I agreed to participate in a new film called “Hoodwinked,” by noted director Janks Morton. In the film, Morton goes head-on into the myths surrounding black men, and how many of us have misinterpreted the challenges within the black male community to imply that black men possess a degree of dysfunctionality that is beyond repair.
Most of us agree that there are men in the world who choose to do the wrong things, and who are always ready to embrace the ignorance being perpetuated through mass media. But the silent majority consists of black men who choose to be as responsible, intelligent and productive as the rest of America. We are no less human than anyone else, and many of us meet the challenge of manhood in ways that make our mothers proud.
The film features other scholars besides myself, including: Michael Eric Dyson, Steve Perry, Jawanza Kunjufu, Marc Lamont Hill, Marco Clark and Ivory Tolson. You can watch a clip of the film below:
© 2011 – 2012, Dr. Boyce Watkins. All rights reserved.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the book, “Black American Money.” He is one of the leading financial scholars and social commentators in America. He advocates for education, economic empowerment and social justice and has changed the definition of what it means to be a Black scholar and leader in America.
When will this movie be available for viewing? It is actually disturbing that so many stated there are more black men in jail than college. Unfortunately, I agree. How do we change the dynamics and encourage our sons? I look forward to watching this with my son.
When and where can we see the film?? I am the mother o a 21 year old son who is currently in college. I think it is critcally important that our community, in fact every kind of community be far more aware of the terrific young men in our midst..who are working hard and who are struggling against stereotypes and against so many people in the African American community who have been fed and believe the worst.