"bbc", "mandingo", Is It Racial Fetishization Of Black Men?

[HOU_HEADHUNTER]

I came across an interesting article that was posted in the North Texas Daily on November 7th 2020. It's short but I think it's a worthy read for anyone that is interested in seeing it from another point of view. This is a topic that I feel strongly about as a black male who has been fetishized constantly on different apps. A lot of people don't really consider the origin of certain words that we commonly see. The porn industry has contributed to a lot of the sexual stereotypes of black men and women. Check the link below to read the article.

Fetishization of Black men is a form of prejudice

 

[EquusAZ]

Thanks for sharing. My husband is black and we've had many discussions around this. Having grown up in the southwest and being somewhat aware of how being white affects my fellow humans, I was somewhat aware of how othering works and how it can impact people. My habitus was primarily white with hispanic family members, and a few black friends. As I got older and became more self-aware I really became more aware of how much of a divide white people put on the world and one of the most insideous is the othering of black people in porn. I can't count the number of fetish videos there are out there revolving around bbc, cheating with someone who is black, or other such topics. Its degrading to black people on so many levels. Theres a lot of words I can equate it to, degrading, dehumanizing, objectifying, hurtfull, spitefull, etc. Really, it makes me dissappointed in my fellow human beings and their stupidity.

Again, thanks for sharing.

 

[Scarletbegonia]

Yes, it is racist and objectification.

 

[deleted5199391]

Mandingo yes, it's also quite wrong on many levels. But there are also a lot of bwc porn vids.
I think that this is a problem strongly related to USA. It's a lot different in Europe, for example.

 

[Scarletbegonia]

Mandingo yes, it's also quite wrong on many levels. But there are also a lot of bwc porn vids.
I think that this is a problem strongly related to USA. It's a lot different in Europe, for example.

Objectification for the purpose of dehumanization is almost always wrong.

 

[englad]

Yes, it is and very explicitly so. You often hear people using the term BBC without any interest in the rest of the man whatsoever, thus reducing him to a single body part. It brings up antiquated racist stereotyping of black men as being bestial and subhuman, which dates back to slavery. I think a lot of people who use that term wouldn't actually want to have a serious relationship with a black man or introduce him to their parents or friends.

 

[Sagittarius84]

It is definitely dehumanizing and fetishizing..But I think the BBC mythos is especially damaging to Black men, because unlike other forms of racial fetishism, it has intersectionality with some of the competitive aspects of masculinity;almost a facade of pedestalization. It masquerades itself as a position of strength and dominance, placing black men on a sexual hierarchy atop all others while simultaneously regressing us to sex dolls in employ of (usually) white owners. Especially the hetero sense, because there still persists a historical anxiety amongst European derived male populations as to the "sanctity" of white female sexual access, that I think a lot if black men lean into, to their own ruin.

 

[3HandsfulofDick]

Yes, it is and very explicitly so. You often hear people using the term BBC without any interest in the rest of the man whatsoever, thus reducing him to a single body part. It brings up antiquated racist stereotyping of black men as being bestial and subhuman, which dates back to slavery. I think a lot of people who use that term wouldn't actually want to have a serious relationship with a black man or introduce him to their parents or friends.

Though it is seen as stereotyping black men, the only ones that are offended are those interested in white women and men and care about what they think..Regardless of its original intent, the word has no power over me. If anything, depending on the sexual setting I’m in, it proves dominance and also the notion I have something that many want but can never have…

 

[HOU_HEADHUNTER]

Lot's of great comments here. Good to see that people of other races are able to see how those terms are problematic. Unfortunately a lot of black men are unaware of how those words reduce them to nothing but a sexual object for other people's pleasure. I see many black men referring to themselves as "BBC" because it is so prevalent in porn and has become a term to quickly signify that they are black and possibly hung. The irony is that even black men that are not hung call themselves "BBC" because they know that it will get them attention. That begs to question what kind of attention do they want by referring to themselves as "BBC." Are they knowingly allowing others to objectify them? Do they hope to seek the attention of white and other non black people that are fetishists? So often we speak about people fetishizing black bodies but if I'm being honest I think a lot of black men in particular fetishize people of other races just as much. All of that is also due to brainwashing from slavery/colonialism as well. My main issue is that by calling yourself "BBC" it gives others permission to wield that term toward any and every black man in a sexual setting or on apps. They feel that by calling you a "BBC" they are giving you a compliment and it will stroke your ego. It's essentially giving permission to be reduced to nothing more than a penis.

