Empowering Black Boys to Challenge Rape Culture

Education consultant Braxton debuts with an impassioned call for young Black men to be active participants in the fight against sexual violence. Stressing the importance of men being more than just passive allies, Braxton recounts how joining One in Four, a student group committed to ending the rape epidemic on college campuses, opened the door for his female classmates to share their stories of being sexually assaulted. He sheds light on issues affecting efforts to eradicate rape culture in the Black community, including the history of false accusations by white women against Black men, misogyny in hip-hop music, racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and the desire not to "further assault the Black male image." Braxton suggests that parents and educators can draw on Black boys' awareness of racism to help them "detect the social underpinnings for massive amounts of violence against women"; identifies common misconceptions about what qualifies as sexual assault, including that victims must physically resist their attackers; and interviews key players in the movement to end sexual violence. Unfortunately, he provides few specific models to follow, and doesn't make clear which discussions are appropriate for which age groups. Readers will appreciate Braxton's insights but wish for a more specific road map. (Jan.)