Male Rompers AKA Romphims continue to perpetuate the de-escalation of the Black man. People who make this statement usually follow it up by the words “Female's should just”, “It’s a man’s job to” and “What will our kids think”. Please let it be known, the only entity that is perpetuating the de-escalating of Black men is male fragility. Men, specifically Black men have been molded to believe they can express little to no emotion unless it’s the fourth quarter of game seven. Literally saying “No Homo” after every sentence and following every questionable outfit with “Nah yo, that’s gay”. Again, the only action in this world that makes you homosexual is identifying as homosexual. If a celebrity says a couple of racist words on TV that gain the support of the Middle America does that make him your president? This point is, perception and identification do not always correlate. Who are we to define another person’s sexuality based on their clothing, speech or mannerisms?
We are approaching a time where people can live #carefreeblackboy. Last year we had Jaden Smith; the son of a cultural icon who led Loui Vuitton's campaign in a skirt. Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, and countless others embodied self-expression. This year we have ACED; an Illinois-based startup that displays individualism and overt social acceptance. These business school friends are revamping the jumpsuit. Let’s be honest, me, you, yo mama and yo cousin too knew someone with a Dickies jumpsuit. Granted there is a difference in length and color, however, the concept is the same. Are we seriously going to let measurements and pastels define sexual preference? The common factor with ACED, Generation Z rappers and breakout actors is happiness. The new wave of movers and shakers are not going to let subjective nonsense stop them from experiencing bliss. Being comfortable enough to wear a dress to the red carpet or skinny jeans and a "murse" in front of a sold-out crowd is closer to self-actualization than demonizing people who chose express free will.
Though not enough to be trusted with the rights of a particular country, we all know women run the world. For heterosexual men at least, the second a woman looks at you like a midnight snack there will no debate of what is and is not “Gay”. Romphims challenge the internal conflict being placed on men; how deep is your sexuality?
It is not a question of whether or not you want to wear a romphim, it's having the freedom to do so without judgment. A charge has been set for Black men to wear the hell out that romphim this summer. Let someone unwrap you and your confidence too!
