Tuesday, April 30, 2013

BOBBEE BEE:The Visual History of the Decline of Black Male Masculinity in America

By Nicholas Delmacy

Over the last 100 years we've seen the blurring of the lines of traditional feminine traits and mannerisms into a once masculine community of men of color in the United States of America.

The chalk line once clearly separating the genders has been washed away in the rain of missing male role models for boys who look to Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and androgynous entertainers like Lady Gaga for guidance...Allegedly.

So to finally set the record straight, we've compiled this Visual History of the Decline of Black American Male Masculinity.
Eight Decade History of the Decline of Black American Male Masculinity



The 1940s
This was a time where Black American masculinity flourished.

Jim Crow Laws were still in effect so men had to be tough to survive.
Lynchings were on the decline but a history of widespread segregation and racism turned boys into men very quickly.

This is also a time when Black American men like the 92nd Infantry Division and the Tuskegee Airmen proved their courage by fighting for our country in World War II.

As you can see from the style of dress, class and distinction was even important to black men of very little means.
The 1950s

The end of the war and the beginning of the civil rights movement once again helps to illustrate the strong state of Black American masculinity.

Men continue to face racially motivated opposition, which reinforces an already clear depiction of what it means to be a man.

Role models like Muhammad Ali showed men how to be tough yet charismatic. Entertainers like Miles Davis and Sam Cooke showed men how to be smooth and fun at the same time.

The 1960s

The heart of the American civil rights movement.
Black male masculinity was seeing the coming of a golden age.
The rise of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
The Rise of Malcolm X.
The rise of Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.
These were men to look up to as examples of defiant masculinity against inequities. The "softest" Black American public figure back then was probably the outspoken James Baldwin, but even he comes off looking like Mike Tyson compared to "soft" black men today.
The 1970s

The 1970s.
The Golden Age of Black American Masculinity.
Here we saw brash, bold masculinity from men like Richard Roundtree as Shaft and Max Julien as The Mack.
The Black Power craze swept the country, making men proud of both their manhood and their blackness.
While brighter colors and slimmer cuts were a growing fashion trend, the wardrobe and style of the day still preserved traditional facets of masculinity. Who knew that it would all be downhill from here.


The 1980s



Thanks to the disco craze of the late 1970s, androgyny became increasingly popular. Blurring the lines of masculinity and femininity was considered the norm.
Hairstyles like jheri curls, beaded braids and extensions made it hard to tell some men from women.
Full tight fitting leather outfits worn by men like Eddie Murphy and Rick James would have raised all of the eyebrows of men from previous decades.
Movies like Breakin' and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo literally featured a cast of men and women wearing the same clothes.
Fortunately several musicians created a New Jack Swing and managed to preserve a shred of masculinity so that we could make it to the 90s.

The 1990s




After the disastrous 1980s, masculinity fought its was back, in a major way. Black American rappers and singers alike brought masculinity to the forefront so much that they over did it. A new form of masculinity was created: Hyper-Masculinity. Black men took masculinity to the extreme. Not only did men have to be "men," they had to be damn near frightening while doing so. We saw the official rise of the "Thug." With the combination of increased crack-cocaine use/distribution and President George H. W. Bush's aggressive War On Drugs targeting black communities in the late 1980s, drug dealers and prison culture became the primary source of role models for young black men in the 90s.
The 2000s

With an increasing amount of masculine men missing from the home, young black boys/men flirt with femininity and find that they like it.

Traditional no-nos like wearing pink clothing, skin tight jeans and flamboyant behavior slowly becomes acceptable.

There was a time when wearing earrings was off limits.

But in this decade, not only does wearing ONE earring eventually become the norm, wearing TWO jewel encrusted earrings evolves to being commonplace and brag worthy for men.

Then the sagging craze begins.
Young black Men cement a vast contrast to their 1940s counterparts by shedding the last bits of class and distinction remaining in their style of dress.

These men surpass women in showing off "bubble-butts" by revealing their underwear, to draw even more attention their "assets" (but supposedly this doesn't make all of them gay, for some unknown reason).

