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Black Masculinity In Moonlight

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The film, Moonlight, demonstrates the complexity of black masculinity by characters, Chiron and Kevin, conforming to the norms of what it means to be a “man” or “masculine” by society’s standards; more specifically black man and their sexuality. Black men are stereotyped to be violent and hypersexual. Kevin promotes hegemonic masculinity (a practice that justifies men's dominant position in society) throughout the film, one in particular when he asked Chiron, “Why you always let people pick on you, man?” accusing him of acting “soft.” Chiron replies, “But I ain’t soft” and in response Kevin says, “I know, I know. But it don’t mean nothing if they don’t know it.” Kevin then wrestles Chiron so he doesn't come off as "soft" in front of the other …show more content…

However, after Juan teaches Chiron how to swim, he explains the story behind his nickname ‘Blue,’ which was given by an old lady who said, “In moonlight black boys look blue. You blue.” After Juan tells the story, Chiron asks if he still identities with the nickname ‘Blue,’ in response Juan told him, “At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you're going to be. Can't let nobody make that decision for you.” Chiron takes this under-consideration and then rejects the nickname ‘Little’ and take Juan’s advice, the audience knows this because the next chapter called “Chiron.” He took control of his own identity in this part of his life. Although, at some points during the second part, Kevin calls Choron “Black.” Somehow promoting the concept of the tough-guy image, which Kevin frequently enforces Chiron to do so. Naturally, Chiron questioned Kevin when they were on the beach together, “what kind of dude goes around giving other dudes nicknames?” The final chapter of the film, titled “Black,” after the nickname that Kevin gave him, Chiron chooses to keep the nickname, despite what Kevin did. During this part of the movie it is clear that Chiron likes the hardness and harshness that the nickname “Black” leds on. This is him complying with hegemonic masculinity our society continues to promote. It’s hard to tell whether or not Chiron is ever in control of his own identity, it seems as though his identity is shaped by other and how they perceive

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