I am now starting to see other forms of the term that are used for other races such as "BWC" (big white cock) and "BLC" (big latin cock) but the difference is that these terms are not rooted in a past that dehumanized those groups and not to mention those terms don't seem to be promoted as much in the porn industry.

 

[Sagittarius84]

The irony is that even black men that are not hung call themselves "BBC" because they know that it will get them attention.

I think it's become akin to "big dick energy" in that it's the vibe not the size of the tool. Keep in mind, women are known to overestimate the size of their partners penis, the more sexually satisfied within the relationship.

That begs to question what kind of attention do they want by referring to themselves as "BBC."

Sexual attention..Men in general tend to be geared towards maximizing sexual opportunity. Black men in particular, when not accounting for socioeconomic motivations, tend to be rated highest on the scale for pure physical attraction.

So often we speak about people fetishizing black bodies but if I'm being honest I think a lot of black men in particular fetishize people of other races just as much

There's a difference between sexually objectifying a demographic that you historically hold dominon over, and real world responses to demographics that offer sexual opportunity, but not relationship opportunities. The colonizers had every opportunity to form real relationships and chose sexual objectification, the colonized are often not offered anything but sexual indulgence. Non white women have widely and enthusiastically made themselves available historically to white men for full on relationships ...its only been in recent yrs that non black women have widely regarded black men as viable partners as opposed to sex toys or sperm donors.

 

[HOU_HEADHUNTER]

I think it's become akin to "big dick energy" in that it's the vibe not the size of the tool. Keep in mind, women are known to overestimate the size of their partners penis, the more sexually satisfied within the relationship.

"Big Dick Energy" is kind of new and is more relative to confidence as a man with a "big dick" is thought to exude confidence. I don't really think "Big Dick Energy" relates as much to the porn industry and the fetishization aspect as it can be used for any man of any race. There is not an implied race associated with that phrase therefore it is not problematic.

Sexual attention..Men in general tend to be geared towards maximizing sexual opportunity. Black men in particular, when not accounting for socioeconomic motivations, tend to be rated highest on the scale for pure physical attraction.

True men are geared towards maximizing sexual opportunity and that seems to be the goal most times but it does not negate that they are giving permission for sexual objectification. Not all men are only seeking sex and would like something more so when they are met with these ideas of black men as unworldly sexual beasts only here for sexual pleasure it can have some psychological effects on that black man. As for black men being rated the highest on the scale for pure physical attraction I'd think that to be arguable and questionable. White men are the most desired for physical attraction and this is on a global scale. Black men are held in high regard for sexual prowess again due to the porn industry but that should not be held as some kind of badge of honor.

There's a difference between sexually objectifying a demographic that you historically hold dominon over, and real world responses to demographics that offer sexual opportunity, but not relationship opportunities. The colonizers had every opportunity to form real relationships and chose sexual objectification, the colonized are often not offered anything but sexual indulgence. Non white women have widely and enthusiastically made themselves available historically to white men for full on relationships ...its only been in recent yrs that non black women have widely regarded black men as viable partners as opposed to sex toys or sperm donors.

I have no arguments with this quote. I will say that yes we are slowly seeing a shift in how people think and black men are starting to be seen as viable partners but I do still believe that a lot of those relationships were formed in part due to fetishization on one or both partners part in the beginning. People can grow and move past those thoughts over time.

