Why Vulnerability is Not Weakness for Black Men
Breaking Stereotypes and Finding Emotional Strength. Healing Black Manhood: Confronting Societal Barriers to Vulnerability and Connection
My vulnerability does not subtract from my manhood. My manhood will not be defined by the small rigid confines of masculinity. I was about 12 or 13 when I accepted how my Black maleness can literally be perceived as the dangers and fears that others project on me. Consequently, as a black men I am always culpable for the violence disposition imagined onto my body, which is used to justify harm, incarceration and/or murder.
RIP Malcolm Jamal Warner—you inspired generations to be better. This conversation is for EVERY Black man who wants a healthier relationship with his feelings, especially vulnerability.
Today we should challenge stereotypes and deconstruct the barriers around Black masculinity and vulnerability. Real strength ain’t about suppressing your emotions — it’s about having the courage to be authentic and open, even in a world that tries to weaponize your feelings against you. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s a superpower that fuels emotional wellness, connection, and real leadership. Let’s change the narrative: Being true to yourself and expressing how you feel can inspire transformation, not just in your own life, but in the culture around you.
Here are three key takeaways that resonated with me:
Vulnerability is a Strength, Not a Weakness: Traditional stereotypes equate emotional openness with weakness, especially for Black men. The podcast reminds us that having the courage to be authentic and express emotions is its own form of strength.
Societal Narratives Need Challenging: Black men are often positioned as threats or dangers in media and theory, erasing the nuanced realities of their emotional lives. This leads to harmful cycles of suppressed emotions, isolation, and shallow expressions of brotherhood.
Emotional Wellness Requires Space and Dialogue: Creating room for vulnerability is vital for healing and growth. Whether it’s through journaling, supportive friendships, or therapy, embracing vulnerability leads to deeper resilience and authentic connections.
Black men are not afforded space to feel and express our emotions outside of the stereotypes thats coded with pathology. In some instances emotional intelligence in understood in opposition to Black masculinity. According to Kevin Rudrow, “imagined as violent, mindless, and predatory, Black men have been conceived almost entirely through the eyes of patriarchal White supremacists who hold considerable control over the media and the representations it circulates. Popular mainstream media depicting Black men have rested commonly on a few reductive archetypes, including the buck and Uncle Tom”.
The hidden vulnerability in Black male friendships illustrate alot. Think about how we show love to each other as Black men. We'll say something like, “I'm trying to get like you,” because that's the least vulnerable way of saying, hey, bro, I support you. According to Dr. Tommy Curry, “Black male vulnerability” highlights how society erases Black men’s experiences, and the violence/risks they face daily. Think of all the brothers who lash out because they refuse to be seen as “weak.” Or those who struggle with loneliness because they aren’t allowed to express their hearts.
Key Highlights:
Vulnerability ≠ Weakness: Both speakers remind us that being in touch with your emotions requires strength and courage, not fear.
Societal Pressure: Black men are forced into boxes, often punished or ridiculed for emotions outside anger or bravado. This harms relationships—with self and others.
Relearning Connection: Even simple affirmations between Black men (“I’m trying to get like you”) are coded to minimize vulnerability.
A Call for Change: Embracing emotional expression is more than personal healing—it’s a push against misleading narratives that have real consequences.
Too often, Black men have their experiences erased or criminalized. Embracing vulnerability means healing from those projections and discovering our own truths about manhood. Showing love and support as Black men shouldn’t require disguising our care. Let’s make space for emotions beyond anger or bravado—celebrate each other openly, beyond just sports and surface comments.
Here’s the point, impact and intended outcome from this conversation on Black masculinity and vulnerability. Emotional liberation is key to material liberation, which we should strive for as a community. “The goal-setting step involves fostering an environment that allows Black men to express their vulnerability safely. The goal isn't to challenge or change cultural narratives overnight but to gradually create spaces and mindsets where vulnerability is accepted and embraced. It's about encouraging Black men to express their emotions without fear of judgment or rejection,” Amethyst Roberson. Our vulnerability does not subtract from out manhood. Our manhood should not be defined by the small rigid confines of masculinity.
WORKS CITED:
Vulnerability is a Superpower for Leaders by Galen Emanuele
I see Death Around The Corner by Kevin Rudrow
Black Men and Vulnerability: A Journey Towards Emotional Liberation By Amethyst Roberson