Still makes me wanna holler: African American males, dilemmas, and disparities

ABSTRACT

The current discussion explores the myriad of challenges facing African American males across the social, political, and economic landscape. As such, this paper examines the impact of such challenges on the life course trajectories and outcomes for this population group. Also discussed is the extent to which the impact of gendered cultural demands and expectations, combined with the adverse effects of gendered racism, may create for many African American males, a byzantine conundrum from which there is no respite. This is thought to create a tremendous psychological burden with serious ramifications for mental health and well-being. Lastly, it is argued that a more holistic approach to examining the issues, challenges, and dilemmas facing African American males is potentially more informative, and can support efforts to disrupt racial bias, create opportunity, and improve life course trajectories for African American males.

KEYWORDS:

• African American males
• culture
• mental health
• life-course
• racism
• racial battle fatigue