Victoria Abbate

          Empire, the story of a resilient family in the hip-hop music industry shown on Fox, depicts stereotypes in the gay black community and hip-hop. Jamal as the first gay black character, is presented in very homo-masculine stereotypes in order for him to be accepted and fit into the homophobic hip-hop industry.
In this analysis, I will examine the depiction of gay masculine ideals present in Jamal ‘s character and the tarnishing effects of homophobia in the black community and hip-hop. The significance of this critical cultural analysis, is to focus on the fact that while Jamal is a sanitized queer character depicting gay stereotypes, he also goes against normativity. I intend to show how the many obstacles Jamal faces in his life cause him to fall into stereotypical categories as a gay man.
A Black Homosexual Influence in Production
          Lee Daniels, also known as the co-creator of Empire, has tied in his own experiences as a gay black man within the production of the show. He does this in attempt to steer audiences clear of homophobia in the black community through the hostile relationship between Jamal and his father, Lucious. Daniels’ own father had resentment towards the gay community which greatly upset him and ultimately determined him to eliminate the oppression through the interplay between Jamal and Lucious. Because the same hatred is present and in circulation throughout households and generations, the depictions in Empire have opened viewers eyes. For Daniels, the bigger picture was to create a change in his community and for the minority that he was a part of much like Jamal.
Gay Masculinity is Here to Stay… and the Proof Will Not Stop!
          Jamal deals with the homophobia, cruelty from his father and consequences of being a gay black man in the hip-hop music industry by acting out to prove him manhood. Daniels believes that all members of the LGBT community can identify with similar types of hardships. By maintaining homo-masculinity, Jamal is able to sustain a hierarchal position in the absence of power and status due to his homosexuality.
Jamal goes to great lengths to prove his manliness and earn his father’s love and acceptance in a scene where he violently threatens Lucious’ rival by holding him by the collar off of a high-story building. Lucious is pleased to discover how Jamal aggressively took charge and in turn, reconsiders the possibility of letting his son take his throne, only further encouraging Jamal to be more masculine.
          However, disregard for Jamal’s masculinity and overall sexuality are evidenced when Lucious constantly refers to Jamal as a female and undermines the authenticity of homosexuality and his manhood. As such a talented artist, Lucious continuously pushes Jamal aside because of his sexuality, overlooking his manliness because it is accompanied by homosexuality.
Direct Effects of Absence and Presence
          With an emotionally abusive and manipulative father accompanied by an absent mother for almost two decades, Jamal’s emotional state is further influenced by poor parenting. Absent mothers paired with homophobic fathers is a toxic combination for a gay black man in the hip-hop world which attributed to the poor decision-making and worsened mental illness seen in Jamal. This causes stereotypes to unfold when it comes to the bad reputation, interpersonal issues and drug use associated with gay black men and hip-hop.
Where Gay Stereotypes Lay
          As Jamal’s battle with PTSD and his consequential drug addiction to painkillers begins to spiral after he gets shot, Cookie and Lucious continue to ignore his mental illness which eats away at his character. The lack of acknowledgment only makes his PTSD worse causing him to be stereotyped as a mentally ill gay man with the inability to get a hold of his emotions.
While Jamal grew up privileged in terms of SES, he cuts ties from his father’s financial support which allows him to struggle and fend for himself. This aids in his growth and heightens his level of masculinity, theoretically advancing him on the ladder of acceptance from society. The hardships that Jamal faces after choosing to detach and financially support himself fall into the stereotype that all gay individuals live a dysfunctional life of adversity and obstacles.
          To add to the stereotypical battles Jamal faces as a gay man, we also see the presence of emotional anguish where he goes through the process of fighting with his parents and siblings which prevent him from being happy. His family issues cause him to develop the inability to express his feelings which is a trait that is tied to hyper-masculinity therefore adding to his homo-masculine ways. All of these factors further push Jamal into the categorization that gay people are emotionally anguished, mentally ill and unhappy because of their societal struggles.
Conclusion
          Empire essentially depicts the trials and tribulations of a gay man of color in a heterosexually dominated industry of homophobic hip-hop. I selected this media text because I consider Jamal’s character to resonate with my own personal experiences growing up. As a part of the LGBT community, I am able to empathize with Jamal’s internal struggles and the pressures that he faces from his family and his surroundings in order to be accepted. Jamal’s character reinforces stereotypes within the gay community and shows proof that in hip-hop, homosexuality in black men is resented and disdained, therefore being masculine is the only way to be accepted. With Empire, Daniels’ knew that he had the perfect opportunity to influence viewer’s perceptions and open their eyes through the inclusion of a gay, black, homo-masculine man in the hip-hop music industry who is far from normative.


References
Butler, Dawanna Denise, "Blacks Be Like: An Analysis of Stereotypes Perpetuated in Fox's Empire" (2015). Honors Theses - All. 1490.

Ross, K. (2014). The Handbook of Gender, Sex, and Media. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.

Sánchez, F. J., Greenberg, S. T., Liu, W. M., & Vilain, E. (2009). Reported Effects of Masculine
Ideals on Gay Men. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 10(1), 73–87.

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