Reviews for Deconstructing Tyrone: A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation

The average rating for Deconstructing Tyrone: A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-06-17 00:00:00 Edward Brandon Deconstructing Tyrone, by Natalie Hopkinson and Natalie Y. Moore is an examination of Black masculinity through the experiences of Black men and women of different ages, sexual orientations, and classes, and the eyes of the media, and greater American culture. Through the telling of individual stories, each chapter conveys what it means to be a Black man in the U.S. Among the perspectives given through the stories, are the that of a prominent Black politician, a homosexual Black male couple, an incarcerated Black male, and black female strippers, among others. The book also examines typically Black cultural phenomena, such as the "babydaddy" situation, and the pop culture images of rappers and "video hos." I thought that the authors did a great job covering the topic from varied perspectives, that left the reader with a wide-ranging exposure to the variables affecting the concept of "Black masculinity," and a lot to think about. They not only told stories of Black males, but also gave insight into the the Black female experience as it relates to Black male-female relationships by discussing Black males father figures with Black females, dating and relationships with young Black females, as well as the experience of raising a Black male from a mother's perspective. This book relates to my service in that I work with Black males on a regular basis, and have always been intrigued by the portrayal of Black males in the media, and how that translates into mainstream culture. Also, I read the book in honor of Black History Month, and would indeed reccommend it to someone who is interested in the topic.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-07-28 00:00:00 BEN KHALED Mohamed Mouldi In Deconstructing Tyrone, two black journalists examine black masculinity in the hip-hop generation from a variety of perspectives. With chapters on black men in politics (Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick), on the relationship between the misogynist hip-hop culture and women, on how gay men fit into the black masculinity picture, on babydaddies, on gay black men on the "down low," and black men in the office, at school, and in jail, this book presents a multifaceted picture of American black men today. I confess I know little about the black experience today, and I found this book to be both illuminating and inspiring. These two writers examine a complex subject with empathy, wit, and acute intelligence. They attempt to break down the myths presented in the media surrounding black masculinity, with a focus on how it effects black males, hip-hop culture, and the relationships between black men and women. I was particularly interested in how gay black men fit into this culture, and I found that fascinating, yet that is only a small part of an intricate puzzle. This book goes beyond scrutinizing a snapshot of today's black culture. It makes an honest attempt to understand where black masculinity as it relates to black women will evolve to in the near future. Thoughtful and absorbing, I can highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a greater understanding of American black culture, and what directions that culture is moving.