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Black Is Black Ain T Analysis

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To Be or Not To Be
Marlon Riggs’ documentary, “Black Is…Black Ain’t” explores several untold truths of African American culture. These truths are expressed by African Americans who have lived during and dealt with countless sufferings of being black in America.
Based on the testimonies given throughout Riggs’ film, the black community is known for being sexist and denouncing those who are homosexual. Molefi Asante believes that “homosexuality is a deviation from Afrocentric thought.” This quote produces the idea that if one is truly of African American descent, he cannot be homosexual. Ice Cube takes this idea further by saying “true niggers ain’t faggots.” While watching the documentary, one could not help but notice how many times being …show more content…

This teaches that if you are black, you are not welcome. Whether the kids learned this rhyme from parents or peers is irrelevant. What is relevant is the fact that they are being taught that black is bad and inferior. This not only destroys the sense of equality, but also teaches that certain shades of black are accepted. This creates tension among blacks and forces criticism which then leads to blacks tearing one another down. How can a culture expect other cultures to respect them if they cannot respect their own? Once again, a course objective has been met. Society’s conditioning has “hindered African Americans’ socialization and complete integration into society. (VSU Gen. Ed. Outcome 1, 2; AFAM Minor Outcome)” In order to truly make a change, the African American culture must first be able to stand together as …show more content…

The most important part of being black is being able to come to terms with who and what you are and accepting it. The second most important key to being black is realizing that we must serve and give back to the Black community. After years of oppression and enslavement, we must wake up and realize that in order to progress, we must help and uplift one another. A few of the men and women who were interviewed have obtained a life that is better than the one the once had. Because they have more money and are now a part of the middle class, they are often critiqued and judged by those of the same color.
Marlon Riggs presented information on a culture not by research but by testimonials. Hearing testimonials from kids and those who are “in or from the ‘hood” adds a sense of truth and realness to the documentary. It makes it believable. This video is vital to the course because it allows the student to better understand oppression not only from white counterparts, but from fellow blacks as well. It shows the evolution, or the lack thereof, of African American

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