The 2010s

Here we are, the current decade. Black men with leopard print pants, man-purses, designer scarves in the summer, women's blouses, star/paw-print/belly-button tattoos, male tramp stamps and over-done hairstyles dominate our streets and popular culture.

Men actually desire to be "pretty" by spending more hours in the gym and mall fitting rooms than in a book or classrooms.

Not to mention an abnormal Diva worship that has created a disciple flock of soft feminine men causing one to wonder what the future holds.

How much lower can it get from here?

In relation to homosexuality, even older gay men have noticed this rapid decline of black masculinity. We've heard stories where gay men describe a past clear and equal balance between masculine and feminine gay men back in the day. They say, by their observations, that nowadays there is a disproportionate imbalance in favor of femininity, even amongst heterosexual men.

Think about it, the only way a film like Brokeback Mountain about two masculine gay men could believably be made was to have it take place in the 1960s and 1970s! That film made by current standards in a modern time would be, well...Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom.

Based on this visual history, one would come to the conclusion that once Black Americans no longer had the overt burden of segregation and racism to deal with, they no longer had much of anything to fight for. No longer any need to be "strong, masculine men."
This analysis is actually very plausible. Take the largest modern protest that Black American men have had to face, the Trayvon Martin movement. Young black men were seen wearing expensive designer hoodies in photos on Facebook and Twitter via their smartphones/Macbooks and claimed that they were a part of a "struggle" like the strong men in the civil rights movements of the past.

Get...The F@#*...Outta Here...

This question of the reason for the decline of masculinity is probably one to examine further at a later date, but this visual history makes it clear that there is in fact a question to be asked in the first place.

Friday, April 26, 2013

BOBBEE BEE: HOOP DREAMS

In our NEW children’s Book entitled, “Larry Long Legs,” you will learn quickly that…”even the fastest, strongest, smartest and most skilled will underachieve if they concentrate on the wrong things, are unable to quickly let go of mistakes or bad breaks, lack self-confidence or can't handle the pressure of competition.

If you leave the mental side of performance to chance, then you're more vulnerable to performance problems like excessive nervousness, psych-outs, choking, slumps and blocks.

To be more consistently successful you have to learn to harness the power of sports psychology to help you think like a winner and develop mental toughness.

What is mental toughness? In sports psychology, mental toughness is a combination of learned skills that will help you raise the level of your training and competitive performance:

These include:· Goal Setting
· Stress Management
· Self-Confidence
· Reboundability”
· Winning Concentration
·
Imagery & Visualization


As a coach, a working knowledge of sports psychology techniques will help you become more effective and therefore much more successful with your athletes.
 

Knowing how to get the most out of your players at “crunch time” and how to avoid the mental traps that far too many coaches fall into will enhance your technical skills as a coach and give you the competitive advantage.

Train your athletes to use mental toughness skills and they'll regularly compete to their potential.

As a parent, the principles in sports psychology and youth sports can help you insure that your children enjoy their competitive sports experience, learn quickly and perform to their potential. In addition, sports psychology can help you avoid the performance-disruptive and self-esteem damaging mistakes made by too many well-meaning parents. If you really want your child to win, then you must learn to play the proper role on the athlete-coach-parent team. " by Dr. Gail (sports psychologist)




Gain that Competitive Advantage and "mental toughness" by reading our new children's book entitled "Larry LONG LEGS" available at www.bn.com, www.authorhouse.com

Monday, April 22, 2013

BOBBEE BEE: HOW ONE CARTOON HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE

It's been 7 years since Bobbee Bee started his journalistic journey in the animated world. He, however is not a cartoon character. He is more like a HOOD FIGURE.

"BORN TO BE LOVED: AND LOVED TO BE HATED"
 
Because during his artistic adventure, Bobbee Bee has landed in Archway Magazine, an magazine highlighting the achievement of Winston-Salem State Alumni as well as been interviewed by Afrika Perry of (102.1 JAMZ)in Greensboro, North Carolina,. plus by Cheryl Robinson host of Just About Books on Harabee Radio.

Bobbee Bee has even appeared on television on http://www.brandnewz.com/ with Christopher Martion, formerly known as PLAY from the Hip-hop group Kid-n-Play and now is the featured cartoon on the BLACK ATHLETE SPORTS NETWORK which appears every week on http://www.blackathlete.com/.
 

