In a Mashable report, millennial Black men opened up about how they must “suppress” their sense of self or style in order to combat racial stereotypes. As we’ve seen time and time again, a particular style of dress seems to be the motive behind why some officers and “watchmen” police, assault, and kill unarmed Black men and if you want to stay alive, a wardrobe change might be a Black man’s first line of defense. At least that’s the approach some men of color are taking. Scott Pegram told Mashable while most men don’t second guess wearing a hoodie in public, he opts for a business casual style that allows him to cover his arm tattoos and look more “trusting” and presentable. Pegram believes as a Black man he is perceived as: “angry, aggressive and dangerous” and would prefer the first impression others have of him to be positive.
Although Pregram’s decision may seem uncharacteristically calculating, many Black men in their mid to late twenties have adopted a similar attitude, deciding to only dress in suits or buttons down shirts in order to appear “safe” to the masses. Some believe their polo shirts and iron-creased slacks will protect them from being harmed, unlike their peers who were killed while wearing casual clothing.
However, there are those who genuinely like to dress more formally due to their personal taste or line of work and who still have issues. Education administrators, fashion bloggers and businessmen alike told Mashable despite the attire they may wear, they have routinely had unpleasant experiences with the police. Professor Emmett Price of Northeastern University told Mashable, “There’s this notion of African American males who have chosen to dress in a way that disarms the blackness and the potential for being seen as more Black than human. It’s black men catering to the external expectations to present themselves as respectable and more so human. Once we convey that we are human, then there’s an opportunity for a relationship and not one that is based upon who is dominant and who is subservient.”
As Mashable’s article unfolded, I found myself extremely perturbed. My father and uncles have always been sharp dressers, however they were never immune to racism while growing up in 1960s Harlem. Therefore, I can’t quite believe in 2015, Black men who were raised by men from my father’s generation would think a Ralph Lauren button-down or Marc Jacobs shoes would save them from an ignorant police officer who’s potentially trigger happy. Furthermore, there are historical documents/photographs from sites like Musarium which show Black men lynched in their Sunday’s Best. Clothing is not a magic wand that can erase the ideals of white supremacy and buying into this faulty notion shows some Black people, unfortunately, still have no problem appeasing white people or figures in authority.
Do you understand where these men are coming from or do you think this sets a bad precedent?
