Ain't I a Feminist?: African American Men Speak Out on Fatherhood, Friendship, Forgiveness, and FreedomAin't I a Feminist? presents the life stories of twenty African American men who identify themselves as feminists, centering on the turning points in their lives that shaped and strengthened their commitment to feminism, as well as the ways they practice feminism with women, children, and other men. In her analysis, Aaronette M. White highlights feminist fathering practices; how men establish egalitarian relationships with women; the variety of Black masculinities; and the interplay of race, gender, class, and sexuality politics in American society. Coming from a wide range of family backgrounds, ages, geographical locations, sexualities, and occupations, each man also shares what he experiences as the personal benefits of feminism, and how feminism contributes to his efforts towards social change. Focusing on the creative agency of Black men to redefine the assumptions and practices of manhood, the author also offers recommendations regarding the socialization of African American boys and the reeducation of African American men in the interest of strengthening their communities. |
Contents
1 | |
The Sons of Sojourner Truth | 12 |
Challenging Assumptions About Power | 31 |
The Need and Willingness to Change | 61 |
5 Romantic Relationships with Feminist Women | 84 |
6 Platonic Friendships with Feminist Women | 111 |
7 Men as Friends Brothersand Lovers | 134 |
Nurturing Interactions with Children | 156 |
Can Black Men Really Be Feminists? | 192 |
Methodological Intersections and Considerations | 202 |
Interview Categories | 209 |
Historical and Contemporary Usage of the Terms Feministand Womanist | 211 |
NOTES | 213 |
REFERENCES | 233 |
INDEX | 258 |
9 Private CommitmentsPublic Actions | 175 |
Other editions - View all
Ain't I a Feminist?: African American Men Speak Out on Fatherhood ... Aaronette M. White No preview available - 2008 |
Ain't I a Feminist?: African American Men Speak Out on Fatherhood ... Aaronette M. White No preview available - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
activism activist African American communities Alan antisexist attitudes batter behavior bell hooks bisexual Black feminism Black feminist Black male Black women challenge commitment critical Critical Psychology cross-sex friendships Donny egalitarian emotional emotionally experiences femi feminism feminist Black men feminist Black men’s feminist fathers feminist friendships feminist masculinities feminist perspectives feminist women gender graduate school heterosexist heterosexual homophobia homophobic identity individual institutions interactions intersectional interview involved issues Journal lesbian lives male friends manhood marriage married masculinities studies McAdams men’s Million Man March mother narratives nist nurturing one’s oppression organization parents participants partner patriarchal political practices privilege profeminist professor Psychology race racism rape redemption Risman role romantic relationships sexism society Soyinka struggle student talk things tion tional Toussaint transgendered transsexual Turning Points understand University Press violence White wife woman womanist women friends women's studies York