Along with these accomplishment, Bobbee Bee has even rubbed elbows with the "so-called intelletuals" in the academic world when he was invited to attend the 3rd Annual Black Counseling and Psycholist Conference at Howard University in Washington, DC along with an invitation to the 37th Annual Congressional Black Caucus as a Future Emerging Leader in Black American as well as the Annual Black Social Workers Conference in Houston, Texas and the Annual Juevnile Justice Institute Conference in Durham, North Carolina.

And, just recently, he appeared in his first full-length feature film, entitled, simply, "Bobbee Bee "The Hater" featuring William Isiah Shakur as Bobbee Bee along with an all-star cast of friends and enemies, that premiered at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, North Carolina on September 21, 2013.

 

Due to his charismatic personality and LOVE for children he also made several guest appearance at several local schools like Torchlight Academy (Raleigh, NC)Kenansville Elementary School (Career Day Celebration), Warsaw Elementary (Parent and Teacher Night), Greenevers Pre-school, Thelma-Gibbs Library (Wallace,NC)James Sprunt Community College, Warsaw Junior High School as well as James Kenan High School. As a result, anybody who has seen Bobbee Bee LIVE must admit regardless of race, color or creed that his message is powerful and life-changing. Here are some of the comments from several students who have seen Bobbee Bee's presentation and have read his books or cartoon.

"I think it was great. Trust me, that's alot coming from me. Albert Carlten.

Well, I don't like it; I love it!! I had a good time and I enjoyed the book. I was just like that boy in the story who loved to fight, didn't want to study and didn't like school. I didnt like my mom and my dad but now I love them. Thank You. -John-
 
His presentation was educational and funny at the same time. I think he should give out copies of Bobbee Bee "The Hater" so students can read it. -Gloria M.Borja
 
Mr. Graham's presentation was good. It helped me to know that I need to make plans for the future and go to college. It also made me proud of who I am ... -Senita King-

Bobbee Bee is somewhat like me. But I guess that's life. It would be nice if you could come again. -Stacy Puckett-

You made us have fun with the program by dressing us up in different kinds of silly outfits. You also helped me personally see another side that I've never seen before. -Tavian Johnson- 

I learned alot from Mr. Graham. He is a good speaker. He made me realize I can be something in life. At first I was going to college just for sports but now I want to learn something in college and be something after college. -Sean Wilson-

We can't be ignorant for the rest of our lives . Your presentation seemed to stress that. -Ashua Quinn

I thought Mr.Graham's had a very good presentation. The way he presented his information was very professional and positive. He told us how to reflect positive images of ourselves. I learned alot and I appreciate the visit. -Rudy Ramirez-

Mr.Graham's sense of humor played a great role in his presentation. It seemed as if he brought the characters to life. -Iesha M. Frederick-


Mr. Graham's presentation was AWESOME. I loved the book and the way he let us play the roles. I loved the characters and the way he related their names to their problems. -Eric Sugg.

Your performance was so good that you should go national with the things you told us. It made a difference to hear what you said because I'm changing my lifestyle. You should get your own TV SHOW!! to spread the words you told us. -Jonathan Cherry aka "The Coach's Son"

Eric Graham is going to have a successful life if he continues to help children. Maribel Garcia-

If you want to learn more about Bobbee Bee and would like for him to appear at your school contact Eric D.Graham at lbiass34@yahoo.com or graham_34_99_2000@yahoo.com.

Monday, April 15, 2013

BOBBEE BEE AND THE BLACK MAMBA

by Eric D.Graham

NORTH CAROLINA (BASN)-On Wednesday, December 5, 2012, against the New Orleans Hornets, when Kobe Bryant scored 17 points in the first half, he became the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 30,000-point plateau.

In accomplishing this incredible feat, Bryant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain‘s previous record of 35 years, 179 days and joined Chamberlain (31,419 points), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928) and Michael Jordan (32,292) as the only five players in NBA history to reach the 30,000-point plateau. Therefore, in honor of Bryant’s basketball brilliance, we decided to publish this article.

