Why are Black Male Actors Wearing Dresses in Hollywood Films?
A trend that has been occurring in Hollywood is the number of Black male actors who are being exploited by having them wear dresses for the entertainment of some. But, on another note, I feel that we have to look at why this is becoming the norm for Black male actors and the possible underlying purpose for having them to portray themselves in this manner.
It is a given that we live in a white male dominated society whether we agree or disagree. And it is known that men in society since ancient times have always established ways to control women. In a white male dominated society, women are considered less of a threat to males and therefore are treated unfairly when you compare women to men. Equality is absent in a white male dominated society.
So what does this have to do with Black males actors in Hollywood? Well, having popular Black male actors to appear on screen as women is a way that challenges their masculinity and renders them on an unequal level with popular white male actors and white males in general. How often are popular white actors such as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, just to name a couple, offered roles to be cast in a movie and there is a scene they are asked to wear a dress to generate a good laugh? How often do you see Hollywood or network stations ask white male actors to dress as women? But you have seen popular Black actors such as Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence, Ving Rhames, etc. perform on screen or television dressed as women.
We have to begin to analyze more carefully how Black males are being projected in society. The image of Black males has been tarnished and corrupted for so long that many people do not believe or even know that positive, honest, trustworthy, and hardworking Black males exist when in actuality, we do exist but society intentionally neglects us and refuses on a regular basis to recognize our presence. If you know of a positive Black male image, post your perspective or comments that describe or highlight this Black male for it is time that we begin reconstructing the image that is being projected of Black males in society…
Peace
