HUNG - Black entertainment with a twist

It's taken me a little while to sort through what I want to say about a new book HUNG by Scott Poulson-Bryant. Now I have to say that as of this moment I have not yet bought the book, but I plan to shortly. Why am I discussing it then? Well partly because Mr. Paulson-Bryant delves into the question of "The color was its size. The size was its color" [James Baldwin], and because he delves into the deeper statements of what else that can also mean.

I think that most black african american men will agree that they are expected to have a big one. I've never know a black african american man to admit or think otherwise, including myself. And that belief, at one time in America was all that was needed to get me killed. That belief has also had a cost that can be seen even today. Mr. Poulson-Bryant touches on part of that cost as he discusses "...this acknowledged agreement between the races that white men have the brains and Black men have the brawn, the strength—physically and sexually. There’s a certain power that comes along with that, but what kind of power is it truly?..." That in itself is a question that every rapper-to-be, sport-mega-star-hopeful, movie-actor-waiting-tables or other entertainer-in-the works, should look at. What have we given up to gain the myth and have we actually gained anything at all?

These are real questions, and deserve attention. I cannot say that this book will give you all the facts you need. Some critics find it too reliant on individual experiences and not enough on facts. Some enjoy it as it is. As I stated earlier I have not read it yet. But I do know as a Black Puerto Rican man, in America, I am constantly confronted with assumptions, as are many entertainers of all types and millions of other men, based solely on a glance at my skin. This is one assumption that I have self-promoted at times, and seen on display on television and other media constantly, and only unconciously though of. Perhaps its time that it becomes more of a concious thought.

This is what I think, what about you?