What does it mean to be a real man?
The book "Progressive Black Masculinity," edited by Athena D. Mutua, associate professor of UB's Law School, is a collection of essays that bring attention to the issue concerning the ideal man and how it undermines black masculinity.
The collection of essays encourages a discussion about the leadership or dominant aspect of masculinity, which is represented by a white, upper class, propertied man, according to Mutua. Each essay discusses the ideal influences that affect the black community, but in particular black men.
"In the book, we think about what masculinity is. We think about how it is defined in this society, and about internalizing it and living it," Mutua said.
The book developed out of a series of conferences held at the UB Law School and Buffalo State College, which in turned developed from a class on "Critical Race Theory" taught by Mutua and her fellow associate professor of law, Stephanie L. Phillips.
Mutua contributed the introduction and the first article to the book. Her contributions act as a foundation for the other essays in the book.
"The introduction and first chapter (theorizes) black masculinity. I talk about how we came to the topic," Mutua said.
She said that the essay force readers to think outside the box and go beyond stereotypes of men and of race.
"The book is a challenging book to read," Mutua said. "It's a challenge to think more concretely about masculinity, and it's a challenge to change older thinking that suggested that black men were oppressed by racism."
The book touches on the feminist, gay and lesbian movements, which all had an influence on the field of masculinity studies, which itself grew out of a pro-feminist movement about 20 years ago.
Feminist writing is already well established as a field, however, whereas masculinity is still in a process of developing, according to Mutua.
On March 1 at 7 p.m., the essayists will be holding a book signing at Talking Leaves Books on Main Street.
The book signing aims to spread the word about the essay collection among the UB community, as well as the Buffalo community.
"We are excited. I think the book talks about an important issue that needs to be addressed," said Jonathan Welch, manager of Talking Leaves. "We are very happy to have Professor Mutua coming and (to) support UB in that way."
According to Mutua, the essay authors want to start a dialog with people about issues in their work, and see the book signing as a great chance to do so. Professor Mutua feels especially proud about the book because she is personally connected to the issue of black masculinity.
Mutua has three sons and said that she feels it is important to talk to about masculinity issues. She believes that Americans need to talk about all kinds of human relationships as a society.
Although she edited the collection of essays and wrote an introduction as well as an essay, Mutua says that she could not have done it alone.
"I edited the collection of the14 different essays, but they are all written by great people, and are all great essays. The book was made out of a joint effort," she said.
The book provides open-ended questions to a difficult and complex issue, but it also encourages a different way of thinking for a reader who has to develop the answer for themselves.
"It is our question to pose, and the challenge is to provide possible answers for how you might remake it," Mutua said. "It would be for the younger generation to figure it out."
Mutua said that she believes answers must come from future generations of black men, who she invites to be progressive and human.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
