22 | THE VOICE APRIL 2023
Terence Channer
Join the debate online: voice-online. co.uk/opinion
Masculinity is not one dimensional
I
’VE SEEN emasculated men but this ain’t one. First off, this cover is about Rihanna, not A$AP. I thought long and hard when writing this. My gut reaction was of switching roles and of a feminised man until I realised that masculinity is multi-faceted and should never be one dimensional. Masculinity has to be pliable, e.g. Monday manly swagger, Tuesday sensitive loving gentle father. The two are not incompatible. It is tempting to see this image as a reversal of the traditional gender roles, as A$AP is holding the baby, his posture appears submissive, his chest is not puffed out as he accommodates the child. There appears to be no Black swagger or Black bop in his step. He lovingly kisses their child. He is being led by a bold Rhianna — her chest is prominent, as her spine is arched backwards and her head tilts back, arm swinging wide, as she walks with a powerful 1980s-style Rastaman bounce. The word ‘emasculated’ is heavily loaded — particular as so much is being said about toxic masculinity — because ‘masculate’ means to make manly or strong and the opposite, means to “deprive a man of his male role or identity” At this point, whilst writing this post, I paused and began to ponder on my use of the word emasculated. This was in the context of what I considered to be the male role in family life and in particular the Black male role in the Black family. Why the Black family? Black family life was wholly incompatible with slavery and therefore a thriving post-slavery Black family remained inconsistent with afrophobia and antiBlack racism. Hence the effect of Jim Crow and colonialism on the Black family was to stunt its development by limiting opportuni-
Rihanna’s Vogue cover sparked claims A$AP was ‘emasculated’ but e’s confident in imself and t ey stride for ard toget er as a Blac family ties and ensuring unfairness in respect of housing, education, healthcare, employment and criminal justice. That’s why — if you’re wondering — successful celebrity Black families are powerfully symbolic and inspirational for many Black folk. Women are disproportionately the victims of male violence (remember Chris Brown?). Men disproportionately commit familicide (e.g. murder their family then commit suicide) — the depths of toxic masculinity. In this image, A$AP is showing the different facets of mas-
A$AP is not insecure. He is enjoying his own highly successful career culinity, i.e. that masculinity is not, and should never be, onedimensional. He has already played the stereotypical hyper masculinised ‘Black criminal thug’ rapper — an obligatory image that rap music execs have successfully monetised. Now he — or rather Rihanna — is facing accusations of emasculation for not sticking to the script. His reasons for deviating from the script? Fatherhood and family life comes first! The role of the Black father in Black families
has been under constant threat. The fact Rihanna is more famous, and is multiple times richer than A$AP, is only relevant to A$AP’s masculinity if he is insecure. However, A$AP is not insecure. He is enjoying his own highly successful career, whilst basking in the glow of his beautiful Black Queen, Rhianna. I believe that the male role — visa-vis the likes of A$AP and Rhianna — is to act in a way that is: Loving not hateful Respectful not disrespectful Sensitive not insensitive Faithful not unfaithful Kind not cruel (or abusive) Caring not uncaring Diligent not lazy Whilst reflecting, I considered the saying “behind every successful man there stands a woman.” Unsurprisingly, this elicited the witty feminist counterclaim that “behind every successful woman is herself”. Soon to be father to two of her children, and with reports that wedding bells are soon to be chiming, I very much doubt that Rihanna is going to apply the mantra to herself that behind every successful woman is herself. I believe she will view motherhood as an integral part of her success through her partnership with A$AP. I also believe she will feel a deep debt of gratitude to the people of Barbados and others who have helped her achieve the goals. As for A$AP, he is walking into greater success with Rhianna firmly by his side (not in front, not behind).
‘Roles are equally important, they are fluid and can change’ I posted about the Vogue cover on social media. Here are a selection of comments I received:
“I’M OLD fashioned, should it not be the man leading the woman ok well this is what they do create all these pictures to take away women’s femininity and try to make them more masculine. This then trickles down the line to young ladies that will have this idealistic approach of a relationship and who is at front. This is all part of the dehumanisation process. It
is also generated again at Black community … Stay awoke people.” “I DON’T see a problem. Rihanna didn’t even have to have him on the cover… the situation exists because of Rihanna’s work; it is appropriate for him to support her, the event is NOT a result of his work. it would be crazy for him to be leading her IN THIS EVENT… imagine she does the work and on award night he goes up in front of her and accepts her award…or vice versa. Dah
conversation yah a foolishness!!!” “THIS IS healthy masculine and feminine energy. Anyone who wants to scrutinise it is socialised and potentially abandoning themselves. In one way or another, our roles are equally important and they are fluid and can change. If we stand true in ourselves we will only ever be giving love and it will radiate we wouldn’t even notice anything but the good first and foremost ”
Terence Channer is a consultant solicitor at Scott-Moncrieff & Associates LLP who specialises in police misconduct, injury and healthcare law. He is a passionate anti-racism advocate.
