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I've frequently heard that a big problem, and part of why so many young black kids look up to rappers and athletes as role models, is that there just aren't many good role models for them to look up to. And that was a point I'd previously conceded. But when you think about it, that doesn't actually make sense. It's true that black people should have more equitable representation in positions of power, but there are some that exist in positions of power and they don't seem to be regarded as role models within the black community - at least not to the extent that the issue actually seems to be a lack of black role models to choose from. Like there should be more black CEOs and scientists, but there are enough out there to serve as role models, but they simply don't seem to be regarded in that way. There has obviously been a black president and there are many black members of congress. It's not like there is such a paucity of them that the only possible person a young black kid could look up to is someone like Future. It's true that only 6% of CEOs in the US are black, but I'd bet good money that the average black person can't name a single one (and for the record neither can I), and the same is true for the six black CEOs that head fortune 500 companies. If there is such a demand for positive black role models, why are none of those six executives widely regarded as such?
I guess my question is to those who say that the only role models available to young black kids are entertainers, what do you mean? Why do the above examples not suffice to the point that there are just no role models for young black kids to look up to?
What if you question the premise that your role model has to be of the same culture let alone race? Like yeah if you want to satisfy the lowest common denominator then you might as well add on more conditionals to it, but at one point you might reach the conclusion that these people aren't actually forward-thinking enough in a way for them to even seek out a role model. And to me, the same race is well past that point.
The pernicious premise to this premise is that black people can't ever be at fault for anything, if The World isn't ordered such that they should flourish, there is something wrong with the structure.
It's a dead-ended model of reality because it presupposes that black people can't ever fail due to their own shortcomings.
Role models are typically relatable, the incentive is that if "I behave like this person, I can achieve what this person achieves."
If you're coming from a place of perceived poverty and repression, no amount of "acting white" will grant you the benefits these white CEOs received by virtue of not being dark-skinned.
Put another way, if I'm a little black girl who wants to be a pop singer, should I model my behavior on Katy Perry or Beyonce?
I can't tell if this is sarcasm or not.
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