Aminah Larsen
Professor Kari Powell
CFS 140
17 November 2023
Novel Application Project on “Big Black Penis: Misadventures in Race and Masculinity”
(my pages may be off because I bought a different web version)
The book I decided to read this semester was “Big Black Penis: Misadventures in Race
and Masculinity” by Shawn Taylor. The author does his best to expand upon the black
experience and highlight how the intersection of race and masculinity shaped identity, challenged
societal expectations, and influenced his personal development. I personally resonated with this
book a lot because like Shawn, I had to grow up as a black kid trying to navigate life without a
consistent male/father figure while also dealing with the struggle of societal expectations and
low income. We also share the “oreo” experience of being perceived as “too white” for certain
interests we have.
(1. Microsystem) Speaking of fathers, on page 27 Shawn talks a bit about how his father
left the picture, saying, “And just like that, like so many black and brown children of the
seventies, I was left fatherless. Fathers were a myth where I grew up, a legend kind of like the
boogeyman, a tale used to straighten out crooked kids. The word daddy was the ultimate
manipulative tool used by project mothers everywhere.” He also talks a bit about how his mother
was extremely distant emotionally on page 31. He ended up coping with all of this with the help
of a peer support group he created with friends and later called the “Sperm Donor” club as a jab
at all of their absent/distant fathers. This influenced his development in the fact that it played a
pivotal role in shaping Shawn's understanding of family, friendship, and the need for connection
within his social environment.
(2. Mesosystem) Shawn dives into his home life on the following pages, specifically
pages 40 and 41, where he says, “Some people say that the worst part of growing up in a
single-parent household is that you don't get equal male and female influences(…)the single
worst thing, for me, was growing up broke as hell. Seeing all of the other kids with GI Joe and
skateboards and nice clothes hurt.” This economic disparity between the author's family and the
families of his more “well-off” schoolmates creates a mesosystem dynamic. The financial
struggles within the family microsystem spill over into the school microsystem, influencing
Shawn's perceptions and experiences which ultimately make him develop insecurities and
self-esteem issues.
(3. Macrosystem) I think this book explores a lot in terms of macrosystem. The culture
and society that Shawn grew up in influenced his relationships and experiences in a lot of
different ways. To focus on a specific example, Shawn's reflection on violence in the book delves
into the broader societal expectations and norms. In the beginning of the chapter titled “Violence
is Easy” he says, "Violence, as sick as it is, is one of the only acceptable ways for men to express
themselves in Western society." This observation highlights a societal norm ingrained in the
macrosystem that associates masculinity with aggression and physical confrontation. It’s
something he had to learn to not only protect himself, but also develop and find a twisted sense
of purpose.
(4. Exosystem) An exosystem was taught to us as something out of a person’s reach that
still manages to influence and affect their development, like larger societal rules and functions.
It’s really obvious to me that systemic racism and oppressive societal norms are what affect and
shape Shawn’s development the most. On pages 112 through 127, Shawn describes a racist
encounter he had with a worker in ChinaTown. In this situation, the broader societal norms, filled
with racial biases, become a major player in shaping Shawn's behavior and development. Both
he and the worker threw racist remarks at each other, and the experience left Shawn with a
profound sense of discomfort and inner conflict. The pressure to conform to racial expectations
and the confrontation highlights the influence of the exosystem, which contributes to Shawn's
navigation of identity and race-related challenges.
(5. Significant adult) Early in the book, Shawn mentions how in the midst of dealing with
a distant mother and an absent father, his Auntie was a comfort and great influence. On pages 35
and 36, Shawn delves into the experiences he had when he was younger, being taught by his
Auntie how to fight and stay prepared for conflict. She gave hip tips for fights and even gave him
a weapon for self defense. Because of his aunt, Shawn developed the skills to protect himself and
stand up against people trying to mess with him.
(6. A school factor) This theme of racism and violence was even present in Shawn’s early
school life. On page 137, he mentions an instance of violence as early as kindergarten. A kid
taunted him, calling him a racial slur, and when Shawn retaliated he was sent to the office and
reported back to his mother. His mother, unfortunately, was emotionally and physically abusive
and didn’t take this news well. This entire situation fostered a sense of vulnerability and mistrust
in school environments and even his own mother, setting the tone for Shawn's relationship with
education and authority figures. It highlights the harsh reality that even in the educational
microsystem, Shawn faced adversity and a lack of support, shaping his perception of school and
contributing to the challenges he experienced in his formative years.
(7. Socioeconomic status) Shawn's socioeconomic status plays a pivotal role in shaping
his development throughout the book. As I mentioned before, on pages 40 and 41, he vividly
describes the financial struggles of growing up in a single-parent household. The lack of material
possessions compared to his richer/well-off peers led to feelings of inadequacy and resentment.
Shawn's mother was also constrained by economic hardships and couldn't provide the same
privileges as other parents which only amplified his insecurity. This economic struggle is a
consistent thread woven into his experiences, and it impacts his choices, perceptions, and overall
development in a world where financial status dictates acceptance and self-worth a majority of
the time.
(8. Empowerment of the Family) I don’t think there was much empowerment taking
place in Shawn’s family when he was a child. However, towards the end of the book, around the
240 page mark, Shawn reflects on his relationship with his lover Janet. Despite facing numerous
challenges in their relationship, including societal stereotypes related to race and religion, the
couple successfully overcame hurdles and came together to make their relationship thrive.
Shawn recognized that their relationship was being hindered by external pressures and negative
behaviors learned in childhood. Their ability to find a genuine connection, even after seven years
of marriage, illustrates a sense of empowerment that transcends societal norms and expectations.
They became a family that successfully navigated complexities and grew stronger in the process.