The intersectionality of race and gender cannot be ignored when assessing how college onboarding forces assimilation, stripping Black men of their identity to ensure they are more palpable to society at large. Manhood and leadership can take many forms, and each should be celebrated and embraced for the unique opportunities and insights they provide. Everything from culture to appearance informs mode of presentation, acceptance, and likelihood of impact. While colleges know and attempt to help cultivate these attributes, the idea of a Black male leader needs to be examined as it pertains to the many individuals entering colleges and universities.
Dr. Hamilton Raymond
Considering who the role models are and finding accurate role models who align with positioning of a post-graduate professional is of the utmost importance when onboarding Black men at a collegiate or university level.
While manhood is not defined as a monolith, onboarding descriptions, presentations, and further educational sources need to document an increased variety of manhood and leadership examples to more accurately reflect that of the entering classes of students.
Educators must challenge the norm and present materials as society changes to reflect the inherent differences, accomplishments, and successes that can serve to empower everyone looking to succeed within these educational facilities. It is important that we acknowledge there is an internal locus of control that will be essential for young Black men to come into form and take accountability for their very own actions. They must be assured and affirmed that they see themselves in the process of growing to become their very best, or at least better than before, as individuals who contribute to society in positive ways. Because our current society has adopted a distorted image of both who the Black man is and is not, the shift in development comes to that of the external locus of control. Choosing to attend college versus doing anything else will support these young men against environmental factors that may negatively influence them.
