(ThyBlackMan.com) Despite what I can only term an illogical segment of black women have convinced themselves, all black men do not view the world through the same unenlightened lens that facilitates their ignoring domestic violence against black women.
To the chagrin of many “sisters,” a cadre of black men who love them with uncommon vigor and unending loyalty do exist. I know that these black men exist because I am one of them. I know hundreds of others who think just like me. In many ways, the assertion that black men, in general, do not love and care for black women is a broad statement that does nothing other than further muddying black male and female relationships in Black America. The black men within my circle consensually agree that the above
broadside attacks raise reasonable questions such as “Why should we not love, adore, and extend our loyalty to black women? Aren’t they our mothers, grandmothers, aunt’s, girlfriends, daughters, sisters, nieces, and confidantes?”
The assertion that black men, in general, do not care about domestic violence against black women conflict with the reality that one would be hard-pressed to find a black female who does not have a black male family member who doted over and loved the women within his family. If you have not seen the kindness, care, and consideration that a black man has for his daughters, wife, or some other female, well then you need to expand your social circle because there are plenty of them who do. Most frustrating for the alluded to black men is the tendency of critics to lump them into the same boat with black men that they share nothing.
It is this population that feels that the following social media request was unnecessary. The alluded to request reads as follows.
“Tomorrow, female blackout from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Its a movement to show what the world might be like without women. Your profile photo should just be a black square so that men wonder where the women are. Pass it only to women … It’s for a project against domestic abuse.”
As usual, social media activism is at best, myopic.
If nothing else, the above social media campaign continues the tradition of seeking to educate victims of domestic violence regarding deplorable violence while ignoring abusive men. If common sense were more common, domestic violence activists would understand that they are usually targeting the wrong audience if they intend to end domestic violence. It is the victimizer, not the victim, who needs serious help. Yet, the unfortunate tradition of excluding abusive men continues unabated.
In many ways it is puzzling that those activists who oppose domestic violence so stringently have yet to understand that their failure to address male perpetrators of domestic violence dooms their efforts.
Let be honest about this matter, domestic violence is a pressing matter in Black America. Although many wish to turn a blind eye to the matter, anyone raised in a predominantly black residential area can attest that on some occasions black men batter black women and on other occasions black women have been known to batter black men; the alluded to violence is present within same-sex relationships. This reality challenges the logic that only black women, the usual victim, need to be educated or “dealt with” regarding domestic violence matters. Such a perspective is foolhardy as it leaves abusers, regardless of gender, unchanged from their violent ways. This situation must be addressed sooner rather than later.
Staff Writer; Dr. James Thomas Jones III
Official website; http://www.ManhoodRaceCulture.com
One may also connect with this brother via Twitter; DrJamestJones.