 

[TinyPrincess]

It's racist without a doubt.

Both the stereotypes mentioned in the article and the writer's own stereotypes clearly shows how deep racism is in the US.

We have racism here as well but not to the extent that it shapes culture and language.

 

[HOU_HEADHUNTER]

Since this is an open discussion that is of interest to some I will share links to articles that I've come across. The article linked is from a woman's point of view.
Deconstructing Black fetishization

The second link is from a black man who has a fear of being fetishized when on dating apps.
The Fear of a Black Fetish

 

[HOU_HEADHUNTER]

One more for those that are into the articles. I couldn't leave this one out because it is probably the most concise of them in terms of information and the use of references with the book titled Mandingo which I've read and the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe whose work I am familiar with.
Jungle Fever And The Objectification Of The Black Male Body

 

[TinyPrincess]

One more for those that are into the articles. I couldn't leave this one out because it is probably the most concise of them in terms of information and the use of references with the book titled Mandingo which I've read and the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe whose work I am familiar with.
Jungle Fever And The Objectification Of The Black Male Body

Sorry, but this one feels over the top for me - "The need to breed a lineage of black boys who would transform into ‘hung’ black men was a turn-on — psychologically and fiscally — for white male plantation owners."

If I had been a white slave owner "breeding" slaves to work in the fields, I would most likely consider health, stamina and behaviour above everything else.

And I'm pretty sure it would be a trillion dollar industry if it was possible to actually "breed" hung men...

 

[HOU_HEADHUNTER]

Sorry, but this one feels over the top for me - "The need to breed a lineage of black boys who would transform into ‘hung’ black men was a turn-on — psychologically and fiscally — for white male plantation owners."

If I had been a white slave owner "breeding" slaves to work in the fields, I would most likely consider health, stamina and behaviour above everything else.

And I'm pretty sure it would be a trillion dollar industry if it was possible to actually "breed" hung men...

I know it may seem far fetched to you but these kind of things did happen during slavery. The slave industry was a big business in the south and there were breeding farms were black men and black women were paired regardless of whether or not they were kin. They treated black people like animals.

 

[Mount Phalic]

Aren't most physical attractions, as opposed to emotional attractions, fetishes? Tall man fetish, muscle fetish, big dick fetish, red-head fetish, uncut cock fetish, etc.

 

[TinyPrincess]

I know it may seem far fetched to you but these kind of things did happen during slavery. The slave industry was a big business in the south and there were breeding farms were black men and black women were paired regardless of whether or not they were kin. They treated black people like animals.

Absolutely. But the quote wasn't on "breeding" as such but on "breeding" hung men.

It's the last bit of the quote that sounds too ridiculous. It sounds like a gay teenage boy's wet dream or some lousy porn script written on the back of a napkin.

To me it sounds too much like a 21st century attempt to fetishise a 19th century practice.

 

[Fishsqueezee69]

This is an interesting topic.

You know, one thing I have always wondered is how the BBC myth impacts those [most] black males who are small or have very average penises. I would imagine that's another side of the BBC fetish that should be explored.

I always find it weird when ppl want to be pro black but end up making comments alluding to the "reality" of BBC.

If it was just merely objectification then Black males would be known for their nice asses, muscular bodies, or beautiful skin. Instead, we know them for one thing, being hung. It's definitely more than objectifying blacks. It's about dehumanizing blacks.

That's why I hate the term bbc.

 

[HOU_HEADHUNTER]

Aren't most physical attractions, as opposed to emotional attractions, fetishes? Tall man fetish, muscle fetish, big dick fetish, red-head fetish, uncut cock fetish, etc.

I suppose those too could be considered fetishes but they are not based on race. When race comes into play it becomes problematic due to the history of dehumanization of black bodies during the time of slavery. There was an awful fascination with the anatomy of black people and all kinds of theories were formed about the humanness of black people because there was this deep rooted desire for white people to differentiate themselves from black people.