For Black Men, Goal Remains the Same
And that is educational and professional success, not pursuing ‘manly’ careers.
by Joshua Alston
In some ways, trying to mimic a traditional model of masculinity has been part of the problem for us. If men define themselves through doing blue-collar work, and getting dirty and making things with their hands, they find themselves in a pinch when those sectors shrink, as construction and manufacturing have recently. That’s an issue that affects white and black men in the same way. The difference seems to be in pursuit of education. When white, blue-collar men find themselves out of work, they’re more likely to have at least a high- school diploma to fall back on.
continue reading here