In 1996, the Charlotte Hornets (now the New Orleans Hornets) did the worst thing possible when they traded the sixth overall pick in the NBA Draft to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac. After that, the rest is history. So in the essence of Hip-Hop, we give props to one of the greatest basketball players ever to lace up a pair of high tops — Kobe Bryant.

The Most Hated

The Most Motivated

He’s Jordan Updated

I know, it’s been Debated

But, he was born with Killer Instinct

And I don’t care, what you think

Nobody is better than Kobe

If there is, then show me

Cause I am about to SET IT OFF

So, let’s get ready for the Playoffs




And I am sorry, Kevin Durant

But it’s like comparing a Giant to an Ant

And I can’t lie

I love this guy

Cause he is the Last Samurai

With a Jujitsu Jumper

Same game; Different number

So don’t HATE number 8

Because he is still great

And I still want to see more

Can I get an encore?

Now, it’s 24

And I still get chills when he walks on the floor



Cause he attacks the rim like a Viper

A.K.A, the L.A.Sniper

Clutch Shooter; Poor Loser

No need for College Recruiters

Because he went from High School

Straight to the Pros

And we all know



There ain’t No need for Passin’

Because he is an Assassin

A Big Game Gunslinger

With Five Rings and Nine Fingers

And he is still number One


Because I have seen him drop 81

Against the Raptors

Sorry, Philly Haters

He is a Big-Shot Maker

Future Hall Fame Player

The Greatest Laker



And I must confess,

He is the Best in the “WEST”

And Phil Jackson, you can’t teach GREATEST

So, please forgive me,

I’m simply stating the FACTS

But he did it without SHAQ

Besides, The Black Mamba is BACK!!!

His dunks are still Acrobatic

This is Supreme Mathematics

He is better than Magic

Greater than Kareem


He is a One-Man Team

And he’s WORTHY

Of all the Praise

Ever since he graduated from the 12th grade

Because he is smooth as silk

With a jumper sweeter than Jamal Wilkes


And, even New York’s Spike Lee

Knows KOBE

Got’s Game

Just watch the way he glides down the lane

And listen to the way the crowd screams his name

And I am not talking about LeBron James



So, check him out as he dribbles between his legs

Along the baseline

Watch his Hang time

Now press rewind

Because, the more you press rewind

The more you will find


Kobe Bryant

The “Greatest of All Times”



Eric D.Graham can be reached at graham_34_99_2000@yahoo.com

If you like what you are reading, contact me at lbiass34@yahoo.com

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

FANNIE FOUR EYES: MESSAGE TO LITTLE BLACK GIRLS

In my quest to find love I have failed many times....

Yet recently I came to the realization that in order to find true and healthy love

I must first be in love with myself!

So I'm starting an empowerment movement to ask one million Black woman to fall in love with themselves!

If I was a Black girl in love with myself

I would need to just sit alone with myself to know myself.

I would know that being alone does not mean lonely. I would sit with my fears and try to figure out, why I'm afraid of the dark, scared of silences, terrified of having to sit alone with myself.

If I was a Black girl in love with myself

I would choose healthy relationships. One's that help me grow, make me a better person, feeds and nature me.

I wouldn't settle for anyone else's husband or man. I wouldn't sign up for partnerships that are physically or emotionally abusive.

I would be clear that I deserve better.

If I was a Black girl in love with myself?

I would choose someone who has fully chosen me.
Someone who wants to work (THINGS) out with me! He/she desires to wake up with me.


Someone who deep belly laughs with me.
I would choose someone who makes my tummy flips, who misses me when I leave the room. Someone who encourages me to be a better and kinder person. If I was a Black girl in love with myself

I would actively work on being less critical of myself.

I would look in the mirror and not wish you away.

Instead, every day I would loudly declare, "I'm going to take care of you!
You are beautiful!

I'm proud of you!
I love you!
I love that KINK in your hair your beautiful nose, your wide spread grin, your crooked tooth, that scar on your belly.

I would exercise, walk a few steps daily to just honor you! I would not compare you to other womyn's bodies.

I would give thanks to God that he gave me another day with you.

