Black Masculinity and Homosexuality in "Moonlight" by Barry Jenkins

Seminar paper from the year 2022 in the subject Communications - Movies and Television, grade: 1,0, University of Bonn (Department of English, American, and Celtic Studies), course: What's Happened Since Stonewall?: Queer US-American Experiences of the Last 50 Years, language: English, abstract: This analysis takes an in-depth look at Barry Jenkins's film "Moonlight," celebrated for its portrayal of black masculinities and same-sex love. The study aims to explore both the unique intersection of masculinity, blackness, and sexuality, as well as the stereotypical depictions found within the film, following the protagonist Chiron's development across different stages of life.

"Moonlight" offers a compelling exploration of black masculinity by tracing the life of Chiron, an African American boy from Miami's poorer suburbs. Set in the 1980s at the onset of the Crack epidemic in the US, the film divides Chiron's life into three chapters: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. In each stage, Chiron grapples with themes of masculinity, sexuality, and love, influenced by his mother, surrogate family, and school peers. Theoretical approaches and works by scholars like bell hooks and Trevor B. Milton aid in defining and analyzing the subject of black masculinity, highlighting both stereotypical and redefined versions of black masculinity.