Musings on the Biology of Black Manhood
Last time, I talked about a new way to think about what it means?to be a Black man, calling it "Equitable Manhood." This idea is built?on key areas: biology, social history, Black studies, gender studies, and?psychology.?Today, let's dive into the science part, especially focusing on biology,?knowing that a racist alibi for slavery that equates us with bestiality haunts?Black men.?
Too often, people unfairly judge Black men based on outdated and?wrong ideas about manhood and sexuality concerning ALL men. To really?understand this, we need to start by knowing the difference?between gender?identity (how someone feels inside about being male, female, or something else)?and how society expects boys and girls to act (masculinity and femininity).?It's also important not to just?think in black and white or male and female when?it comes to skin color or gender; nature is full of unique mixes and exceptions?that allow it to adapt. These changes come from both from within us and?from?outside, in our environments.??
Being Black from biology is mainly due to special cells in our?skin that make it darker, which helps protect us from the sun. This trait comes?from our parents and is also affected by how much sun our?ancestors were?exposed to. These cells create melanin, which determines our skin color. This?is why we call some people "Black," but remember, this is a?biological thing, not just the social label that?started as "Negro",?then "Colored", then self-affirmed "Blackness". Various?mixtures of melanin produce a wide array of skin colors, socially framed as?"race".
The other key part of biology is our gender, which comes from our?reproductive organs (called gonads) and hormones. Everyone has these gonads,?and they can produce male testicles or female ovaries. A?gene called SRY plays?a big role in deciding if an embryo will develop male or female organs. But,?it's not always just one or the other; nature likes to mix things up for?adaptation. Everyone has hormones?like testosterone and estrogen, but in?different amounts. Typically, male traits (e.g.?facial and body hair, deeper?vocal cords, more muscle mass) come from more testosterone. Typical female?traits (e.g. wider hips, breast growth, a menstrual cycle)?come from greater?estrogen.
There are terms like AMAB (Assigned Male At Birth) and AFAB?(Assigned Female At Birth) to describe the gender someone is given when they?are born. But, nature has its surprises, like microchimerism?(cells from a?mother, sibling, or twin found in someone) and hermaphroditism (having both?male and female organs). These?show that nature doesn't always stick to the?rules we might expect. "Either/Or" thinking disallows nature's?unique combinations and creates bias.
Being different can make people uncomfortable or scared, which can?lead to unfair treatment or judgment. This is true for both skin color and?gender differences. Fears fuel a lot of abuse.
There are many terms to describe how people identify their gender?or whom they are attracted to, like cisgender, transgender, non-binary, queer,?etc. While we demand respect for our self-determined?identity as Black men, it's?important to respect how people identify themselves.
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Our hormones can influence a lot of things, from how we look to?how we feel and act. Society has its own ideas of what's normal or expected for?men and women. Expectations have been historically low?for Black men. Expectations?affect how we see ourselves and how we are treated socially. Considering the?biology of identity, beyond personal control, and fears of differences are crucial?for self-empowerment and social justice. Suspending judgment is vital.
Essentially, understanding the basic biology of being Black and?male can help Black men face challenges and find their true selves. This is?just a quick look at a big topic, but I hope it helps you understand a?bit more?about the science behind who we are, en route to becoming better.
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