The politics of black Caribbean masculinities: (de)constructing the postcolonial ‘other’

Briscoe-Palmer, Shardia Violet ORCID: 0000-0001-7516-5537 (2021). The politics of black Caribbean masculinities: (de)constructing the postcolonial ‘other’. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The thesis sets out to address the importance of race in masculinity debates. This thesis conducts a postcolonial analysis of masculinity with an intersectional methodological approach to explore black masculinities specifically. The recent inequalities towards black men (and women) have been presented on different platforms in various geographical locations. This thesis applies an intersectional gendered lens to examine the constructed male identity and deconstructs associated gender performances. It exposes racial discriminations, marginalisation and vulnerabilities experienced by black men daily, attributing to centuries of oppression. Not to be used as an excuse for unwarranted behaviours, this thesis nonetheless presents a comprehensive analysis on current discourse.

The thesis combines Postcolonialism and Intersectionality theoretical frameworks with an ethnographic methodology based on black masculinity in Jamaica. The research involves 51 participants, 9 focus groups and 6 weeks’ worth of reflective observations to explore and analyse the multi-complex relationship between black masculinity, gender privilege and racial oppression. It finds that the performance of hegemonic masculinity is at the expense of discrimination and exploitation towards other masculinities. This thesis challenges the dominant social discursive ideal of masculinity and emphasizes the significant gap in the debate, race! Addressing geographic cultural variations of masculinity and heteronormative constructions through time and space (Nast 2001), it exposes gender scripts (Mosher and Tomkins 1988) placed upon black masculine performances as hindrances embedded within the black male gender. The thesis acknowledges flaws in postcolonial perspectives however and therefore, adopts intersectionality methodologies to move the debate forward by establishing an appropriate framework to research masculinity and race. The thesis exemplifies, using said frameworks, why and how race is and must continue to be a significant component of masculinity studies.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):