If I was a black girl in love with myself

I would spend less money on expensive shoes and more money on therapy. Because I would realize I need to do soul work and not sole work! I need to heal those child hood scares. I need to learn how to forgive all the people who did not do enough to make me feel loved, important, or wanted.

Therapy would help me to be ok with asking for what I wanted from my family, my partnerships, my friendships. Therapy would help me deal with the depression that often creeps in leaving me feeling lonely, suicidal and unworthy.
If I was a black girl in love with myself

I would take the time to examine my sista' circle.
Do my friendships support unhealthy dynamics of petty jealousies, back biting, subtle put-downs?

Am I everybody's super woman, am I always the shoulder to cry on, am I that "go to girl" and yet there's no place for me to go too?

If I was a black girl in love with myself.

I would question all the spoken and unspoken "TRUTHS" that my mother told me about myself .

Did my mother counsel me from a place of fear, anger, hurt, and ignorance?

I would lovingly accept that my mother did the best that she could but that doesn't mean that her best is now MY best!

I would view my mother in the same loving way that I view myself, as a person who tries but sometimes fails.

I would know that I'm not a replica of my mother or grandmother. I do not have to repeat unhealthy family cycles or dynamics. I would forgive my mother

If I was a black girl in love with myself.

I would write my father a letter.

Mail it to him.

Never mail it.

I would tell him all the things that I wanted him to do and be for me.

I would tell him all the things that he doesn't know about me.

I would tell him that even as a grown woman

I still look for him and need him.

I would tell him about every super daddy hero story that I created and how he lived up to a few of them but failed me on so many~

I would forgive him

 If I was a black girl in love with myself.

 I would whisper in my daughter's ear each night how beautiful, smart, creative and amazing she is.

 I would not publicly shame or embarrass her in order to reprimand her.

I would not believe that beating or spanking her is good for her.

I would know that sitting with her and explaining right from wrong is better for her tiny soul and body.

I would encourage her to disappoint others and me in order to remain true to her spirit, her soul and to herself.
I would tell her that no matter what she did I could never stop loving her.
 I would address in therapy all hidden jealousy, fear, and anger that her tiny presence stirs in me.
I would know that these are my issues and are not the burden of my daughter to carry.

If I was a black girl in love with myself

I would cry often.
Do big public ugly cries.
Allow my tears to flow down my beautiful brown face.
Cry because I'm hurt.
Cry because I feel joy.
Cry because I feel angry.


I would not believe that I need to be given something to really cry about!
I would know that is safe to say that I'm hurt, it's ok for me to NOT have all the answers.
I would know that I don't always need to be strong, in order to carry everyone's hurt and shame on my too small back.
I would know it's ok to cry about the sexual secrets that I was told as a young girl to keep.
It was not my fault.

I give myself permission to cry in my car at a sad song on the radio.

If I was a black girl in love with myself.

I would rest.
That doesn't mean I'm lazy or lack ambition. I would light a candle.
Read a book. (Perhaps, you can heal your life!) I would do nothing.
Sit in my pjs all day. Bake a chocolate cake and share it if I wish, but perhaps eat it all by myself!
The world will not fall apart while I rest.
I don't need to be completely drained in order to rest.
The most loving act I can do is take some time to rest.

If I was a black girl in love with myself.

I would have mini conversations with God/Universe in my bed, in the shower, at my desk at work.
I would thank God for everything he has given me.
I would ask him to show me a path.
I would trust that everything in my life is in divine and perfect order and that God has a plan bigger for me than I could even imagine!
 I would dream beyond my circumstances!
If I was a black girl in love with myself

I would smile at every black girl regardless of their response to me.
I would view them as allies and not my competition!
I would cheer on their victories as if they were my own!
I would connect amazing black woman with each other and encourage them to get to know each other.
I would offer to babysit their kids!

I would have potlucks and sista brunches.
I would write empowering and loving messages on their facebook pages.
I would send them this piece! I would randomly tweet how amazing they are.
 I would encourage my sista's to be as smart as Michelle, as outspoken as Whoopi, as creative as Shonda, as loving as Oprah, and as wise as Maya.

 I would create safe places for them in my heart. I would send a black girl some flowers just because... and send myself some too! www.blackgirlinlove.com