Playing the Game: Recalling Dialectical Tensions for Black Men in Oppressive Organizational Structures

Abstract

This article considers the following question: What are the specific dialectical tensions that Black men encounter in oppressive organizational structures? In order to address this question, the authors conducted a textual analysis of three texts that explain, with great depth and clarity, the dialectical tensions experienced by Black men in organizational structures. Based on the analysis, the authors suggest that classic and contemporary literary works inform a collective critical memory base of distinct communicative experiences for non-dominant group members.

KEYTERMS:

• black manhood
• co-cultural communication
• critical memory
• dialectical tensions

This article represents a portion of Mark C. Hopson's master's thesis, of which Mark P. Orbe served in the capacity of advisor/director.