Introduction

Abstract

Whether through the Million Man March, various forms of rap music, or economic programs for self-empowerment, Black nationalism remains an important, thriving ideology within Black politics. Scholars in history, cultural studies, literature, and other fields have worked to understand and assess the appeal and influence of Black nationalism, both historically in terms of the Black Power movement, and in terms of its connection to contemporary politics.¹ In the field of political science, literature on Black politics traditionally tends to deal with nationalism within a limited frame: as the polar opposite of integrationism, the ideology considered to be the other main tendency within Black politics.² Most recently scholars in political science such as Robert Brown, Ronald Brown, Darren Davis, Michael Dawson, and Todd Shaw have worked to discern whether and to what extent there are various types or “dimensions” of Black nationalism.³ Generally scholars have labored to delineate the defining characteristics of various nationalist traditions, but have neglected to include masculinist gender power—that is the exercise of influence and control by men to delineate institutional boundaries, establish patterns of leadership, and produce identity—as a key component.⁴