New film explores how Obama is redefining black masculinity

What do Senator Barack Obama and rapper/mogul 50 Cent have in common? The answer may depend on who you ask.

Award-winning director Byron Hurt explored that question and others in a new short documentary film, Barack & Curtis: Manhood, Power, and Respect,  examining the contrasting styles of manhood exhibited by the presidential candidate and Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent.

The short film features Esther Armah, Matt Birkhold, William Jelani Cobb, Michaela Angela Davis, Terrance Dean and Ras Baraka as they discuss the concept of masculinity, in the black community in particular.

It's not the first time Hurt has delved into controversial issues in the community. Described as an "anti-sexist activist who provides cutting-edge male leadership," Hurt previously produced and directed Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, a documentary film that examines representations of gender roles in hip-hop and rap music.

Hurt, who also specializes in the field of sexual and gender violence prevention and education, made the new film as part of the Black Masculinity Project of the National Black Programming Consortium. 

The idea was to discuss Obama's masculinity in a way he had not yet seen, he says. A self-described political junkie, Hurt says he was intrigued by Obama's rise to political rock stardom. "The more I watched Obama stumping on the campaign trail, the more I found his cool presentation of manhood interesting and refreshing. On the surface, Obama's manhood appeared to be the polar opposite of the stereotypical images of black masculinity we've come to expect from hip-hop and popular culture," he wrote recently.

Hurt credits Obama for "shattering so many myths about black masculinity," but he also notes that 50 Cent was just named Forbes Magazine's top-earning rapper. And given all the controversy about race recently, Hurt is sensitive about the impact of releasing the film in the context of a heated presidential campaign. Hurt says the film "is in no way intended to create a negative association between Barack Obama and 50 Cent."

It's a sign of the times that the filmmaker feels the need to clarify his mission, but that's where we are in America today.

Just to make sure that viewers understand, Hurt explains his purpose on his web site. "In no way do I want to damage Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign. In no way am I suggesting that Barack Obama is down with G-Unit or is a gangsta rapper cleverly disguised as a presidential candidate. Neither is Barack & Curtis intended to glorify 50 Cent. Instead, the piece is my attempt to humanize 50 Cent, examine two very different Black men who express their masculinity in two very different ways, and who took two very different paths to achieve manhood, power, and respect."

The film ends with the message: "Redefine black masculinity. Challenge white patriarchy."