit the 'Hip Hop magazine' audience, then I'll be convinced we're considered AS sexy as white males. Other than that, sure we're sexy. I think overall if put to a national vote, black male actors would not be considered sexy in comparison to white male actors. Though with the rise of interracial dating and studios taking more chances in casting in television and movies, I do think there may be more of an even playing field on the horizon.

 

[quato102]

Black men are considered PLENTY sexy, even in America.

A lot of WW would crawl over a WM to get with a brotha, and not just fat ones, either.

Fantasy.

Maybe when more black men get on People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" cover, that might be true, since the media drives so many social perceptions.

 

[pettyofficerj]

Fantasy.

Maybe when more black men get on People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" cover, that might be true, since the media drives so many social perceptions.

When Ebony and Essence start putting Ryan Gossling and Chris Evans on their 'Soulful Hunks' lists, maybe you'll see more blacks in People or whatever else mainstream white america blows money on.

 

[karmacoma.]

Fantasy.

Maybe when more black men get on People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" cover, that might be true, since the media drives so many social perceptions.

I don't know about you but I don't need to be validated by a damn magazine cover. And if I wanted to, I could get all the ass I could handle, and then some.

That's black females playing victim because they're not as embraced by the mainstream as they think they should be. I don't play that game.

 

[GQ Brotha]

Have we now become BW, crying about us not being represented on film?

I don't know about you but I don't need to be validated by a damn magazine cover. And if I wanted to, I could get all the ass I could handle, and then some.

That's black females playing victim because they're not as embraced by the mainstream as they think they should be. I don't play that game.

ROFLMAO karma. Was thinking the same thing.

I would like to think men don't sit around dwelling on this bullshit.

You go out and take care of business, what the hell a black man do walking around talking about sexy.

The only sexy I am concerned about is the white woman I'm chillin with.

 

[Mikey]

I can kind of go yes and no on this one. I think overall, black men in america are considered sexy, as there are plenty of stereotypes out there (bad or good) that allude to the fact that we are in some way sexualized by the general populace. There is the unfortunate reality that we are in the minority for what is considered a standard of beauty. If you take Lil' Wayne next to Will Smith, most women would probably go for Will Smith. Just as if you have Jason Alexander (George from Seinfeld) next to Brad Pitt, most would probably go for Brad Pitt. Now Will Smith next to Brad Pitt, most will probably go for Brad Pitt because most women, like most men, in this country have been cornfed the standard of beauty, on top of what may be one's personal preference.

I think we could truly say black men are sexy in America when we start seeing not necessarily black men, but black boys being fawned over at the same rate by fangirls who pine for Justin Beiber. When we get more of the younger crowd on magazines that don't just fit the 'Hip Hop magazine' audience, then I'll be convinced we're considered AS sexy as white males. Other than that, sure we're sexy. I think overall if put to a national vote, black male actors would not be considered sexy in comparison to white male actors. Though with the rise of interracial dating and studios taking more chances in casting in television and movies, I do think there may be more of an even playing field on the horizon.

I agree wholeheartedly with this post.

Let Lil John, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne etc have appeal on shows like BET and other avenues like that. The exposure that they have should be limited to those places. The mainstream media should have the perception that most blacks are like Usher. That is how we'll be able to catch up.

 

[quato102]

When Ebony and Essence start putting Ryan Gossling and Chris Evans on their 'Soulful Hunks' lists, maybe you'll see more blacks in People or whatever else mainstream white america blows money on.

Not really a good analogy considering the percentage of populations or what is considered "mainstream" American culture (i.e. white) In short, there is a reason why Ebony and Essence have to exist in a niche market.

 

[karmacoma.]

ROFLMAO karma. Was thinking the same thing.

I would like to think men don't sit around dwelling on this bullshit.

You go out and take care of business, what the hell a black man do walking around talking about sexy.

The only sexy I am concerned about is the white woman I'm chillin with.

That's what I'm squawkin.