Prescribed Masculinity: Who's swallowing the Black Manosphere's Brown Pill

From the legacy of Kevin Samuels, to the rise of the Passport Bros Movement, to the viral dominance of platforms like the Fresh and Fit podcast, the Brown Pill represents a unique blend of cultural commentary, relationship dynamics, and reactionary politics.

While most of us are familiar with the "Red Pill" — often associated with traditional gender roles, hyper-masculinity, and critiques of feminism — and the "Black Pill," which leans toward nihilism and defeatism in dating, the Brown Pill is something a little different. Rooted in the realities of racial identity, structural inequality, and the perceived disempowerment of men of color, this ideology is gaining traction online and influencing how Black masculinity — and by extension, Black womanhood — is being discussed. And yet — much of the conversation happens without critically engaging how these ideas affect or reflect Black women.

Kellen Sharp (he/him), a Doctoral student in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland, College Park guides today's discussion. Sharp’s research examines toxic technocultures, disinformation, and digital platforms, with a focus on how race, gender, and health are shaped by algorithmic systems and online communities.

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