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April, 1975 THe BLACK INK Po9« 11 What is behind that Superfly image? Talk about men By Chiquetta Shackleford Wriier Superfly is still with us. He can be seen strutting around campus with pressed hair, wide brim hat and sporting a cane. Is this what attracts black females? The three ladies interviewed expressed mutual disgust for what seems to be a continuing fad among a segment of black male population. Evelyn: "The superfly look doesn't turn me on. Black men are trying to change their image by changing their hair style and clothing, but the change should come from a mental aspect. It's not superfly, but superficial." Carolyn: "I don't like the superfly look. You can't see the man because of his clothes. It tends to give you a negative opinion of a man before you get to know him." Lynn: "i despise the superfly look with utter disgust. It should have been left in the 50's." When asked her impression of men who pride themselves on being super-cool, Lynn replied, "Coolness is okay, because being cool is a part of being Black. Men think that if they aren't cool, women won't pay them any attention. However, they shouldn't be too cool to be spoken to." The question which really flared tempers was the belief expressed that most Black women on UNC's campus are "stuck up" and walk around with their heads in the clouds. Evelyn said, "It's a cop-out. These type of pre-judgements keep women acting the way they ore. The guys do not approach women or give them a chance, and I feel it's just a misrepresented stereotype. Some men feel that they have so much to prove." Lynn; "1 won't say that there aren't some stuck up women on this campus, but for every stuck up one, there's a nice one. Men here are on ego trips and all they want to do is 'run jwhores/ Women are just afraid of getting hurt." Carolyn: "There is some Black girl for every Black guy. This stuck-up thing is just a rationalization, like saying all Black women are too short." Finally, 1 asked the ladies what attracted them in a man. Evelyn's answer was, "Honesty is most important, but it's very hard to find an honest man. Neatness also appeals to me because a man shows his self confidence through his physical appearance. I also like ambitious men, because I'm an ambitious person, and intelligence is also important." "I don't like the Superfly look. You can't see the man because of his clothes." Black men and women style casually Are you listening ladies? Evelyn's opinion was quite different. "Some one who is acting super-cool is saying 'I'm not really cool, but 1 want you to think I am.' It's like dramatizing. If he were cool, 1 could see it without the front.^ Carolyn believes, "A lot of men get reinforced for coolness, and it makes them act even cooler, until soon they're not approachable. Part of this is the girls' fault." Lynn also believes that honesty in a man is a precious commodity. "I like a man with a good sense of humor. I also like an honest man, but that's a very rare trait. Responsibility and independence are also important." Carolyn: "In a man I look for a good personality; someone who is easy to relate to with good conversation. 1 also like creativity in a man." By Allen H. Johnson Ml Sports Editor Does a female counterpart to the "Superfly" image exist? Do the meticulous hairdos, make-up, and fortyish clothes constitute an antithesis to the carefully calculated coolness of the impeccably dressed, platform-heeled male? A majority of males interviewed replied a definite "yes" to these questions, noting that some women do, indeed, try to be "bad", just as some men do. "Maybe some women don't actually think they're trying to be that way," observed Charles, "but that's the way It comes across. 1 can understand people going through periods of moodiness or solitude, but when they're aloof every day you tend to receive lasting impressions." Elliot agreed. "They just demand attention just like the guys do. That's why you'll see a girl walking down the street in hot pants looking around to see how many dudes have noticed her. it's and ego thing. Elliot noted that when female coolness is manifested in a "stuck-up" ottitude, it could very well be a sign of insecurity. "These girls may be afraid to become seriously involved with guys/' he said "because they're not fure they con handle the situation that a serious relationship presents." "They're just fooling themselves," added Milton. "They're denying their true emotions. 1 personally don't think any female is special." Milton also believes that the "cuteness and sophistication" of a woman can invite a number of unpleasant consequences, including a host of female enemies. "Women are quick to become envious, jealous, and downright disdainful of other women who profess to be 'Miss Chick'," he said. Are men attracted to the woman who projects the so-called "Miss Chick" image? "Some gents probably think its a challenge," Charles replied. "hs kind of a status thing," added Frank. "H makes a man feel a certain amount of prestige to be seen with 'Miss Chick'." When asked if he would seek the status that a "Miss Chick" could offer, Frank paused, then responded, "Honestly, I'd have to say yeah, but you've got to realize that once you get to know her you could find out that she isn't really the 'Miss Chick' you thought she was." What do the men interviewed k>ok for in a prospective female companion? "Looks, dress, and componionship," Elliot remarked. "I prefer a quiet, attractive giH who is in no way 'Miss Chick'/' said Frank. "First you notice the physical attraction," admitted Charles. "Ain't no use sayin' you don't 'cause you do. But equally important are the young lady's persorKjjity ar»d whether or not she's compatible with you. I*ye ^woys said: 'If you don't wont me for who I am, then I am rK>t the one you wont. Pseudo Lover Touch my hand, hold my finger. I'm caught up in you. Brush my cheek, stroke my hair, I'll believe in you. Whisper sacred, honest oaths, Faith, I'll have in you. Close my eyes and kiss the lids, ril always follow you. Tell me—help me.understand, I won't pressure you. Give my love, give me strength. I'm a part of you. Put your strong arm on my shoulder. Give me hope for life. Keep me—dawn will usurp dusk. But rtl feel secure. Till you fail me—destroying my world, And leave me here ... alone. Evelyn Dove "These girls may be afraid to become seriously involved... because they're not sure they can handle the situation..."
Black Ink (Black Student Movement, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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April 1, 1975, edition 1
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