Do black men really love black women? : A qualitative study on how mass media shape black men's perception of black women for long-term romantic relationship -- or not
Authors:   , Valerius Daphne S. 
Published: August 2021

When confronted with the presence of a Black man in relationship with a non-Black woman whether in media messages or real life, more often than not Black women are also met with feelings of rejection and inadequacy. It is a form of rejection experienced by Black women that is often discussed behind closed doors, within her inner circle, in conversation with other Black women and/or trusted Black male confidantes. It is also a form of rejection that is often left unexpressed or silenced for fear of being labeled an "angry Black woman". When considered from the lens of race, the trope of the "angry Black woman" becomes even more problematic when the landscape of contemporary television media is dominated by non-fiction, reality television programming, featuring Black women displaying socially aggressive behavior. This calls into question whether or not media depictions of Black women further perpetuate the trope of the "angry Black woman" and make her less suitable or desirable for long-term romantic partnership. By taking a qualitative approach to examine media perceptions of Black women, this dissertation concerns itself with situating how colorism as an extension of whiteness, stereotypical media depictions and representations of socially aggressive behavior by Black women in the media all work in concert to further complicate perceptions of Black women as suitable long-term partners in the eyes of others -- specifically Black men. The present study situates the voices of Black men and examines how they read, receive, interpret and make meaning of media messages of Black women in order to better understand their selection and consideration of Black women as suitable partners for long-term romantic relationships in comparison to non-Black women. Taken together through the theoretical frameworks of audience reception theory, symbolic annihilation, and social aggression, the present study investigates how media portrayals of Black women and Whiteness shape heterosexual Black men's perception of Black women and their decision to be in long-term romantic relationship with Black women -- or not. The present study consists of five focus group conversations with Black male participants that reveal the most problematic media messages of Black women in consideration of long-term romantic partnership are those that perpetuate the normalization of the strong Black woman and socially aggressive behavior. Based on lived experiences with Black women, Black men recognize that the trope of the strong Black woman is problematic and misguiding. Black men are also cognizant of the fact that a Black woman's expression of passion is often misinterpreted and perpetuated by the media as anger. However, conversations with Black men further reveal that in spite of media messages, Black men love and advocate for long-term romantic relationship with Black women who they collectively agree are the ideal romantic partner for Black men regardless or shade, hue or skin tone. However, the fa√ßade of strength and media depictions of hypermasculinity as propagated in the media and internalized by Black women contributes to a level of tension between Black men and women that oftentimes pushes him away.