Judging The Book By Its Cover: America's Continuing Problem Of Acceptance
"They're targeting guys who dress like me -- guys who dress hip-hop. Put a murderer in a suit, and he's still a murderer. It sends a bad message to kids" (Iverson 1). Allen Iverson, the quote's author, often has to defend himself with comments like this one when being berated by the media. Being one of the world's best basketball players definitely puts him in the spotlight, but unfortunately, his talent is usually not the topic of conversation. Allen Iverson, an African American, is considered by America's dominant culture, white and middle-classed, to be a "thug." The media prefers to use the term "hip-hop icon" to describe the 6'1 guard of the Philadelphia 76'ers. Indeed, Iverson's tattooed body, excessive jewelry, baggy shorts, headband, arm bands, and corn rows do not fit America's idea of normal or middle-class. But does that make him a criminal, or bad person, or deserving of the extra criticism he receives because of his appearance and beliefs? Timothy J. Brown does not think so, nor do I after reading Mr. Brown's article Allen Iverson as America's Most Wanted: Black Masculinity as a Cultural Site of Struggle. Brown's article addresses a specific example of the broad, ongoing struggle that is still very much present in America: Racism. After reading the article one can see that people of different cultures and races are often discriminated against in America because of two factors: One, they do not meet the ideal standard of the dominant culture, which is predominantly white and middle class. And two, the media often wrongly portrays the words and actions of these people into a familiar perception that the dominant culture can identify ...
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... Iverson may dress different and have different beliefs and values, but that does not mean he should automatically be considered dangerous. The first step in eliminating our quick judgments about different people is to become aware of what our perceptions about those people are, and why we have those perceptions. When we eliminate our preconceived notions about people from different cultures and races, we will find that communicating across these cultural barriers will become not only much easier, but more effective too. Perhaps Iverson says it best, "Just because you put a guy in a tuxedo, it doesn't mean he's a good guy" (Iverson 1).
Works cited
Allan Iverson as America's Most Wanted: Black Masculinity as a Cultural Site of Struggle. By: Brown, Timothy J.. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, Mar2005, Vol. 34 Issue 1, p65-87, 23p; (AN 17741008)
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It is often the case that media and more specifically, film, perpetuates the stereotypes of black men. These stereotypes include not showing emotion, being physically aggressive, embrace violence, supposed criminality, associated with drug use, lack a father figure, sexually exploit women, and others. In the film, Boyz n the Hood, Tre’s father, Furious Styles, encourages Tre to demonstrate loyalty to other people in relationships, resist aggressive behavior, and foster and exhibit sexual responsibility. Thus, throughout the film, Tre challenges the society’s stereotyped norms of black masculinity and what it means to be a black man.
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