Where are all the black male feminists? Does such a thing even exist? We've reached a point in the movement where it has become more acceptable to for men to take up the mantle of feminist. Big names like Jared Leto, Ryan Gosling, and even Prince Harry have made a firm stance on equality for women. The list goes on and the list of men who have stated that women's equality needs to be a priority is abundant. What is not abundant is the number of men of color standing with them. There are a few of course; Will smith, John Legend, and President Barack Obama. The list is still short and those are just the public faces. When it comes to the fight for women's equality in the black community, most of the voices stay silent. There's plenty of chatter about the plight of the black man but little, if any, for black women. It's disheartening, especially considering the rate at which women of color are subjugated in comparison to every other male community, even black men.
Much has been made of the gender wage gap, but it is mostly highlighted between white men and white women. Black women make significantly less than white men and even white women. There is much fuss being made over the lack of jobs for black men, but none for black women. It is expected that women of color hold up their communities. How can they do so when they are making much less money, even while making up the most educated population in America? Something isn't right here, and black men are keeping quiet about it. Shouldn't black men, who owe so much of their progress to black women, fight for their equal rights? If we can agree that all women should indeed have equal opportunity and that men should be advocating just as hard on their behalf, then it is only right that black men decide that women matter as well. It is simply not enough to say that you respect women because of the struggles faced by your mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and aunts. If this is the case, then there should be no question that they are deserving of fervent advocacy.
The Black Lives Matter Movement is a prime example. The outrage against the killing of black men is a given. Immediately, when asked the names of individuals who have been victims of police brutality, at least fives names pop up. There's a strong likelihood that only one of those names is a woman, Sandra Bland. Why aren't there more black women being rallied for in this movement, especially since it was started by a group of black women. Is the outrage against the killing of black women non-existent, or is it so low that it isn't worth mentioning? Black men expect their women to stand with them and for them in the fight for injustice, yet there are so few who are willing to return the favor. the equality of women doesn't seem to be that high of a priority for black men.
