Source: Rodin Eckenroth / Getty
Tichina Arnold, a veteran of television and the big screen, learned how the world of social media can quickly turn a social media post into a raging debate. After posting a question regarding the so-called “emasculation of Black men in America,” Arnold found herself defending her words in a follow-up tweet but the discussion is still ongoing.
On April 13, Arnold tweeted, “Honest Question: What can we as Black Women in America do, to stop aiding in the emasculation of Black men in America?”
With immediacy, folks chimed in with often harsh barbs aimed at Arnold, prompting her to reply with, “Still reading comments. Whew.. 2thoughts: 1)Despite all, I will never be fearful of asking ANY1 questions. 2)The Black Man & Woman needs to heal…together. We are up against a plethora of odds that are continually stacked against us..but it won’t change my love for ALL of us.”
Arnold’s words may have come from a well-meaning space, but they certainly ruffled more than a few feathers. In the end, Arnold got answers but it wasn’t the harmonious list of solutions she may have been looking for.
Check out the reactions below.
* Honest Question: What can we as Black Women in America do, to stop aiding in the emasculation of Black men in America?
— Tichina Arnold (@TichinaArnold) April 13, 2022
*Still reading comments. Whew.. 2thoughts: 1)Despite all, I will never be fearful of asking ANY1 questions. 2)The Black Man & Woman needs to heal…together. We are up against a plethora of odds that are continually stacked against us..but it won’t change my love for ALL of us.
— Tichina Arnold (@TichinaArnold) April 13, 2022
—
Photo: Getty
1.
Black men use their PRIVILEGE as men in a patriarchal society as a battering ram against everyone in our community and it's for US to aid in some imaginary emasculation of Black men? This is the same tired narrative that creates pick me mommas and overworked daughters. STOP.
— Jenifer Lewis' "MMM-HMM" In Human Form (@MuvaFoxx) April 13, 2022
2.
BMs emasculation has absolutely nothing to do with BW. Why aren’t you asking these men what they can do to reduce the black Femicide rates in the US? A BW/girl is k!lled every 5.5 hours in the US – just go to blackfemicideamerica on IG & you can see all the stories for yourself.
— stream ‘Somebody Like You’ (@afrorckprincess) April 13, 2022
3.
What has “masculinity” done for black women for yall to keep trying to hold on to these archaic/tired/destructive versions of it??? Lmaoooo because it even destroys men. I want an answer quickly.
— ΛDRIΛN (@AdrianXpression) April 13, 2022
4.
Nothing.
Black men have to stop treating the following things as emasculating:
-Having emotions (other then anger.)
-Asking for help (ex: therapy)
-Being LGBT
-not being the primary earner in a relationship
-Liking things that aren't considered "manly"— Darin A. Robinson II (@rain4estwhitaka) April 13, 2022
5.
I’m proud of the way many BW responded to this Christian Obumseli nonsense and answered Tichina Arnold’s foolish question. Mammies and mules are ever present but so many more BW are getting on code now than ever before.
— NightShayyd (@NiteShayyd) April 13, 2022
6.
Tichina Arnold’s tweet has black men denying the murder rate of black women in case you were wondering what bargain basement level of humanity she was engaging.
— Melanie Dione (@thegates0fmel) April 14, 2022
7.
Note to self: Stay away from all the black men applauding Tichina Arnold's pick me ass tweet.
It's very telling and hurtful. pic.twitter.com/liZ7IVcaFy
— BUTTER GOLEM
(@IAmOroro) April 13, 2022
8.
America isn't making you drop out of school and not go to college, it's not making you not build or produce anything, it's not making your neighborhoods unsafe with guns and drugs, it's not making you kill a black woman every 5 hours.
Youre emasculating yourselves.
— Dream Girl
(@its_daqueen) April 13, 2022
9.
Our sisters can understand that we're each other's natural counterparts and there is a clear agenda at work to keep us separate and Black men specifically a weak and permanent underclass. Listening to us is the beginning.
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) April 13, 2022
10.
Nothing, as far as I can tell. Apparently, us living and thriving without them or DESPITE them is emasculating. Because I won't stop living my best life to make certain Black men feel better, I'm going with "nothing." Final answer.
— Queen Thicktoria, Esq. Stands with Ukraine (@VeeCeeMurphy76) April 13, 2022
11.
Beloved celebs/icons deliberately insulting their fans (A THREAD):
1. Tichina Arnold-@TichinaArnold.
— There are so many things to say about the wrongness of this tweet, but the worst is that it insinuates that Black Women need to do MORE LABOR than they already do. https://t.co/EHbMIZN9mu pic.twitter.com/ss9utVmKnK
— William P. James (he/him). (@iwilliampj_) April 13, 2022
12.
Tichina Arnold, girl. Not you…. pic.twitter.com/zEMh93eAXa
— timmygotsoul (@timmygotsoul) April 13, 2022
13.
That Tichina Arnold tweet she posted not too long ago is so ridiculous I can’t even respond to it nicely so I’m not
— Dear Ashley… (@asj519) April 13, 2022
14.
Tichina Arnold asked a very specific question. What post does @TheShadeRoom decide to post?
Not one’s answering said question.
But all the negative responses.
That question could’ve started a new positive wave.
— STAR (@natoyaaaa) April 14, 2022
15.
Maybe let them FIGHT THEIR OWN FCKING BATTLES AS MALES?! instead of expecting black WOMEN to coddle and hide them behind their skirt?! then they turn around and accuse us of being the masculine one. YOU are emasculating them RIGHT NOW WITH THIS TWEET. https://t.co/t9SuhcvvNU
— WilCii (@BabyArmyfangirl) April 14, 2022
16.
Realize that their emasculation has nothing to do with the black women in their lives or around them
https://t.co/dmdsYnhEHI
— blackcomicbookstan/ CHRIS DAY (@blkcomictwit) April 13, 2022
17.
Stop asking questions like these and let Black men discuss what makes them feel empowered that isn’t at Black women’s expense. https://t.co/Knlyr88iUM
— Chesapeake Bae (@BaltimoreLili) April 13, 2022
18.
Men who are worried about emasculation need to figure out why OTHERS define their masculinity. https://t.co/IFiWS1eqAr
— Dr. Yen Lo
(@theointhetank) April 13, 2022
19.
Stop. Black women are killed by their black counterparts ever 5-6 hours in this country alone. Black men still have male privilege and have shown time after time how they will throw their entire community under the bus for some white validation. What emasculation is going on? https://t.co/emNeUQaMRV
—
Saymone/새먼
20.
So to answer this question: Black Women in America can help by allowing multiple positive male role models to teach their sons the life skills they need to be leaders in this society amongst followers.. instead of babying them to the point they’re worthless adults. https://t.co/BaDQeTlshv
— Tori Nicks 2.0
(@MajestyRia) April 14, 2022