The Masculinity Project

Challenging the myths of the black man

by j. brotherlove

Black Public Media (in collaboration with the Independent Television Service and the Ford Foundation) has launched The Masculinity Project, a collection of multi-generational voices to explore the question: What does it mean to be a man?

From the Intro Video:

“We’re like in this… box. In order to be in that box you have to be strong. You have to be tough. You have to have a lot of girls. You gotta have money. You gotta be a player, or a pimp. Y’know, you gotta be in control.You have to dominate other men, other people. Y’know if you’re not any of those things then y’know people call you soft, or weak, or a pussy, or a chump, or a faggot. And nobody wants to be any of those things. So everybody stays inside the box.”

The project will feature commissioned pieces from chosen independent producers such as “Top, Bottom & In The Middle” by photographer David Barclay Moore which aims to be “an honest examination of black gay male couples, a study in negotiating gender spaces within intimate relationships.”

There’s also an opportunity for viewers to submit short videos on black masculinity. The deadline for submission of shorts is July 31st, 2008. Be sure to check the submission guidelines and submission form for all the information.

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