Strong Black Man: Conjures Up Which Images?

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

What do you think when you hear women proclaim, "I want a strong Black brother"? What does that mean? Is machismo being referenced in that statement? Case in point, a movie titled, "Why Did I Get Married?" by Tyler Perry. Remember the scene near the end when the guy gets hi ex and his present to stop fighting each other by standing in between them as some cowboy wrangling wild mares?

Is the image and are the attributes of a "strong black man" related to physical and/or emotional handling of women in a sexist way?

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

No takers?

 

[FluffyRed]

It makes me think she is looking for silly superficial qualities and probably thinks of herself as a "strong black woman," but does not have good relationship-building skills. (JMO) Maybe thinks of herself in terms of race, but not much introspection going on otherwise.

Noone I know talks like this, and the women I do hear talking like this, on talk shows, Divorce Court or Judge Judy, well, they're on TV for a (not good) reason.

IMO, a strong man, who may or may not happen to be black, is strong enough to be emotionally open and vulnerable and loving. That's the strength I am looking for.

 

[BrownieBrie]

The first image that popped into my head was James Evans (the daddy from Good Times). Loving, supportive and dedicated I guess.
I have never heard any one say they wanted "a strong black man" but when i here the term thats what i think of.
The term itself means nothing to me personally. It's up to the individual to decide what they want/need in a mate and I don't think any term sums that up.

 

[SleekandBouncy]

The image that pops into my head depends on who's saying it. Generally a man who is strong in whatever way that woman defines strength, a man who encompasses more traditional/stereotypical male qualities and is black.

For some women a strong black man is the man who reminds them of their fathers or the uncles they grew up with, those men who took care of and protected house and family, stoic men. For others they may see strength as defined by street behavior. Similar to a thug - emotionally cut off and aggressive.

The image conjured in my mind isn't automatically a bad one. It depends on the context and speaker. The inclusion of race is neither a bad nor good thing, it's just whatever that woman wants *shrug*

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

The context was in the CF. So, for me, when I hear that term, I think of someone who thinks they exhibit christian behaviors but via AA male machismo. I coined the phrase "come-here-woman" kinduva guy. It's a "good" guy...but one who needs to control his woman to some extent. People go to counseling for that erplexed


Strong Black male...I've seen too many people equate this with a man who is somewhat of a womanizer, manipulative, controlling. That's not attractive to me in the least.

 

[princessnad]

When I hear "strong black man" I think of a physically strong and muscular man.

When I hear "strong black woman" I think of an emotionally resilient and independent woman.