Subordinate Black South African Men without Fear

Abstract

Homicidal violence is a masculine enterprise, overwhelmingly undertaken against males by other males. Black young men are the most likely victims. Among several posited explanations for the vulnerability of members of this group to fatal is the legacy of apartheid segregation, a weak criminal-justice system and, of special interest here, hegemonic masculinity. This paper argues that while they may be perceived to subscribe to hegemonic masculinity, young Black men are objectively subordinated to this very form of masculinity. This ambiguous positioning of African young men within the labyrinthine racist, patriarchal, capitalist, homophobic structure calls for better explanations. I argue for a closer look at the underappreciated yet crucial role of African men’s emotional lives as critical political, social and health issues when dealing with susceptibility to homicide violence. I explore the historical necessity and trade-off of fear and fearlessness in the make-up of dominant Black masculinity. I posit that analyses of Black men’s violent death have to incorporate analyses of structures, and yet will likely fail in transforming dominant forms of Black masculinity where they neglect the emotional existence of Black men.